Hiring a contractor can be a risky business, and a painting contractor is no different. Whether it’s a small job like having a bedroom repainted or a big job like your home’s exterior, you need to do your homework. Here are some tips on sorting out the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Painting Contractor Hiring Dos:

1. DO get referrals from friends, neighbors, co-workers.
2. DO check your initial selections with the Better Business Bureau and the Contractors Board.
3. DO get at least three estimates, and don’t necessarily choose the lowest.
4. DO make sure your painting contractor has the proper licenses, insurance, and bonding.
5. DO get references and check them.
6. DO make sure that the contract spells out the entire job including prep work: power washing, calking, primer coat, paint brand and quality, cleanup, payment terms, warranties, and schedule.
7. DO have your lawyer review the contract.

Painting Contractor Hiring Don’ts:

1. DON’T hire a painting contractor from a Yellow Pages ad or a flyer on a supermarket bulletin board.
2. DON’T fail to disclose any hazards the painting contractor may encounter: lead paints, asbestos, and other potentially harmful situations.
3. DON’T hire a contractor unless you can pay him. A mechanic’s lien on your home makes it difficult to sell.

If you have followed all these tips, you and your painting contractor will both have a satisfactory experience.

Faux finishing is a painting technique used to create the illusion of texture on a wall. It has developed into an art form, using simple tools like sponges and rags to produce effects which leave virtually no traces of tools. It’s appropriate on drywall, plaster or wood, and can help to bring a new depth of design into your home regardless of the space usage.