1. What surface prep is included — washing, scraping, sanding, priming, and caulking?
Why it matters: Prep is most of the job. Quotes that skip washing, scraping loose paint, or priming repairs look cheap and peel early.
Questions to ask before you hire a painter
Paint jobs fail more often from poor prep than from the wrong color. These questions help you compare surface preparation, product quality, timelines, and how the crew protects your home.
Questions to ask
2. Which paint brand and product line will you use, and how many coats?
Why it matters: “Premium paint” is vague. Ask for brand, line (e.g., exterior acrylic latex tier), sheen, and coat count. Better products cost more but cover and last longer.
3. Is the quote based on a site visit, and does it list rooms, exterior sides, and trim separately?
Why it matters: Square-footage guesses from photos miss height, repair needs, and trim complexity. An itemized visit-based quote reduces change orders.
4. How do you handle repairs — drywall patches, wood rot, rusted metal — if you find them?
Why it matters: Painters often discover soft wood or failed caulk. Know the hourly or unit rate for repairs and the approval process before they proceed.
5. What is your plan for weather delays on exterior work?
Why it matters: Painting in rain, extreme heat, or freezing temps ruins adhesion. Pros should have a weather window policy and not rush coats to “finish Friday.”
6. How will you protect floors, furniture, landscaping, and adjacent surfaces?
Why it matters: Overspray and drips are common complaints. Ask about masking, drop cloths, and whether moving furniture is included or your responsibility.
7. Do you use spray, brush, roll — or a combination — and why for my surfaces?
Why it matters: Method affects finish quality and overspray risk. Cabinets, detailed trim, and exteriors near cars need different approaches.
8. What warranty do you offer on labor, and what maintenance do you recommend?
Why it matters: A 1–2 year workmanship warranty against peeling or blistering (with stated exclusions) shows accountability. Ask what voids it.
9. Who will be on the crew, and will a lead be present each day?
Why it matters: Some companies sell the job then send an unsupervised day crew. Knowing who is accountable day-to-day improves communication.
10. What is the payment schedule, and when is final payment due?
Why it matters: Reasonable deposits for materials are normal; large upfront cash demands are not. Final payment should follow a walkthrough punch list.
11. Are you licensed/registered where required, and do you carry liability insurance?
Why it matters: Requirements vary. Insurance matters if a ladder damages property or someone is injured on site.
Red flags
- Lowest bid by a wide margin with “prep included” but no prep details.
- Wants a large cash deposit before buying materials.
- No insurance, or refuses to show a certificate.
- Promises a full exterior in one day regardless of weather or condition.
- Cannot name the paint product line they will use.
- Pressure to decide immediately “because the crew is free this week.”
Next-step checklist
- Get 2–3 written quotes after on-site visits, same scope.
- Confirm paint brand, product line, coat count, and prep steps in writing.
- Ask for proof of liability insurance before work starts.
- Agree on a punch-list walkthrough before final payment.
- Keep leftover labeled paint for touch-ups.
- Photograph problem areas (peeling, stains) before and after.