Apples to Apples

How to Compare Painting Bids

A low-cost paint job will look fine for a short period – but it will be obvious within months that you didn’t get quality work or materials. Cover these points with each painter you interview – you’ll soon have a good idea who will provide the work you’re after.

Preparation Work is Critical
The single most important part of a quality paint job. Some homes require more prep time than painting time. A careful, methodical and systematic approach will maximize the performance benefits of high quality materials. Will they:

* Pressure wash to clean dirt, or also to remove paint? (spray-tip and technique matter!)
* Use backer rod for large gaps (good), or just fill with caulk (bad)?
* Use sharp scrapers or dull putty knives to remove paint?

Attention to detail is essential to the final result. Most homeowners won’t know about shortcuts taken with tedious prep work until well after their check has been cashed.

Material Quality
Every paint manufacturermakes a range of products – from very high quality to a very low price. A painter should be able to explain which product he uses, where it falls in the product line and just what the difference is beyond “it’s a better quality product”. This is true for primer and caulk as well. Cheap caulk dries out and pulls loose, cheap primer is watery because it has fewer solids. Understand what you’re paying for and verify what you get.