When you’re looking for a painting company, it’s easy, from my perspective, to point you to Ireland’s Finest, but you should do your due diligence to find the right contractor and price for your needs. Painting companies that are complete scams generally don’t last long in the Denver market, which has high competition between construction and painting companies for customers. But, there are come companies that can provide the same services for less and still give you quality work. Let’s walk through the process you should use to compare bids, companies, estimates, and references to find the best company and services.
Get Recommendations
Before we get to bids, start with a compilation of recommendations from friends, family, and the Internet. Websites like Google and Yelp have ratings and reviews from past customers for most local businesses. Ask your friends who painted their house and what they thought of their work. Use this information to start a list of the best painting companies around.
Reach out and Set Up Estimates
No professional painter will be able to give you an accurate estimate without coming to your home and looking for himself. Start by calling a few contractors from your list and see if they can handle a project like your house. It’s also a good idea before anyone comes to inspect your home to see if the company in question has worked with many other clients in your area and how many concurrent jobs they have going at one time.

Once the painters have looked at your home and answered your questions, they’ll give you an estimate. Get the most detail you can from these estimates. Ask them to itemize their parts and labor. This will give you negotiating power and allow you to easily compare them with other companies.
During this phase, compare bids and make sure all companies are using at least in the same ballpark. For any outliers, check on the products they’re using, what preparation work they do, and their Worker’s Compensation and Liability Insurance.

Materials usually make up about 40 percent of the total cost, with the rest covering overhead, labor, and profit margins.
Beware of These Things
Beware of the lowest bid. Sometimes, companies desperate for work will try to undercut their competition. You have to ask yourself, why is this company desperate for work? Why are they trying to undercut everyone else? The low-ballers might also not be as confident in their work or prone to cutting corners. You don’t have to massively overpay for a home paint job, but you also get what you pay for. Beware of painting contractors who demand half the payment up front, before they pick up a paint brush. This could be because the company has financial problems or is concerned you might not be satisfied with their work. After you’ve gathered your references and estimates, you can compare the reputations and quotes of a few select companies and choose the best one for your particular project. Remember that your home is unique, so each company’s estimate should be tailored to your
house and your vision for what you want it to be.