Five Essentials for Choosing the Right Commercial Painting Contractor

Five Essentials for Choosing the Right Commercial Painting Contractor

The success of your painting project largely depends on choosing the right commercial painting contractor for the job. When hiring a commercial painting contractor, it’s important to do your due diligence in selecting the best company. It’s advised to get quotes from at least 3-5 painting companies before making your decision. When it comes to choosing the best one, here’s 5 tips that will help you make an informed decision.

Tip #1: Verify Their Licenses and Insurance

An important factor to consider when choosing a commercial painting contractor is their licensing and insurance status. Make sure the company has a valid license to operate in your area and that their insurance policy is up-to-date. This will protect you from liability in case of any accidents or damages that occur during the project.

Before working with any painting contractor, you should ask for the following:

  • State contractor license. They should have a valid state contractor’s license to work in your area. For California painting contractors, the license should be issued from the Contractors State License Board. Visit this site to verify their licensure by searching for their license number and verifying that it’s active.
  • Contractor’s Bond. They should also have a bond in the amount of $25,000 with their correct business name and license number.
  • General Liability and Workers’ Compensation Insurance. Ask to see a copy of their certificate of liability insurance to verify that they are actively insured for both
    1. commercial general liability, and
    2. workers’ compensation and employee liability.

By choosing a licensed and insured contractor, you can protect yourself from potential liability in case of any accidents or damages that may occur during the project. This means that if a painter gets hurt on the job or if there are any damages to your property, you won’t be held responsible for the costs. Further, in the case of a licensed contractor improperly walking off the job, you can file a complaint with the regulatory agency. In short, it’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to licensing and insurance. Choose a licensed, insured painting contractor for a smooth and worry-free painting project!

Tip #2: Check Their Experience and Expertise

Before hiring a commercial painting contractor, it’s essential to consider their level of experience and expertise in the field. Look for a reputable exterior commercial painting company who has completed similar projects to yours and who can provide references or a portfolio of past work. Ask for addresses of past projects to see real examples of their work in your area, and check out how the paint job has held up over time. You should also inquire about their expertise with different types of paint and techniques, as well as their knowledge of the latest industry trends and best practices.

Tip #3: Get Detailed Estimates, Timelines and Contracts.

To ensure that everything goes smoothly, it’s important to get detailed estimates from several contractors. This will give you a clear idea of what the project will entail and how much it will cost. Additionally, you should be given a timeline breakdown letting you know when various stages of the project will be completed. It’s important to have a written contract that outlines all of the details of the project, including the scope of work, timeline, and payment schedule. This will help to avoid any surprises or misunderstandings along the way. If you have specific hours that are best for your project, you will also want to check with your contractor to ensure they can accommodate your needs.

Another thing to consider is whether the paint job is backed by any warranties or guarantees. It’s always a good idea to ask your contractor about this and to get the warranty in writing. This will give you peace of mind knowing that your paint job is covered in case anything goes wrong.

Tip #4: Inquire About Their Process and Practices.

The quality of your commercial painting project will largely depend on the process and practices used by the contractor. Inquire about their surface preparation methods, such as power washing, scraping, and sanding, as well as their approach to prepping, priming, painting, and clean-up. It’s important to choose a commercial painting contractor that will complete all the important prep work before beginning to paint. This includes sanding down jagged surfaces, fixing holes in the wall, and safely clearing the area of any mildew or mold.

Don’t forget to ask if they’ll paint any eaves, fascia, wood sidings, trim, windows, doors, wrought iron, fences, gates, and any other speciality surfaces needed for your commercial painting project. Further, make sure that the contractor will paint all surfaces with the highest quality paints to help ensure that your paint job is long-lasting, durable, and can hold up against weather changes. High-quality brands like Dunn Edwards and Sherwin-Williams are top-notch paints for exterior commercial buildings.

Tip #5: Consider Their Customer Service and Communication.

Lastly, it’s important to choose a commercial painting contractor who offers excellent customer service and communication. A reliable contractor should be responsive to your needs and questions, keep you updated on the progress of the project, and be willing to address any concerns or issues that arise along the way. Look for a contractor who values open and honest communication and who is committed to delivering the best possible results. Further, look for their reviews on popular review sites like Angi, Yelp, Houzz, Google, and Yellow Pages to see other clients’ experiences.


Choosing the right commercial painting contractor is essential to achieving a successful painting project for your property. By considering these factors and taking the time to research and compare your options, you can find a contractor who will provide high-quality work, exceptional service, and peace of mind.

Experience the One Way Painting Difference

Looking for an Orange County exterior commercial painting contractor you can trust? Look no further than One Way Painting!

  • 40+ years of excellence. As a family-owned painting company established in 1976, we’ve proudly been serving Orange County for 47 years.
  • 5-star company. Over the years, we have earned our 5-star reputation based on hundreds of reviews across Yelp, Google, Houzz, Angi’s List, and Yellow Pages!
  • Stand By Our Work. We have the best warranties that you can find! We do business with integrity and stand by the quality of our work.
  • “No money down” policy. You won’t have to pay anything until the job is completed to your complete satisfaction.
  • Fully licensed, bonded and insured. We are fully licensed (State Lic. # 372767) in California, as well as being bonded and insured.