How to Choose Top Home Exterior Painting Contractors in New Jersey

Ask for a referral from someone you know. A referral from someone you know and trust may be the best way to choose exterior painting contractors in New Jersey or any other state. Those who are satisfied with the work will usually be glad to show off the contractor’s handiwork. Likewise when customers are dissatisfied, they will not have any hesitation about sharing their disappointment. As the old adage goes, word of mouth is the best advertisement.

Check references. Even if you get a referral from a trusted source, it is still wise to check references. One excellent job does not mean that a contractor might not have some unsatisfied customers. A lot can depend on whom the contractor hires to carry out his or her work at a particular time. The contractor should be willing to provide you with a list of references from recent and past jobs. By visiting past customers, you will be able to discern how well the work has held up over the years. Another place to check is the local Better Business Bureau or similar organization that records consumers’ complaints.

Ask the contractor if he or she is licensed and/or belongs to any professional groups. While professional membership and even licensing is not a guarantee of how the work will be done, painting contractors that take the time to pursue licensure and continuing education take some pride in a good reputation, and a job well done.
Schedule a meeting with the painting contractors when you can be at home. This gives you an opportunity to walk around with the contractor and ask questions. You can ask about how long the job will take, how many people will be assigned to the job, and what time of day they will do most of the work. Be sure to ask every question you can think of, to avoid surprise charges as the job goes along, or when the task is complete.

If you have high expectations, make sure the contractor knows it. If you expect a top-notch paint job, plan to pay extra for it, but outline those expectations clearly. Ask about the level of pre-preparation you can expect before the job begins. For example, some painting contractors might paint over imperfections that were already present. If you want the painted area to look new, without bumps and dents, ask whether the painter will fill in and sand such areas prior to painting.

Request an estimate from each contractor. It is a good idea to contact more than one contractor. Three is a good number of estimates to consider. Contractors should be able to provide an itemized list of what supplies will be used and what they will cost. A contractor should be able to you how many coats of paint and primer will be needed, what brand will be used, and how much preparation will be needed. There should not be any surprise endings regarding the cost of the cost of the job.

If you are not satisfied with the products the contractor proposes using, ask if you can choose your own products. Some brands are better than others. Although lead-based house paint was banned some years ago in the United States, it is still wise to ask questions about the lead content of paint that might be used on your structure.