Comparing Estimates for Painting

Now that you have decided to Paint...

The most important choice is the contractor you hire to perform the work.

Most Paint Brands are similar in quality and longevity, so when your paint fails prematurely it is likely due to poor workmanship. Rarely is the new paint film at fault for premature failures. Some causes are weather related, water damage and sun damage are also high on the list as causes and adhesion to the surface it is applied to is likely the problem, often that area is referred to as the substrate.

Many painters offer a Free estimate and so you may want to call as many as you have time for until you get some feeling for the ones you are comfortable working with.

Providing your bidders with the same project description is critical for comparison one you have all the estimates, otherwise you may be comparing an apple to a orange and will leave you wondering why one estimate is much higher or lower than the other. The description doesn’t need to be complex as long as it is the same to each potential bidder

Here is an example

• Clean surfaces prior to painting
• Prepare all surfaces to be painted.
• Use one complete prime coat and two coats of finish paint.
• The trim, doors and windows need to be included and painted.
• Material used will be by X Paints brands
• Colors selected.

This is important because many painters approach is different from another. While some brush, others spray. Some may use $10.00 per gallon paints and others quote $50.00 per gallon.

Inconsistency will make the estimate near imposable to compare.

Now that you have provided them with your request, If your prospected bidder recommends additional work outside your scope… simply ask for that to be broken down as an additional item with a separate price.

Finally ask them to put in their Estimate some specifics, like how they will proceed to complete the work. The start and completion date. If they expect any delays, if so what they might be.

Now you can compare your choice of fruit.

Have a great day,

Robert