Hiring · · 7 min read · by KB Quality Painting
Key takeaways
- Ask for a certificate of insurance directly from the insurer, not a photocopy.
- Get the number of coats, the prep included and the product line in writing.
- Ask who is actually doing the work — the person quoting is often not the person painting.
- Never pay in full up front. A reasonable deposit is normal; the balance is on completion.
Why this list exists
Homeowners are told to get three quotes. That's good advice and it's incomplete, because three quotes for three different jobs tell you nothing. The lowest number is almost never the same scope as the highest one, and the differences are invisible unless you ask.
These are the twelve questions that make quotes actually comparable. Any competent, honest contractor will answer all of them without hesitation — and how they answer tells you as much as what they say.
Insurance and legitimacy
1. Are you insured, and can I get a certificate of insurance directly from your insurer?
The important part is "directly from your insurer." A certificate emailed by the agent, naming you, is verifiable. A photocopy handed over on a clipboard is not.
You want to see general liability coverage and, if there's a crew, workers' compensation. Without workers' comp, an injury on your property can become your homeowner's policy's problem. This is the single most important question on the list and it's the one most people skip because it feels awkward.
2. Are you EPA lead-safe certified?
Essential if your home was built before 1978. Contractors disturbing painted surfaces in pre-1978 homes are required to be certified and to follow specific work practices. See lead paint safety in pre-1978 homes.
3. How long have you been in business, and can I see recent local work?
Not just photos — addresses of jobs in your area, and customers willing to talk. A contractor working in your town regularly has references two streets away.
Scope: what you're actually buying
4. How many coats, and is that written in the quote?
Two coats should be the default on walls. If a quote says one, that's a legitimate choice in narrow circumstances and a red flag in most. It should be stated explicitly either way.
5. What preparation is included?
Specifically: patching, caulking, sanding, spot-priming, and — on exteriors — washing, scraping and feathering. Prep is the majority of the labor on a good job and it's invisible on a quote unless it's spelled out. "Standard prep" means nothing.
6. Are ceilings and trim included?
The most common source of quote-to-quote variance on interiors. Also ask about closet interiors and the inside faces of doors.
7. What products are you using?
Brand and product line, not just "premium paint." There's a substantial difference between a manufacturer's contractor-grade line and its top-tier line, and both are sold by the same brand.
8. What's excluded?
The single most revealing question you can ask. Good contractors will tell you plainly — the two-story foyer, the garage, the rot repair, the exterior of the shed. This is where the low bid usually gives itself away.
The work itself
9. Who is actually doing the work?
The person quoting is frequently not the person painting. Ask whether it's employees or subcontractors, how many people will be on site, whether there's a foreman, and whether the same crew stays for the whole job. Consistency matters more than headcount.
10. How long will it take, and when will you start?
A working-day range, not "about a week." Also ask what happens if weather delays an exterior job — a contractor who has a plan for that has thought about it before.
11. How do you protect my home?
Floors, furniture, landscaping, fixtures. And the day-to-day question people forget: is the room reset each evening, or does the furniture stay piled in the middle for two weeks?
Money and guarantees
12. What are the payment terms and what's the warranty?
Payment: a reasonable deposit at the start is normal — typically a modest percentage, or nothing at all on smaller jobs. Progress payments on larger projects are normal. Payment in full up front is not normal and you should not agree to it. The balance is due on completion, after a walkthrough.
Warranty: ask what's covered, for how long, and what would void it. A workmanship warranty covers the contractor's application — peeling, blistering, adhesion failure. It does not cover normal wear or a moisture problem in the building. Get it in writing; a verbal warranty is worth what it costs.
How to read the answers
| Good sign | Bad sign |
|---|---|
| Detailed written scope, line by line | A single number on a business card |
| Volunteers what's excluded | Vague about what's included |
| COI sent from the insurer | "I'll get it to you later" |
| Explains the prep in detail | "Don't worry, we do everything" |
| Names specific products and lines | "Top quality paint" |
| Realistic timeline with weather buffer | Can start tomorrow, done in two days |
| Reasonable deposit, balance on completion | Large cash payment up front |
| Comfortable with all twelve questions | Defensive about being asked |
One more thing
If a contractor becomes irritated at being asked these questions, that is the answer to the question you were really asking. The good ones enjoy this conversation, because it's where they get to explain why their quote is higher than the one you're comparing it to.
See also: red flags that should end the conversation. And if you'd like a quote that answers all twelve of these before you have to ask — get in touch.