5 Red Flags to Watch for When Selecting a Commercial Painter

Hiring a commercial painter seems pretty straightforward until you realize how many things can go wrong when the wrong crew gets the job. A good paint job does more than change a wall’s color. It affects your building’s look, the feel it gives off to customers or tenants, and how much time and money you’ll spend fixing problems later. A sharp, long-lasting finish starts with hiring the right painting company.

That’s why spotting red flags before signing a contract can save a lot of headaches later. Whether you’re in Baton Rouge or nearby areas like Prairieville or Denham Springs, knowing what to look out for can help avoid delays, poor quality work, and surprise costs. Below are five key warning signs to keep in mind when selecting commercial painting companies.

1. Lack Of Proper Licensing And Insurance

When a painting crew doesn’t have the right credentials, it’s a big red flag. Hiring unlicensed contractors might seem cheaper up front, but it can end up costing more if things go wrong. Without insurance, damage to your property or a worker injury can quickly become your burden—and that’s not a risk worth taking.

Before getting too deep in discussions, always ask for proof of current licensing and insurance. Louisiana requires commercial painters to be licensed for certain job sizes and scopes. If a contractor dodges your questions or says it’s not needed, that could mean they’re not running a legitimate operation. Reputable commercial painting companies are prepared to hand over that paperwork without hesitation.

How to verify their credentials:

• Ask for a contractor license number and confirm it with the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors
• Request a Certificate of Insurance that clearly lists liability and workers’ compensation coverage
• Check that the company name on the insurance matches the one on all quotes and proposals

One business owner in Gonzales learned this the hard way after hiring a crew from a Craigslist ad. Partway through the job, a worker slipped and damaged the ceiling. It turned out the crew didn’t have insurance, and the property owner had to cover both repairs and legal fees. That’s a nightmare no one wants to deal with.

Licensing and insurance are not extras—they’re the foundation of a safe and secure project.

2. Poor Communication Skills

Great results start with great communication. Without it, details get lost, work gets delayed, and frustrations pile up. You should get a clear sense of how reliable a company is just from the way they talk with you at the start.

From the first call or email, pay attention. Do they reply quickly? Do they ask questions to understand your needs or just give vague answers? Are they willing to visit the site before giving a quote? These early signs say a lot about how they’ll handle your project later.

Red flags when it comes to communication:

• Taking too long to return your calls or emails
• Giving unclear or inconsistent responses
• Not asking detailed questions about the job
• Making you feel rushed or ignored during early conversations

A professional crew values your time and input. They explain the process, ask about your goals, and are easy to reach when needed. If they can’t communicate before the first coat of paint even goes up, it won’t get better once the job begins.

3. Negative Reviews And Testimonials

Checking online reviews should be an automatic step before hiring anyone. The opinions of past clients—especially from local businesses in Baton Rouge, Prairieville, or Denham Springs—can reveal problems a sales pitch might leave out.

Look beyond the star rating. Focus on patterns in the comments. Are reviewers mentioning no-shows, sloppy prep work, or hidden fees? That’s more valuable than one glowing review with no context.

What to watch for in reviews:

• A wave of overly generic five-star ratings with no photos or details
• Back-to-back recent negative comments with the same issues listed
• A business name change or sudden drop in reviews over time

See how the company responds to criticism. Are they respectful and helpful, or do they shift blame? Good companies know how to handle customer feedback with professionalism. You can also ask people in your network if they’ve heard of or worked with the company.

One business in Prairieville shared their regret after hiring a crew without doing much research. The job started two days late, and when the painters did show up, they left paint drips and uneven edges on several walls. A few minutes of review reading could have helped them avoid that experience.

Check reviews, ask questions, and look for honesty in how they handle praise and complaints.

4. Unclear Or Unprofessional Contracts

If a painting contractor shrugs off the idea of a detailed contract, that’s your cue to run. A professional contract lays out everything—scope of work, timelines, materials, pricing, and responsibilities. This protects both you and the company.

A vague or missing contract can lead to:

• Disagreements over what work was “included”
• Unexpected costs partway through the job
• No clear way to handle any issues that come up

A good contract should include:

• A full description of all tasks, from prep to final cleanup
• Exact brand names and types of primer and paint
• A realistic start and end date
• Payment terms and full project cost
• Warranty details and maintenance tips

Never sign a contract you haven’t read line by line. Ask questions, point out unclear sections, and make sure the company adds missing info. Professional painters should encourage this. Contracts shouldn’t feel rushed or confusing. If the fine print looks fuzzy, that’s a warning worth listening to.

5. Unwillingness To Provide References

A reputable commercial painting company in Baton Rouge should have references ready to share. This isn’t an extra step—it’s basic proof that they’ve completed jobs and left clients satisfied. If they hesitate, or say everyone prefers to stay anonymous, it’s time to be cautious.

Checking references gives you real feedback about how they work. It helps confirm that they’ve handled projects like yours and followed through on their promises.

When talking to a reference, ask:

• Was the work finished on time and within budget?
• How did the team behave on the job site?
• Were there any surprises or problems, and how were they handled?

A job well done leaves a lasting impression. Painters who stand by their work will gladly provide direct contact details for past clients, ideally from the Baton Rouge area or nearby places like Gonzales and Denham Springs.

One quick call could help you avoid weeks of regret. Hearing what someone else experienced is worth more than any brochure or flashy pitch.

What to Keep in Mind Before You Commit

Choosing commercial painting companies isn’t just checking boxes. It’s about making sure your business or property is treated with care, from prep work to cleanup. The best crews will be clearly licensed and insured, keep you updated from start to finish, and make contracts and references part of their normal process.

Trust is built through clear communication, honest feedback, and paperwork that leaves no room for surprises. If you’re in Baton Rouge or surrounding areas, doing a little extra research now can save you time, stress, and money.

Pay attention to red flags. Your time and your property deserve a team that respects both.

Choosing the right crew makes a big difference in how smoothly your project runs and how great your space looks when it’s done. If you’re ready to avoid common missteps and team up with trusted professionals, learn more about our commercial painting companies. Prestigious Painting is here to help you keep your building looking its best, inside and out.