Information is out there everywhere you look! We all absorb information differently. Videos are just one way out of many that we can learn about a product or service we are interested in. While it sometimes feels quicker to simply read over written reviews; there is just an authenticity with video reviews that makes them stand out! Let’s talk about why!
The Five Senses
Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes…. Wait….That isn’t right… And many reviews you read over don’t seem right either! How many times do you come across a 5 star review just raving about something that everyone else seems to hate? (It’s not a conspiracy..people do get paid to do this… ) And how often do you notice that many of the 5 star reviews listed beneath the product you are considering are not even about That product?!? How many times have you ordered 2 sizes up (based on many reviews that the item runs small) only to receive an item 8 times too large? It is safe to say that we as humans have learned to take written reviews with a grain of salt. And Pepper.
Sight
When you watch a video review, you are not just reading words on a screen and wondering who wrote them. You are usually seeing real people reviewing a real product that is most likely visible in the video. Their expressions are visible while they speak and you can tell if they are actually happy with their product or service. It’s true that some people are good actors, but our eyes are good at picking up on that when we really look! Take this review for example- we just love the body language!
Hearing
Hearing real people talk about their experience adds an element of relatability. Our ears also have the capacity to pick up genuine tones and fakeness. When we are able to hear what people are saying, and how they say it; it is easy for our brains to decide if they really believe it or not. It’s true that some people are good liars…but our ears are good at picking up on that when we really listen! Especially when we can Also watch them 😉
Here is a good one you can listen to (especially since some of the visual cues are limited 😅 )
Smell, Touch, Taste
Eyes and Ears and Mouth and Nose….errr Technology is not quite so advanced yet that we can smell or touch or taste a product through a screen. 😉 But being able to see and hear about something at the same time does help our brain to fill in the gaps. There are less gaps to fill when we watch a video review than when we simply read a review. This is why a commercial showing a juicy cheeseburger covered in cheese makes us think we can almost taste it! When you read those words, you may have pictured it…but when you watch it, you get to skip a step!
As you can see, there are several things about video reviews that help others learn about our services in a meaningful way! If we have the opportunity to work for you, your feedback is very valuable to us. We appreciate your willingness to be vulnerable for a minute to share your authentic experience with others! Hopefully at the very least, you have a song stuck in your head for the day! Thank you for taking the time to read about video reviews and why they matter! Check out our interactive video review map to see what others in the area had to say about their experience with us! https://sirpaints.com/review%20map/
Click here if you would like to book an estimate with Sir Paints A Lot! Thank You!
The initial feeling of excitement when you decide to have your house painted is a rush for sure! Buuuuut it can wear off quickly. You begin to realize how many things need to be done between the moment you decide to paint and the moment the painting is completed. Fantasizing all the different color options is only one task on the list, and not the first! So first things first! You need to decide WHO will be handling your paint work for you. Step 1 is a huge decision! It will impact the whole process, so here are some helpful things to consider when you choose your contractor!
Most of us take the time to look at online reputation before we call for an estimate in the first place… but is that enough? The crucial question is “Which business page has the most Facebook likes?!?” Winner! Done! 😉 Kidding… If only it were that simple! While you can put some weight into the way a business interacts with the social community; it is much more important to see if they have actual references and reviews about the experience they provide to their customers. If they do not have online reviews; can they give you references in another format?
Even a well liked business with lots of good reviews can be irresponsible though… And just because something bad hasn’t happened yet doesn’t necessarily mean they are prepared for it. Make sure the contractor you want to hire has a good business insurance policy and worker’s comp for all employees. If the contractor you want to hire uses sub-contractors; make sure they have these things too! A contractor whose stability is based off of more than social perception is critical!
Experience and Service
When we think of “experience”, we tend to just think of “how long” the contractor has been in business for. That is not the best way to look at it. Someone could be running a painting business for 50 years and only paint one house a month. On the flip side: Another contractor could be 5 years into their business, but have experience running 4 jobs a week. While you want to be sure that your contractor knows what they are doing, it is also important to ask about the “experience” they offer.
Does the contractor provide a clear outline for the services they will provide for you? Do they have a warranty on their work or materials? To find out how to spot a good warranty; click here! Is their communication with you going to make you confident that you are a part of the plan? Or will you be left in the dark, hoping they don’t finally show up for the project when you’re in the bathroom. 😉 (A personal fear of mine haha!) The quality of your experience depends greatly on the quality of your contractor’s service and communication.
Follow Up
It is pretty common in the trades for a contractor to come and go as they please. Everything happens on their time, with very short notice for you, in most cases. This can leave you under-prepared for the conversations you want to have with them, and frustrated with poor communication. They can leave just as quickly as they came and not really care either way whether you are satisfied with the service you paid for or not. The final bill can be hugely different from the quote you received, and you can’t expect communication to improve at this point.
Now not all contractors behave this way! But you definitely want to have a conversation with your contractor about what you can expect during the process; from the first estimate to the final bill.
Click Here for our handy list: 17 Critical Questions for Your Contractor!
Thank you for your time! To schedule an estimate with Sir Paints A Lot, click here! Have an Amazing Day!
You have decided it is time to paint your home! Choosing the painter you want to work with is your first step, and also the most important. How do you choose which company is right for you? Here are 5 tips!
1. Research and Referrals
Finding a painter is easier than you think! Reach out to your friends and neighbors and ask them about the experiences they had with the painter they hired. Chances are that someone you know had either a very positive experience to lead you towards a certain company, or a very negative experience that will help you steer clear! Google is also a great place to search for painters in the Eugene/Springfield area as many painters will have google reviews left by customers. Generally, the more positive reviews you see, the more likely it is that most customers have a positive experience. If you want to know more, many contractors have some details about their company on their business website; along with before and after photos of previous jobs. Some painters even take the extra step to get video testimonials so you can really get a good idea of the quality of service they provide! Check out this video testimonial of Sir Paints A Lot!
2. Schedule Estimates
After you have done some research, you should narrow down a list of about 3 painters and schedule estimates with each of them (ideally not at the same time). This will give you a chance to meet them in person and observe how they put their estimate together. Here are a few things to watch for:
Did they show up on time or call ahead if they were going to be late?
Do they measure spaces precisely or do they eyeball it/ use rough guesswork?
Do they point out areas that may need additional work? (drywall repair, dry-rot, caulking etc)
Is their communication with you clear and responsive to any questions you have?
Was the estimate delivered to you accurately and in a timely manner?
Are they respectful of your time and property?
3. Compare Estimates
Now that you have had a chance to meet your potential painters and look over their estimates, you will probably have an idea of which company you most want to work with. Sometimes your estimates will all be close to the same price, but other times there will be a significant difference in cost. It is important to figure out why and not just choose the cheapest deal. A detailed estimate is preferable to most people because they can see exactly why their paint job costs the price it does. If one of your estimates comes in at a much lower price range and does not provide specific details, it is important to ask a few questions.
Will they be priming?
How many coats of paint will be applied?
Will they be painting my trim and doors?
Are there any repairs that need done?
What is the quality of the paint they will be using?
How do they schedule the work? (pressure washing, repairs, painting…)
Is there a warranty or maintenance plan?
Do they include a color consult?
If their estimate is missing these details and they do not answer your questions with confidence and clarity, you should be prepared for them to add-on things to your final bill that they did not take the time to account for in the original estimate. Most of us would like to avoid this game of chance by simply having a detailed estimate in the first place. There is always a chance that problems could arise as a job goes on, but a painter who is looking for potential problem areas in the beginning is much more likely to be prepared to handle them!
painter providing a less-than-detailed estimate… bonus points if they write it on the back of their business card 😉
4. Compare Cost with Value
When you have your house painted, you want to enjoy the paint job as long as possible and get the most life out of it! You want the color to be everything you hoped it would be, and you want the coverage to hold up well to the elements. Many companies will offer a general warranty for product failure, but let’s be real…they hope you never call! At Sir Paints A Lot, WE call YOU to schedule touch up work each year! We value our customers and want them to enjoy their investment for many years. Some painters also include a color consult which can be very helpful! Even if you know what color you want, a color consultant can help you determine if it will be a good fit for your space and even paint samples onto the wall. We all know that little paint card can be deceiving! It is important to weigh these details when you compare your estimates. Having your home painted is a big investment, and getting long lasting value should be a primary goal!
5. Choose with Confidence
By now, you should have a clear idea of which painter you want to work with and which estimate you feel comfortable with. You will have had a chance to observe their professionalism, read reviews, and ask any questions about the estimate. Surely you have formed an opinion on how well they communicate, and how well they addressed your concerns. Choose someone you feel will be safe to have around your family! If you don’t want to go off a feeling, definitely go ahead and ask your painter how they screen their employees! Here at Sir Paints A Lot we have all our employees background checked because we want your family to feel safe with us too! Hopefully these tips helped you to make a decision about who to hire for your painting needs!
To Schedule a Paint Estimate with Sir Paints A Lot: Call 541-600-2025, or click here to book online!
