A new coat of paint can do wonders for brightening up the space and making it feel new again. How do you go about evaluating painters and determining who is qualified to take on the job? Asking friends for referrals is a good first step, but you’ll still want to do your research to find a painter that meets your needs and budget.

Here’s what to know while finding the right painter in NYC.

Check Their Credentials and Experience

Look for a licensed and insured painter. This shows they’re a legit professional, not some fly-by-night operation. Ask how long they’ve been in business. An established company will likely give you a higher-quality job.

Check online reviews from sites like Yelp or the Better Business Bureau. Look for painters with a proven track record of quality work and happy customers. If reviews mention things like “meticulous,” “paid attention to detail,” or “clean and efficient,” that’s a good sign.

Ask about their experience with jobs similar to yours. If you have a historic brownstone, you want someone who knows how to properly prepare and paint old, uneven surfaces. For a modern high-rise, experience with condos and HOAs is key.

Get references from previous clients and actually call them. Ask about the crew’s punctuality, cleanliness, and overall professionalism. Were they happy with the finished work? Would they hire the company again?

Once you find candidates with the right experience and credentials, you can have them bid on your job. But don’t just go with the lowest bid – find the painter who will do the highest quality work for a fair price. Your NYC home deserves nothing less!

Review Their Portfolio and Past Work

Ask any candidates for photos of previous jobs so you can get a sense of their style and quality of work.

Look for painters whose style matches what you want, whether that’s modern minimalism, rustic chic, or traditional elegance. Check that their brushstrokes are clean, colors are evenly applied and edges are crisp. See if they have experience with any special finishes you’re interested in, like glazing, stenciling or faux finishes.

Pay attention to details in the photos like how well they taped off trim and how much overspray there is. Ask if they cleaned up thoroughly after finishing. The little things matter!

Also, try to find painters who have experience working in NYC apartments and brownstones. Our homes often have uneven walls, high ceilings, ornate trim, and limited space to work in. Someone accustomed to suburban homes may underestimate the challenges.

Reach out to former clients if possible and ask if they were happy with the finished work, if the painters were on time and budget, and if they’d hire them again. Glowing reviews from other New Yorkers are the best endorsement.

Get Estimates From Multiple Painters

Getting multiple estimates and doing thorough research upfront will help ensure you find a painter that will get the job done right at a fair price.

Reach out to the painters on your list and request free estimates. Be prepared to provide details about the job like square footage, number of rooms, and the type of paint you want to use. The painter will likely want to schedule a time to view the space in person to provide the most accurate estimate.

Once you have the estimates in hand, compare them line by line. Look at the total cost, but also compare things like the number of coats of the paint included brand and quality of paint, timeline for completion, and guarantees or warranties offered. The cheapest estimate is not always the best deal. Look for a painter with high-quality work, good value, and solid references.

If anything in an estimate is unclear or concerning, call the painter to ask follow-up questions. Get clarification on exactly what is included and not included in the price. Inquire about add-on charges that may come up. Make sure you fully understand the terms and conditions before signing a contract.

Ask for References From Past Clients

Any reputable painter should be happy to provide contact info for past customers. Call a few of these references and ask them about their experience. Some good questions to ask are:

• Were you satisfied with the quality of the work? Did the painter meet your expectations?
• Was the painter on time and did the job take as long as estimated?
• Did the painter protect floors, and furniture, and clean up thoroughly after finishing each day?
• Would you hire this painter again for another project?

Speaking directly with past clients is the best way to determine if a painter is skilled, dependable, and provides good customer service. Their references can give you insight into what it’s really like to work with them during a painting project. If a painter can’t provide references or their references don’t give glowing reviews, keep looking. There are many qualified painters in NYC, so take your time finding one with a proven track record of excellence.

Consider Their Specialty and Style

When hiring a painter in NYC, think about the specific work you need to be done. Some painters specialize in residential repainting, while others focus on commercial spaces. Some excel at interior work, while others are better suited for exteriors. Consider painters with experience that matches your needs.

Look at photos of their previous work to get a sense of their painting style. Do they do clean, crisp lines or more artistic, decorative finishes? A painter’s style should match the look you want to achieve. For a modern, minimalist space, choose a painter with a simple, streamlined style. For a historic brownstone, select a painter experienced in complimenting original details.

Know Your Budget

Painting costs in the city can vary greatly depending on the details of your project. As a rough estimate, you can expect to pay between $30 to $50 per hour for labor. Then factor in the cost of materials like paint, brushes, rollers, drop cloths, and any necessary repairs or priming.

For a typical-sized room, you’ll end up paying at least $500 to $1000 total for a simple one-coat job with economy paint. Complex jobs with high-end paint in a large home can easily exceed $10,000 or more. Get multiple estimates from different painters to compare. Ask for a breakdown of costs for labor and materials so you know exactly what you’re paying for.

Some things that can impact the price:

• The number of rooms/square footage: More rooms and larger spaces mean more time and materials needed.
• Type of paint: Higher quality paints like enamels or lacquers cost more than standard latex or acrylic.
• A number of coats: Additional coats of paint significantly increase labor and material costs.
• Ceiling height: Higher ceilings are more difficult to paint and may require extra equipment like scaffolding which adds to the price.
• Trim and accents: Painting trim, doors, windows, baseboards, and accents takes more time and a steady hand so expect to pay more.
• Repairs: Any necessary repairs like patching holes, fixing cracks, or priming unpainted surfaces will be an additional charge.
• Cleanup: Proper cleanup and disposal of materials is part of the job so make sure any estimates you get include this important task.

Staying within budget means being very clear about what you want to be painted and getting an accurate estimate of the total cost before work begins. Know that you may be able to save money by doing some tasks yourself, like patching holes or painting trim and doors. But for the bulk of the work, leave it to the professionals to ensure a high-quality job.

Ask Around

Ask family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers if they’ve had any painting done recently and if they’d recommend the company or individual. People will usually be honest about their experiences, good or bad.

Conclusion

Finding the perfect pro for your project may take some legwork, but putting in the effort upfront will help ensure you end up with quality results that make you smile every time you walk through your front door. With so many options out there, the most important thing is to go with your gut—choose someone you connect with, who understands your vision, and who will treat your home with the care and respect it deserves. The right painter is out there, you just have to track them down. So start searching, ask the right questions, check those references, and get ready to transform your space with a fresh coat of color. You’ve got this! Now go make your place shine.