10 Questions for Your Painting Contractor

Hiring a painting contractor involves more than just comparing prices. While a higher price doesn’t always guarantee quality, asking the right questions can help you find a reliable, professional painter—someone who will protect your home and investment while helping you achieve the results you envision. Equally important, a skilled contractor will evaluate the property, work with you based on its current condition, and help set realistic expectations for the final result

Anything other than a YES should be a deal breaker. Liability insurance covers any accidental damage to your property, while workers’ compensation protects you if a worker is injured on your property. Without it, you could be held responsible for medical bills or legal costs.

A written warranty shows the commitment of a contractor to their work and protects you from unexpected repair costs and gives you peace of mind that the job will be done right—or corrected if the damage is not caused by conditions outside the contractor control such as water leaks, poor maintenance, or structural issues. 

Experience matters in a field with countless options for paint and preparation materials, where understanding how these products react with existing surfaces and materials, some of them which are not even used anymore is essential to achieving lasting, high-quality results. Contractors with a solid track record are more likely to deliver consistent, quality work, handle unexpected issues professionally and be around if you need to use your warranty.

Reputable paint brands often provide their own warranty in addition to the contractor’s, offering added peace of mind. While low-cost paints may seem economical at first, they typically require more coats without the guarantee to achieve proper coverage and tend to fade in color and sheen much sooner. On the other hand, what some customers perceive as high-end paint is often specialty paint that increases costs without providing meaningful benefits for their specific needs. Experienced contractors have years of hands-on knowledge dealing with these challenges and can guide you toward the best product choices

for your home, ensuring both quality and value.

Even experienced painters often have limited knowledge of the different types of the paints and finishes available. Many older homes were originally painted with oil-based paint, which is no longer commonly available. Painting over it with latex paint without priming it first will lead to peeling and failure over time. Additionally, different finishes are designed for specific areas or rooms in a home, and choosing the right one is essential for a durable, long-lasting, and visually appealing result. Using paint intended for a living room ceiling in a small, poorly ventilated bathroom can lead to mold growth shortly after the space is painted for example.

Ask for photos of previous work and customer testimonials because while contractors’ words and proposals can say anything, photos and testimonials provide a reliable, tangible track record of their quality and professionalism. An unhappy customer is almost certain to leave a negative review, while a truly satisfied customer will share a positive testimonial only when genuinely pleased with the results. Seeing real examples and hearing honest feedback helps ensure you choose a contractor who delivers both quality and customer satisfaction, reducing the risk of disappointment.

Some paint companies provide proposals for labor only and charge separately for paint, which can significantly increase the final cost beyond your initial expectations. Since paint costs are generally straightforward to estimate, companies committed to transparency should include them in their proposals—excluding only major repairs that couldn’t be identified at the time of the estimate. Most importantly, the written estimate should be clear and detailed to give homeowners peace of mind.

Unfortunately, there’s a growing trend in the painting industry where companies rely on subcontractors rather than using their own in-house painters. Subcontractors are typically paid a flat fee per job, which means their interests may not align with those of the homeowner. The quicker they finish, the more they profit—often at the expense of quality. Since they have no direct ties to the company, they may be less accountable if problems arise, and they’re more likely to cut corners, knowing they aren’t responsible for honoring the company’s warranty.

If the answer is yes, be sure to let the estimator know right away. This helps avoid surprises—like getting a call from the paint company with a start date that’s after your required completion date. When a company adds your job to their schedule, the start date they give is often tentative and subject to change due to factors outside their control—such as weather delays on exterior jobs or scheduling conflicts with other trades on interior projects. If you require a firm start and finish date, make that clear up front and confirm that the contractor agrees. Just keep in mind that guaranteeing specific dates may increase the cost of your quote.

Choosing paint colors is often the most exciting part of a project for homeowners—but it can also be the most challenging. There's nothing worse than living with a color you regret just months after the job is done. As an old paint store owner once said, “I miss the days when blue was blue and green was green!” Today, the endless options offer not just possibilities, but also pitfalls. That’s why having a painter with experience in selecting colors—not just applying them—is key. A seasoned professional can consider your home’s style, the molding, lighting, flooring, and overall aesthetic to guide you toward timeless choices that won’t go out of style or hurt your property’s value in the long run.