How to Hire Professional Painters (2024 Expert Guide)

How to Hire Professional Painters

Need someone to paint your house? Here's what actually matters—verifying their real credentials, making sure they've got insurance, and understanding what separates quality work from paint jobs that fail prematurely.

Whether your paint job lasts or fails? That gets decided before the first coat even goes on. Quality comes down to proper prep and technique. Those are the things that determine how [painting](/guides/house-painters/painting-bad-work-guide) holds up.

What Separates Pros from Amateurs?

[Professional](/guides/house-painters/wall-painting-guide-tips) painters understand that preparation is everything. We're talking scraping, sanding, priming, caulking—all that foundational work nobody sees but determines whether paint actually sticks and how long it'll stay put.

Skip the prep? Your paint adhesion suffers. Premature failure follows.

So what does real preparation actually look like?

**Surface Diagnosis:**

• Identify substrate concerns before you start painting
• Fix the actual problems, not just cover them up
• Evaluate what you're working with
• Make sure surfaces are genuinely ready for [painting](/guides/house-painters/painting-bad-work-guide)

**Material Selection:**

• Pick the right primers for whatever surface you've got
• Use proper application methods
• Get products designed for specific jobs
• [Choose](/guides/house-painters/white-paint-choosing-guide) finishes based on what each room actually needs

Professional Equipment and Tools

A [professional](/guides/house-partners/wall-painting-guide-tips) painter's toolkit should include more than just brushes. Certifications and training? Proof someone actually knows what they're doing.

Quality contractors use equipment designed for pro results—the difference shows.

Paint selection means matching products to actual conditions. Different spaces need different formulations. Exterior jobs need products engineered for your local climate; you can't just slap any paint on there and hope for the best.

Good contractors pick materials based on real performance requirements for your specific building and location.

Verify Insurance Coverage Thoroughly

Look, don't just ask whether painters have insurance—actually verify licensing, insurance, and bonding. In our experience, most homeowners skip this step and regret it later.

Established [painting](/guides/house-painters/painting-bad-work-guide) companies maintain proper licensing, insurance, and bonding. That protects both you and the workers during the project. Without coverage? You're potentially liable if someone gets hurt on your property. Trust me, that's a nightmare you don't want.

You'll want to verify:

• Current insurance coverage
• Whatever licensing requirements exist in your area
• Bonding status

Surface Compatibility and Preparation

Even when you're just repainting, preparation still matters. A lot.

Old paint changes over time. Surface characteristics shift. You can't just [paint](/guides/house-painters/painting-bad-work-guide) over aged surfaces without prep and expect good results.

Good primers help new paint actually bond to existing surfaces. Without them, you're risking paint failure down the road.

Communicate Your Needs Clearly

Instead of walking in and specifying a particular product, describe your actual situation.

Like: "This hallway gets heavy foot traffic every single day" or "This bathroom has poor ventilation and stays damp."

Paint pros should help identify substrate concerns, determine what prep you need, and pick the best product for your individual painting needs. [Professional](/guides/house-painters/wall-painting-guide-tips) painters get best results using systems and products they've worked with before.

Consider their recommendations based on their hands-on experience with specific products. They've probably seen what works and what fails a hundred times over.

Get Detailed Estimates Upfront

Experienced painters should provide detailed estimates during their initial walkthrough. Not vague ballpark numbers.

A thorough [estimate](/guides/house-painters/painting-quotes-apartment-guide) should break down:

• All prep work they'll actually perform
• How they'll handle potential problems they find
• Clear pricing before any work starts

Avoid contracts with fuzzy terms. You want detailed estimates that spell out exactly what's included in the scope of work. No surprises later.

Understanding Primer Requirements

Pro painters know when you need specialized primers. Different surfaces need appropriate primers for proper adhesion and coverage—it's not one-size-fits-all.

Quality contractors understand when to apply specialized primers for specific conditions. Make sure proper primer specifications are written into contracts for areas that require them.

Working With Paint Recommendations

A good contractor can advise on the best paint products for your specific building and location. Pro painters typically have experience with particular product lines and understand how they perform in real-world conditions.

For spaces where appearance really matters—living rooms, entryways—discuss [finish](/guides/house-painters/painting-metal-grilles-guide) quality and coverage properties. High-traffic areas like hallways and kids' rooms? Focus on durability.

⚠️ The Insurance Lie That Can Cost You Thousands

Don't just ask if they're 'insured.' Here's the thing—ask for a Certificate of Insurance (COI) that explicitly lists Workers' Compensation coverage. Many contractors only carry General Liability, leaving you exposed if their employee gets hurt on your property.

Without Workers' Comp, you could be held liable for their medical bills and lost wages. A generic 'we're insured' answer is a massive red flag. No valid COI with Workers' Comp means no deal.

Paint Battle: Emerald vs. Aura vs. The Pro's Choice

Sherwin-Williams Emerald and Benjamin Moore Aura are marketed as the best, and their price reflects it. They're fantastic, but often overkill.

Pro's secret? Benjamin Moore's Regal Select. It's a workhorse paint that delivers maybe 95% of Aura's performance—superb coverage, durability, and finish—for about 30% less cost. For most interior projects, Regal Select is the smarter investment. Don't pay for premium features you won't notice. Buy the paint that contractors have trusted for decades.

Ditch the 'Three Quotes' Rule

Conventional wisdom says to get three quotes. Instead, focus on getting one hyper-detailed quote.

Best painters outline every step: specific prep tasks, caulk/primer brands, and number of coats. This transparency is a better indicator of quality than price. A low-detail, low-price quote almost always guarantees skipped prep work.

⚠️ Common Mistake to Avoid

Focusing only on the total price instead of the paint specified in the contract. Honestly? This is where most people make their first mistake.

A low bid often hides the use of cheaper, contractor-grade paint (like Sherwin-Williams ProMar 400) instead of a premium, durable line (like their Emerald or Duration series). Always demand the exact product name and line be written into your agreement. This single detail separates a job that lasts 10 years from one that fails in 3.

Our Pro Recommendation

For high-traffic interior walls, everyone compares Benjamin Moore Regal Select and Sherwin-Williams Duration Home. Both are excellent, but we recommend Regal Select.

Its key advantage is superior scuff resistance and washability over time—it simply touches up better without flashing (uneven sheen). While Duration has impressive stain blocking, Regal Select's resilience to daily life makes it the smarter long-term choice for busy households, delivering a finish that stays looking new for longer.

What Most Guides Won't Tell You

Don't hire the painter with the best portfolio of finished photos—ask to see a job *in progress*. Sound familiar?

A clean, organized worksite with meticulous prep work (taping, sanding, covering) is a far better indicator of quality and professionalism than a glossy photo taken on a perfect day. Process reveals more than the final product.

⚠️ The Mistake Even Pros Make: Ignoring Substrate Moisture

Focusing only on visible prep like sanding is a critical error. Many painters skip using a moisture meter on interior drywall, especially in basements or bathrooms.

If the wall's moisture content is over 15%, even the best paint and primer will fail, leading to bubbles and peeling within a year. Insist on a moisture check on any wall with a history of humidity—it's a 10-second test that prevents a total repaint.

Stain-Blocking Primer: Zinsser B-I-N vs. Kilz 2

For stain-blocking, don't let your painter default to an easy water-based primer like Kilz 2. While fine for light scuffs, it's notoriously ineffective against serious water stains, tannin bleed from wood, or heavy smoke damage.

We recommend insisting on a shellac-based primer like Zinsser B-I-N. Its alcohol base creates a permanent, impenetrable barrier that water-based products can't match. Stronger smell and solvent cleanup are a small trade-off for ensuring stains never bleed through again.

Counter-Intuitive Tip: Ditch the Painter's Tape

Conventional wisdom screams 'use tape for clean lines.' Wrong.

Pro results come from mastering the freehand 'cutting-in' technique with a quality angled brush. Tape is slow, risks bleeding underneath for a fuzzy edge, and can pull fresh paint off the wall upon removal. A skilled painter with a steady hand is faster and delivers a sharper line.

Factors to Consider When Hiring

When you're picking a residential house painter, think about:

**Experience and Reputation:**

Look for painters with proven track records. Check their experience with projects similar to yours.

**Detailed Estimates:**

Quality contractors provide thorough breakdowns of all work to be performed, materials to be used, and associated costs.

**Communication:**

Pro painters listen to your needs and provide clear explanations of their recommended approach.

Ensuring Quality Results That Last

Here's what separates paint jobs that last from those that fail:

1. **Proper surface preparation** - addressing substrate concerns before painting

2. **Appropriate material selection** - matching products to your specific conditions

3. **Professional application techniques** - using proven methods and quality equipment

4. **Verified credentials** - ensuring proper licensing, insurance, and bonding

Take time to verify credentials, get detailed estimates, and make sure your painter understands your specific needs. Quality work costs more upfront but saves money over time by lasting longer and requiring fewer touch-ups.

Choosing the right professional painter means finding expertise in surface preparation, material selection, and application techniques that determine whether your paint job looks good for years or fails prematurely.