Hiring a Pro

10 Questions to Ask Any Painting Contractor Before You Sign

5 min read

You don't need to know how to paint. You need to know how to evaluate the answers. These 10 questions surface the difference between a professional operator and someone who is going to disappoint you.

Business and coverage

Any legitimate contractor answers these without hesitation.

Are you licensed and insured in New Jersey? Can you send proof of insurance?
How long has this business been operating under this name?
Do you carry workers' compensation for your crew?

Scope and product

These questions surface how carefully the contractor is thinking about your specific project.

What primer and topcoat product line are you specifying, and why for this job?
How many coats does the proposal include, and does that differ by surface?
What is your prep process — specifically what will you sand, patch, and prime?
How do you handle unforeseen conditions once work starts (e.g., hidden rot, additional prep)?

Schedule, payment, and warranty

The commercial terms tell you as much about the contractor as the technical ones.

What is your payment schedule? (Anything over a 30% deposit is a red flag.)
What is your warranty length, and what specifically voids it?
Can you provide three local references from projects completed in the last 12 months?

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