How to Choose the Right Painter for Your Home

Learn how to choose the right painter for your home by comparing experience, credentials, pricing, workmanship quality, and reliable project communication.

Choosing the right painter and decorator can be challenging, especially if you have never hired one to paint your home before. You head online for guidance, but are met with page after page of painters, all claiming to be the best and offering conflicting advice and vague prices. You can easily find yourself overwhelmed or confused, unsure where to turn or who to trust. Luckily for you, we can help! Our brief guide today covers every factor you need to consider when choosing a painter, helping you narrow your choices and find the perfect painter for your home.

Consider Your Needs 

First, determine what you need from your painter. Are you looking to have one room repainted, to have a new colour scheme throughout your house, or to add wallpaper and paint to your space? Not every painter and decorator will specialise in the skills you need, so considering exactly what you want will allow you to narrow your choices quickly. Consider where the painting will be done, whether additional tools will be needed to reach difficult areas, and how much furniture will need to be moved before the painting can begin. 

Ask for Recommendations 

If any friends, family, or neighbours have used painters and decorators recently, then ask them for recommendations. It's always worth asking whether they would recommend the painter they used, as it can give you a better idea of what to expect, their rates, and how professional they are. Recommendations are an excellent way to find a local painter who will take their work seriously and deliver results you will love. 

Consider Their Qualifications and Experience 

When you have narrowed your choice to a few painters and decorators, it's time to learn more about their qualifications and experience. Ideally, an experienced professional painter will have a portfolio of previous work they can share with you. This might be on a dedicated website or social media, where you can see if they have undertaken similar work before and the results. You can also know the timeframe of these results and determine if their skills and experience match up to the job you have.

Ask For References and Reviews 

Alongside their qualifications and experience, you can request references and reviews from previous clients. Many reputable painters and decorators will have this information on their website or social media, where previous clients will leave reviews praising their work. While each review is subjective, we recommend spending some time reading them to understand better the painter, how they work, and how happy previous clients have been. The painter may provide references for you, too, where you can speak to previous clients directly to learn more about what to expect from them.

While bad reviews can be off-putting, we don’t recommend taking each negative review literally. If there is one or two in a sea of good reviews, it's likely there was a miscommunication or bias involved. You want to work with a painter who has plenty of positive reviews from clients, even if there are a few negative ones. 

Gather Quotes 

Before picking one painter, obtain multiple quotes from different painters to ensure you are getting a fair price. When asking for a quote, consider what is included in the price, such as materials, labour, and any extra services. Some painters may negotiate a lower price if you are willing to provide the paint, while others will charge more to move furniture and fully prep the area before painting can begin. You can negotiate this by offering to move furniture and prep the area (e.g., removing old wallpaper) to reduce the cost, but whether this is accepted is at the painter's discretion. 

Discuss Timelines and Results 

You should also speak to prospective painters to discuss the timeline to understand how long it will take to complete the job. Consider any other commitments the painter has and whether they could delay completion of the work. It can be challenging to give an accurate timeline, especially if they have a big job before yours, but a timeline helps to manage your expectations and avoid any disappointment. We typically recommend avoiding painters who offer a very tight turnaround, as the chances are they won’t deliver or rush the work to compromise quality and finish quickly.

Ask About Insurance and Guarantees 

Check whether your painter has public liability insurance and whether you will be covered for any damages or accidents while they are working. You will want to check their insurance and any guarantees they offer to understand your rights should something go wrong. A warranty or guarantee offered by the painter usually suggests that they work with great care and will correct any issues after completing the job, rather than ignoring you. 

Consider Their Communication Skills 

Finally, consider how they communicate with you. You want a professional painter who will arrive on time and be respectful towards you and your home. Look at how they communicate and how willing they are to answer your questions. Reputable painters will be happy to listen to you, offer suggestions when needed, and keep you updated on their progress. 

Find Your New Painter and Decorator Today 

By making these considerations, you can narrow your choice and find the perfect painter and decorator for your home. When looking for a painter and decorator, you want a professional painter, like those at DC Decorators. Their team of painters in Brisbane will help to bring your vision to life, ensuring your home is decorated to suit you. Contact them to see how they can help you today.