By the end of 2018, the global commercial painting industry is expected to be valued at $142 billion. In Canada alone, the painting industry accounts for about $6 billion in terms of revenue every year.
Clearly, the painting industry is going through a booming phase currently as people in Canada, and the world at large are increasingly looking to get their homes or commercial spaces repainted.
If you are one of those property owners looking for painting contractors for the first time, you’d probably be overwhelmed with the number of painters available in your area.
With each company claiming to be the best in the industry and with the impressive ads each company puts out, it can be hard to choose a commercial painter for your project.
So here are 5 key things to consider when choosing a commercial painter.
Experience
Needless to say, you want the most experienced contractor for your project. You’ve already spent quite a bit of your time and money in to building or purchasing the new space and you obviously want it to be in good hands.
According to Malcolm Gladwell’s 10,000 hour rule, it takes 10,000 hours of deliberate practice to become good or world-class in any field. In his book called “Outliers” he says that “you need to have practiced, to have apprenticed, for 10,000 hours before you good.”
Hence, look for a contractor who has a visible record of experience for at least a few, if not for 10,000 hours.
Knowledge
Technical knowledge in painting is another necessary aspect to consider. You can ask your contractor some questions about their job and process such as what their painting techniques are, what ingredients they use in their paints, what they do for blemishes etc. They should be able to give you satisfactory answers to such questions.
Safety standards
Accidents are quite common in field work. Hence it is important to look for a company that gives due weightage to safety standards. Ideally all workers should be familiar with the OSHA standards. In addition, all workers should know what to do in case of emergencies, how to operate in risky or dangerous spaces and what regulations to comply with during emergencies. As the owner of the field of work, you might be answerable in case of accidents or injuries. Hence it is always best to ensure that safety is given first priority.
Legal licenses and insurance
A professional painter will have a state-issued license to practice, a general liability insurance as well as workers’ compensation insurance. These documents are good indicators of the contractor’s experience, qualification and professionalism. It also shows that the contractor can protect his employees in case of misfortune.