When people are considering a commercial painting contractor in Tucson, the first questions most of them ask are “How long will the job take?” and “How much will it cost?”
These are obviously important questions, but they are just a start. Here are the top questions you should ask to make sure you get the best Tucson, AZ commercial painting services for your property.
What Experience Do You Have with Commercial Painting?
When it comes to commercial painting, experience is crucial. You do not want to hire a residential painter or someone with limited experience. Your commercial property is a big investment, and you cannot afford to trust it to someone that is learning on the job.
Ghaster Painting & Coatings, for example, has 50+ years of experience with commercial and industrial painting projects throughout Arizona. You can see some samples of complete projects in the online photo gallery.
Have You Done Similar Commercial Projects?
You also want to work with a painting contractor that has experience with the type of commercial property you have. This experience helps the contractor understand the nuance of each job, using best practices for an efficient application to minimize costs and disruption while prioritizing safety.
Who Will Be Doing the Work?
The person that visits your site and prepares the estimate will not likely be part of the team that does the work, so you want to make sure the on-site crew will do a professional job. The best painting contractors will not subcontract core painting work and use only employees with years of experience with commercial jobs.
You also want to make sure any workers at your commercial property have cleared:
- Background checks
- Drug tests
- E-verify
- OSHA safety training
In Tucson, ask about DPS Level 1 fingerprint cards. This is the highest level of screening that is done by the Arizona Department of Public Safety for contractors.
What Products and Materials Will Be Used?
The quality of the materials used will make the difference between a long-lasting, durable finish and a low-quality job that will require repainting more quickly. Ask for a detailed list of materials to be used on the job, along with information on prep work, priming, and the number of coats.
Some contractors will use low-quality products to keep bid prices low, but you will pay the price down the road.
Can I See Your License, Insurance, and Warranty?
Before you enter into an agreement, you want to make sure the basics are covered. You want to work with a commercial painting contractor in Tucson that is licensed through the state, carries adequate insurance and workers’ comp, and provides a comprehensive warranty.
It is also smart to:
- Check with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors to verify the license and bond are current.
- Verify insurance coverage with the contractor’s carrier to make sure the policy is in effect.
- Check with your insurance provider to make sure the contractor’s insurance protects you properly.
- Review the warranty coverage, terms, and exclusions.
Can I Get Some References?
The best commercial painting contractors should be able to supply you with several references from past customers. It is worth the time to get in touch with them and get their opinion on the quality of the work.
You should also check with the Better Business Bureau for a company’s rating. You want a company that has an A+ rating. The AZ Registrar of Contractors also tracks complaints. The best contractors will have a perfect record.
How Do You Handle Scheduling and Payments?
The timetable for your project is important, and you should have a firm understanding of the proposed start and end times, along with the hours crews will be working. If you need early morning, late night, overnight, or weekend work to keep your business operating, you will want to discuss that ahead of time.
You also want to know how payments are handled. Ask for a payment schedule and make sure you are comfortable with how it is laid out. You should expect to make a down payment before the project starts to hold space in the schedule and help defray costs for buying the paints, materials, and supplies needed for your job.
Ask the Right Questions and Make a Better Decision
Asking the right questions upfront can protect you from problems in the future. Use these questions to get the answers you need to hire the best commercial painting contractor in Tucson for your property.
For Tucson, AZ commercial painting services, contact Ghaster Painting & Coatings, Arizona’s premier commercial and industrial painting specialists.
