When it comes to choosing a paint contractor, making an informed decision is vital. It can mean the difference between a professional paint job done by a respectful, honest, efficient crew, or a sloppy job that leaves you with peeling paint and the taste of bad communication in your mouth.
Whether you’re looking to have your cabinets painted or for interior or exterior painting, this guide for West Michigan homeowners will help you choose a team that will leave you feeling proud of your newly-refreshed space.
Tips for Choosing a West Michigan Paint Contractor
1. Read reviews or get a referral.
The most honest and possibly best way to know whether you’re going with the right contractor is to talk with homeowners who have experience. As you do your research on different West Michigan painters, look at reviews from past clients to see what they have to say. Website reviews can be helpful, but Google reviews are typically the most honest and updated.
Even better, ask around to see if any of your friends or acquaintances have used a painter in the past. What was their experience like? Did the company provide exceptional service? How is the paint job holding up?
2. Ask the contractor for references.
Once you’ve honed in on a painting contractor, don’t be afraid to ask for references from past clients. Ask the contractor, “Who have you done this type of project for in the past 12 months? Can I have their phone number?”
Oftentimes, honest and successful contractors will happily give you contact information for past clients who don’t mind being called.
In addition, don’t be afraid to ask a painting contractor for photos or videos of past jobs that were similar to the job you need completed.
3. Ask about who will be doing the work. Employees or subcontractors?
Does the painting company you’re considering use employees or subcontractors? While it may seem minor, this detail can make a major difference in your customer experience. And if the company does use subs, who are they?
A lot of companies use subcontractors because they’re cheap. And as you might expect, these guys don’t really care about the work. They get in and out, and they get steady work out of the deal.
So the painting company wins, the subcontractor wins, and the homeowner loses.
A lot of times, subs mean a lack of transparency, breakdown of communication, and a lack of real problem solving.
Subcontractors aren’t always bad. However, if you can find a paint company that hires, trains, and cares for employees, there’s a high likelihood that you’ll end up with a better end result.
Employees Vs. Subcontractors – Is It Really a Big Deal?
Whether or not a paint company uses employees or subcontracts IS a big deal. Here are a few reasons why.
Employees
Employees have a high level of accountability. They understand the company’s standards, culture, and core values. They’re involved in daily operations and client relationships, and they’re invested in the overall customer experience.
When a company goes through the expense and care to hire and train employees, they do it because they want to ensure an excellent customer experience and because they care about their team.
Subcontractors
On the other hand, companies that hire subcontractors tend to have a disconnect between the operations in the field (the painter) and the customer. Subcontractors don’t typically have the same level of care for the client or the company that an employee would. And they may or may not be on the same page regarding the company’s standards and values.
When a company uses subcontractors, it’s typically in the best interest of the company. In other words, they want to secure as many jobs as possible.
At Jeff Bryant Painting, we employ our own painters in-house. We’re committed to giving our customers the best value and painting experience possible, and that means working with employees we trust and who hold to our high standards.
Our employees are highly trained, committed to our values of honestly, integrity, and professionalism, and are dedicated to providing an excellent experience for each client.
(Every so often, we work with one subcontractor who we wholeheartedly trust, has been with our team for 7 years, and aligns with our company values. Typically, this is only to serve a customer who comes to us with a very short deadline that can’t be accommodated within our regular schedule. Our clients always know when they’re working with our subcontractor.)
Questions to Ask About Subcontractors
Before hiring a paint company, ask these questions:
- Do you work with a subcontractor?
- How long has this person been working for you?
- How many jobs does he/she do per year?
- Does your sub do interior, exterior, or both?
- Do they have customer references?
- Who will be responsible if the job isn’t done right?
Choosing the Right Paint Contractor Matters
Choosing a paint contractor takes more than just picking out the company with the best logo. The best painter does more than a professional painting job. While not all do, all painters should be able to do this (they’re professionals, after all).
Above and beyond good technique and top-notch products, the best painters embody honesty, integrity, professionalism, accountability, efficiency, consistency, and common sense.
Before hiring a painter, do the following:
- Scour reviews online and ask for referrals from family and friends.
- Ask the contractor for references, especially for recently-completed jobs that are similar to yours.
- Ask the right questions about subcontractors.
Additionally, Michigan painters should be fully insured. Any good contractor will be able to produce a certificate of insurance upon request. This way, you know that the property is covered and you as the homeowner are free of liability.
At Jeff Bryant Painting, we use the best products for interior, exterior, and cabinet painting. But more than that, we’re committed to the best possible customer experience—from choosing a timeline that fits your needs to respecting your space during the job.
Ready to transform your home? Read our reviews or request a free quote today.
