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Painting quotes: A handy checklist for homeowners
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Painting quotes: A handy checklist for homeowners

Tips for homeowners on preparing for a painting and decorating project. Learn what to ask during a site survey for both interior and exterior painting. Get expert advice and ensure a smooth process from start to finish.

Regardless of property size, tackling an interior or exterior painting project can be labour-intensive.

That's why many homeowners choose to enlist the expertise of a painting and decorating specialist. However, the varying quoting methods employed by these specialists often pose a challenge for homeowners trying to evaluate and compare pricing.

 

A checklist to assist the quoting process.

For homeowners seeking an accurate quote, it's crucial to schedule a site visit with the painting contractor. During this visit, discussions about expectations, materials, and processes are vital to ensure the job meets specifications.

Rushing through a painting and decorating site survey should be avoided; it serves as an opportunity for both the homeowner and the painting specialist to brainstorm, address potential issues, and ensure all job aspects are considered and priced appropriately.

 

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For a successful painting and decorating site survey, homeowners should consider the following checklist:

 

Interior painting:

1. Specify exactly which items you want to be painted in the room - walls, doors, skirting, ceiling, window frames, cupboards, shelving etc. all need to be specified if these are the areas you want to be painted.

2. If you are seeking interior painting for more than one room, then request a quote for each room. When the quote comes in and if your budget doesn’t stretch for the entire project – then you can decide quickly on what you want to cull from your decorating project.

3. Specify or inquire about the recommended number of coats, quality of paint and amount of paint required for the finish you are seeking.

4. Ask if surface priming is required and included.

5. Ask about the process of painting around windows, electrical sockets, radiators etc.

6. Highlight repairs and ask how repairs will be carried out. Some repairs may require a specialist trade like a plasterer.

7. Be clear about who is sourcing paints and other materials – if you are sourcing, then be sure you understand the quantities and materials required before ordering. If the job includes the price of paint, then be clear about how colour selections will be made.

8. Ask if moving and protecting furniture is included in the quote (if you want to move and protect furniture yourself – be sure to make this clear before the job starts)

 

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Exterior painting:

1. Specify which exterior items you want to be painted - including windowsills, doors, walls and any other metalwork or woodwork.

2. Ask about the different paint and preparation work required - render and pebbledash will require a different painting technique, than brickwork or weatherboard.

3. Highlight any repairs and ask how repairs will be carried out. Some external issues may require specialists trades like roofers, plasterers or damp proofing specialists.

4. As per an interior painting project, be clear about who is sourcing paints and materials and the amount of paint required – discuss different colour schemes you might what to apply to trim, front door and other exterior elements.

5. Ask about the hiring of equipment like scaffolding or spray-painting systems (spray painting is faster, but spraying paint can tend to hit the wrong places).

6. To avoid an excessive mess, discuss the use of dust sheets, the protection of windows with paper or tape and the inclusion of cleaning up and removal of rubbish.

 

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Before the site visit concludes ask for start dates, how long the job will take and for a written quote inclusive of VAT that contains what you have agreed during the site survey visit.

When hiring a painter be sure to ask for references. Public liability insurance is optional in Ireland but many painting contractors hold a valid policy which can help to remedy any accidental damage during the project.

While a painter and decorator will do their best to quote as accurately as possible, set aside a 10% contingency for any unforeseen expenses.

For FREE painting and decorating quotes from qualified and rated professionals, post a job with Onlinetradesmen today.

 

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