Before hiring a painter, ask five questions: Are you insured, and can you prove it? Who is my point of contact? What is your written warranty? What products will you use, and why? How do you handle prep? A professional painter answers all five clearly, with documentation, before you sign anything.
Hiring a painter is a bigger decision than most homeowners realize. We’ve seen it firsthand in the Denver and Front Range area: homeowners who chose the lowest bid and ended up with peeling paint, no warranty, and nobody to call. Here’s what a good answer to each question sounds like.
1. Are You Insured, and Can You Provide Proof?
Any professional painting contractor in Colorado should carry general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage. If a ladder falls, a window cracks, or a worker is injured on your property, you need to know you’re protected. Ask for a certificate of insurance before the job starts. A reputable company provides it without hesitation.
Red flag: “We’ve never had an issue, so we don’t really carry that.”
At TrueCoat, we’re fully insured and provide proof of coverage upfront.
2. Who Is My Dedicated Point of Contact?
Many contractors send a salesperson to win the job, then hand it off with little communication. You want one dedicated project manager responsible for your job from the walkthrough to the final inspection, who communicates proactively and is reachable.
Red flag: “Just grab one of the painters if you need something.”
Every TrueCoat client gets a dedicated project manager.
3. What Is Your Written Warranty?
A verbal promise isn’t a warranty. Ask: Is it in writing? Does it cover workmanship, materials, or both? How long does it last? What voids it?
Red flag: “Paint doesn’t really need a warranty.”
TrueCoat provides a written workmanship warranty on every job: 2 years on interior work and 5 to 11 years on exterior work, depending on the paint selected.
4. What Paint and Materials Do You Use, and Why?
A knowledgeable painter can name the exact products they’ll use, explain why they suit your surface, and describe the manufacturer’s application requirements. In Colorado, intense UV, big temperature swings, and dry air make product choice even more important.
Red flag: “We just use whatever’s cheapest that day.”
TrueCoat uses professional-grade products, including Sherwin-Williams exterior lines such as Duration and Latitude, and StaynTech masonry systems, selected for the surface and Colorado’s climate. Learn more about our exterior painting process.
5. How Do You Handle Surface Prep?
Prep matters more than the paint. Peeling and bubbling within a year is almost always a prep problem. A professional should walk you through washing, caulking, repairs, masking, and priming.
Red flag: a quote with no prep line item, or “the paint will cover it.”
TrueCoat starts with a thorough walkthrough, then washes, caulks, repairs, masks, and primes before opening a can of paint. Read why paint prep matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Two to three detailed written quotes is usually enough to compare scope, products, prep, and warranty. Compare what’s included, not just the total.
Surfaces to be painted, prep steps, named products and colors, number of coats, repairs and how they’re priced, timeline, total price, and the written warranty.
Not usually. A bid far below the others often means skipped prep, fewer coats, cheaper paint, or no insurance, which costs more when the job fails early.
The Bottom Line
Any painter worth hiring should answer all five questions clearly, with documentation. We built TrueCoat to be that kind of company. For local guidance, see our guides to hiring a painter in Denver and Boulder, then request a free estimate. We’ll answer all five questions before you sign a thing.
