Alright, let us talk about hiring a painter for your Coeur d'Alene home. It is not as simple as just grabbing a name off a flyer. You are inviting someone into your biggest investment, and so you need to do your homework. I have seen a lot of painting jobs in this town, good and bad, and I want to give you the straight scoop on what to look for when you are looking for Coeur d'Alene house painters.
What to Ask Before They Even Touch a Brush for Your Coeur d'Alene Home
When you are talking to potential painters for your Coeur d'Alene painting project, do not be shy. You are interviewing them for a job, and a good contractor expects it. Here are some key questions to ask your Coeur d'Alene painter:
- "Are you registered with the Idaho Contractors Board?" This is huge for any Coeur d'Alene painting contractor. In Idaho, any construction job over $2,000 (materials and labor included) requires the contractor to be registered. Painters fall under this. They do not need a specific painting license, but they do need that general contractor registration. You can verify this online through the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) website, and this is important for your Coeur d'Alene painting project.
- "Can you provide proof of insurance?" This means general liability and workers' compensation. General liability protects your property in Coeur d'Alene if something goes wrong, like a spill or damage. Workers' comp is for their crew if someone gets hurt on your job in Coeur d'Alene. Idaho requires contractors to have at least $300,000 in general liability insurance. Any reputable painter, like us at Coeur d'Alene House Painters, will carry more, usually $1,000,000 per occurrence. Ask for a certificate of insurance directly from their insurer, not just a copy, and this is very important for your Coeur d'Alene home.
- "Do you use subcontractors?" If they do, ask if those subs are also insured and registered. You do not want any surprises with your Coeur d'Alene painting job.
- "How do you prepare the surfaces?" This is where a lot of painting jobs go wrong, especially for homes in Coeur d'Alene. Proper prep is 80% of a good paint job. Are they power washing? Scraping loose paint? Priming bare wood? Filling holes and cracks? Especially around here in Coeur d'Alene, with our lake effect weather, good prep means your paint job lasts for a long time.
- "What kind of paint do you recommend and why?" A good painter in Coeur d'Alene will be able to explain their product choices and why they are right for your specific project, whether it is interior walls or an exterior that gets hammered by winter snow in Coeur d'Alene.
- "What is your warranty?" A solid painter will stand behind their work. Get it in writing for your Coeur d'Alene painting project.
- "Can I see some recent references and photos of similar projects?" Talk to those references. Ask about communication, cleanliness, and if the project stayed on schedule and budget for their Coeur d'Alene home.
Decoding the Quote: What to Look For in Coeur d'Alene
A quote is not just a number. It is a detailed breakdown of the work for your Coeur d'Alene painting project. Here is what needs to be in there:
- Clear Scope of Work: Every room, every wall, every trim piece, or every exterior surface to be painted in your Coeur d'Alene home. What is included in the prep? How many coats of paint?
- Materials Specified: Brand and type of paint, primer, caulk, and other materials. Do not settle for