Painting proposals can vary widely from company to company, and it is important to learn how to reduce this gap. One of the major reasons that this occurs is because homeowners are vague about the project. When you understand how the painting estimate is broken down, you will have greater insight into exactly what information you need to communicate to your painting company. 

Define the Scope of the Job

If you simply tell a painter to paint a room blue, you may get different quotes. One painter may account for primer and two coats of paint, another painter may account for prep work too, and a third painter may not include the primer. 

You can discuss the job with each painter, get his or her opinion, and make sure that each one is bidding for the same scope of work. This will ensure that there are no surprises later on.

Once you know exactly what you want done, type up a project description for each painter. This will help to ensure that all of the companies are bidding on the same job, which will make it easier for you to compare the bids.

The Painter’s Information

A proposal should include a section that lists the painter’s company name, email, website, and address. You should be able to find testimonials or examples of previous work. This is the way to verify that you are working with a professional who is worthy of your job.

Project Description

In this section, the painter should include the exact project description that you requested. It should be broken down to include prep work such as sanding, power washing, repairs, and any other requirements. Next, it should specify the surface area that will be painted. Finally, the proposal should state how many coats of primer and paint will be used for the project.

Product Information

Information on the specific products should be included in this section. The painter should specify the type of paint, such as primer, oil-based, acrylic latex, or whatever type will be used. If you have requested a specific brand of paint, make sure that it is listed in this section as well. The painter should also include the equipment that will be used for the job, including drop cloths, tape, ladders, and anything else that is needed. This will ensure that you won’t have surprise fees at the end of the job.

Price

Once you have several proposals, check to see how close they are to one another. If one of them is significantly higher or lower, you should ask the painting contractor why. This section should also include the payment schedule so that you know exactly when payments will be due. 

The most important thing is to make sure that all of the details of the job are included in the proposal. This is the best way to ensure that your final price doesn’t differ from the proposal. If you change the scope of the job after the work begins, you should request a proposal for the changes.