We’ve seen their ads around town; you’ve likely met one at your front door smiling with a flyer in hand. Yes, it is the phenomenon known as student painters, and they are marketing themselves as professional painters in Toronto without fail every summer season.

The idea of college students becoming painters is not a new one, but they have in recent decades become much more active, with many organizations and companies offering college-aged painting crews for home-based residential painting. We know they exist, and not in small numbers. But the question is, should you hire one?

Lets think about how they compare to a professional painter. In terms of training, they are lacking. Student businesses are seasonal endeavors, and have a high turnover rate. So their “pros” are often sent into the field with as little as a few days of training when they start painting your house. Understandably, their results are spotty at best.

A professional painting company employs painters with several years of real industry experience. If new people are brought on board, they undergo continuous training for months alongside a qualified painter before allowed to produce on their own. Many painters will go through multi-year apprenticeships to learn their trade. Quite the contrast from your typical “college-pro.”

It is risky not to choose professional painters, because painting well is in truth not simple. Yes, anyone can pick up a brush and manage reasonably well, but the quality of painting work ultimately lies in the quality of preparation, using the right products and application methods, and working efficiently; All of which take time to master.

When hiring a painting company, think twice before being lured by the appealing price point of student painters. They are usually overpriced for what they offer (in fact, some charge the same rates as many professional companies!). Instead, choose Toronto painters with a great reputation, references, and skilled staff. You will get far more value out of your dollar.