How to Choose a Painter in Fort Collins (10 Questions to Ask Every Bidder)

1. Are you licensed with the City of Fort Collins and insured for general liability and workers' comp? Ask for certificates emailed to you, not shown on a phone.

2. Who will actually be on my job — is it the same crew start to finish, and are they covered by your workers' comp? Get the answer in writing.

3. What specific paint product line will you use, and how many coats? 'Sherwin-Williams' is not an answer.

4. Walk me through your exterior prep sequence line by line. If wash, scrape, sand, prime, caulk, and rot replacement aren't all mentioned — different scope.

5. What's covered under your warranty, for how many years, and what voids it?

6. Who will be on site each day, and will the same crew be there start to finish?

7. How do you handle color changes and what's your policy on sample application before final commitment?

8. What's your rain and weather policy? Do we get pushed if it rains, and how far?

9. What's the payment schedule? A reasonable answer is a small deposit (10–25%) at start, progress payment at midpoint, balance at completion. 'Full payment upfront' is a red flag.

10. Can I see three references from the last 12 months in my zip code?

Scope broken out by surface (body, trim, doors, garage, deck rail) not lump-sum.

Product line and sheen specified per surface.

Prep steps listed as line items.

Warranty language attached, not verbal.

Start date and expected duration on the document.

Contractor's license number visible.

Verbal-only quote or 'I'll send it later.'

'Cash discount' pushed hard — usually means no insurance overhead.

Bid arrives 30% under two other reputable bids.

Won't provide certificate of insurance in writing.

Uses phrases like 'we don't really need to prime this.'

Full payment demanded before the job starts.