For service-oriented companies, communication is the key to better business relations between the company and their clients. It’s also the same for commercial painters in Dublin.
For the clients, discussing their needs, wants and goals with their contractors in a more detailed manner will give the painters more idea on how to do their job. As a result, they will be able to execute the job more efficiently. But there’s also a compromise: you should also consider helpful remarks and suggestions from their contractors so that they will be able to make the space even better. Remember – they’re professionals so they’re supposed to be the experts in this area.
Asking commercial painters with the right questions is also a part of a good communication. Here are some of the most important questions that clients should not forget to ask when considering commercial painters:
1. Are you licensed and insured?
In California, businesses and professionals are required to have licenses to operate lawfully. When commercial painters are licensed, they should be insured. They should offer proof of licensing and insurance such as liability insurance and worker’s compensation insurance. License and insurance will protect the client in case the workers are injured while working on your property, or cause damage or loss of your property.
2. Are you bonded?
Commercial painting contractors should also be bonded. A bond will protect the client in case the workers fail to carry out the project on time or commit violations on the contract.
3. What kind of materials you use?
Some think that this is a negligible question, but asking the painters about the kind of paints, materials and supplies they use is also important because it will directly impact the result of the paint job. When the contractor uses high-quality paints and supplies, they translate into a good paint finish that won’t only look good but is also guaranteed to last for a long time.
4. Do you provide safety training to your workers?
Clients are also concerned about the safety factor of any painting project. Safety is the most important especially in these types of industry such as commercial painting. Even if the workers carry proper insurances, it is still necessary to ask them if they have undergone (and passed) safety trainings, use safety gears and follow safety procedures. You don’t want accidents to happen in your property!
5. Do you use your own workers, or do you subcontract?
Some contractors subcontract to avoid exorbitant costs and earn more money. It means that contractors pay subcontracted workers a flat fee, and never bother about other important things such as security taxes and employee benefits.
Since subcontracted painters are paid with a flat fee, they may be tempted to do a sloppy work, or cut corners, to finish the job fast. Result? An inferior paint finishes.
That’s why it’s better to hire contractors who employ highly-skilled workers who will finish the job quickly but efficiently.
6. What are the things included in your warranty? And how long is your warranty?
Typically, warranties have two or three years.
The usual things that painters cover in their warranty are mostly defects which are the direct result of their poor workmanship or the use of inferior materials. They include fading, peeling, or blistering that happens soon than expected (after the painting job has been done).
However, other issues such as horizontal surfaces, surface flaws in paints that are supplied by the customers, rust, molds and mildew, and incidental damages, etc., are not covered in the warranty.
7. What’s in a contract?
When you have just hired the winning contractor, you will be given a contract. A contract typically includes the cost of materials and labor, job time frame, the number of workers, and payment options. Usually, labor takes the biggest part of the cost (about 85%). Workers typically charge you $48 or $70 per hour.
When workers charge you less than average, then you should be wary about the quality of work that they’ll provide – they’re mostly after your money. But if they charge you way too much, then you’ll be paying them merely for their name and reputation and will not do the actual work.
Asking the staff of commercial painters in Dublin with the right questions is also part of a good communication. If they can provide answers that will satisfy you, then you’re only a few steps away from hiring them! Otherwise, find for better contractors who will be able to meet your specifications.