New announcement. Learn more

f
TAGS
H

How To: Decipher a house painting quote

If you’ve decided to repaint your home, you’ve probably sourced a few quotes to make sure that you’re getting value for money.

Many of our clients find a wide range in the quotes they receive. If this is the case for you, it might be difficult to understand the difference in the prices.

Here are our tips for deciphering house painting quotes:

The two key components of any house painting quote are labour and paint.

Labour

Generally, labour makes up about 80% of the cost of a house painting project.

If price is the main factor in your decision criteria, choosing a ‘cheaper’ painter will allow you to get the job done within your budget. However, it’s important to note that ‘cheap’ quotes often come at the expense of a quality finish and lasting result.

If a high quality result is important to you, you should consider that the more time your painter spends on preparation, the better the outcome will be.

Likewise, if your painter takes time to paint precisely – particularly in detailed areas – the finish you achieve will be of a much higher quality. Choosing a member of Master Painters NZ is further assurance that your paintwork will have a top quality finish.

Finally, if your painter dedicates time to quality assurance and project management, you are far more likely to experience a stress-free project.

If you want a high quality finish, check that your painter’s quote includes:

  • A detailed outline of the preparation work that will be undertaken.

  • Assurance of your painter’s qualifications and experience – including current membership of Master Painters NZ.

  • A clear indication of the systems and processes your painter will use to complete the project on time and within budget.

  • Testimonials from previous clients about the standard of workmanship they received.

Paint

Low-cost painters generally use cheaper paint products. They will often substitute the paint brand and colour you specify for a cheaper make that has been tinted to match the colour you want. It is important to be aware that this approach may result in a paint job that deteriorates sooner. It may also cause issues with colour matching if you need to repaint areas in future.

A professional house painting company will:

  • Talk to you at length about your requirements. After they identify your needs, they will suggest appropriate paint products to create the best finish.

  • Use premium paint products that are proven to perform in New Zealand conditions, and will stand the test of time.

  • Use the exact paint colour and brand that you (or your interior designer/architect) have specified.

Ultimately, to understand which house painting quote is right for your circumstances:

  • Identify what is important to you – cost, quality, value for money? Use your criteria to assess which painting contractor and quote will best fulfil your requirements.  

  • Seek more information if there is insufficient detail on a quote. This may be a good way to determine how eager the contractor is for your business. 

A final tip – before you choose the cheapest quote, work out what the opportunity cost of your time will be if the painter requires close management or the paintwork needs updating sooner than you had anticipated.

About Wall Treats Master Painters

Wall Treats’ team of professional Auckland painters is led by Master Painter, Daniel Zapata. We are committed to delivering top quality workmanship, proactive communication and beautiful, lasting results on each one of our house painting projects.

To request a consultation, call us on 0800 008 168.

Want more tips and inspiration? Sign up for our bi-monthly E-News here.