How to Hire a Qualified Industrial or Commercial Painting Contractor

Introduction

Industrial and commercial painting projects do a lot more than enhance appearance – they protect your assets from corrosion and deterioration. Therefore, selecting the right painting contractor is crucial in ensuring the lifespan of your equipment and facilities.

There are certain points that should be kept in mind before hiring professional services for industrial or commercial painting. First, one should be clear about their expectations from the painting project and the idea they want to convey through a good paint job.

State Your Expectations

With thousands of options available in the market, one may easily become overwhelmed or confused when selecting the right professional services for industrial painting.

At the outset, it is necessary to clearly state your expectations from the job in a concise manner. One such way is writing a Statement of Work (SOW) before proceeding with the project to lay out the specifics.

A Statement of Work for industrial or commercial painting should include detailed specifications of the areas in the facility which need to be painted, the restrictions that painters should keep in mind, additional expenses, guarantee period, and clear deadlines.

Make sure you ask the following questions before handing over the project.

• What type of paint would be used?

• How will the workspace be protected?

• Will there be cleaning up afterward?

• How many coats of paint will be required?

It is imperative to keep the quality of the industrial painting project your priority. An in-depth SOW can save you a lot of time if you specify the important terms in the contract, and you conduct research about the company.

Do Your Research

Calling up contacts, references, or reputed solicitor firms can be of great help. Most professional contractors provide a free on-site inspection on the initial meeting, providing their estimates for the job.

It is advised to check out potential contractors after doing a background check, asking the important questions like the size of their team and their experience in the field.

Safety Measures

Any technical project is required to adhere to certain safety protocols before commencement. Industrial painting is a large-scale project which is undertaken by professionals with the right safety expertise. Important safety certifications should also be highlighted in the contract.

Some key documentation to look out for:

• Contractor license information as per your state or Country

• Crew training certificates such as respirator training, scaffold training, lead training, etc.

• Workers’ compensation insurance certificates

• Documents as per the local consumers-affairs agency for a background check

References and Past Work

Gathering reviews of the painting contractor from references or recent clients is a good way to find out more about their quality of services and whether they would be able to meet the high standards. A history of positive responses is a good sign, especially if the projects have been demanding and challenging. The ability to deliver to renowned clients is also a sign of expertise and skill. 

Equipment and Expertise

Not all painting projects are similar. Every project has its own set of requirements, and high-quality commercial painting can only be done with the proper set of equipment and a team of experts who know how to handle it.

A well-planned approach can only be undertaken by a dynamic team. A qualified painting contractor should include the following personnel in the team to deliver excellence.

• A safety coordinator with active certifications and licensing information

• A quality control supervisor for inspection and maintaining guidelines

• A Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for all business discussions

• Expert managers in logistics, accounts, and client handling

How NOT to Choose an Industrial or Commercial Painting Contractor

The parameters mentioned above should be thoroughly investigated before proceeding with any project for industrial painting. However, facility managers should keep the following points in mind to understand how NOT to approach a painting contractor.

• Do not choose the bidder quoting the lowest price to save some money. You may have to compromise on quality in the process.

• Do not go for an inexperienced commercial painting contractor. References from friends and neighbours may not always work out, and hiring professional agencies is a good option.

• Do not start the project before issuing a clear contract.

• Do not go easy during the interview round. Expect the industrial painting contractor to provide feasible solutions for your hard-hitting questions.

Additional Tips for Hiring a Qualified Industrial or Commercial Painting Contractor

Here are a few tips for hiring a qualified commercial painting contractor who would live up to your expectations.

1.    Ask for a Guarantee:

The contract should include a guarantee in terms of the paint job, additional expenses, safety precautions, etc. Painters should provide a re-do for botched paintwork, which can be anything from peeling, blistering, to fading or flaking.

2.    Select the Paint Yourself:

Paints differ in terms of quality, and the number of paint coatings used affects the budget heavily. It is advised to choose the paint yourself so that you are familiar with its properties and finish.

3.    Divide the Payments:

It is advised to not pay the contractor up-front. Hold out and pay the contractor in the form of installments.

A good industrial painting job can work wonders for your office or factory. It will bring out the essence of the workplace. Choosing a qualified commercial painting contractor is a crucial first step, which should be done wisely.