FAQs
I’m getting a few quotes for my painting job - can you tell me why prices vary so much?
Keep in mind that not all painters do the same type of job - the cheapest price and the best price are seldom the same!
If your quotes are from reputable painters, the major difference in price is often directly related to the amount of surface preparation your painter will perform before the paint is applied.
Surface preparation, when undertaken correctly, is detailed and time-consuming work which can take as much as 60% of the time required for the entire job.
In addition, a good painter will use only premium products. Some painters use cheap products that won’t be as long-lasting, or they may thin down the paint to make it go further.
For your paint job to have the longest possible life span, quality products are essential!
What is your quotation process?
After you get in touch with us to quote for your painting project, this is what happens!
First, we make an appointment to meet with you to view the site and discuss your requirements. At that appointment, we look closely at the surfaces to be painted to determine if there are any pre-existing issues that are evident and require special treatment (eg mould, rotten timber, etc.)
We then discuss your requirements so we know the standard of finish you require! Where you require a finish to a high standard we know to allow additional time at the preparation stage to include such things as removing excess layers of paint (where you don’t like the “thick” look) and filling additional blemishes and imperfections on walls.
We discuss your colour requirements, as this can affect the number of coats required or whether we need to undercoat prior to painting. Where there are to be significant colour changes (for example, going from very dark to light, or vice versa, can dictate the time and paint required).
If you need advice on colour selection, we will also discuss this, to get a feel for what will work for you and your space.
Lastly, we may measure the space to determine how much paint and time your project will require - we like to be as specific as possible, with as little wasted paint as possible! This helps keep your costs down, and is preferable for us from an environmental standpoint.
You’ll receive your quote from us within the week - upon acceptance of that quote, we’ll schedule a time to complete the work.
What is your painting process?
While each project is unique, the painting process will generally incorporate the following steps:
Job Set-Up
We arrive on the agreed day/time with our materials, paint and tools. We then set up our work area, lay drop sheets, and establish a spot to wash brushes. If your project will take place over a number of days, we may also establish a spot for us to leave tools and materials overnight that won’t be in your way! If you are living in the house whilst we are painting, we will discuss our painting schedule with you, so that we minimise disruption.
Preparation
We undertake preparation as required! This may include washing down surfaces, removing peeling paint, sanding back previous layers of paint, filling cracks/gaps, stain sealing and applying undercoat.
Painting
We paint the surfaces in the colours and paint as specified in our quote. Should any issues arise we consult with you immediately.
Job Completion
We undertake a final check of the painting with you to ensure it has been carried out your satisfaction! We then thoroughly tidy the work area and clean up any mess we have created - we intent to leave your space as we found it, ready to live in and enjoy!
Is there anything we should do to prepare before you arrive?
We aim to impact your space as little as possible, but here are a few helpful things to consider before we arrive!
We suggest removing all pictures and paintings and storing them in a different room - leave nail holes if you plan to re-hang pictures in the same spot, but if there are unwanted nails, let us know so they can be removed and the holes filled. Remove all small and fragile objects from the area, empty tables, shelves and floors, and remove window treatments, where possible.
Ensure that our team will have clear access for for the project, if possible! This includes securing your pets for the time we are there, as we move in and out of the house to wash brushes, rollers and trays.
When onsite, we will move all general furniture into the centre of the room - this will be discussed during your quoting process, as excessively heavy pieces may need to be moved prior to our arrival.
After we leave, we recommend that you open and close any windows or doors painted every other day for 1-2 weeks to prevent sticking. We also suggest that you are conscious of painted areas for 24-48 hours, to ensure paint is fully cured.