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Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Painter in Dallas

Painting is one home improvement project you may want to carry out on your own. However, considering your untrained hands may not achieve a fine finish that give your home the kind of curb appeal you desire, it is best to leave this to a professional. Professionally painted home also earn an extra two to five percent more in the market. However, before you settle for a painter in Dallas, it will be wise to askthe following questions to determine if your contractor is competent enough to handle your job:

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Painter in Dallas?

In Dallas, painters do not need a license to provide painting services. However, depending on the type of painting service the painter intends to provide or the type of building that will be painted, Dallas painters are sometimes required to be certified by appropriate bodies. For example, painters who wish to specialize in industrial painting must obtain professional certifications from a reputable professional association like the Association for Materials Protection and Performance. Similarly, per the requirements of the lead, renovation, repair, and painting rule, anyone who intends to do painting work on buildings, including homes and childcare facilities that were built before 1978, must be certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Note that EPA-certified painters can protect you and your family from lead exposure, which can result in severe health conditions such as nervous system and kidney damage, fertility problems, and poor muscle formation. Accordingly, you should always ask the individual you intend to hire if they are certified, as this can be an added advantage even if your building is newly constructed.

You can confirm if a painter or painting firm has been certified by a professional body by requesting proof of certification and contacting the professional body that issued the certificate. Likewise, you can confirm if a painter is certified by the EPA by calling the National Lead Information Center (NLIC) at (800) 424-5323. For more information concerning the requirements for obtaining an EPA certification, contact your EPA regional office for lead poisoning prevention efforts at (214) 665-6711.

When considering hiring a painter in Dallas, it is always good to consider two to three persons for the job. You should take your time in evaluating each painter to find out the best for the job. This is very important, especially as painters are not licensed in the city. You can ask the painter you intend to hire if they have the experience and equipment to do the job. To be sure, you can ask the painter if they specialize in providing specific painting services. Finally, you can also ask the painter to provide references that you can check to evaluate their level of competency and professionalism in providing their services.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Painters in Dallas?

The hourly cost for hiring a painter in Dallas is generally dependent on factors like the size of the area that is to be painted, the complexity of the design, the type and quantity of paint that will be used, and the amount of labor that is required to complete the job. Nevertheless, it is not unusual for each painter to charge a different price for the same type of work.

Therefore, it is always important to compare multiple estimates from different painters before hiring anyone. Comparing estimates from different painters helps you identify the best person for your job while ensuring you do not pay more than the average market price. However, you should always ensure that each estimate is detailed enough. The more detailed an estimate is, the easier it becomes to identify the necessary costs included in the estimate.

A painter in Dallas earns an annual average wage of $46,360. The table below provides the hourly mean wage of painters in Dallas and compares this with the wages of painters in other parts of Texas and several other major cities in the United States:

Dallas Painters Mean Hourly Wage
$22.33
Texas Painters Mean Hourly Wage
$17.90
New York City Painters Mean Hourly Wage
$28.06
Chicago Painters Mean Hourly Wage
$29.15
Dallas Painters Mean Hourly Wage
$18.75
Seattle Painters Mean Hourly Wage
$24.24
Detroit Painters Mean Hourly Wage
$22.48
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

What Kind of Painting Services Do You Offer?

Dallas painters offer an array of professional services such as interior and exterior painting, wallpaper removal, staining, metal door painting, and power washing. However, painting services in Dallas can be grouped into three broad categories. These include new work painting, repairs, and maintenance painting. New work painting is any type of painting that is performed on a new building, especially a building that has never been painted in the past.

On the other hand, the repair is done to correct a painting error such as cracks, peeling, and stains, while maintenance painting is done to prevent disruptive and costly painting procedures that may result from corrosion. Most painters in Dallas specialize in providing at least one of these categories of painting services, and as a resident, it is your responsibility to ask the individual you intend to hire if they specialize in the type of painting service you need. Furthermore, you can ask about their years of practice and if they have the necessary equipment to do the job.

Note that most painting services require special equipment, and not having the necessary equipment can prevent the painter from achieving the desired result. Having ascertained that the painter is competent and ready to do your job, you can now discuss the cost of the particular painting service that you need. Provided below is the cost estimate for some painting services in Dallas:

Interior house painting or staining (per square foot)
$1.03 - $2.42
Exterior house painting or staining (per square foot)
$1.27 - $2.72
Paint removal (per square foot)
$0.80 - $2.3
Faux painting (per square foot)
$2.00 - $4.50
Texture painting (per hour)
$18 - $42

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Painters in Dallas?

Dallas painters are not required by law to carry or maintain liability insurance before they can provide their services within the city. However, as a homeowner or property owner, it is always best if the individual you intend to hire to do your painting job is insured. This will protect you from financial burdens that may result from work accidents that occurred during your painting job. In 2020 alone, more than 1,600 work-related injuries were recorded among painters in the United States. These include injuries sustained as a result of slip and fall, exposure to contaminated substances, lead poisoning, and repetitive stress.

Homeowners and property owners can always prepare for these accidents by ensuring that the individual they intend to hire is insured. Accordingly, homeowners are advised to confirm their painter's insurance status before signing an agreement. They can do this by asking for proof of insurance and contacting the insurance company to verify the information.

How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Painter in Dallas

According to the United States Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, approximately 125,000 consumer complaints, including home repair scam complaints, were recorded in Texas from December 2018 through December 2021. Home improvement and construction-related scams are widespread in Texas, which is why the State's Attorney General has always advised residents to get the proper education on common home improvement issues. This will help them avoid hiring fraudulent contractors and save time and energy. Fraudulent contractors are always looking for unsuspecting citizens to scam. Unfortunately, many people in Dallas are not aware of the various methods home scammers employ to defraud their victims. A common method of stealing from homeowners is to collect upfront payment for a job and not show up to complete the job.

In July 2019, a contractor was arrested for collecting over $300,000 from six people across Texas without completing any of the work. Other methods fraudulent contractors employ to steal from their victims include inflating the construction price, performing shoddy work that will require repair soon, purchasing inferior materials despite billing for quality materials, and deliberately failing to pay suppliers for the materials they supplied. To avoid falling victim to painting scams, you should take the following steps:

  • Avoid transient contractors or anyone without a verifiable business address.
  • Ask friends, family, and neighbors to recommend competent painters
  • Ensure that the painter has obtained the appropriate certifications for your job. You can ask for proof of certification and contact the agency that issued the certificate
  • Always get estimates from different painters before eventually choosing one
  • Ask the painter to provide references and check to confirm if the customers were satisfied with the painter's work. Do not hire a painter who is unable to provide at least three references
  • Ensure that the painter is duly insured. Do not hesitate to contact their insurance company for more information
  • Get a written contract and ensure that it contains details of the work
  • Avoid cash payment and do not make full payment until you are satisfied with the job

If you suspect a home improvement scam in Dallas, you can report it to the Consumer Protection Unit of the Dallas Department of Code Compliance by calling (214) 948-4351. You can also report home improvement scams to the Consumer Protection Division of the Texas Office of the Attorney General. You can do this by filing a complaint online or by downloading, printing, completing, and mailing a consumer complaint form to:

Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
P.O. Box 12548
Austin, TX 78711 - 2548

Lastly, you can also file an action against the contractor you hired in an appropriate Dallas Court. Nevertheless, you should always speak to an attorney before filing a matter against a contractor in a law court.