How to Read a Painting Quotation

Painting is the trade where quotations are hardest to compare, because the expensive part is invisible once the job is done.

Area: painted, not carpet

A 1000 sq.ft carpet-area flat has roughly 3000-3500 sq.ft of paintable wall and ceiling. A quote priced "per sq.ft" must state which area it means. If it does not, ask — a three-fold difference hides there.

Preparation is the real variable

The finish coat is the same in every quote. What differs:

• Minor repair — filling visible cracks, light sanding. Fine for a wall that is in good condition.
• One coat putty — for walls with patchy absorption.
• Two coats putty with sanding — the standard for new plaster or a wall that has never been putty-finished.
• Scrape and redo — where old paint is flaking. Labour-heavy and unavoidable when needed.

A quote that is 30% cheaper is usually offering less of this, not less profit.

Number of coats, honestly

"Two coats" should mean two full coats over primer. A dark colour going over a light one, or a light one over dark, often needs three. If the vendor knows that and has not priced it, one of you is going to be unhappy at the end.

Brand and product line, not just brand

"Asian Paints" is not a specification. Tractor Emulsion and Royale Aspira are both Asian Paints and differ by more than double in price. The product name should be written on the quote.

What should be included and often is not

• Covering furniture and flooring
• Daily site cleaning
• Minor hardware removal and refitting
• Touch-ups after other trades finish

A fair comparison

Ask every vendor to quote the same preparation specification and the same product line. Nine times out of ten the gap between quotes closes to within 10%, and you are then choosing on crew quality and timeline rather than on a number that was never comparing the same job.