Here in Kensington, Maryland, a typical home needs exterior painting every 5 to 7 years. One of the most important aspects of that paint job is the quality. If the exterior painting is done right, it will look fantastic and the paint will give its maximum performance. However, a poorly done paint job can cause numerous headaches:
- Unsightly appearance due to sloppy workmanship and/or budget materials
- Shorter life span of exterior paint job due to improper surface preparation
- Subsequent paint jobs will also be more difficult and might not last as long, due to failing paint on the exterior surfaces
How can you find an excellent Kensington painting company, so that you can be confident your exterior paint will look amazing and last a long time? Here are a few tips.
Make a List of Reputable Local Painting Companies
While it might seem like a quick search on your phone or internet browser is the best way to get started, you might actually want to begin by asking your neighbors, friends, family, and coworkers here in the Kensington area. They can give you first-hand recommendations of the exterior house painters they have worked with and what they thought of the experience.
In addition to your conversations with other Kensington residents, go ahead and make that online query. Read some reviews on sites like Google, Yelp, Angie's List, or HomeAdvisor, and try to get a feel for the companies. Do not be alarmed by a couple of low reviews; they can happen to the best painting contractors. However, if you notice a pattern of repeated complaints from a variety of clients, be wary!
After doing this research, narrow down your list to 3 or 4 local painting companies, and it is time to begin the "interview" process.
Evaluating an Exterior Painting Company
The process of evaluating an exterior painting company is not exactly a "sit-down" interview in the way we typically picture. Instead, you request an exterior painting estimate from each company on your list, and then carefully observe their professionalism (or lack of it) during the process.
What should you look for?
Some good signs of professionalism include company vehicles, uniforms, and letterhead. Also look for timeliness and responsiveness in the company's communication.
When you speak with the company employees, they should be polite and speak in a way that sets you at ease. Ask them to see proof of their state licensing and their liability and Worker's Compensation insurance.
After you have received an estimate from each exterior painter on your short list, compare the details. Don't just look at the price at the end of each estimate. Instead, inspect the details like...
- The level of surface preparation
- Exactly what surfaces will be painted
- Will primer be used
- What paint quality will be applied
- How many coats of exterior paint will they put on
If You Are Not Sure, Start with a Small Job
Once you have chosen a local painter, you will hopefully feel confident hiring them for a full exterior paint job. However, if you want to, you can hire them for a smaller project first, and see how it goes. For example, some companies offer a Painter for a Day service, which gives you 8 hours of expert labor on the project(s) of your choice.
Williams Professional Painting
As you evaluate your options for a local exterior painter in Kensington, Maryland, we would encourage you to consider Williams Professional Painting. We have been offering premium painting services at an excellent price for over 40 years!
In addition to exterior painting, we also offer carpentry, interior painting, popcorn ceiling removal, kitchen cabinet painting, and a great deal more! We emphasize attentive customer service and unparalleled craftsmanship. For your free exterior painting estimate, give us a call or use our online estimate request tool. We look forward to meeting you!
