Services Offered by Professional Painters
Many painting companies offer both interior and exterior painting, plus additional services.
Interior Painting
Interior painting specialists will go over the different interior paint types, finishes, and maintenance needs to assist you in determining what’s best for each room. Services may include prepping, priming, and painting door frames, trim, cabinets, moldings, and windows. Optional pre-painting groundwork such as removing wallpaper or textured coatings may lead to additional charges.Exterior Painting
Professional painters start exterior jobs by fixing weather damage, stripping old paint, sealing leaks with caulk, and washing walls. They then paint window frames, trim, decks, siding, doors, fences, and other outdoor features.Additional Services
Painting contractors may also provide the following extra services, depending on their training and skills:- 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 Columbia
As you evaluate painting contractors, consider these key factors.
- Cost: Get estimates from several companies before deciding. Be wary if one contractor offers substantially lower rates than others.
- Guarantees: Get any guarantees in writing and ensure you understand what they cover and how long they last.
- Paint types: Have your painter walk you through paint options and related advantages and disadvantages to ensure you choose the right kind for your project. Some paints, for example, are more eco-friendly or better at withstanding weather damage.
- Qualifications: Painters in South Carolina must be registered as specialty contractors by the Residential Builders Commission. Painters must be bonded for projects valued at more than $5,000, but you should always hire a painter who's fully bonded and insured, particularly if they'll be working with power equipment or on ladders. If your home was built prior to 1978, and you're concerned about the presence of lead, you may want to look 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) listings of local painters. You can also find customer ratings on websites such as Google Reviews or Trustpilot.
How Much Does Painting Cost in Columbia?
The price to paint your home will depend on your home’s dimensions, the paint you select, and the season. Painters typically charge more in the busy summer season. Both interior and exterior painting jobs typically cost between $0.65 and $2.60 per square foot. Most homes have more interior surface area than exterior, which means the cost to paint the interior will be greater than the cost to paint outside. The average price to paint a 2,000-square-foot home in Columbia is $3,255 for exterior work and $1,302 to $5,207 for interior work. Some painters in Columbia may offer alternative rates of $11.50 to $19.18 per hour. Bundling services can help you save with these hourly rates. Having exterior and interior painting completed at the same time, for instance, may result in a lower bill.
