It’s an unfortunate reality that Australians can’t trust every tradesperson they come across. In recent years, builders and painters in Perth have been going out of business only to reopen shortly after with a different name. These companies appear to be ‘rising from the ashes,’ when in reality they are avoiding paying off old debts.

This ‘phoenix’ activity has led to an onslaught of painting contractors offering cheap services for inadequate work. Perth homeowners need to do their due diligence and hire experienced and professional house painters. The onus is on Perth to keep quality tradespeople in the business.

Read on for tips to ensure you hire a painter who delivers quality work.

Understand the Job Before Looking for a Painter

Homeowners need to be clear about what they are asking their painter for. This helps to set clear expectations on both sides.

Write down what the full job will entail, including the number of rooms, ceilings, walls, doors and window frames. Note any other features like cabinets, ornate ceilings, bright walls and alternative building materials. Think about the kinds of colours or vibe you would like.

This is also the time to determine your budget range, so you can compare and evaluate quotes later.

Painting jobs can be quite disruptive, so you will also need to plan when you’d like the job to be done and completed – especially if you need to find accommodation. Make sure to account for any prep work that will need to be done, such as moving furniture and removing fixtures.

Create a Shortlist of Painters

Homeowners should have several painters to choose from. Take the time to research each one to make a fully informed decision.

Begin by making a longlist of potential painters. Ask for recommendations from friends and Facebook groups and verify their credibility by reading reviews on Google.

From there, you can narrow down a shortlist by browsing their websites to check for quality and legitimacy. The website should be up to date and have available contact information. You should be able to easily locate the painter’s licence number and registration with the Building Services Board of Western Australia. 

If your job has any specific requirements like working from height or removing lead paint, make sure they have qualifications in these areas too.

Ask Lots of Questions

Once you have your shortlist of painters, make a preliminary phone call with each option and ask all your questions. This is also a good opportunity to learn their customer service skills, responsiveness and knowledge.

Ask your potential painting contractor about:

- Licences and insurance

- Experience and specialties

- Longevity in the industry

- Inclusions in the quote

- Payment terms

- References

- Specifics relevant to your project

These conversations can help you decide how much you trust a contractor and whether they are experienced enough to complete your home renovation.

Set Expectations for the Process

Discuss the entire procedure with your painting contractor. See how detailed their plans are – do they indicate what they will do each day in each room? How and when will they communicate with you?

Make sure that you understand what they expect of you as the homeowner in terms of preparation and disruption. Chat with them about their safety and risk management, workmanship guarantees and warranties with materials.

Use Trusted Paint Brands

Of course, the paint brand a painter uses is very important. The general rule is that big brands with good reputations are the safest and best quality option. Your painter should also consider Perth’s weather, especially regarding heat and UV.

Read the Contract Carefully

Once you’ve received the contract, you need to scrutinize every part of it. It should be clear and detailed, with everything discussed presented as expected. 

At the very least, your contract should include:

- The scope of the project

- Cost and payment schedule

- Start and complete dates

- Paint brands and colours

- Insurance and licensing details

- Dispute resolution procedures

- Clean up

Choose a Painter Based on All Factors

It is tempting to choose the cheapest painter. But this is where a lot of homeowners fail to do their due diligence.

Think about all the factors discussed here. Safety, meticulous scheduling, timeliness, cleanliness and a quality finish. These things are worth the extra cost now to avoid getting a cheap paint job that needs to be repainted later!

Keep an Eye on Your Painters

Your due diligence doesn’t just end when you have picked the right contractor. Once they are on the job, keep a watchful eye on their progress, ensuring that nothing is missed and that they are complying with your contract.

The final result depends on you monitoring the progress.