A Customer's Checklist

There are some steps you can take to make the best choice when selecting a contractor. It doesn't matter if you are looking for a painting/decorating contractor, a carpenter, plumber, electrician or a general contractor because the process applies to all of them. However since this is a painting resource website, we will use a painting company in our examples.

Contractors know consumers have gotten smarter and price savvy over the years and should do their best to give you the best quality workmanship and material along with good customer service. Specialists in their fields should be able to answer questions in a way that makes you feel like you've gotten a well-informed decision. They also need to demonstrate having done their best at keeping costs as low as possible by providing you with all available options. This not only demonstrates the knowledge that we have come to expect of them, it shows that the contractor had our best interest in mind.

There are several advantages in getting a professional contractor to do your work. Specialized knowledge, cost reduction and convenience to name a few.

Of utmost importance when selecting who you will allow into your home to do the work is having a working relationship that establishes and maintains trust and open communication from the beginning. If there is something you don't like, you need to feel comfortable in communication that to your contractor.

Homeowners with the best of intentions sometimes have to call on a contractor to complete a project they started and often take any contractor's integrity for granted. This can be obvious to an unscrupulous contractor looking to pull the wool over somebody's eyes.

Since you are the seeker of 'know how' to get the job done, some general contractors and business owners may be tempted to cut corners by having employees do the painting or drywall work. Given that painting is 80% prepatory work, having it done by amateurs will certainly undermine the quality of the work you are paying to have done and is also a poor use of resources. In the long run, you are the one paying to have the work redone earlier than it otherwise would require.

A professional's expertise will make a measurable difference not only in the quality of worked delivered but in overall long term costs as well. Bottom line? High quality workmanship can only be delivered by experienced tradesmen and shouldn't be left to amateurs.

Selecting a painting professional who maintains your interests at heart is indeed a process that can be followed. The following Seven Rules for managing that process can help protect both your property and your wallet.

1. Define the Scope of Work

A common error is failing to communicate a clear and detailed concept of the end project. You often need to have the end in mind or at the very least, a good idea of what you want to be able to get things back on track should things start to look like they are out in left field. You'll want to notice that flat glass (that is supposed to be bevelled) being used to build your kitchen cupboard doors for example. Next, the scope of work needs to be written out in detail. Start with an itemized list of the major elements of the project. Then, take a few minutes to think of each element individually and break each one down on paper so that you can begin itemizing components of what will make up the project. The more details and specifications, the fewer surprises at the end and the easier it will be to notice anytning having gone wrong. This will also allow you to compare apples to apples when making your final choice. If you give contractors different details about what you want from them, then you are not getting a true picture and are not being fair to the contractors. If you end up changing your mind about something after having gotten one price, call the previous contractors with the new information. After all, you're the one benefitting from making sure everyone is on the same page at all times.

2. Qualifications: shop for it

Asking people you know for names of contractors they have used in the past is a good starting point. This will assist in establishing a list of contractors you could potentially include OR eliminate from the selection process. Call your local trade association for painting, decorating, and drywall finishing contractors to request a Directory of Members. You can start with your local Chamber Of Commerce to obtain informtain on any such organization in your area. The Greater Ottawa Chamber Of Commerce can be reached by calling (613) 236-3631if you live in the Ottawa area.

3. Ask for references

Any contractor should be ready to provide recent customer references upon request. Having a reference or two of recent work completed is one of those things that a contractor shouldn't get past the starting gate without. You can start by asking yourself the question: "What is important to me in a contractor?" and prioritizing that list. Check those references asking about quality of workmanship, reliability, timely completion, professionalism, pricing and whatever else is on your list of criteria. Using the list will ensure consistency and maintain impartiality in your selection process

4. About asking for samples

A professional contractor should be willing to provide samples of his work. In painting, this can be a little dicey, since it would involve taking you to a customer's home to look at the work. You will lose nothing from asking however and you might actually end up visiting an office showroom or current jobsites. Someone who gives a blank stare when asked about samples should be shown the door. Asking for samples of paint colors or stains is a totally different question. The next most effective means of checking up on this contractor would be to call some pof hisrecent clients. Ask for his most recent customer's phone number and call the number with your questions.

5. Verify insurance coverage

An insurance certificate should also be requested as part of the selection process. You will have to ask for it and wait for it to be supplied by the contractor since he/she needs to request it from their insurance company. A million dollars of liability coverage is common and certainly not unreasonable to request. Take heed of any contractor who tells you that they have a clear history of accidents and has never required insurance previous to your request! If your painter has the experience he is supposed to have, he should be familiar with the effects of paint spills on personal property. Also in Canada, each employee is required to have coverage under the Health Safety and Insurance Board (WHIB.) Asking your contractor to provide documentation to that effect shouldn't be that big of a hurdle for him to jump through since all he/she has to do is call the WHIB and ask for what is called a 'clearance certificate.'

6. Verify other credentials

Ask the contractor to provide other business credentials. A membership in the local Chamber of Commerce or the Better Business Bureau shows the contractor's openess and his willingness to comply with your scrutinizing efforts. The number for these organizations can be readily found in your local phone book. In theottawa area, the Greater Ottawa Chamber of Commerce can be reached at 236-3631 while the Workers Health Safety and Insurance Board can be contacted at 1-800-344-1004. Calling these numbers will at least let you know if the contractor you are considering is in good standing. Using a contractor with a good track record helps to eliminate potential problems down the road.

7. Throw out bids that are way out of range

Remember, lowest price doesn't mean it's the best deal going. In fact, if you get five painting estimates (schedule all five at the same time) a good rule of thumb is to eliminate the lowest and highest estimate (but only if they are far apart form the others.) At minimum you'll need to compare three paint estimates to get a good idea of what you are looking at. Also beware of contractors who give you a good price and then start asking for extras throughout the job. Extras should only be considered if there has been a chance in scope of work

Summary & Conclusions

If you are flexible as to the timing of the painting, wait until winter (most paints being latex these days, there shouldn't be an issue with lingering paint smells) or early spring since this is considered to be off-season and will help establish a more competitive environment among paint contractors. A writen estimate describing the scope of work is the only way to go. Understand there may be the occasional unforeseen 'hickup' along the way that may to be resolved verbally to be practical. As long as you and the painting contractor are on the same page, this shouldn't be a problem. Verifying your references, making the right phone calls, comparing estimates closely, paying attention to the wording of the estimate; all should compbine to give you a good sense of who is best suited for the task at hand.

On a closing note. With regards to contractors, as is true in other service industries, there is a sense of truism in the old saying that "You get what you pay for."

Without question, by adhering to these Seven Rules, you'll combine the elements of a well structured painting proposal to yield the best possible deal for yourself.