Get Quotes from Top Painters in El Paso, TX
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Painter in El Paso
Professionally painted homes are more appealing to neighbors and attract an extra two to five percent on the market if you are selling. When searching for the right painter to hire in El Paso, it is very common to reach out to friends, neighbors or other home improvement professionals for referrals. While this is a great place to start, you might want to dig a little deeper to understand exactly who it is that you will be hiring by asking the following questions:
Are You Licensed to Practice as a Painter in El Paso?
Anyone intending to offer painting services in El Paso is required to first register with the Planning and Inspections Department. Per section 18.02.115 of the El Paso Municipal Code, failure to comply with this registration requirement attracts a fine of up to $2,000. To be eligible for this registration, interested persons must meet the contractor registration requirements, which include maintaining a certificate of insurance and paying the necessary fees. After meeting these requirements, interested persons must then submit a completed Contractor Registration Application to the Department and pay the necessary annual fee.
For more information on contractor registration, interested persons can contact the El Paso City Planning and Inspections Department online or call (915) 212-0104. Homeowners can also check the El Paso Citizen Access Portal to confirm if their painter is registered.
How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Painters in El Paso?
A professional painter in El Paso typically charges about $14.46 per hour. This cost may vary based on several factors, including the painter's experience and the demand for the job. Accordingly, it is better to get painting estimates from different painters near you. This will help you determine the going rate for your project and get a good painter who can complete your project at a fair price.
A painter in El Paso earns an annual average wage of $30,080. The table below provides the hourly mean wage of painters in El Paso and compares this with the wages of painters in other parts of Texas and several other major cities in the United States:
What Kind of Painting Services Do You Offer?
Painters in El Paso offer a variety of painting services in both residential and commercial homes in the city. Some residential painting services include:
- Exterior painting, interior painting, cabinet refinishing and repainting
- Color consultation
- Crown molding services
- Deck painting and staining
- Drywall repair, and
- Stucco repairs and painting.
Commercial services performed by El Paso painters include:
- Tilt-up repairs and painting
- Power washing
- High-durability coatings for floors, walls, and high-wear areas.
Due to the wide experience and skill required to perform various painting jobs, a painter may decide to specialize in performing specific painting jobs, such as residential or commercial painting, painting newly built structures, or repainting cabinets or homes. Hence, ensure you do your due diligence in hiring the right painter for the painting project you want to embark on.
You can do this by ensuring your intended painter is licensed and, if your home was built between 1960 and 1977, ensuring the professional has been certified by the EPA to carry out lead-safe paintwork. If the painting job you intend to do involves paints mixed with toxic vehicles or solvents, ensure you hire painters who are certified by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to enhance safety. Additionally, it will be advisable to know how much these painting services cost so you can budget accurately and avoid price gouging.
The cost estimates of some common painting services in El Paso are listed below:
Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Painters in El Paso?
Generally, painters in El Paso are mandated to maintain general liability insurance coverage. The work of a painter comes with several occupational hazards. A good instance is the toxic chemicals a lot of painters are exposed to in the workspace that could cause headaches, dizziness, and several other short-term or long-term ailments, whether externally or internally. Painters also suffer from injuries caused by falls from scaffolds, ladders, and working at high heights.
In 2020 alone, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded more than 1,600 work-related injuries among painters. As such, it is always wise to work with an insured professional painter. This will protect you from personal costs for handling any accident that occurs during your paint job. Also, ensure you verify your intended painter's proof of insurance with the appropriate insurance provider.
How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Painter in El Paso
According to the Texas Office of the Attorney General, one of the latest and most popular scams being committed against consumers in the state include home repair scams. Fraudulent scammers typically use various methods to trick homeowners. For instance, some homeowners in El Paso were scammed out of about $2,500 by a contractor who absconded without completing the project for which these homeowners made payments. Nevertheless, the following tips can help protect you from being a victim of home repair scams:
- Get recommendations from trusted individuals like family, friends, co-workers, or neighbors when looking for a good painter near you.
- Always ensure that your intended painter is registered with the El Paso Planning and Inspections Department.
- Always take your time before making any decision regarding any painter. Don't give room for pressure.
- Get written estimates from at least three painters. This will help you prevent price gouging and help you settle for a good painter who can work within your budget.
- Before deciding on the painter you want to hire, ask the individual for references from previous clients. Try to reach out to these references to inquire about your intended painter.
- Check with the Texas Office of the Attorney General Consumer Protection Division if any complaints have been filed against your intended painter.
- Make sure you get a written and well-detailed contract for the project that contains all the important information pertaining to the work that will be performed, such as the time frame for the work, payment details, and other relevant details. Ensure that you study and clearly understand the terms of this contract before signing it.
- Endeavor to pay with a check or credit card and not cash. This will help with keeping a record of payments.
- Don't make huge down payments; try not to pay in full until the work is complete and done to your satisfaction.
If you feel you're the victim of a painting scam, simply make sure you report it online to the Texas Attorney General's Office's Consumer Protection Division. Alternatively, you may print a complaint form in your preferred language of English or Spanish, complete the form, and mail it to:
Office of the Attorney GeneralConsumer Protection Division
P.O. Box 12548
Austin, TX 78711-2548
The Consumer Protection Division receives complaints and reviews them as part of efforts to mediate between consumers and businesses operating in El Paso. Note that the Division does not take on the role of legal representative for individuals with complaints, nor does it guarantee monetary compensation. Given this, aggrieved residents who want to recoup their financial losses or want monetary compensation are advised to consult an attorney on their available legal options. One such option is filing a small claims case against the painter at the El Paso County Justice of the Peace Precinct if the scam involves an amount of $10,000 or less.