14 May 3 Ways To Avoid A Bad House Painting Experience
One of our unfortunate conversations is often a recount of the last “horrible” experience a customer had with a cut-rate house painting company or a national chain that didn’t meet expectations. With that in mind, here are x ways to avoid a lousy house painting experience.
Hire an established local business.
Like many service industries, there’s a blend of one-person shops, mega brands with a franchise in the area, and everything in between. Having a local business address with a local phone number matters, as does having a background in and with the community. It also indicates they are established enough to have adequate administrative support and customer service, which is often uncommon in our industry. There’s always value in supporting a local business versus a chain, as more than 70% of every dollar spent with a small business stays in the community. Beyond that, mega-chains turn their employees over quickly and frequently hire entry-level workers, relying on large ad budgets to sell their brand instead of the quality of sale work. Local artisans understand what products work best with the severe humidity and precipitation that we always see.
Make sure a warranty backs up the craftsmanship.
Speaking of the quality of work, a company that is in it for the long term cares about the quality of its craftsmanship and will warranty it to prove it. Most warranties for projects like exterior painting typically last two years. At Neighborhood Painting, we supply a five-year warranty on our work. That’s important, considering the harsh weather we receive all across the KC metro. It’s also another testament that you’ll avoid a bad house painting experience. Businesses with a track record of success aren’t afraid to back it up in writing!
See what other people are saying.
Most painting contractors generally understand that requesting an extensive list of references is essential. But it must be comprehensive and not just a handful of projects. Secondly, customers should look for third-party references that allow them to post their experience with the contractor and even rate them, such as Angie’s List. We’re proud to be a multi-year winner of the Best of Angie’s List award. This displays real customers’ experiences and is virtually impossible to fake. Good reviews from Google+ or Facebook can be manufactured. Good reviews on Angie’s List can only be earned.