Why Painting Bids Vary, and How to Compare Them Fairly

You ask for quotes on repainting your house and get back two that don't look anything alike. One is a single line. The other runs a full page. They describe the same house, but they may describe very different jobs. Knowing where the differences usually come from makes the decision much easier.

Start with the prep

Preparation is the largest source of difference between bids. A painter who pressure washes, scrapes, sands, caulks and primes spends far more time than one who rolls a quick coat over the existing surface. Smile-A-Mile Painting puts it plainly: it costs more to properly prepare a surface for painting than to give it a quick coat.

Since most of that work is invisible once the paint is on, you can only compare it on paper. Ask each painter to list what they will do to the surface before any color goes on, and whether repairs to wood, caulking or small cracks are included.

Look at the materials

Not every paint is the same, even within one brand. Manufacturers make lines of different quality, and the gap shows in coverage, hiding power and how long the color lasts in strong sun. A bid should name the product, not just say paint.

Smile-A-Mile uses mostly Sherwin-Williams products, with options ranging in quality, and they will color-match any brand from a small sample or use another supplier if you request it. Paint and materials are typically included in the estimate, which makes it easier to see what you are paying for. If a bid leaves materials vague, ask who buys the paint and which line it is.

Ask for detail in writing

A good proposal tells you what will be done, to which surfaces, with what products and on what terms. Smile-A-Mile's process works this way: estimators visit your property, then send a detailed proposal by email with the process, the products and the price. You get something you can hold up next to the other quote.

Sheen, number of coats, which trim and doors are included and whether garage doors and fascia are part of the scope all belong on the page. When a line item is missing from one bid, it is either not included or not planned, and both are worth asking about.

Check the license, insurance and warranty

Anyone can print a business card. A real contractor can show you a license number, proof of insurance and what stands behind the work. Smile-A-Mile holds Washington contractor license SMILEP*896CW, and the state's Labor and Industries contractor register is a public place to look up any contractor's status yourself.

They are licensed, bonded and insured, carrying both general liability and workers' compensation. That matters if someone is hurt on your property or something gets damaged. Their workmanship warranty runs two years, and it is worth asking every painter for theirs in writing, with the terms spelled out.

Questions to ask every painter

Use the same list with each bidder, so you are comparing like with like:

• What exactly will you do to prepare each surface, and how long will that take?
• Which paint product and sheen will you use, and is it included in the price?
• Will you mask and protect windows, landscaping and walkways, and who cleans up?
• What is your contractor license number, and do you carry liability and workers' compensation insurance?
• What is covered by your warranty, for how long and in what form?

Understand the terms and check the record

Read how payment works. Smile-A-Mile's approval step calls for a 50 percent deposit, after which you choose colors and schedule the work with their customer care team. They accept Visa, MasterCard, check or cash, and they offer financing through Wisetack, subject to credit approval.

None of this is unusual, but each company does it differently, so ask. The point isn't to find the lowest number. It is to find the bid where you understand what you are buying and who you are buying it from.

Reviews from past customers are a good cross-check. Cindi Abbott described a crew that papered and taped off everything, even the concrete and asphalt driveway. Kevin Law said the work was very clean, with no overspray, and Troy Brigham said the crew arrived on time and kept a clean work environment. Those are the small details a cheap bid rarely covers.

To get a detailed proposal for your house, call Smile-A-Mile Painting at (509) 987-4774 and schedule an estimate visit.