Two painting quotes can show different totals while describing different jobs. Use this checklist to compare the scope before choosing a painter. It is a conversation guide, not a contract or a guarantee of price.
1. Write down the surfaces
List each room, wall, ceiling, door frame and any feature wall included. Record approximate dimensions and identify tiles or built-in cupboards that will not be painted. Ask whether moving furniture, protecting the floor and final cleaning are included. For a rented home, confirm what the owner permits before booking permanent colour changes.
2. Agree on preparation
Point out cracks, loose old paint, damp marks and uneven patches. Ask what will be repaired, who supplies the material, and how the cause of dampness will be addressed. A new topcoat cannot repair an active leak. Write down whether sanding, wall putty and primer are included, and where each will be applied. A painter may need to inspect the wall before giving a firm preparation quote.
3. Specify the actual products
For each painted surface, ask for the manufacturer, product line, finish, exact shade code, number of coats and pack sizes. “Premium paint” alone is too vague for comparison. Confirm who buys and stores the tins and what happens to unopened or leftover paint. For kitchens and bathrooms, ask for product instructions suitable for the wall condition and moisture exposure. Test the chosen shade as a physical sample before the full job starts; a RangVault HEX colour is not a brand code.
4. Compare the numbers on the same basis
| Item | Ask the painter |
|---|---|
| Area | Which measured walls and ceilings are billed? Are openings subtracted? |
| Materials | Are paint, primer, putty, brushes and protection included or separate? |
| Labour | Is this per sq ft, per room or a total project rate? What work does it cover? |
| Extras | Are repairs, taxes, transport, scaffolding and cleaning included? |
| Payments | What is due before work, during work and after inspection? |
Use the paint calculator to prepare your own area and litre estimate, then enter the quoted paint price and labour rate. Its default values are examples, not current rates. A difference between the tool and a painter's quote is a reason to ask what measurements, coats or preparation each one assumes.
5. Confirm the work plan
Ask when preparation starts, how many visits or days are expected, how long each coat must dry according to the product guidance, and when the room can be used again. In humid weather, ask how the painter will decide whether the surface is ready for another coat. Arrange a final inspection and note how any missed areas will be handled. Keep the agreed scope, product list, amount and payment schedule in writing.
For a starting room-by-room brief, use My room plan. Your saved plan stays in this browser; clearing browser data removes it, so copy or print the brief before meeting a painter. To practise the measurement first, read the 1 BHK example.