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When you hire a painter, you need to know what to look for so you get a clean, durable finish that boosts curb appeal. Your home is a big investment, and a sloppy paint job can drag it down fast. Aim for a finish that looks sharp on day one and years later.
Finding the right painting contractor can have a big impact on your experience when your home needs new paint. There are plenty of companies in McKinney, but only a few will match your project, budget, and timeline. Use this guide to spot the pros who fit what you want and skip the ones who don’t.
1. Make sure they can handle your project
Ask to see recent jobs like yours, such as exterior siding, interior walls and ceilings, cabinets, brick, or fences, because not every crew is equipped to handle every surface.
- For cabinets, ask about degreasing, sanding, bonding primer, dust control, drying/curing times, and whether they spray in a controlled enclosure with masking and ventilation, since cabinet coatings fail fast when prep is weak.
- For brick or masonry, confirm they use breathable masonry acrylics and not heavy waterproof coatings (elastomerics only when the project truly calls for it).
If you can walk a recent project or browse a portfolio with addresses, do it. Look for clean, straight cut lines along ceilings and trim, even sheen, smooth caulk joints, no drips on door edges or inside corners, and no overspray on windows, roofs, or plants. Ask for three local references and call them to confirm punctuality, daily cleanup, and how the crew handled touch‑ups after the final check.
2. Get a clear, itemized contract
Ask for a written, itemized contract from each company so you can line them up and see who’s actually covering the details you care about. You want surface prep, repairs, primer, number of coats, paint brand and product line (e.g., the specific series), exact colors and sheens, start date, estimated duration, weather contingencies (temperature/humidity thresholds), change‑order steps, and what’s included for daily protection and cleanup.
Make sure it says who buys the paint, how much leftover paint you keep (and that cans are labeled by room and formula), and how many days you have to flag touch‑ups after the crew leaves…