“Top 10 Common Mistakes Businesses Make When Hiring Commercial Painters (and How to Avoid Them)”

Top 10 mistakes to avoid when hiring commercial painters

• Choosing the cheapest bid only: Low bids often skip prep, use inferior materials, or under-staff the job.

  • Fix: Compare detailed scopes, materials, prep steps, and warranties—then weigh total value, not just price.

• No written scope of work: Vague agreements lead to change orders, disputes, and inconsistent results.

  • Fix: Require a line‑item scope covering surfaces, prep, primers, coats, brand/spec of paint, schedule, and cleanup.

• Skipping licensing and insurance checks: Unlicensed or underinsured crews put you at legal and financial risk.

  • Fix: Verify licenses, general liability, and workers’ comp; request certificates naming your property as additionally insured.

• Ignoring surface prep quality: Poor cleaning, patching, or priming shortens coating life and ruins finishes.

  • Fix: Specify prep standards (washing, repairs, patching, sanding, priming) and inspect before color coats.

• Using the wrong paint system for the environment: Coastal, high‑UV, or high‑humidity areas demand the right coatings.

  • Fix: Choose products rated for salt air, UV, mildew resistance, and substrate type; follow manufacturer specs.

• Weak schedule and access planning: Mismanaged access, tenant coordination, or weather delays balloon timelines.

  • Fix: Align work windows, staging, lift/drone needs, and weather contingencies; build a realistic phased schedule.

• Poor communication and documentation: Missed updates cause surprises, rework, and frustration.

  • Fix: Set a single point of contact, weekly progress reports, photo logs, and change‑order protocols.

• No mockups or sample areas: Colors and sheens can look different on real substrates and lighting.

  • Fix: Approve on‑site samples for each substrate; confirm color codes, sheen, and finish before full production.

• Overlooking safety and compliance: Lax safety risks injuries, fines, and stoppages.

  • Fix: Require OSHA‑compliant plans, lift certifications, fall protection, hazard communication, and site signage.

• Neglecting warranty and post‑project care: Without clear coverage, touch‑ups and early failures become your problem.

  • Fix: Get a written workmanship warranty, product warranty details, punch‑list process, and maintenance recommendations.

Quick checklist for property managers and businesses

• Scope: Detailed, written, and agreed.

• Credentials: License, insurance, references verified.

• Prep: Documented standards and inspections.

• Product: Specified brand/system suited to environment.

• Schedule: Phased plan with contingencies.

• Safety: Written plan and compliance proofs.

• Samples: On‑site mockups approved.

• Communication: Regular reports and photo documentation.

• Warranty: Clear terms and punch‑list.

• Cleanup: Defined procedures and final walk‑through.