If you've ever been bitten by the redecorating bug—perhaps as a way to welcome spring after a harsh Chicago winter—then you know the power of a good paint color. Paint colors go in and out of style, as do certain color combinations. Taking your living room from a dull, yellowy beige to a bright silvery gray, for example, may be just the pick-me-up your house needs.
If you're tempted to tackle an interior or exterior painting job on your own, remember that DIY painting adventures are rarely as straightforward as you might hope. Walls are never perfectly smooth, and the pros know all the tips and tricks to making edges and trim look exactly right.
When you work with a professional painting company from the beginning, you'll benefit from the skill and experience of an entire team of painting experts.
Chicago Painting Professionals
Services offered by painters in Chicago
Chicago painters can take on any interior or exterior painting job, and they also offer a wide range of related and specialty services. Ask your painting contractor about the following services:
- Deck, fence, and woodwork staining
- Drywall repair
- Light carpentry work
- Custom paint finishes
- Power washing
Some services, such as color consultations, carpentry, and rotten wood replacement, are only offered when they're part of a painting project. Clarify the services you'll need before you formally hire the company.
Scheduling your painting project
With Chicago's unique location in the midwest, late fall through early spring can be cold and windy—not exactly prime weather for exterior painting. That being said, the chilly months can be the ideal time of year to repaint the interior of your house.
During the cold months of the year, painting companies typically have plenty of openings on their schedules. This is the time to schedule an interior job. Most painters will take on exterior painting jobs during the winter, too, but if temperatures dip below freezing, they will probably delay your project until the weather warms a bit.
When they are able to start an exterior job in the winter, the crew will likely arrive at your house after the sun has risen and warmed the siding. You'll see them wrap up their day a couple of hours before sunset so that the paint can set before overnight temperatures prevent it from drying.
During the warm months of the year, professional painters are busy with a variety of exterior and interior jobs. If temperatures spike into the 90s, however, your painter may delay exterior jobs until the heat wave passes. Paint doesn't dry properly in extreme temperatures, so even though the delay may not be ideal, it's better than having to repeat the work a couple of years down the line.
Hiring painters in Chicago
Interview several painting companies before making a final decision. You'll receive the best, most accurate quote if the company sends a representative to your home to see the space firsthand.
While most professional painters include prep work, such as repairing imperfections on walls, in their quote, ask plenty of questions to ensure that you understand the scope of the job:
- Will the company move and cover furniture?
- Will the company provide all paint and necessary supplies?
- What happens to any leftover paint and/or primer?
- How much does the company charge for unforeseen repair work, such as removal and replacement of rotted wood?
If possible, get these details in writing to make sure that both you and the company are on the same page when the work starts.
The Best Picks for Top Chicago Painters
A well-done paint job can make a world of difference in your home, and hiring an experienced, professional painting company is the best way to get your project started. To help you find the right company, the Best Pick Reports survey team contacts Chicago homeowners each year to identify the very best painting contractors in your area.
All Best Pick companies are fully vetted on an annual basis for high-quality work and outstanding customer service. We verify all state-required licenses and insurance every year, too. Our rigorous company qualification process means that the companies we recommend truly are the best of the best, and we're proud to present our survey results in a clear, accessible format.
When you work with a Best Pick Chicago painting company, you'll be pleased with the experience from beginning to end—we guarantee it.
