How to Know if You're Getting the Best Residential Interior Painting Rates
Paint jobs aren’t free. Even if you plan on doing everything yourself, you’ll still have to foot the bill for supplies, not to mention take time out of your schedule to get it done. If you decide to hire professional painters instead, you’ll have to pay even more. But how much, exactly? And what is a fair price for interior painting, anyway? As you might imagine, the answer to this question is a bit complicated. Here’s how to determine whether or not you’re getting the best residential interior painting rates.
Understand What Goes into an Interior Painting Estimate
If you’re seeking the best price for your home interior painting project, the first question you should ask yourself is, “how do I estimate an interior painting job?” Knowing which factors play into such an estimate will help you get a better sense of what your project might cost in the end. You must take into account both the cost of materials and labor. Materials include paint, applicators (e.g., brushes, rollers, etc.), tools, coverings, and so on – the more surface area that needs covering and the higher quality the materials, the more it will cost you. Labor is either calculated on an hourly or flat rate, and these rates can vary wildly depending on local economic trrends and the contractor’s level of experience. Simply put, smaller projects cost less than larger ones, all else being equal, but variables like quality of materials, total hours of service, and professional experience all play into the final estimate.
Crunch Some Numbers on Your Own
Once you’ve got a handle on how residential interior painting services craft their estimates, it’s worth coming up with a loose estimate of your own for future comparison’s sake. You can do this by breaking out the measuring tape and nailing down the dimensions of your project. From there, consider the types of paint you’d want to use and figure out how much you would need to provide at least two coats to every surface in question – this will give you a loose material estimate (keep in mind other necessary material costs, of course). Calculating labor costs is a bit more challenging, as it’s not always easy to know how long a project will take or what a particular contractor’s rates are until you actually communicate with them.
Do Some Online Research
One way to get a better sense of the average cost of residential interior painting in your area is to do some digging online. There are countless websites that allow you to input key information such as your project’s scope (i.e., square footage), your zip code, and more. These resources may also help you find the best and most transparent contractors in your area (in this case, Raleigh, NC), even comparing painting rates and customer reviews for you.
Ask Around
A little online research can go a long way, but it’s still no replacement for some good old fashioned word of mouth. Chances are that someone in your neighborhood has recently invested in some residential interior painting of their own. Ask them who they hired, how it went, and what it cost (if they’re comfortable disclosing these details). Ideally, you’ll collect this information from several people in town that you trust to gain some perspective on current home painting rates, as well as get some leads on reliable local painters. Once you’ve got some candidates in mind, don’t be afraid to ask them about their rates and how they calculate them. The more open a particular provider is, the better. Also, remember that the lowest bidder isn’t always the best option – a painter that undercuts the competition might end up taking shortcuts in important places, resulting in poor outcomes. The trick is to find a contractor who offers competitive pricing without sacrificing quality.
Residential interior painting can be a significant investment. Make sure you get the most bang for your buck by understanding what goes into creating a painting estimate, doing some of your own homework, and talking to people you trust. At Anderson Painting, we are committed to providing our customers with expert painting, flooring, and repair services. We pride ourselves on getting the job done with integrity and efficiency every time.
For a free estimate and to learn more about us and all we do, call today at 919-610-1855 or email us at info@andersonpaintingnc.com!
