Services Offered by Professional Painters
Most professional painting companies provide both interior and exterior painting, as well as extra services.
Interior Painting
Interior painting companies have the skills and training to help you choose interior paints, textures, and finishes of paint and can answer questions about the upkeep requirements of your choices. This helps you choose the right paint for your space. As part of the project, your provider will prep and paint trim, moldings, windows, door frames, and cabinets. Some (for an extra fee) will strip wallpaper or textured surfaces prior to painting.Exterior Painting
Exterior work starts with painters fixing weather damaged areas, removing old paint, plugging leaks with caulk, and cleaning. They then apply paint to window frames, siding, fences, decks, trim, doors, and other outdoor features.Additional Services
Painters with the right training may also provide the following additional services, depending on their experience:- Concrete staining
- Crown molding installation and repair
- Drywall and plaster repair
- Popcorn ceiling removal
- Pressure washing
- Wallpaper hanging or removal
How To Choose a Painter in Portland
When choosing a residential painting contractor, keep these key factors in mind.
- Cost: Request quotes from at least three contractors. Use caution if one provider's estimates are significantly lower than others.
- Guarantees: Ask for guarantees in writing and ensure you know which items are covered and for how long.
- Paint types: Have your painting pro walk you through paint options and related pros and cons to ensure you choose the right type for your project. Some paints, for example, are more eco-conscious or better at withstanding weather damage.
- Qualifications: Make sure your painter is properly licensed in Portland and in the state of Maine. Make sure your painter is properly bonded and insured. This is especially important if they’re working with power equipment or on ladders. If your home was built prior to 1978, and you're concerned about the presence of lead, consider looking for a contractor who is licensed by the EPA to work with lead-based paint.
- Reputation and reviews: Obtain references from family and friends, or verify the Better Business Bureau (BBB) pages of local painting companies. You can also find customer ratings on websites such as Google Reviews or Trustpilot.
How Much Does Painting Cost in Portland?
Home painting prices vary depending on the square footage, your paint selections, and seasonal demand changes, with summer's busy months being the most expensive. Interior and exterior painting jobs both run, on average, between $0.77 and $3.08 per square foot. Most homes have greater interior surface area than exterior, which means the cost to paint inside will be more expensive than the cost to paint outside. The average price to paint a 2,000-square-foot home in Portland is $3,852 for outside work and $1,541 to $6,164 for inside work. Alternatively, local Portland painters may charge between $15.42 and $25.71 per hour. Hourly prices may save you money if you choose to bundle services. For example, you'll pay less to have your home's exterior and interior painted together than you would if you’d scheduled the projects separately.
