Services Offered by Professional Painters
Many professional painters provide interior and exterior painting, plus supplementary services.
Interior Painting
Professional painters will guide you through different types of interior paints availible, paint finishes, and maintenance requirements to help you determine which paint works best for your space. They'll prime and paint your trim, door frames, cabinets, moldings, and windows, depending on what your project entails. Some painters will remove existing or outdated wallpaper or textured finishings before painting for an additional fee.Exterior Painting
Before exterior painting, painting contractors repair weathering damage, strip old coatings, seal any leaks with caulk, and wash the walls. They follow by painting trim, decks, siding, fences, doors, window frames, and additional outdoor areas.Additional Services
Painters with the right training may also provide the following additional services, depending on their expertise:- 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 Charleston
Below is what you should consider while deciding which painting professional to hire:
- Cost: Request price estimates from at least three providers. Be cautious of any company that offers a substantially lower price than competitors.
- Guarantees: Ensure that you get all guarantees in writing and that you understand the duration and scope of coverage.
- Paint types: Ask your painter to explain various paint choices, including the pros and cons of each, to help you make an informed decision. Some options are designed for specific priorities, such as weather-resistant or eco-friendly formulas.
- Qualifications: Most home contractors in West Virginia need a license from the West Virginia Division of Labor for projects valued at more than $1,000. However, painting is considered an untested specialty, so depending on your local regulations your painter may not need a specific license. Make sure your painter is properly bonded and insured. This is especially important if they’re working on a ladder or using power equipment. If your home was built before 1978, and you're worried about the possible presence of lead, you might look for a contractor who is licensed by the EPA to work with lead-based paint.
- Reputation and reviews: Ask family, friends, and neighbors for references, or use the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website to review painters you’re considering. You can also read customer feedback on sites such as Google Reviews or Trustpilot.
How Much Does Painting Cost in Charleston?
The price of professional painting work is influenced by the square footage of your home, the paint types chosen, and the time of year. Most painters increase their rates during the summer due to increased demand. Interior and exterior painting jobs both run, on average, between $0.60 and $2.40 per square foot. Most homes have more interior surface area than exterior, which means the cost to paint inside will be greater than the cost to paint the exterior. The average price to paint a 2,000-square-foot home in Charleston is $3,000 for exterior work and $1,200 to $4,800 for interior work. Charleston's local painters may offer alternative rates of $9.84 to $16.39 per hour. Bundling exterior and interior painting services together may mean lower overall costs than if you'd split them into separate projects.
