Get Quotes from Top Painters in Boston, MA

In 2019, police in several communities across the Boston area and the State of Massachusetts issued a warning alarm to residents of the area concerning fake home-improvement contractors forcing the elderly residents to pay for unnecessary repairs. According to research published by Harvard University, Americans spent close to $420 billion on home-improvement projects in 2020. Considering this sum, it is not unusual to find unscrupulous painters trying to swindle residents in Boston. As such, it is important to make sure that you keep your guard up when searching for painters in the city to ensure that you do not end up hiring one of these scammers. There are various tell-tale signs that you may be dealing with of an unscrupulous painter, and some of them are listed below:

• The painter asks for a cash-only payment
• The painter cannot provide proof of a license
• The painter requests a large down payment
• The painter makes unsolicited visits, offering unrealistic discounts
• The painter asks for oral contracts or downplays the importance of having a written contract
• The painter offers you unsolicited and discounted services
• The painter gives a suspiciously cheap quote
• The painter quotes too many unnecessary additional charges
• The painter cannot provide references from previous jobs
• The painter offers a time-limited service package and tries to pressure you into hiring them immediately to enjoy a discount.

You can avoid falling victim to these painting scams by doing the following:

• Verify your painter's registration status by utilizing the registration look-up portal provided by the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulations
• Never pay more than one-third of the total cost upfront
• Get quotes from three to four painters before deciding on any painter
• Request referrals from friends and family
• Ask for proof of insurance and call the issuing insurance company to verify it
• Look up the painter on third-party websites like Better Business Bureau for reviews, testimonials, or possible complaints.
• Always insist on a written and well-detailed contract for your project before any work starts, and review this contract thoroughly before signing it.
• Ensure that the project is done to your satisfaction before completing the payment.
• Ask the painter to provide references from past clients and verify these references by calling the referees to ask about the painter's work ethic.

If you've been scammed by a painter, you may file a report with the Massachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure (DOL) using this division's ePLACE portal. Note that you would have to register on the portal and follow the instructions given to enable you to submit this complaint. Alternatively, you can download and complete the DOL's complaint form and then mail the completed form to:

Further, complaint-related inquiries can be directed to the DOL at (617) 701-8600.

You can also report an unethical painter to the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office using an online consumer complaint form. Complaints can also be sent to this office by printing a complaint form, properly completing it, and mailing it to:

Finally, if you wish to seek financial compensation for the actions of the painter in question, you may pursue this in an appropriate court. For example, matters that involve $7,000 or below can be filed at the Boston Municipal Court located at:

Note that it is advisable to consult with a qualified lawyer before taking any legal action.