Buyer guide
Compare the Work Behind the Price.
Painting quotations are only comparable when they cover the same surfaces, preparation, products, coats and responsibilities.
Quick answer
What should I check in a painting quotation?
Check the measured area, included surfaces, preparation, crack or damp treatment, primer, putty, paint brand and range, number of coats, protection, cleanup, timeline, exclusions, taxes, payment terms and warranty conditions. Compare the total only after these items match.
The 10-point quotation checklist
- 01
Area and measurement method
Does the quotation state which walls, ceilings and other surfaces are included? Is the calculation based on paintable area, floor area or a lump sum?
- 02
Surface condition
Does it record peeling, chalking, cracks, stains or moisture symptoms? Work visible during inspection should not disappear from the scope.
- 03
Preparation
Look for scraping, sanding, crack filling, putty, primer and patch levelling as separate or clearly bundled items.
- 04
Paint specification
The brand alone is not enough. Confirm the product range, finish, interior or exterior suitability and shade basis.
- 05
Number of coats
Clarify whether the scope is based on a fixed number of coats or an outcome subject to the existing background and shade change.
- 06
Labour and materials
Confirm who purchases paint, putty, primer, abrasives, masking materials and consumables.
- 07
Property protection
Check whether floors, furniture, fixtures, switch plates and fixed elements will be covered or masked.
- 08
Schedule and sequencing
The quotation should indicate an expected duration or explain when a detailed work schedule will be issued.
- 09
Cleanup and handover
Clarify what post-work cleanup includes and how touch-ups or snags will be reviewed.
- 10
Exclusions and terms
Read exclusions, tax treatment, payment stages, colour-change limits, access requirements and warranty conditions.
Red flags to question
- A single total with no scope
- An unusually low rate without preparation details
- Paint brand mentioned but no product range
- No distinction between putty, primer and paint
- Moisture damage covered with paint without source investigation
- Verbal promises that do not appear in writing
- Undefined coat count or measurement method
- No stated exclusions
Use a same-scope comparison table
Fill this in for each provider before looking at the totals.
| Item | Provider A | Provider B | Provider C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Areas included | — | — | — |
| Preparation | — | — | — |
| Putty and primer | — | — | — |
| Paint range | — | — | — |
| Number of coats | — | — | — |
| Protection | — | — | — |
| Cleanup | — | — | — |
| Timeline | — | — | — |
| Exclusions | — | — | — |
| Total including taxes | — | — | — |
The right question to ask
Instead of asking only, "Can you reduce the price?", ask: "If the price changes, which part of the scope, product or process changes with it?"
That question makes the trade-off visible.
Frequently asked questions
Should I always choose the lowest quotation?
No. Choose the quotation that provides the right scope and value for the property. A low total can become expensive if essential preparation or materials are omitted.
Is more putty always better?
No. Putty should be used where the surface and desired finish require it. Applying it unnecessarily adds cost and may not solve the underlying problem.
Why do paint quantities differ between quotations?
Providers may use different measurements, coat assumptions, products or wastage allowances. Ask them to explain the calculation.
Should warranty decide the provider?
Warranty matters only when the coverage, exclusions, duration and claim process are clear. Product warranty and workmanship warranty are not the same.
Ask for a Quotation You Can Understand Before You Approve It.
Last reviewed 21 Aug 2026