Tips for selecting a good painter?

[sprio]

Wife and I want to have quite a bit of interior paint work done at the house. Ordinarily, I do most of the painting myself, but this involves several rooms, and some high spaces that would require scaffolding.

What's the best way to source out a good painter who does quality work at a reasonable cost? We're relatively new to the area, and don't know many contractors.

Do paint stores give references?

[Talewinds]

Paint stores (the local ones, not the Lowes variety) might very well give some recommendations to some folks new to the area, I know our local one would.
Connect with those contractors, and then ask them for references, who you then contact with...
Are you happy with their work?
Did they show up on time?
Did they make good use of their time?
Did they clean up afterwards?
Did you have ANY problems after the fact and how did they address them?

Simple as that.

[sprio]

Thanks, I'll connect with some of the independent paint shops in the area.

[vash]

angie's list or yelp?

exteriors are easier. i stopped and asked a homeowner that was having his home painted. he raved..and i hired the guy. good decision.

[scottmandue]

Ask if you can see some of their work... then when looking at the location ask their previous clients some questions.

On time, on schedule, on budget, cleanup, etc.

[scottmandue]

And stay away form the Van Gogh guy... I hear he has some issues...

[onlycafe]

avoid painters named schicklgruber.

[trekkor]

Get a day laborer crew from the Depot...


KT

[trekkor]

oooops.



KT

[sprio]

HD is not an option. We used them back in '99 to redo a kitchen, and never again.... Nothing but problems, lies and delays.