Painting quotes can be all over the map and this can make it difficult for a homeowner to make a decision. A higher price doesn’t necessarily mean a better job, but with a low price it’s usually safe to say you get what you pay for. Make sure you know what to look for when choosing a painting contractor, price alone should not be the determining factor.
Something is being compromised if a painting quote is being offered far below the average cost. The steps to do quality work takes time. The varying levels of preparation work or lack thereof is one of the main reasons for price discrepancies. Prep work can make or break the look of the finish and have an impact on the longevity of the paint. On some projects, the preparation can take longer than the painting itself. The goal of a painter offering a cheap quote is to get colour on and move to the next job, surface preparation will not be a priority.
Other variables that can influence the cost of a painting quote are the quality of the paint and materials, the number of coats of paint that are being applied and the experience of labourers being used. A low priced job is likely to be rushed because the company or painter is trying to make maximum profit by doing high volumes of work.
A Closer Look Into The Variances In The Cost Of Painting Quotes
You can’t expect a professional painter to match the price of someone that has no credentials or insurances.
Is the company licensed? Do they have WorkSafeBC and liability insurance?
Who is doing the actual painting? Did the owner of the company show up to do the quote and impress you with their experience and skills but is going to send a much less skilled and experienced person to do the work?
Are you getting a knowledgeable and experienced employee or the student that was temporarily hired for the summer? Is the worker an actual employee of the company or is the work being subcontracted to a painter? You may not even know this is occurring.
Is the quote a fixed price? Are you getting offered a low ball quote only to find out that extra costs will be added along the way?
Make Sure The Quotes Allow You To Compare Apples To Apples
The homeowner has to take some responsibility to ensure the quotes are covering the same scope of work. The painting contractor can only go by what you show and tell them.
When a homeowner has several painters come out to their property the owner may start to discuss different ideas during those visits. The work continues to transform and change with each subsequent contractor. Each painting contractor may end up quoting for something slightly different than the last. This makes it difficult to accurately compare the quotes.
The price you receive doesn’t have much merit if the quote is lacking detail. A painting quote should outline the preparation work, the specific type of paint and the number of coats that will be applied. If you don’t have this information on all quotes then how can you compare them?
We often get thanked for the detailed quotes that we provide. Our clients are never left wondering what they are getting. They clearly define the prep work, the products being used, the number of coats and what is and is not being painted.
Contact us by email or call us for a free, no obligation quote.
