We are a local company that started out back in 1988 at VCU. At first our only service was window cleaning local restaurants and bars, later power washing was added. In 2002, we started to add painting services and handyman repairs. We are small, yet resourceful enough to do any job up to $150,000. Our clients include Chesterfield County, Wal-Mart, Burger King Corporation, Applebee’s, Outback Steakhouse, and numerous residential clients all over the Richmond Metro Area. We are efficient, courteous and reliable. Our goal is to have you so happy with our work that you tell your friends and neighbors about us so that they will give us the opportunity to service their needs.
Top Gun is a Richmond painting company specializing in all areas of painting. We provide quality work and make sure you are satisfied with our services.
Licenses / Credentials:
Class B Painting and Wallcovering License
Chesterfield County Business License
How to Hire a Richmond Painter
As a homeowner, you may be an avid do-it-yourselfer, but when it comes to painting the inside or outside of your home, the job could get a little overwhelming especially if you don’t have all the appropriate equipment. Finding a professional painter to handle the job might be the better and safer option when dealing with ladders and high places. If you hire a qualified Richmond painter you can be certain he’ll have all the proper equipment to complete the job quickly and safely.
The idea behind painting your home is to make it look better but if the work is shoddy or the paints and primers are of low quality, you won’t achieve the desired results. It’s easy for someone to say they’re a painter but it really requires some specific skills to do a good job so you’ll need to do a little homework before you hire just anyone for the job. Whether you’re looking for someone to paint a single room or the entire exterior of your home you want to make certain you’re hiring a qualified painter for the job.
Where to Locate a Professional Richmond Painter
When you make the decision to hire a Richmond painter there are a number of places you can start. Your local paint store or home improvement center is always a good place to check. Many contractors, including painters will use the bulletin board to post their information. Do a search online for a directory of certified local Richmond painters. Usually only professionals will take the time involved for the certification process.
Ask friends, family and co-workers if they’ve ever hired a painter. If they’ve had work done on their homes possibly they can show you first hand and tell you if they were happy with the completed project or if there were problems. If you feel the Richmond painter provided professional work, you can ask for his contact information. Don’t forget to look in the yellow pages of your phone directory. It’s probably still the most traditional method of locating local help when you need it.
Meeting with a Richmond Painter
Hiring a Richmond painter based solely on his estimate is not usually a good idea. When asking for an estimate take some time to actually conduct interviews to help you find the right painter for the work you want done. Ask a few painters to visit your home and do an onsite walk through with you. Talk with each one about their knowledge and years of experience as a painter. Ask if they have done any work with other established local contractors. Being hired by other contractors is often a good sign that their work is up to standard.
Request proof of current state license and insurance policies from each Richmond painter. A Richmond painter should carry liability insurance that protects the homeowner in the event of damage. Also verify that they carry workers compensation insurance for any employees. If someone gets hurt while on the job, you don’t want to be held responsible for some hefty medical bills. Be sure any painter you want to hire is bonded. If he fails to fulfill the terms of the contract the bond will provide protection in helping you get your project completed.
Ask for references from each Richmond painter and follow up on them, but don’t rely on references alone. References can certainly be helpful but keep in mind that if there are any unhappy customers, you’re not going to get their contact information. Check with the local Better Business Bureau to see if there are any complaints on file. Ask what they were and if they were resolved. An occasional complaint isn’t uncommon but how the painter takes care of it says a lot about his business practices.
It’s time to get some estimates once you have a few painters in mind. Since every Richmond painter handles a job differently, from the brands of paint he prefers to the methods of cleanup he uses bids can get confusing. There could be differences in the prep work such as on exterior work where one painter may scrape and sand and another may use a pressure washer. These differences can greatly impact the figures on the bids you receive. You should supply each Richmond painter with a list of what you would like included in their bid. This way when you look at the bids they should all be uniform in the scope and details of the project which will make them much easier to compare.
Getting a Contract from a Richmond Painter
Once you’ve found the Richmond painter you feel is right for your project it’s time to get a contract in place. There are a number of things that should be included in a contract, including a summery of the job and how it will be accomplished. It’s also important to include the type of paint and the exact cost for materials and labor. It should also include all the painter’s contact information as well as his contractor’s license number. He should also attach copies of any necessary insurance policies. You’ll also want a date for completion of the job.
Ask about a guarantee if there should be a problem with the paint such as chipping peeling, chalking or excessive fading within the first couple of years. Get it in writing that the painter agrees to fix the problem at little or no expense to you. While the paint itself may come with an extensive warranty, it will not include the labor cost of having the job redone.
You want to hire a painter you can rely on. He may be working when you’re not around and it’s difficult to keep an eye on what he’s doing. And once the job is done you really have no way of knowing if the surface was actually primed or how many coats of paint were used. Hiring a reliable Richmond painter is just as important as hiring any other contractor to come into your home and you want the best one for the job.