First of all, if you are unsure whether or not you need to even hire a painting contractor to paint the outside of your home, interior rooms or office, consider the time and equipment involved in doing it yourself. It is not impossible to take on your own paint project. There are plenty of do-it-yourself guides available. However, when you consider the amount of time it will take and the rental or purchase of equipment, the cost of completing the project on your own can be sky-high.Hiring a painting contractor makes economical sense because the company will employ several workers to complete the project. Doing it yourself could take you several weeks. With several professionals working on the task, it could be complete in a matter of days. The workers will get it right the first time and, unlike you, wont have to take extra time learning certain techniques required for the project.The professional painter will also have time saving equipment readily available to them. Renting things like paint sprayers and ladders can be expensive, as is purchasing one-time use items like brushes, brush extensions and drop cloths. The painters will be able to use their own equipment for the project and will factor in any one-time purchases, like masking tape, into your overall estimate. A professional painter can also save you money through discounts on the paint needed for your home or office.If at all possible, use recommendations from friends, relatives or co-workers when hiring a painting contractor. If you dont recommendations to draw from then you should approach your local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau. They may have some painters that they recommend. If you have no recommendations or referrals then find names of professional painters online or in the phone book. You will want to ask the painters for references of jobs they have done. They should be able to give you a couple of homes or businesses in your area that they have worked on. Contact the references and find out whether or not they were happy with the work of the painters. Ask to see the project.If you like what you see and hear about a particular painter, go ahead and get an estimate from them. You should be able to get a free estimate that includes work, equipment and paint costs. At this point, you may need to be prepared to discuss different paint types with the painter. They may have information and recommendations to help you narrow down your choices and make the right decision for your home or business. They may also be able to let you know about some discounts available for certain paints.So, the next time you have a paint project that needs completed, consider the time and money that you can save by hiring a professional, painting contractor.