Painter guide

What should be included in a painting quote?

Painting quotes are easiest to compare when the preparation and coating system are visible. The customer should not have to guess whether “paint walls” includes filling, primer, two finish coats, ceilings, doors or cleanup.

Name the exact surfaces being painted

Separate walls, ceilings, doors, frames, skirtings, architraves, wardrobes, exterior joinery or other surfaces as needed. Room names or elevation references make the scope easier to check during the job.

Describe preparation before the finish coats

Preparation can be the biggest labour variable in a repaint. State the normal washing, scraping, sanding, filling and spot-priming allowance that is actually included.

Protection and masking
Cleaning or washing
Loose-paint removal
Minor crack and dent filling
Sanding
Spot primer or stain blocking where specified

State the coating system

Specify the number of finish coats and the relevant surface type. “Two finish coats to specified walls” is much more useful than “paint interior”. If a full primer coat is required, state it separately from spot priming.

Confirm colour, sheen and product assumptions

Multiple colour changes, very dark colours, strong colour changes or specialist coatings can change coverage and labour. The quote should say when final colours need to be confirmed and whether premium or specialist products change the price.

Make repairs and exclusions visible

Normal nail holes are different from widespread plaster failure or water damage. Define what minor repairs are included and what would need separate approval. Also state access, furniture-moving and hazardous-coating assumptions where relevant.

Finish with cleanup and customer handover

Include removal of masking and normal trade waste if that is part of your service. A tidy handover is part of what the customer is buying, and naming it prevents different assumptions.