When searching for a painting service, authenticity of reviews is key. You want to see a variety of platforms and content of the reviews to know whether the company is legit. Having a large number of reviews conveys stronger social proof and the company’s level of experience. Also, a company with a large number of reviews usually has been in business for some time and is consistently picking up new customers. By reading online reviews, you can quickly determine whether a company is legit or not.
When looking for a painting contractor, ask for proof of experience and certification. A legit commercial painting company will display its staff’s credentials and be happy to provide evidence upon request. You may have watched a video about painting online, but you don’t know if the contractor has experience. Always protect your investment. Make sure to do your research, and don’t just trust the first person who claims to have experience. Here are some tips on how to identify a legit commercial painting company:
Check if they have liability insurance. Legitimate painters will always be able to provide you with proof of liability insurance if something goes wrong. A good painting company will have the insurance policy and license needed to operate legally. It will also have a written contract detailing the terms of the project. Ask to see the insurance policy, if the contractor has one. If they don’t, then move on to the next contractor.
Check online reviews to know more about the company’s reputation. Most painting companies have their own online reviews, and if a company doesn’t have any, ask for a list of their previous customers. These reviews will give you a bird’s-eye view of the company’s merit. You’ll have a better idea of which companies have the best reputations. You can also check the ratings of the candidates on independent websites.
Choosing a company structure is crucial. Painters fall under the maintenance and construction industries, and most contracting companies are incorporated. This is good if you plan to hire employees or enter into a partnership. However, if you don’t have much cash to invest, you can always operate as a sole proprietorship, obtaining a tax ID number from the IRS. You don’t need a Social Security number.
Be wary of unscrupulous companies. These companies tend to change names often, so it’s important to recognize the telltale signs of scams. Also, look for assurances of high-quality work. A painting company that pledges to give you satisfaction is likely to be legit. It will work hard to get your business, so make sure you hire a reputable one. They should honor their price and be willing to stand behind it for at least 30 days.
While the number of homeowners who have been scammed by painting contractors may be much higher than the reported number, the numbers only reflect those who were actually prosecuted for their actions. Because of this, you should be wary of painting contractors who demand excessive payments before doing any work. Most of them will not be able to do the work properly, leaving a mess that will require a professional redo. This could leave you out hundreds of dollars and ruin the look of your property.
When reading online reviews of a painting company, remember that customers have their good and bad moments. Not all comments are good or bad; in fact, you can’t trust every review out there. Look at multiple reviews and see which aspects of a painting company don’t match your expectations. For example, some painting companies only handle basic exterior and interior painting, while others handle multiple projects. The best way to find a legit commercial painting company is to read several online reviews before making a decision.