Painting quotes are among the easiest to manipulate and the hardest for homeowners to evaluate. Two quotes for the “same” job can differ by 40% and still be quoting completely different preparation levels, completely different paint quality, and completely different numbers of coats. Understanding what’s actually in — and out — of a quote is the only way to compare them honestly.
“When I sit across from a homeowner and they tell me another quote was $800 less than mine, the first question I ask is: what prep work is included? Almost always, the cheaper quote skips the sanding, uses a single coat, and excludes priming. That’s not a better deal — it’s a different job. It just won’t look different until six months after the crew has left.”
— Ingrid Solberg, residential painting specialist and color consultant with 14 years of experience in interior and exterior painting in the local area
Table of Contents
Before You Compare Quotes
Are you getting at least three quotes?
For any painting project above $1,500 — and interior repaints of full homes, full exterior repaints, and kitchen cabinet painting easily exceed this — three quotes is the right minimum. It gives you enough data to identify the market range and spot outliers in either direction.
Are all quotes based on the same scope?
Before comparing prices, confirm each contractor is quoting on the same scope: the same rooms or surfaces, the same number of coats, the same prep steps, and the same paint quality. If they’re not, you’re not comparing meaningful data.
Questions About What’s Included
What surface preparation is included, specifically?
This is the most important question in any painting quote. Ask each contractor to describe exactly what prep work they’re doing:
Interior:
– Will walls be cleaned before painting?
– Will holes and cracks be filled and sanded?
– Will trim be sanded to degloss before repainting?
– Will new drywall or repairs be primed?
– Will stains be spot-treated with stain-blocking primer?
Exterior:
– Will surfaces be power washed?
– Will loose and peeling paint be scraped?
– Will bare wood be spot-primed?
– Will gaps in caulking at trim and windows be filled?
– Will mildew be treated before painting?
A contractor who describes specific prep steps for your specific surfaces is doing the job properly. One who says “we do all the prep” without specifics is not.
What a good answer looks like: A detailed, surface-specific prep description that maps to the actual condition of your home.
What paint products are specified?
Ask for the brand, product line, and sheen for every surface. “Good quality paint” is not an answer. “Benjamin Moore Aura, eggshell finish for walls and semi-gloss for trim” is.
For a full breakdown of product questions: Questions to Ask a Painter About Paint Products
How many coats are included?
Ask specifically how many coats are included for walls, ceilings, and trim — and whether primer coats are separate from finish coats.
A quality paint job on previously painted interior surfaces typically includes:
– One coat of primer on bare areas, stains, and repairs
– Two coats of finish paint on walls and ceilings
– Two coats of semi-gloss on trim and doors
A quote that includes only one finish coat on walls is cutting the time on your job in half — and the results will show it.
What a good answer looks like: Two finish coats explicitly stated for all painted surfaces.
Is furniture moving and floor protection included?
Interior painting involves moving or protecting furniture, laying drop cloths on floors, and removing or covering light fixtures and hardware. Ask specifically whether moving light furniture and protecting floors is included in the quote or whether that’s the homeowner’s responsibility.
What a good answer looks like: Light furniture moved and floors protected as standard.
What is explicitly excluded from this quote?
Ask for a written exclusions list. Common painting exclusions include:
– Repairing significant drywall damage (beyond minor holes)
– Painting ceilings if only walls are quoted (confirm explicitly)
– Painting the inside of closets
– Moving heavy furniture
– Painting garage floors or concrete surfaces
– Painting the backs of doors
Knowing the exclusions prevents surprise additions to the final bill.
Questions About Timeline and Disruption
How many days will this take, and what are the daily work hours?
For interior painting, know how long the crew will be in your home and during what hours. For exterior painting, ask how long each side of the house will take and what weather contingencies exist.
Will work happen in stages, or all at once?
For interior jobs, some painters prefer to do all the prep first (sanding, filling, priming) before painting. Others work room by room. Ask how the work will be staged and how it affects your ability to use the spaces.
Questions About Payment
What is the payment schedule?
A reasonable painting payment schedule: a deposit of 10–25% at signing (to cover initial material cost), and the balance at satisfactory completion. Some contractors split large jobs into a milestone payment at the halfway point.
Avoid contractors who ask for more than 30–40% upfront or who require full payment before the work is inspected.
Do you accept cheque or e-transfer?
Always pay by cheque or e-transfer. Cash-only arrangements leave no paper trail and no recourse if the work is unsatisfactory.
Related Questions
- Questions to Ask a Painter Before You Hire One
- Questions to Ask a Painter About Paint Products
- Questions to Ask a Painter About Exterior Painting
- How Much Does It Cost to Paint a House ?
- Red Flags When Hiring a Painter
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