Why Experience, Flexibility, and Transparency Matter in a Commercial Painter
Finding time to research the best contractor for your interior or exterior commercial painting project may be challenging. You constantly need to attend to your responsibilities as a facility owner or manager. It’s easy to give in to the temptation of hiring a contractor that someone has referred to you or the first one you feel is acceptable without doing further research. Unfortunately, not all commercial painters will have your best interests in mind or be equipped to tackle the project(s) you need to get done. If you don’t choose your commercial painter carefully, there’s the risk of getting a botched job that wastes your time and money. The contractor may use subpar materials, compromising the quality of the paint job. They may not stand behind their work when an issue arises. Untrained painters may leave a mess in your space. They could give you a low-ball estimate but add extra or hidden charges. They might not have adequate experience, staffing, or scheduling to meet your needs. Many other things can go south with the wrong commercial painter. By taking the time to research each prospective contractor, you minimize the chances of a commercial painting nightmare. But what should you look for? There are many considerations but pay special attention to a commercial painting company’s experience, flexibility, and transparency. Experience Matters Unless you’re completely okay with a commercial painter using your project as a learning experience, choose an experienced contractor. A commercial painting job is unlike a residential one. It must comply with local building codes, fire safety regulations, and specific industry standards. A newbie in the industry may (or may not) know about these compliance requirements, so it’s best not to gamble. Choose seasoned commercial painters who can show you a portfolio of successful painting jobs that comply with relevant rules and regulations.
Additionally, commercial painting projects are often large-scale, complex, and require specialized tools and equipment. There may be a need for ladders and scaffolding. When preparing the surface for painting, a painter may have to use chemicals and power washers. Using these tools and equipment without sufficient knowledge can put a painter and property at risk. The last thing you want for your project is an injured worker on your property or damage to your facility. Aside from compliance and safety, speed is another reason to choose an experienced commercial painter over an amateur. Years of experience enable painters to gain skills and develop techniques for getting the job done quickly and efficiently. Fast completion of a painting project means shorter downtime for your business. The facility can resume operations as soon as possible and reduce profit loss. Years of experience also allow painters to accumulate valuable painting knowledge. Knowledgeable commercial painters will be able to help you choose the best color scheme for your space, determine the best paints, prepare the surface and work area properly, etc. All these efforts deliver quality and satisfactory results. They’ll be able to take on complex commercial painting projects and overcome challenges efficiently. The Flexibility Factor A flexible commercial painting contractor will work around your schedule. Flexibility is particularly important for facilities and businesses that cannot afford to close down for a painting project. An interruption of your business operations may lead to missed opportunities and delays, which can result in revenue loss. Additionally, prolonged business disruptions may make your business look inefficient in the eyes of clients and customers. A flexible commercial painting contractor will understand and respect your business’ operational needs. They can accommodate painting jobs during off-hours availability, like weekends. If there are no off hours, they may simply implement measures to minimize the impact of the painting project while your team continues working. Unfortunately, not all commercial painters offer flexible scheduling. So, ensure you discuss the schedule in detail with your prospective commercial painter. A reputable contractor will not compromise the quality of work just to get the job done with minimal downtime. Trust in Transparency will give you peace of mind and is essential for building trust. However, you may encounter painting contractors who are not transparent, especially when calculating the quantity of paint needed and the total cost. Businesses then end up having to pay more for the job, exceeding the allotted budget. So, don’t underestimate the importance of transparency when hiring a commercial painter. You can determine whether or not a company values transparency as you research about them and read their client reviews. Does the company charge additional fees without informing the clients in advance? Is the final cost different from the given quote? What are the duties of a commercial painter as stated in the contract? Additionally, the contractor must be an excellent communicator who will keep you in the loop. They should be able to walk you through each phase of the painting project, detailing exactly what they’re going to do. They should openly communicate timelines, progress updates, and potential delays. You should be able to get in touch with them easily when you have questions or concerns. You save yourself from misunderstandings and frustration when you work with a contractor that communicates well. Other Important Considerations When Choosing Commercial Painters Aside from experience, flexibility, and transparency, don’t forget to consider the following when choosing a commercial painting contractor:
- License and Insurance: Ask the company for proof of their license and insurance. This will protect your business or facility in the event of damage or accidents during the painting process.
- Equipment: Your commercial painters should be fully equipped with tools for the job upon arrival at your facility. This will save time and enable them to start work immediately.
- Warranties and Guarantees: While insurance can cover your business if something goes wrong, a warranty or guarantee protects you in case of defects in workmanship.
- Written Contract: Get everything in writing, including the scope of work, materials, payment schedules, etc.
- Specific Needs and Preferences: Does your property require specific coatings, high-traffic finishes, or fire-retardant paints? Find out whether the commercial painting contractor offers what you need.
- Customer Service: The contractor should be committed to providing you with a good experience from the first point of contact to completion.
- Cost and Value: Don’t always go for the lowest quote, no matter how tight the budget is. If the price is too good to be true, you’ll likely waste money and time on the contractor.
Choosing Your Commercial Painter: Where to Begin Hopefully, this information helps you select the best commercial painter. You can do a quick search on Google, or you can also visit the Better Business Bureau site to find local painting contractors. If you know someone who recently had a commercial space painted, you can ask for their recommendations. If you’re looking for a commercial painter in the New England area, Kaloutas is happy to help. We’ve been painting commercial properties and facilities for decades. Our team consists of well-trained and seasoned painters who can work around your schedule. No matter your project’s size or complexity, we’ve got you covered. We take pride in our team’s unparalleled expertise and commitment to excellence. Fill out our form with any questions or to schedule a quote, and a team member will respond within 24 hours.

