In the business world, “contractor” is a word you might hear frequently. But what is a contractor? Well, it depends on the context. Generally speaking, there are two types of contractors:

• Independent contractor
• General contractor

There are key differences between these two job titles, so let’s go over each.

Independent Contractors

An independent contractor is not technically an employee of a company. The difference between an employee and an independent contractor is that an independent contractor is considered self-employed and provides a specific good or service. 

The exact job of an independent contractor will vary from job to job, but they will generally:

• Work on specific projects and assignments
• Specialize in a skill
• Take on multiple clients at a time
• Sets schedule or hours of employment

If you want to hire an independent contractor, be prepared to hash out contract details before their assignment begins.

General Contractor

Usually, a general contractor also is not an employee of a business. However, they are the managers, coordinators, or supervisors of a construction or project site. Responsibilities of general contractors include:

• Obtaining necessary permits
• Creating schedules
• Securing a safe workspace
• Maintaining responsibility for team, supplies, and equipment

When hiring a general contractor, they are their team's boss, so be sure to maintain open lines of communication.

5 Qualities You Should Look For In A Contractor

If you are looking to hire a contractor, there are several qualities you should look for when considering a candidate. During the hiring process, you’ll want to find someone who is: 

1. Independent
2. Great at problem solving
3. Flexibile
4. Honest
5. A strong communicator

Independence

Even though you are hiring this person, and they will technically answer to you, they are their own boss. Contractors choose which jobs to take and make their hours. This means that you want someone comfortable with independence.

When you hire a contractor, one of the biggest perks is that they should be an expert in their field. Therefore, it is an advantage to bring on someone who will be able to perform a project without too much instruction. 

A contractor should listen to your vision, consider your requirements, and be off to the races. You can create a check-in process to oversee progress, but for the most part, a good contractor will work with a high level of independence. 

Problem Solving Skills

Having the attribute of being a problem solver goes hand-in-hand with being independent. The last thing you want as a business owner is to have to solve someone else’s problems for them. 

The best contractor is one who only comes to you if they have tried many angles to solving an issue and cannot find the solution. 

A problem solver is a proactive go-getter who can be decisive and use their expertise to solve problems independently.

Flexibility

Flexibility is a quality you should look for in any employee, especially a contractor. Because your business does not fully employ a contractor, they might not know the inner workings as well. Contractors must be able to roll with the punches and pivot when necessary. 

Honesty

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Honesty is the best policy.” Well, it’s true in life, and it’s true in business. When you hire people for your business, you want to ensure they are honest.

Sometimes, it’s hard to know if someone is truly honest or not. During the hiring process, go with your gut and hire the person you think is the best fit. Let them show you their honesty through their actions and communication. 

When you find someone who is honest, stick with them.

Strong Communication Skills

When hiring an outside worker, building a communicative relationship with them is important. Ideally, contractors will understand how to communicate with you because they are used to many different business environments. 

Depending on the project your contractor is completing, you might want daily or weekly communication. Be clear about your expectations, and a solid communicator will easily follow those guidelines.

Can You Use A Contractor For Painting?

The great thing about contractors is that there is someone for everyone. There are all kinds of specialists, and the perfect one is waiting for you. So does that mean you can use an independent contractor for painting? It sure does!

A Painter For Your Project

Hiring an independent contractor for painting is truly a great resource. Depending on your business type, you might not need a painter for every project. You don’t necessarily need to hire a full-time employee for this job. 

That’s where an independent contractor comes in.

When hiring a painter for a project, consider these three keys:

1. Experience: You must be able to trust the person you hire to know what they are doing. It is always perfectly acceptable (and encouraged) for you to collect resumes and letters of recommendation from prospective contractors to ensure they will perform well for your business.
2. Rates: As a business owner, you will always do what’s best for your business finances. However, that does not always mean taking the cheap route. You want to ensure that you stay within your budget while also hiring a quality contractor — go with the option that gives you the best value for your money.
3. Insurance: Because painting involves manual labor, there is always risk involved. When you hire a painter, make sure they have general liability insurance. This will protect both parties against injuries and property damage.

What Questions Should You Ask When Interviewing A Painting Contractor?

Depending on the size of your business, you may or may not have an HR department. If you do, they can take care of this part for you. If you don’t, here are ten questions to ask your prospective painters:

1. What are your strengths as a painter?
2. Can you describe a previous project you’ve completed?
3. Can you describe your day-to-day process?
4. How will you prepare for this job, and what can I do to prepare the space?
5. Will you need to bring on other painters for this project? If so, are they also insured?
6. What is the projected length of this project, and how will you stick to that schedule?
7. How many hours do you intend to work each day?
8. What is the projected cost for this job?
9. How will you ensure your, your team’s, and the property’s safety?
10. Do you offer any type of product warranty?

Conclusion

Hiring a painter as an independent contractor is an excellent option if it's simply time for an upgrade. Remember:

• Consider the three keys: experience, rates, and insurance.
• Keep the five essential qualities of an independent contractor in mind.
• Ask the right ten questions in the interview process.

Independent contractors can be invaluable assets, so get out there and find the right one for your painting needs.

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Sources:

Independent Contractor (Self-Employed) or Employee? | Internal Revenue Service

Independent Contractor Agreement ⎸ The Society for Human Resources Management

How to Highlight Honesty in the Workplace ⎸ Small Business Chronicle