Hiring the wrong painter is expensive twice — once when you pay them, and again when someone has to fix it. After years of painting homes across Springfield and the Valley, here's the checklist I'd hand my own family before they signed with anyone. Use it on us, too. — Gus
1. Licensed and insured — and ask for proof
In Massachusetts, look for a registered Home Improvement Contractor (HIC), plus liability insurance and workers' comp. Don't just take "we're insured" — ask for the certificate. If someone gets hurt on your property and the contractor isn't covered, that can land on you.
2. EPA Lead-Safe certified (this one's big here)
So much of our housing stock in Springfield, Holyoke, and Chicopee was built before 1978, which means lead paint is common. Federal law requires an EPA Lead-Safe Certified firm to use contained, careful methods on those homes — it protects your family and your soil. It does add to the cost of prep on older homes, and any painter who waves it off is one to walk away from.
3. A written, detailed scope — not a one-line price
A real proposal spells out the surfaces, the prep, how many coats, and the exact paint brand and line. "Paint house — $X" tells you nothing. A detailed scope is how you compare bids fairly and how you hold everyone to the same standard.
4. Ask what their prep actually looks like
Roughly 80% of a lasting exterior job is prep, not the painting. Wash, scrape, sand, prime bare wood, replace failed caulk, address any rot. If a quote is way cheaper than the others, it's almost always because prep got cut — and that's exactly the part you can't see until it peels in two years.
5. Local references, reviews, and nearby work
Ask for recent jobs in your area and go look at one if you can. Real reviews and a portfolio of homes near you tell you far more than a slick sales pitch. We're proud to show our Western MA project gallery for exactly this reason.
6. A warranty you can hold in your hand
A confident painter stands behind the work in writing. Get the warranty terms on paper before the job starts, not promised in conversation.
Red flags to walk away from
- A large upfront deposit (a reasonable, modest deposit is normal; most of the money should follow the work).
- No written contract, or cash-only with no paperwork.
- High-pressure, sign-today door-knocking.
- A bid dramatically below everyone else — that gap is usually missing prep or missing insurance.
We built SL Painting to check every one of these boxes for our neighbors across Western Mass. If you're gathering quotes, we'd be glad to be one of them — our exterior painting estimates are free and there's no pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much deposit is normal for a painting job?
A modest deposit to hold your spot and cover initial materials is normal. Be cautious if a contractor wants a large share up front — most of the payment should follow the completed work.
Do I really need a lead-safe certified painter?
If your home was built before 1978 — very common in Springfield, Holyoke, and Chicopee — then yes. Federal law requires EPA Lead-Safe Certified work on those homes to keep lead dust out of your house and yard.
How many quotes should I get?
Two or three is a good rule. It lets you compare scope and prep — not just price — and spot any bid that is suspiciously low because something important was left out.
Is the cheapest quote usually the best deal?
Rarely. A quote well below the others almost always means less prep, cheaper paint, or missing insurance — the things that decide whether the job lasts five years or fifteen.
Get a free estimate
No pressure, no obligation — just a straight answer for your home from a local, licensed crew.