Painting & Staining Companies in Harvard Square, MA

Painters usually price a job by the square feet of the project. Sometimes they’ll include flat fees for fixed expenses, like overhead and permits.

We make finding a painter easy. Simple use our directory to find a painter. Here you can browse local pros, check their reviews and do your first screening without ever having to call. We’ve also prescreened all the pros for you, to give you peace of mind.

Interior painting makes for a doable DIY project. You can save some money and get a real sense of accomplishment by doing this yourself. And, with the right prep work – covering, taping and scraping – it’s fairly forgiving. But it takes a lot of time to move furniture, tape trim, prep the surface and cover your floor, let alone apply the actual paint. Instead, save yourself the time and hassle and find a local interior painter.

Leave exterior painting to the pros. Not only do you need to worry about the type and quality of the paint, you’ll also likely need a ladder and considerably more prep work. You’ll likely need additional equipment like ladders, scaffolding and possibly a paint sprayer. It’s almost cheaper to just hire a pro. Talk to a local exterior house painter about your project.

1. Do your research. Understand what to expect and what to look for in a pro. Look at paint types, prices and costs.
   1. Interior home painting costs $1,000-$2,800
   2. Exterior painting costs $1,700-$4,100
   3. Painting a ceiling costs $150-$350
   4. Painting cabinets costs $350-$1,200
   5. Trim painting costs $500-$1,500
   6. Calculate paint coverage
2. Call pros for site inspections and estimates. Always get three to five estimates.
3. Check references, compare quotes, look at past work. After you have estimates in hand, do one final pass to compare the contractors.
4. Sign a contract with the pro of your choice. You might need to make a down payment, usually 25% to 50% of the total project cost to cover material costs, but not all pros require this. Don’t pay for the entire project upfront.

• A complete inspection. Each pro takes a walk around your home to evaluate the condition of your current paint, the size of the job and any obstacles for accessing the site. They do this to see how much prep work they’ll need and estimate how long the job will take. The more thorough the inspection, the more accurate the quote.
• Color consultation. Expect each contractor to have varying color options and suggestions. However, you have the final say.
• Listen to the pro – they’re experts after all – but don’t get pushed into a color combination or finish type that you don’t want. Understand the different exterior paints or interior paint choices before your pro arrives.
• A rough estimate or complete quote. Finishing contractors vary here. Usually, they can quote straightforward projects on the spot. But some may need to take it back to their shop to run numbers and give you a detailed estimate with costs broken out. Neither method is better than the other, but just make sure to get multiple quotes.

1. How long have you been in business? A long business history helps you avoid shoddy companies. It’s hard for a service business to stay in business if they don’t do good work.
2. Are you licensed and insured? Not all states require a license for painting homes, but many do. Always use one that’s insured.
3. Do you belong to any professional organizations? You’ll find many online, like the Painting Contractors Association or the Finishing Contractors Association?
4. Do you have other work I can look at? Always check a portfolio or, in the case of painters, it’s better to look at work they did a few years ago to see how well it’s held up.
5. How long will the job take? Get a rough estimate but get it in writing.
6. How many people are in your crew? This is especially important if you work remotely. More people generally means more noise, but they’ll be done faster.
7. Will I be in the way if I’m home during the painting? You usually won’t be in the way, but this question helps you understand what to expect while they’re working. They’ll need to lay down coverings and do a lot of prep work.
8. Do you guarantee your work? Never hire a painter who doesn’t guarantee their work. This often means they’ll rush the prep work, since peeling never happens right away.
9. What type of paint do you use, and how long is it rated to last? Different rooms need different paint and the exterior needs exterior paint. It comes in different grades with different guaranteed lifetimes.
10. Can you supply a written estimate and contract? Never use a painter who isn’t willing to put his work in writing.