Don’t Let Your Guard Down: Essential Background Check Steps Every Macomb County Homeowner Must Take Before Hiring a Paint Contractor

When it comes to hiring a painting contractor for your Macomb County home, thorough background verification isn’t just smart—it’s essential for protecting your family, property, and investment. With Michigan’s unique regulatory landscape and the prevalence of unqualified contractors in the market, homeowners need to know exactly what to look for when vetting potential painters.

Understanding Michigan’s Current Paint Contractor Licensing Landscape

Michigan’s painting contractor regulations underwent significant changes in recent years. Until March 28th, 2019, all Michigan painters were required to hold a M&A Contractor license. The House Fiscal Agency required painters hold a license to prevent consumer fraud, however, former Governor Rick Snyder, signed a repeal law on December 27th 2018 to remove painters from the list of professions that require licensing.

However, this doesn’t mean all paint work is unregulated. Any paint job over $600 will require you to get a license in the state of Michigan, and general contractors working on projects valued in excess of $600 must carry either a residential builders license or a maintenance and alterations contractor license.

Essential Credential Verification Steps

1. License and Registration Verification

Start by confirming your contractor’s licensing status. Each state has an online verification system. For example: California: Check CSLB online for license type, status, business name, and disciplinary history. For Michigan contractors, verify through the state’s licensing board and ensure the license is active, under the same legal name, and free from complaints.

Painting contractors should be licensed in the correct county where the work is to be performed. Don’t assume—always ask to see current documentation.

2. Insurance Coverage Verification

Insurance protection is non-negotiable. Always ask for proof of insurance, such as a certificate, and then call the provider to check that the policy is up to date and will cover your project. Essential coverage types include:

General Liability Insurance: General liability insurance covers any damage to your home during the time the painting contractors are working on your project. If something happens like a broken window or a damaged surface, the policy will cover the damages.
Workers’ Compensation: Workers’ compensation is another essential policy. This policy ensures that workers who are injured on the job have access to compensation for lost wages and medical services.

Did you know that it’s very common for painting contractors with no workers comp to sue the homeowner or business because of their injuries? This makes verification crucial for your protection.

3. Bonding Status

There is a considerable difference between bonded and insured. Insurance protects you from liability if a contractor or one of his employees is injured on your property. Bonds protect you if a contractor fails to complete the job he did on your home or if he did the job improperly.

For a bond, ask for the bond number and certification then verify with the surety company that the bond is appropriate for your needs.

Background Check Essentials

Criminal records check: A national criminal database search screens independent contractors’ criminal histories for previous offenses including violent crimes · Sex Offender Registry: Background check companies search national sex offender databases for sex offender crimes · Licensing credentials checks: These searches confirm the authenticity of licenses, certificates, and other professional credentials

Professional painting companies understand the importance of proper screening. ImageWorks Painting conducts background checks and drug screenings on all of our qualified employee applicants. Approximately 70% of all those who consent to our process either test positive for banned substances and/or have a felony record revealed during the check. This statistic highlights why verification matters.

Reference and Reputation Verification

A clean quote is one thing—but consistent client satisfaction matters. Good references offer real insight into prep quality, adherence to schedule, and responsiveness to issues.

When checking references:

Ask the contractor for at least three previous clients with similar jobs. Contact every reference and ask them if they were happy with the timeline, budget, and overall quality of the work.
Ask for references from friends or neighbors who have had similar work done. If possible, talk to past customers of the business to find out what kind of experiences they had.
Check Better Business Bureau ratings and online reviews

Working with Established, Verified Contractors

When seeking a reliable Painter Macomb County, MI, look for established companies with proven track records. Legends Painting exemplifies the professional standards homeowners should expect, operating as a family-owned painting contractor for over 10 years, we offer excellent workmanship and competitive pricing for both residential and commercial painting services.

The company demonstrates commitment to quality by focusing on delivering beautiful, long-lasting results at competitive prices, ensuring every customer is 100% satisfied with the finished project. Their approach includes treating each home or business like it’s our own. We specialize in residential interior, commercial exterior, cabinet, kitchen, fence, and exterior painting — offering top-notch service from start to finish.

Red Flags to Watch For

If you get a low-ball bid on a painting job, be wary because this often means they aren’t properly licensed and insured or they may be cutting a lot of corners which degrades the quality of the work.

Additional warning signs include:

Reluctance to provide insurance certificates or license information
Red flags include unresolved complaints, frequent name changes, and negative reviews regarding a contractor’s work or behavior.
Demands for large upfront payments
Door-to-door solicitation, especially after severe weather

The Bottom Line: Protection Through Verification

Verifying a painter’s license, insurance, and references isn’t optional—it’s essential for protecting your assets, schedule, and reputation. A well-qualified contractor will welcome scrutiny and provide solid documentation without delay.

In Macomb County’s competitive painting market, taking time for proper background verification protects your investment and ensures quality results. This environment places greater responsibility on consumers to verify contractor qualifications and on professional painters to maintain high standards voluntarily. Certification programs, professional association memberships, and comprehensive insurance coverage have become the primary indicators of contractor reliability and competence.

Remember: One of the most important things you can do to protect your interests and your family’s financial security is to take the necessary steps to ensure you hire fully licensed, bonded, and insured contractors. Your home deserves nothing less than a thoroughly vetted professional who stands behind their work with proper credentials and coverage.