What questions should I ask a painter?

When hiring a painter, ask questions to vet quality, professionalism, and protect yourself. Ask are you licensed and insured, can you show proof of liability insurance and workers compensation. Ask how long have you been painting professionally and can you provide portfolio of recent similar jobs and at least three references I can call. Ask what is included in your estimate, does it include prep work like cleaning, sanding, patching holes, caulking, priming, and how many coats of paint. Ask what brand and line of paint do you use and is paint included in price. Ask how do you protect floors, furniture, and landscaping and do you include cleanup. Ask what is your timeline, start and finish date, and how many painters will be on job. Ask do you provide written contract with scope, cost, payment schedule, and warranty. Ask what is your payment schedule and do you require deposit, avoid paying more than 30 percent upfront. Ask how do you handle lead paint if house is old. Ask what happens if I am not satisfied or if paint peels. Ask do you have employees or subcontractors. Asking these questions helps you compare bids fairly, avoid scams, and ensure you hire reliable painter who does proper prep and stands behind work.