To read a painting quote, look past the total and check four things: exactly which surfaces are included, what prep is listed for each one, which paint and how many coats, and what the payment terms and schedule are. A good quote spells these out line by line. Anything that is not written down is not included, and that is where most surprises come from. Here is how to read each part of a painting quote for your Connecticut home.
If you are comparing several quotes with very different totals, our post on why painting quotes vary so much explains where the gaps usually come from. This guide focuses on reading a single quote line by line.
1. The scope: what is being painted
The scope should list every surface by room or by side of the house. For an interior, that means walls, ceilings, trim, doors, closets and any built-ins. For an exterior, that means siding, trim, soffits, fascia, window casings, doors, shutters and foundations.
Watch for vague lines like “paint living room” or “paint exterior”. Ask whether ceilings, closets, doors and trim are in or out. On exteriors, ask about garages, sheds and porch ceilings.
2. Prep: the part that decides how long the paint lasts
Prep is the most important part of any quote, and the easiest to cut. Look for each step by name:
- Interior: moving and covering furniture, protecting floors, patching holes and cracks, sanding, caulking trim and spot priming.
- Exterior: power washing, scraping and sanding loose paint, wood repair, caulking joints and priming bare wood.
In Fairfield County, where many homes are older and the freeze-thaw cycle is hard on exterior paint, a quote with thin prep is a quote for a paint job that will not last. Our post on why exterior surface prep matters explains why.
3. Repairs and what happens if more are found
Painters often find rotted trim or damaged siding once scraping begins. A clear quote says which repairs are included and how extra repairs will be handled: whether the crew stops to show you, how the cost is agreed, and whether it changes the schedule.
4. Paint, sheen and coats
The quote should name the paint brand and product line, the sheen for each surface and the number of coats. “Premium paint” on its own does not tell you much. At GREENHAUS Painting we use Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams products, chosen for each surface. If you are unsure which finish belongs where, see our guide to paint sheens by room.
Also check whether primer is a separate line. Our post on whether you need to prime before repainting explains when it is needed.
5. Colors and color consultation
Check whether the quote assumes one color per room or allows for accent walls and different trim colors, and whether color help is included. Every GREENHAUS project includes a complimentary color consultation.
6. Schedule, payment and paperwork
- Start date and expected duration. For exteriors, how weather days are handled.
- Payment schedule. How much is due up front, during the job and at completion.
- Registration and insurance. Connecticut requires home improvement contractors to register with the Department of Consumer Protection. Ask for the registration number and check it before you sign.
- Guarantee or warranty. What it covers and for how long, in writing.
- Cleanup and walkthrough. Whether daily and final cleanup and a final walkthrough are included.
Interior vs. exterior quotes
Interior and exterior quotes read a little differently. An interior quote should be organized room by room, with walls, ceilings, trim and doors listed for each, plus what happens to furniture and floors. An exterior quote is usually organized by surface or by side of the house, and it should say how weather days are handled, whether the house will be power washed, and how plantings and walkways near the house will be protected.
For exteriors on older Fairfield County homes, check that the quote mentions scraping, sanding and priming of bare wood. These steps take time, and they are what keep paint from peeling after a Connecticut winter. If you are planning ahead, our post on how long exterior painting really takes shows how a typical project is scheduled.
Questions to ask before you sign
- Is anything in my home not included in this quote?
- Who will be on site each day, and who is my contact?
- What happens if you find damage during prep?
- How do you protect floors, furniture and landscaping?
- What does your guarantee cover?
For a fuller checklist, see our guide on how to choose a painting contractor in Connecticut.
What you get in a GREENHAUS Painting proposal
After a free site visit, we send a written proposal with the scope, prep and products laid out, so you know exactly what is included. Every project comes with a complimentary color consultation, a final walkthrough, full cleanup and our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee with no fine print. Learn more about our interior painting and exterior painting services.
FAQs
What should be included in a painting quote?
The surfaces to be painted, the prep for each one, paint brand and sheen, number of coats, repairs, schedule, payment terms, and the contractor’s registration and guarantee.
Is a painting estimate the same as a quote?
People use the words interchangeably. What matters is that it is written, itemized and signed before work starts.
Why is one painting quote so much lower than another?
Usually because of less prep, fewer coats, cheaper paint or a smaller scope. Line up the quotes surface by surface to see the difference.
Ready to get started in Fairfield County? Call GREENHAUS Painting at 203-429-4424, or request your free estimate. We serve Westport, Norwalk and the surrounding towns.
