As soon as the snow melts and the sun comes out, you’ll start seeing signs and flyers for student painters. It’s a familiar proposition, especially in the summer months: College students offering affordable painting services to homeowners in their local communities. The idea seems appealing—professional-grade work at a budget-friendly price while also supporting hardworking students. But is it too good to be true?
While these entrepreneurial college students make an earnest attempt to provide a quality service, there are some key reasons homeowners may want to consider before hiring them for their home painting needs.
Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Hire Student Painters
College student painter companies tout their low cost and quick service, and it might be tempting to give them a call. It sounds like a win for everyone involved on the surface. You get your home painted for cheap, and college students have jobs for the summer. But it may not always be your best choice. That’s because cheap painting is often equal to a lack of experience. After all, you get what you pay for. How is it that college student painters can get the job done for so cheap? How is it that they stay in business? Well, for starters, it boils down to cheap labour. Cheap labour boils down to inexperience. But these companies stay in business because there will always be someone looking to save a nickel (sometimes to spend a dime).
The Business Model of College Student Painters
Of course, any business has a goal to make money. But, the business model behind most college student painting companies is focused on sales. Many franchises are not owned and operated by professional painters, and the people doing the sales and quoting do not have painting experience either. The goal is to get as many jobs as possible. They could run the same business model within any industry as the focus is more on sales than on the actual love for painting. Because they pay students a cheaper wage than they would a more experienced painter, they’re able to go lower on a quote than a professional company. In many cases, students are also running the entire business, which can also save on costs and overhead.
Experience
Your home will be painted by a student who is painting for a summer job. They are not dedicated to the art and craft of painting homes. In most cases, their experience is minimal. They haven’t had extensive training in painting techniques or safety measures.
Safety and Insurance
It’s important that any trades you have working at your home have the proper insurance. In addition, you want to ensure exterior home painters have received safety training and have safety protocols to follow. Because these are not career painters, they will not have painting experience or safety prevention experience.
Quality of Work
When you select college student painters to paint your home, you are getting painters who have made this their summer job, not their career. They are being paid for the job and are motivated to finish quickly to move on to the next project. It’s called piecemeal work, which means the faster they work, the more money they make per hour. How can you be sure they are not cutting corners?
The Paint Job by College Student Painters
Can you remember the first time you painted a room? You likely had a lot of mess and drips. Once again, you are not hiring professional painters. For some, your home might be one of the first they’ve ever painted. Is that really what you want for your home?
Time Constraints
Most college student painters operate only during the summer months when they are out of school. This limitation could potentially cause issues if your project is complex or if unforeseen delays occur. It might not leave enough time for proper preparation work or multiple coats, the rushing of which could result in a subpar finish.
Limited Resources
College student painters often operate on a minimal budget, which might limit their access to high-quality tools and equipment. The type of brushes, rollers, and paint used can dramatically impact the finish and durability of a paint job. Additionally, they may lack necessary equipment like ladders, scaffolds, or sprayers for more complex projects.
Questionable Business Longevity
Reliability and trust in a business come with time and continued presence. Professional painting companies who are well-established in the community can provide that peace of mind that student-run businesses—changing hands as students graduate—might not be able to.
Lack of Proper Prep and Cleanup
The success of a paint job often lies in the details—surface preparation, priming, careful tape application, and thorough cleanup are all crucial. These tasks require time, patience, and know-how that college painters, working with limited time and experience, might not fully devote to.
It’s Not About Them Being College Students
We don’t tell you this because they’re college students, but rather because their inexperienced painters. We understand that college student painting companies provide a valuable opportunity for students to make money while on break from school. We’re not opposed to college students. In fact, we often have several people working for us, earning a decent wage while learning the business. But the difference is that they undergo painting and safety training and are working as assistants to our professional painters.
Why You Should Choose Professional Home Painters
- Expertise: Professional painters have extensive experience and know-how in preparing surfaces and applying paint for a durable and stylish finish.
- Quality Equipment: They use professional-grade tools and materials, ensuring a high-quality, consistent finish.
- Time Efficiency: With their experience and equipment, professional painters complete the job quicker and within the specified time frame.
- Comprehensive Insurance: Professional painting companies usually have comprehensive insurance that covers any potential damages or accidents during the project.
- Preparation and Cleanup: Professionals will thoroughly prepare your home’s surfaces for painting and clean up afterward, ensuring no mess is left behind.
- Long-Term Cost-Effectiveness: A professional painting job will last longer and look better, saving you money in the long run on touch-ups or complete repaints.
- Trust and Reliability: Established professional companies provide dependable services and often offer warranties or guarantees on their work.
In sum, professional house painters can save you both time and money, delivering a high-quality finish that enhances the value and appeal of your home.
The Bottom Line
While hiring college student painters might seem like a way to save money on a painting project, it could potentially end up costing more in the long run if the job is not done correctly. Paint jobs done with professional precision and skill stand the test of time, saving future touch-ups and repainting costs.
t’s always best to consider all your options before deciding who to trust with your home improvements. And while student painters certainly do pose some benefits, the potential drawbacks like limited experience, resources, and time constraints mean that your local professional painting company could be the more reliable and stress-free option for high-quality, lasting results for your home.
If you’re thinking about hiring college student painters, give us a call instead. There are a lot of reasons to hire Home Painters Toronto. The team of painters at Home Painters Toronto is experienced, professional, and award-winning. Your house will be in good hands. Call us for a quote. We’d love to paint your home.
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