People Painting
New Jersey Homes:
Should You Trust Them?

After all, it doesn't take much to start calling yourself a house painter - just buy a paint brush and a roller, and technically you are in business.

And this low entry threshold is the very reason the painting industry is so full of unskilled and incompetent people calling themselves professionals.

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But even poor quality issues aside, there are even more serious reasons you should be cautious:

Since the investment requirement to get in this business is so low (just a few dollars), this creates an opportunity for scammers to take advantage of.

Because they have no office or shop, no expensive tools or equipment, no payroll employees or professional associations, it's very easy for them to just take off at any moment. 

Nothing ties them down, so they can sell you their story (usually about having just moved to the area), promise you the world, take your down payment and then disappear with it... to repeat the same with another trusting soul they find.

And they can do this indefinitely, sometimes scamming an entire neighborhood at once, until (hopefully) they get caught. 

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Unscrupulous New Jersey painting contractors harm everyone:

They cast a shadow of doubt on the integrity of all contractors, even reputable ones.

But they hurt homeowners even more:

• damaged property,
  
  
• lost money,
  
  
• lots of stress

... and that is just for starters.

It's unacceptable to get shoddy work in exchange for your hard earned money.

It's even worse to get your property damaged or completely lose your money without getting anything at all in exchange.

But it's the worst to endanger your family's safety.

And the sad reality is, in this trade you have pretty high chances of running not only into a "con artist" who will disappear with your deposit, but also an outright criminal who may steal your property or even threaten your life.

But fortunately, all those problems can be avoided if you just do your due diligence before hiring someone for painting. New Jersey contractors (even the real ones) all come from different backgrounds, so choose yours carefully.

It's Not Just the Quality of Painting.
New Jersey Contractors Should Be Quality People As Well.

NJ Division of Consumer Affairs is a good place to start your homework. They screen all painting contractors (and that includes checking their business registration, liability insurance, criminal background, etc.) before issuing a license for home improvement painting. New Jersey law requires all contractors who do residential painting in NJ to have such a license.

Public records websites allow you to do a complete background check on anyone for a fee (usually around $20-$25). You can find any criminal/sex offender/arrest/parole/court records and much more.

Better Business Bureau lets you check for any complaints filed against the painting contractor in question within the past 36 months, and see how they were resolved.

Google the business name of the contractor (in quotes). Sometimes you will be amazed (or shocked) at the results that come back!

References - pick up the phone and actually call the people who have already seen the contractor in action - his past customers. Ask about things that are important to you in a contractor, be it reliability, tidiness or anything else. But above all else, don't forget to ask about how the contractor behaved and how he made them feel while working in their home.

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The resources listed above will help you see what kind of contractor is in front of you and whether or not you should trust him with your money, family and home.

Remember that you are letting a stranger inside or near your house, sometimes for a couple of weeks. So be smart about it, and always trust your gut instinct.

Need a Quote for
Painting in New Jersey?

See Also:

Should You Hire a NJ Painting Contractor or DIY?

4 Worst Places to Look For Quality New Jersey House Painters

NJ Painting And Powerwashing: Our Complete List of Services

Guide to Choosing the Best Painting Contractors in New Jersey

HOUSE PAINTING TUTORIALS

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We serve Atlantic and Cape May counties in Southern New Jersey:

Absecon 08201, Atlantic City 08401, Avalon 08202, Brigantine 08203, Cape May 08204, Cape May Court House 08210, Cape May Point 08212, CMCH, Dennis 08245, Dennisville 08214, Egg Harbor Twp 08234, Galloway Twp 08205, Hammonton 08037, Linwood 08221, Longport 08403, Margate City 08402, Marmora 08223, Mays Landing 08330, North Cape May, Northfield 08225, North Wildwood 08260, Ocean City 08226, Ocean View 08230, Oceanville 08231, Petersburg 08270, Pomona 08240, Port Republic 08241, Rio Grande 08242, Sea Isle City 08243, Seaview 08246, Seaville, Smithville, Somers Point 08244, Stone Harbor 08247, Strathmere 08248, Sweetwater, Tuckahoe 08250, Upper Middle Lower Township, Ventnor City 08406, Villas 08251, West Cape May, Wildwood Crest, Woodbine

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Home Improvement Contractor License:

#13VH04276700

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