It can be hard to find a good service company, whether you are looking for an auto mechanic, a plumber, or a local house painter. That's why, when we find a reliable company with good customer service, we tend to keep going back time and time again. How do you get to that point, though? Is it just trial and error? Or is there a better way to find your Gaithersburg exterior painting company?
Finding the right painting contractor is neither magic nor rocket science! If you just follow a simple set of steps, you have a great chance of finding a house painter you'll be delighted with. Best of all, you'll never need to repeat the search as long as you live in Gaithersburg!
Create Your List of Potential House Painters
While your first instinct might be to search on your phone or computer, and that is one good method to find painters, that should not be your only method. Begin by asking your neighbors, family members, friends, and coworkers here in Gaithersburg if they have any recommendations. When you hear a recommendation (or a warning!) from someone you trust, it means much more than what a stranger says online.
When you do search your internet search, don't just look at the top search results. Often, those are major nationwide companies and paid advertisers (sponsored results). As you look over the local painting companies that come up, look at reviews from genuine customers. Google Reviews can be helpful, as well as Yelp, HomeAdvisor, and so on. Don't let one bad review turn you off, but if you see several clients all say the same negative thing, don't ignore it!
National Painting Chains Versus Local Painting Companies
Just like national chain restaurants, when you work with a painting chain, their business model relies on high volume of sales. They are not focused on making relationships and developing long-term clients.
In contrast, a local family-owned painting company is invested in your community. They know that every painting project will either build or destroy their reputation, and they desire to win every first-time customer into a customer for life! This means you can count on their dedication to personalized, excellent service. Also, you can be assured they will stand behind their work.
Narrowing It Down to One Painter
Once you have a list of 3-5 exterior painting companies, it is time to begin the "interview" process. This is the time when you contact each company and ask for a free exterior painting estimate. Throughout the whole process, you will be gathering information and forming an impression.
What do you look for when you compare Gaithersburg exterior house painters? The main thing to consider is how comfortable you feel with them. Do you get a sense of competence and professionalism from the employees? Do you feel valued and understood? Would you feel safe with these people in or around your home?
Here are a few other things to look for or ask about:
Timeliness: do they pick up their phones and/or respond to your communication in a timely way? Do they arrive at the agreed upon time for the estimate?
Professionalism: do they have company vehicles and employee uniforms/dress code? Do they provide a written estimate on company letterhead?
Documentation: are they willing to provide you with proof of licensing and insurance?
When you compare the estimates, make sure you look at the details. How many coats of paint will they put on? Exactly what surfaces will they be painting? How much surface preparation will they do?
Making Your Choice
Now that you have gathered all the information you can, it's time to make a choice. You won't want to go with the lowest estimate, generally, but with the painting contractor who seems most likely to provide you with positive customer service and excellent painting. If you are still not ready to commit to a major project with any of them, try hiring them for a small project first, and see how they do.
Williams Professional Painting
As you continue to look for a Gaithersburg exterior house painter, we encourage you to include Williams Professional Painting in your search. We will be happy to answer all your questions and provide you with an estimate, so you can make an informed decision.
Since 1979, Williams Professional Painting has been serving suburban Maryland and northern Virginia. We have served many families in and around Gaithersburg, and we are committed to continuing our record of premium painting and excellent customer experiences for many more decades! In addition to exterior painting, we also provide interior painting, carpentry, popcorn ceiling removal, kitchen cabinet painting, and more.
