8 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Painting Contractor
If you’re hiring a painting contractor, don’t just look at price. Whether it’s an interior painter or an exterior painter, you also need to ask the right questions before hiring a house painter. It’s the only way to make sure you’re dealing with a true professional who will do the job right.
1. Are They Licensed and Insured?
This should be one of the first questions you ask any painting contractor, whether you’re hiring them for interior painting or exterior work. A true professional won’t hesitate to show proof of licensing and insurance. If they do, it’s a red flag.
In British Columbia, here’s what you should look for:
General Liability Insurance
Every professional painter should carry general liability insurance to protect your property in case something goes wrong like accidental spills, damage to floors or furniture, or injuries on-site. While it’s not legally required, the industry standard is coverage of at least $1–2 million per occurrence. Don’t be shy, ask to see the certificate and make sure it’s valid.
WorkSafeBC (Workers’ Compensation)
If the painting contractor has a crew, they must be registered with WorkSafeBC. This coverage ensures that workers are protected in case of injury, and more importantly, it protects you from liability. You can even ask the contractor for a WorkSafeBC clearance letter; a quick way to confirm they’re in good standing.
Local Business License
Painters are also required to have a business license issued by the city or municipality where they operate. For example, if they’re working in Vancouver or Burnaby, you can call city hall or check online to verify they’re properly registered. It’s a simple step that helps confirm you’re dealing with a legitimate business.
2. Will They Be Subcontracting Any of the Work?
When you hire a painting contractor, you’re not just paying for the results; you’re trusting the crew that’s coming into your home. That’s why it matters whether they use their own team or subcontract the work.
Subcontracting isn’t always a red flag, but it does raise some questions. Who’s supervising the job? Are the subcontractors licensed, insured, and covered by WorkSafeBC? Have they been vetted for quality?
A reliable professional should be transparent about this and have clear processes in place to manage whoever is on-site. Make sure you know who will actually be doing the work, and who’s responsible if something goes wrong.
3. Can They Provide References and Examples of Past Work?
A reputable painting contractor should always be ready to show proof of their work. Whether you’re hiring an interior painter or an exterior painter, ask for references from recent jobs and a portfolio of completed projects.
Photos of past work can give you a sense of their attention to detail, finishing quality, and experience with homes similar to yours. Even better if they’ve done high-end finishes, tricky surfaces, or large-scale jobs like full exteriors or multi-room interiors.
Also, take a few minutes to read customer reviews online; especially on Google or local directories like Yelp, Houzz, or Homestars. A true professional won’t just handpick the best testimonials, their track record should speak for itself.
If they seem hesitant to share references or can’t show real examples of what they’ve done, that’s usually a sign to keep looking.
4. Do They Provide a Warranty or Guarantee for Their Work?
A reliable painting contractor should stand behind their work, not walk away once the job is done. That’s why asking about a warranty or satisfaction guarantee is so important, whether you’re hiring an interior painter or an exterior painter.
What Should Be Covered in a Painting Warranty?
Most professional painters offer a written warranty covering issues like peeling, blistering, flaking, or early fading. A standard workmanship warranty usually lasts 1 to 2 years, and should clearly state what’s covered and what’s not.
At a minimum, ask if the warranty includes:
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Labour and materials
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Touch-ups or repairs if paint fails prematurely
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Exclusions (e.g. water damage, structural movement, or DIY interference)
If a contractor avoids the topic, or only offers verbal reassurance, that’s a red flag. A true professional will have no issue putting their quality control in writing.
5. How Many Years Have They Been in the Painting Business?
When you’re hiring a Vancouver painting contractor, experience is one of the clearest signs of reliability. Ask how long they’ve been in business and what types of projects they’ve handled over the years.
A seasoned interior or exterior painter with real, hands-on experience is more likely to deliver consistent, high-quality work. They’ve dealt with all kinds of surfaces, prep issues, paint types, and weather conditions, so they know how to manage problems if they come up.
It’s not just about the number of years. Ask about the kind of past projects they’ve done. Have they painted homes like yours? Do they focus on residential painting or jump between different types of jobs?
A true professional painter will be able to show examples, share reviews, and speak confidently about the quality of their work.
6. What Paint and Products Do They Use?
What Type of Paint?
Not all paint is the same, and a good painting contractor should be able to explain what type of paint is right for each part of your home. This includes knowing which finishes work best for specific rooms or surfaces, and how paint will hold up in Vancouver’s wet coastal climate.
For interior spaces, they should recommend:
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Flat or matte: good for ceilings or low-traffic areas, hides surface flaws
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Eggshell: low-sheen finish for most walls in living rooms and bedrooms
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Satin: more durable, ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, and kids’ rooms
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Semi-gloss: best for trim and doors, easy to wipe down but shows imperfections
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For exterior painting, their answers should show an understanding of:
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Moisture resistance and breathability, especially for wood siding
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The importance of proper primers for bare wood, stucco, or previously peeling surfaces
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UV resistance to prevent fading, especially on exposed south- or west-facing walls
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Paint flexibility to expand and contract with temperature changes without cracking
If they give vague answers or seem unsure, that’s a red flag. A true professional painter will explain how paint performance changes depending on the surface and local conditions.
What Brand of Paint Do They Use?
Most experienced painting contractors have preferred paint brands they trust for quality and durability. Look for recognizable names like Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams, or Dulux. Make sure the contractor isn’t cutting corners by using budget brands without telling you.
Some less honest painters will buy cheaper paint and pour it into higher-end cans. Asking about their process and the products they use helps protect you from that. You’re not just paying for labor, you’re paying for the materials on your walls too.
A trustworthy professional will gladly explain why they use the products they do and how it helps ensure long-lasting, high-quality results.
7. What Kind of Prep Work Do They Do Before Painting?
Prep work is where most professional painters separate themselves from the cheap fly-by-night crews. If the prep isn’t done right, the paint won’t last, it’s that simple.
A good painting contractor should be doing more than just wiping down walls. Depending on the job, you want to hear about:
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Surface cleaning to remove dust, dirt, or mildew
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Scraping and sanding to remove peeling or flaking paint
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Patching holes or cracks in drywall or exterior siding
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Taping, masking, and drop cloths to protect floors, trim, and furniture
For exterior painting in Vancouver, prep should also include pressure washing and ensuring all surfaces are dry before applying primer or paint.
If a painter downplays prep, expect problems like peeling, uneven coverage, or early wear. Prep is the foundation of a lasting finish.
8. What’s Their Expected Schedule and How Do They Handle Delays?
Your painting contractor should be able to give you a clear timeline; start date, estimated duration, and how many days they’ll be on-site. If they’re vague, that’s a problem.
Ask for a schedule that includes:
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How many crew members will be working on your project
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How long each phase (prep, painting, touch-ups) will take
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Whether they work full consecutive days or jump between jobs
A real professional painter should explain how they handle rain delays, what conditions they won’t paint in, and how they’ll keep you updated if timelines shift.
The key is open communication. Delays happen, but a good contractor keeps you in the loop and adjusts without leaving your project hanging.
Final Thoughts: It’s About More Than Just Price
Hiring a painter isn’t just about picking someone who can hold a brush. It’s about trusting the people you let into your home; people who actually care about the work, care about your space, and take pride in doing it right.
You can read all the right questions, check the reviews, and compare quotes — and you should. But at the end of the day, trust how the process feels. A good painting contractor will make things easy, not stressful. They’ll listen, offer advice, and leave you feeling confident, not pressured.
If someone shows up with respect, clear answers, and a genuine interest in doing great work; that’s someone worth hiring.
At Grade A Painters, we’re all about making the experience just as smooth as the finish. From your first quote to your final walkthrough, our goal is simple: deliver quality, stay honest, and leave your home looking its best. We wished every painter cared as much as we did, that’s just not quite the norm.
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