Most painting disappointments are not about skill. They are about scope that was never written, preparation that was assumed, and communication that stopped once the deposit cleared. The questions below are the ones we would ask if we were hiring, and they work for interior, exterior, and cabinet work alike.
1. Will the proposal list the surfaces, the preparation, and the products?
A good answer is yes, surface by surface. A proposal that says "paint living room" tells you nothing about whether the ceiling is included, whether repairs are scoped, or what is going on the walls. If it is not written, you cannot hold anyone to it.
2. What preparation is included, specifically?
Listen for repairs, sanding, priming of patched and bare areas, caulking, and cleaning. "We prep everything" is not an answer. The finish is the preparation.
3. What products will be used, by line?
Brand names are easy; lines are specific. A contractor who specifies the line and sheen for each surface has thought about your home. One who says "good paint" has not.
4. Who is doing the work, and are they employees or subcontractors?
Either can be fine. What matters is whether the people in your home are known to the company, trained to its standard, and supervised. Ask who the point of contact is during production.
5. Are you insured, and can I see proof?
Ask for a certificate of insurance showing general liability and workers' compensation. Michigan does not license painting contractors, so insurance is the credential that actually protects you, and a professional firm provides proof without hesitation.
6. How will my home be protected?
Expect specifics: how floors are covered, how furniture is handled, what gets masked, how dust is managed during sanding, and how the site is left each evening.
7. How is the schedule communicated, and what happens if it changes?
Weather, repairs, and surprises happen. What you want to hear is how you will be told and how decisions are made, not a promise that nothing will change.
8. How are changes to scope handled?
The right answer is that changes are documented and approved before the work happens. Surprise line items on the final invoice are the single most common complaint about contractors, and a written change process prevents them.
9. What does the warranty cover, and is it in writing?
Vague lifetime promises are marketing. A warranty that lives in the proposal, with what is covered, for how long, and how a claim is handled, is a commitment.
10. What happens at the end?
A professional project ends with a detailed review and a walkthrough with you, touch-ups handled before closeout, and care guidance for the finishes. If the answer is "we clean up and send the invoice," keep looking.
For older homes, one more
If your home was built before 1978, ask whether the firm is certified under the EPA's lead-safe rule and how surfaces will be tested and handled. Our guide on lead paint in pre-1978 homes explains what to expect.
How we answer these
Every one of these is addressed in our process and written into every proposal. That is not a sales line; it is the reason the company exists.
Questions on this topic
Should I get multiple quotes?
Yes, and compare them on scope, not just price. Two proposals for the same house can differ by thousands because one includes ceilings, repairs, and trim and the other quietly does not.
Is a large deposit normal?
A reasonable deposit to schedule and purchase materials is standard. Be cautious of demands for most of the project cost up front.
How do I check a contractor's insurance?
Ask for a certificate of insurance and confirm the policy is current. Professional firms provide this routinely.
What is the biggest red flag?
A proposal with no detail. Everything else, from quality to disputes, follows from whether the scope was written down.