Picking the Right Painting Contractor in Rochester NY

Contracting for painting services can be a bit of a gamble, but if you play the odds you can minimize your risk.  Don’t just accept the first estimate you get.  Instead, get as many estimates as you can, and take an in-depth look at each company’s background before you sign anything in writing.

Whether you’re looking for professional painters in Rochester NY, or any other city, you want to make sure you have all your ducks in a row before signing on the dotted line and cutting a check.  There’s no shortage of contractors in Rochester NY, and I figure that some of the advice I’ve learned in my home city would be applicable to most any other city, to home and business owners alike. 

First, don’t be too quick to buy the cow.  The thing that most consumers take for granted is that they initially hold all the cards.  With literally hundreds—if not thousands—of services to choose from, why go with the first or even the third one you pick out of the phone book?  Competition is the lifeblood of capitalism, and when you let services compete—whether they’re contractors or anything else—the consumer is bound to reap the rewards of getting the best service for the best price possible.  We don’t always have the luxury to shop around, but when you do, take your time.  A project like painting isn’t something that needs taking care of immediately, so you can take your time combing through Rochester NY painters, getting multiple estimates, before moving on to the next step.  The more bids you have to choose from, the better the odds you’ll land the right contractor for the right price.

The next step is take a good, in-depth look at the company or contractor you’re thinking of hiring.  Looking at online reviews is a good place to start, but be mindful of putting too much stock in what people post online.  There can be any number of reasons for negative reviews, some legitimate, some not.  The real proof will come from whether or not the individual or company you’re thinking of contracting is willing to supply you with customer reviews first hand.  Odds are, if they’re willing to pass along the email address or phone number of a previously satisfied customer, they’re a genuinely good and reputable outfit.

Some other important questions to ask are:

• Is the company/contractor insured?
• How much money do they need up front?
• Are there guarantees for time, materials, etc.?
• How many painters/laborers will be on the job?
• Will their equipment or gear be stored on site, or brought to and from?

These are all important factors to consider, and the contractor that addresses such concerns successfully will get you that much closer to making the right pick.