How to hire a painter and decorator
Painting looks simple, which is why quotes for it vary so much. The difference between a finish that lasts and one that peels within a year is mostly in the preparation, and preparation is the part least likely to be written down. A useful painting quote tells you exactly what will be done to the surfaces before any paint goes on.
Preparation is most of the job
Ask every painter to describe their preparation, room by room or surface by surface. Good preparation can include:
- Moving and covering furniture, and protecting floors with dust sheets.
- Washing down walls and woodwork, especially in kitchens and bathrooms.
- Filling cracks and holes, and sanding the filler flat.
- Sanding glossy surfaces so the new paint can grip.
- Scraping loose or flaking paint back to a sound edge.
- Treating stains, damp marks or mould before painting over them.
- Caulking gaps between skirting, frames and walls.
- Priming bare wood, new plaster or repaired patches.
A cheap quote often means less preparation. That is fine if the surfaces are already in good condition, but you should know which you are paying for.
Number of coats
Ask how many coats the price includes for each surface, and whether that includes a mist coat on new plaster or a primer or undercoat on woodwork. A change of colour, especially from dark to light, usually needs more coats. If the quote says "paint walls" without a number of coats, ask for it to be added. It is the simplest way to compare quotes fairly.
Paint brand and who supplies it
Paint quality varies far more than most people expect, and a painter can save money by using a cheaper trade range. Agree in writing:
- Who supplies the paint. Many painters buy it at trade prices and include it in the quote. Others prefer you to buy it. If you supply it, ask the painter how much to buy so you do not run short mid-job.
- The brand and product range for each surface, not just the colour name. Matt, eggshell, satin and gloss behave differently, and kitchens and bathrooms need paint suited to moisture.
- What happens to leftover paint. Ask for it to be left with you, labelled by room, for touch-ups.
Interior and exterior work are different jobs
Exterior painting carries more risk and more variables. When getting quotes for outside work, check:
- Access: ladders, towers or scaffolding, and whether scaffolding is included in the price.
- Weather: how the painter handles rain, cold or heat, and whether delays affect the price.
- Repairs: rotten timber on windows, fascias or cladding should be repaired or replaced before painting. Ask whether that is in the quote or priced separately.
- Products: masonry paint, exterior wood paint or stain, and whether surfaces will be cleaned first.
- Insurance: working at height increases the stakes, so check public liability insurance and, if the painter has staff, that they are covered too.
Interior work raises different questions: protecting floors and furniture, how long rooms will be out of use, and whether ceilings, woodwork and doors are included or just walls.
Lead paint in older homes
Older homes may have lead-based paint under later layers. Disturbing it by dry sanding, scraping or using a heat gun can release lead dust, which is especially harmful to children and pregnant people.
In the US, the EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule requires firms that disturb painted surfaces in homes built before 1978 to be EPA Lead-Safe certified (or certified under an authorised state programme) and to follow lead-safe work practices. Ask to see the firm's certification and ask how they will contain and clean up dust.
In the UK, Canada and Australia, lead paint is also common in older housing. Rules and guidance differ, so ask the painter how they test for lead and how they would handle it, and check your national or local health and safety guidance. A painter who plans to dry sand old paint without a second thought is not the right choice for an older home.
Licensing and insurance
In the UK, painters and decorators do not need a licence. In the US, some states require a contractor licence for painting work, often depending on the size of the job; check your state licensing board. In Australia, some states license painters, so check with your state regulator. Wherever you are, ask for proof of public liability insurance. Our builder vetting guide explains how to check insurance properly.
Questions to ask a painter
- What preparation will you do on each surface?
- How many coats are included, and is a primer or mist coat included?
- Which brand and product will you use, and who buys it?
- Are ceilings, woodwork, doors and radiators included?
- Will you move furniture, or should I clear the rooms?
- How long will the job take, and will you work on it continuously?
- Who will do the work, you or a team?
- Do you have public liability insurance?
- Can I see photos of recent jobs or speak to a past client?
- How do you handle problems found during the work, such as cracked plaster or rotten wood?
- When do you expect payment, and is a deposit needed?
Comparing quotes and paying
Put quotes side by side and compare surfaces, preparation, coats, paint, access and timescale. A quote that is vague on any of these is hard to hold someone to. Our guide to getting quotes has a step-by-step method.
For most painting jobs, a large upfront deposit should not be necessary unless the painter is buying a lot of paint or hiring scaffolding. Pay the balance after you have walked through the finished work in good light and any touch-ups are done. Signs of trouble, such as a painter who wants full payment up front or will not commit to a start date, are covered in contractor red flags.