Red Flags When Hiring Painters: What to Watch For

Hiring a painting contractor is a significant decision. The right professional will transform your home with quality workmanship, protect your property during the process, and deliver results that last for years. The wrong one can cost you thousands in repairs, leave you with a subpar finish, and create stress you don't need.

The good news is that problematic contractors usually reveal themselves early if you know what to look for. This guide walks you through the most common red flags when hiring painters—warning signs that should make you pause, ask more questions, or walk away entirely.

Why Recognizing Red Flags Matters

Most homeowners hire a painting contractor every five to ten years. You might have experience with other home services, but painting presents unique risks. Unlike a plumber who fixes a specific problem or an electrician working within code, painting quality depends heavily on preparation, technique, product selection, and attention to detail—all areas where corners can be cut invisibly until it's too late.

A bad paint job doesn't always fail immediately. You might not see peeling, bubbling, or color bleed-through for six months or a year. By then, the contractor who promised a "lifetime warranty" may be unreachable, and you're stuck paying someone else to scrape everything off and start over.

Recognizing red flags protects you from:

• Financial loss: Paying twice for the same work or repairing damage caused by shoddy workmanship
• Property damage: Spills, overspray, broken fixtures, or landscape destruction
• Legal liability: Injuries to unlicensed workers on your property
• Timeline disruptions: Projects that drag on for weeks beyond the promised completion date
• Poor results: Paint that looks uneven, peels quickly, or requires constant touch-ups

Let's break down exactly what to watch for.

Red Flag #1: No Valid Contractor License

This is the most critical red flag. In California, any contractor performing work valued at $500 or more must hold a valid license issued by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB). For painting work, that means a C-33 (Painting and Decorating) classification.

Why This Matters

A contractor's license isn't just paperwork. To obtain and maintain a license, contractors must:

• Pass trade exams demonstrating knowledge of materials, techniques, and safety practices
• Post a bond that can be used to compensate homeowners if the contractor abandons a job or fails to pay suppliers
• Carry minimum insurance requirements
• Submit to background checks and meet financial responsibility standards

When a contractor works without a license, you have no recourse through the CSLB if something goes wrong. You can't file a complaint, access the recovery fund for incomplete work, or verify their credentials.

What to Do

Ask for the contractor's license number upfront. Then verify it yourself at the CSLB website. Check for:

• Active status (not expired, suspended, or revoked)
• C-33 classification
• Clean disciplinary history with no unresolved complaints
• Current bond status

If a contractor claims they "don't need a license" for your project, offers a discount for paying cash to avoid permits, or makes excuses about why their license isn't current, end the conversation immediately.

Lamorinda Painting has been fully licensed and insured since 2003. We provide our license number with every estimate and encourage homeowners to verify our credentials before signing any contract.

Red Flag #2: No Proof of Insurance

Even licensed contractors must carry adequate insurance to protect you and your property. Two types matter most:

General liability insurance covers accidental damage to your home during the project—broken windows, paint spills on hardwood floors, overspray on brick, damaged landscaping. A professional painting contractor typically carries at least $1 million in coverage.

Workers' compensation insurance covers medical costs and lost wages if a crew member is injured on your property. Without this coverage, you could be held personally liable if someone falls off a ladder, suffers a chemical exposure, or sustains any other work-related injury.

Why This Matters

Painting involves inherent risks. Crews work on ladders and scaffolding, handle chemical solvents, and operate spray equipment under pressure. Even careful professionals occasionally have accidents.

If an uninsured worker gets hurt on your property, your homeowner's insurance may not cover it—and you could face a lawsuit for medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term disability costs that run into hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Similarly, if an uninsured contractor damages your home and disappears, you'll pay out of pocket for repairs.

What to Do

Ask for a current certificate of insurance (COI) before signing any contract. Verify:

• Coverage dates include your project timeline
• General liability coverage of at least $1 million
• Workers' compensation is active (not an exemption certificate)
• The insurance company name and policy number are listed

Don't take the contractor's word for it. Call the insurance company to confirm the policy is active. Legitimate contractors expect this and provide proof without hesitation.

If a contractor says they're "covered under someone else's policy," can't produce a COI, or offers to knock money off your estimate if you "don't worry about insurance," walk away.

Red Flag #3: Pressure to Sign Immediately

High-pressure sales tactics are a major warning sign in any home service industry, but they're especially common with painting contractors.

What This Looks Like

• "This price is only good if you sign today"
• "I have a crew available right now, but they're booked solid starting tomorrow"
• "My supplier is running a special that ends tonight"
• "If you don't commit now, I can't guarantee this estimate"

These tactics are designed to bypass your better judgment and prevent you from getting competing bids or doing proper research.

Why This Matters

Reputable contractors understand that homeowners need time to review estimates, check references, verify credentials, and compare options. A professional who's confident in their work and pricing doesn't need to manufacture urgency.

Contractors who pressure you to sign immediately are often hiding something—poor reviews, lack of insurance, inflated pricing, or a history of abandoned projects.

What to Do

Take your time. A good painting contractor will give you a written estimate that's valid for at least 30 days. If someone tells you the price will change tomorrow, thank them for their time and move on.

Get at least three written estimates from licensed, insured contractors. Review each one carefully, check references, and verify credentials before making a decision.

At Lamorinda Painting, our estimates are always free and valid for 60 days. We want you to feel confident in your choice, not rushed into a decision you'll regret.

Red Flag #4: No Written Contract or Vague Estimates

A professional painting contract should be detailed and specific. If a contractor offers only a verbal agreement or hands you a one-paragraph estimate scribbled on a business card, that's a serious red flag.

What a Proper Contract Includes

A legitimate painting contract specifies:

• Scope of work: Which surfaces will be painted, how many coats, what prep work is included (sanding, caulking, priming, repairs)
• Materials: Brand and product line for primer and paint, sheen levels, color selections
• Timeline: Start date, estimated completion date, and work schedule
• Payment terms: Total cost, deposit amount, payment milestones, final payment terms
• Warranty: What's covered, for how long, and under what conditions
• Insurance and licensing: License number and proof of insurance attached
• Cleanup and protection: How the contractor will protect floors, furniture, and landscaping

Why This Matters

Vague estimates lead to disputes. Without a written contract, you have no leverage when a contractor cuts corners, substitutes cheaper materials, or abandons the project halfway through.

A detailed contract protects both parties. It sets clear expectations and provides legal recourse if either side fails to meet their obligations.

What to Do

Never accept a verbal agreement or a napkin estimate. Insist on a written contract that addresses all the points above. Read it carefully before signing, and don't hesitate to ask questions or request clarifications.

If a contractor says "we'll figure it out as we go" or "I don't like getting bogged down in paperwork," they're telling you they don't run a professional operation.

Red Flag #5: Unusually Low Bids

We've all heard the phrase "too good to be true," and it applies directly to painting estimates. If one bid comes in 30-50% lower than everyone else's, there's usually a reason—and it's rarely good.

Why Low Bids Are Red Flags

Painting costs are fairly predictable. Quality primer, professional-grade paint, proper prep materials, skilled labor, insurance, and licensing all cost money. Legitimate contractors price projects competitively but realistically.

A drastically low bid usually means:

• Cutting corners on prep: Skipping caulking, sanding, priming, or surface repairs
• Inferior materials: Using bargain-bin paint and primer that won't hold up
• Unlicensed and uninsured: Avoiding the costs of proper credentials
• Hidden fees: The low price doesn't include trim, ceilings, repairs, or other "extras" that were implied in higher bids
• Inexperienced crew: Unskilled workers who produce poor results and take longer than quoted

What to Do

Compare estimates line by line. Make sure everyone's bidding on the same scope of work. A higher bid from a licensed, insured contractor with good reviews often represents better value than a lowball bid from someone cutting corners.

Ask low bidders to explain their pricing. If they can't clearly articulate why they're so much cheaper, or if they dodge the question, it's a warning sign.

Remember, you get what you pay for. Saving a few hundred dollars on the initial estimate won't matter if you have to repaint the entire house in two years.

Red Flag #6: Large Upfront Deposits

Most painting contractors ask for a deposit to secure your project and cover initial material costs. A reasonable deposit is typically 10-30% of the total project cost. Anything higher should raise concerns.

Why This Matters

Contractors who demand 50%, 75%, or full payment upfront before any work begins are often:

• Running a cash flow crisis (using your deposit to finish someone else's job)
• Planning to take your money and disappear
• Uninsured and trying to collect as much as possible before you discover problems

California law limits the deposit a contractor can require. For projects over $1,000, contractors can only ask for 10% or $1,000, whichever is less, before work begins. For projects under $1,000, they can collect up to $200 or 50% of the job.

What to Do

Never pay the full amount upfront. Structure payments around project milestones:

• Small deposit (10-20%) to secure the schedule and cover materials
• Progress payment when prep work is complete and first coats are applied
• Final payment when the job is finished to your satisfaction

If a contractor insists on full payment before starting, or demands more than the legal limit, refuse and find someone else.

Red Flag #7: No References or Reluctance to Provide Them

A professional painting contractor with years of experience should have no problem providing references from recent customers. If a contractor hesitates, makes excuses, or can't produce at least three verifiable references, that's a major warning sign.

What Good References Include

When you contact references, you should be able to:

• Verify the contractor completed a project similar to yours
• Hear specific details about quality, communication, and professionalism
• Confirm the contractor showed up on time, stayed on budget, and cleaned up thoroughly
• Learn how the contractor handled any issues or unexpected challenges

If a contractor only offers references from projects completed five years ago, or gives you phone numbers that go straight to voicemail, be skeptical.

What to Do

Ask for three recent references, preferably from projects completed within the last year. Call all of them and ask detailed questions. If possible, drive by completed projects to see the quality in person.

Also check online reviews on Google, Yelp, and Houzz. Look for patterns in feedback—multiple complaints about the same issue (missed deadlines, poor cleanup, thin coverage) are red flags.

Lamorinda Painting has served the Lafayette, Moraga, and Orinda area since 2003. We're happy to provide references and encourage homeowners to read our Google reviews and see examples of our completed work throughout Lamorinda and the East Bay.

Red Flag #8: Cash-Only Payment or Avoiding Paper Trails

A contractor who insists on cash-only payment, discourages checks or credit cards, or offers a discount "if you pay cash so I don't have to report it" is waving a giant red flag.

Why This Matters

Contractors who avoid paper trails are typically:

• Evading taxes (which means they're dishonest in their business practices)
• Unlicensed and trying to stay under regulatory radar
• Planning to disappear if problems arise
• Unable to provide the documentation you'll need for warranties, insurance claims, or future sale disclosures

If there's no record of payment, you have no proof that you paid them. If they abandon the job or do substandard work, you have no leverage.

What to Do

Pay by check or credit card so you have a clear paper trail. If a contractor offers a discount for cash, decline. The temporary savings aren't worth the risk.

Legitimate contractors accept multiple payment methods and provide detailed receipts. They file proper taxes, maintain insurance, and operate transparently.

Red Flag #9: No Proper Safety Practices

Painting involves working at heights, handling chemicals, and operating equipment that can cause injury if misused. Professional contractors take safety seriously—for their crew and your family.

Warning Signs of Poor Safety Practices

• Crews working on tall ladders without proper fall protection
• No drop cloths, plastic, or masking to protect floors and furniture
• Strong chemical odors without adequate ventilation or respirators
• Workers without gloves, eye protection, or appropriate clothing
• Leaving hazardous materials, open paint cans, or equipment where children or pets can access them

Why This Matters

Poor safety practices lead to injuries and property damage. If a worker falls because they're not following OSHA regulations, you could be liable if they're uninsured. Chemical exposure can harm your family, especially young children and pets.

Additionally, contractors who cut corners on safety usually cut corners elsewhere—in prep work, product selection, and quality control.

What to Do

When contractors visit for estimates, observe their professionalism. Do they take measurements carefully? Ask about access to your home? Discuss how they'll protect your floors and furniture?

Once work begins, check that crews:

• Set up ladder stabilizers and proper scaffolding for high work
• Cover floors, furniture, and fixtures before painting
• Ventilate work areas and use appropriate protective equipment
• Store materials safely away from living areas
• Clean up at the end of each workday

If you see unsafe practices, address them immediately. If the contractor dismisses your concerns, end the project.

Red Flag #10: Poor Communication from the Start

The way a contractor communicates during the estimate process is a preview of how they'll behave during your project. Poor communication is a red flag you shouldn't ignore.

What Poor Communication Looks Like

• Repeatedly missing scheduled appointments without calling ahead
• Taking days or weeks to return calls or emails
• Providing vague answers to direct questions
• Ignoring requests for written estimates or contracts
• Being dismissive or defensive when you ask for clarification

Why This Matters

Painting projects require coordination. Contractors need to communicate about schedules, material deliveries, color confirmations, and any issues that arise. If they can't return a phone call during the estimate phase, they won't magically become responsive once they have your deposit.

Poor communication leads to missed timelines, mismatched expectations, and frustrating surprises that could have been avoided with a simple conversation.

What to Do

Pay attention to how contractors respond to your initial inquiry. Do they call back within 24 hours? Show up on time for the estimate appointment? Provide clear, detailed answers to your questions?

If communication is difficult before work begins, find someone else. Good contractors understand that clear, timely communication is part of professional service.

What Good Contractors Look Like

It's easy to focus on red flags, but it's equally important to recognize the green lights—signs that you're working with a reputable professional.

A trustworthy painting contractor:

• Provides a valid California contractor's license number upfront and encourages you to verify it
• Carries adequate general liability and workers' compensation insurance and provides proof without hesitation
• Offers detailed written estimates and contracts that specify materials, scope, timeline, and warranty
• Gives you time to review, compare, and make an informed decision without pressure
• Provides recent references and has a track record of positive online reviews
• Communicates clearly, returns calls promptly, and answers questions honestly
• Uses quality materials from reputable manufacturers
• Explains their process in detail, including prep work, application techniques, and cleanup procedures
• Respects your home by protecting floors, furniture, and landscaping
• Stands behind their work with a written warranty

At Lamorinda Painting, we've been providing high-quality painting services to Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, and the greater Bay Area since 2003. We're fully licensed and insured, and we take pride in our attention to detail and commitment to leaving your home spotless after every project. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and our estimates are always free.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I verify a contractor's license in California?

Visit the California Contractors State License Board website at cslb.ca.gov and use the "Check a License" tool. Enter the contractor's business name or license number to see their status, classification, bond information, and complaint history.

What should I do if I've already hired a contractor showing red flags?

If you've signed a contract but work hasn't started, review your agreement for cancellation terms. California's Three-Day Right to Cancel allows you to cancel certain contracts within three business days without penalty. If work has begun and you're seeing problems, document everything with photos and written notes, then consult with the CSLB or a consumer protection attorney.

Is it normal for contractors to ask for a deposit?

Yes, but California law limits deposits to 10% of the contract price or $1,000 (whichever is less) for projects over $1,000, and the lesser of $200 or 50% for projects under $1,000. Be wary of contractors demanding larger upfront payments.

Can I hire an unlicensed handyman for small painting projects?

In California, unlicensed individuals can perform work valued under $500 in combined labor and materials. For anything beyond that, you need a licensed contractor. Even for small jobs, verify they have insurance to protect you from liability.

How long should a painting estimate be valid?

Most professional contractors provide estimates valid for 30-60 days. Material costs and labor availability can change, so older estimates may need to be updated. Be wary of contractors whose "special pricing" expires within 24 hours.

What if a contractor has a few negative reviews?

Look at the overall pattern. A contractor with 50 positive reviews and two negative ones likely had a genuine misunderstanding or a challenging client. A contractor with mostly negative reviews or complaints that repeat similar issues (poor communication, incomplete work, disappeared mid-project) is a red flag.

Protect Your Home and Your Investment

Hiring a painting contractor doesn't have to be stressful. By recognizing these red flags early, you can avoid costly mistakes and find a professional who will deliver quality work, respect your home, and stand behind their results.

Take your time, do your research, and trust your instincts. If something feels off during the estimate process, it probably is.

Ready to discuss your painting project with a licensed, insured professional? Contact Lamorinda Painting today for a free estimate. We serve Lafayette, Lamorinda, and the greater Bay Area with the same attention to detail and commitment to quality we've provided since 2003.