How to decipher your painting quotes

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You may have received several painting quotes.  You may now be facing any of the scenarios listed below.

• One quote is significantly higher than the others.

• One quote may be significantly lower than the others.

• All quotes are similar.

How do you select which painting contractor to engage?

Many of us are familiar with the experience of shopping for a new car. 

Why do you choose one make over others?

All cars fulfil the most basic requirement for having a vehicle.  Both get you from point A to point B.

All makes produce cars in different shapes, sizes and colours.  You have plenty of models to choose from.

In New Zealand, you will almost always have no trouble finding a mechanic who can service all brands. 

Yet, most of us still choose based on how a particular brand will make us feel.  Sure, some brands are perceived to be more prestigious.  But, beyond that, other reasons include:

• The driving experience you desire; and,

• The car’s proven performance and reliability.

A good paint finish will last between six to eight years.  A similar timeframe to when a new car may start displaying signs of age.  So, why should choosing a painting contractor be different from buying a new car?

In any painting project, the two key components of your investment are: labour and paint.  Generally, the split is 80% labour and 20% paint. 

With labour, you do almost always receive what you pay for.  Someone who is professional, meticulous and takes pride in their work will charge more than another who adopts a blasé approach. 

There are many painters to choose from.  However, not all painters are made equal.  Their industry experience and approach towards their work and customers will differ. 

Identify what is important to you before accepting a quote.  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 about what the painting contractor is offering.  This may be a good way to determine how eager the contractor is for your business. 

An easy way to decide if the premium on one quote is worth it is to work out the opportunity cost of your time. 

Below are three examples, which typify you do really receive what you pay for.

• How a lunch hour meeting can turn to $481 worth of frustration. You may have had a meeting like this. But have you put a cost on it? More ...

• How your renovation project can escalate into 'hide and seek'. Why knowing a tradesperson will stand by his or her work is just as important as what they do on the job. More ...

• How misplaced trust can lead to headaches and heartaches. Reputation and the desire to retain it is worth it's weight in gold. More ...

You didn’t walk into a dealership and buy the cheapest car you saw.  So, why take a different approach with your house, your biggest investment?  Start comparing apples against apples.

If …	Then …
Your situation is one where price is indeed the only factor	Any qualified painter should meet the basic requirements listed in the table below.
You have other considerations that you really care about	Use the table below to assess which of the value add factors are also important to you.

 

Basic requirements You are engaging a painter.	Value add You are engaging a professional artisan.
Labour	Labour
Deliver the preparation work and the painting – enough to get the job done.	Deliver the preparation work and the painting with attention to detail.
	Quality assurance.
	Demonstrate a willingness to work with you: At quoting stage; During the job; and, After completion.
Paint	Paint
Use paint of the painter’s choice.  This may involve colour matching and using non-premium products.	Understand your requirements and suggest appropriate paint types.
	Use premium paint to ensure your paint finish stands the test of time.
	Use the brand of paint that manufactures your chosen colours exactly.  This ensures you receive the colour you want.

 

Would you like to know which other key factors to consider?  Ask for a free copy of our article, How to find the right painting contractor for you. 

The satisfaction of doing up your home can be derived from the ultimate result; however, the journey itself should not be downplayed. 

It is impossible to renovate without some stress but time and time again, we hear stories of stress being exacerbated when the wrong contractor or tradesperson is invited into your home.

This article covers:

• What to look out for;

• How to increase your chances of success when asking for recommendations; and,

• How to involve other members of your family.

You can expect to be in a position to put together a checklist of the key:

• Questions to ask; and,

• Areas to consider before appointing your painting contractor. 

Click here to receive a free copy of this special report and subscribe to our newsletter. 

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