Scheduling a painting consultation can feel overwhelming. You may be wondering: What should I expect? How long will it take? Will I get an accurate estimate?
Don’t panic just yet. At Roe Painting, we’ve been helping home and business owners confidently kick off their painting projects for over 25 years. We’ve helped thousands of customers navigate this process, ensuring they feel confident in their decisions.
In this article, you’ll learn exactly what to expect, how to prepare, and how to get the best estimate for your project. We will cover:
- How to Prepare for a Painting Estimate
- What Happens During Your Painting Consultation
- Factors that Affect the Price of Your Painting Project
- What Happens After Your Painting Consultation
How to Prepare for a Painting Estimate
Painting consultations are designed to be simple and straightforward, but there may be some things that you can do to help you and your estimator have a successful consultation. Firstly, always schedule your consultation to take place at a time when you can be present. Even with exterior painting projects, having you there makes all the difference. You can ask questions and talk to a painting professional about the details of your project, and your estimator will have questions of their own that will need answering to give you the most accurate estimate possible.
Secondly, make sure the area being painted is easily accessible. This will help your estimator give you a complete quote. This could include access to backyards, shifting furniture, or cleaning spaces that will be assessed (if you prefer).
Finally, it is always helpful to have a general idea of your budget and preferred timeline. While we do our best to accommodate busy schedules, during peak painting season (spring and summer), wait times can be as long as six weeks from consultation to project kick-off. If you know exactly when you want to have your space painted, schedule your estimate early on to have your choice of dates.
What Happens During Your Painting Consultation
The day of your painting consultation is exciting! This means you are one step closer to making your vision a reality.
Before your consultation, you’ll receive an email introducing your estimator so you know who to expect on consultation day. Your painting estimator will arrive at your address in a Roe Painting vehicle at your scheduled time.
Expect to spend 30 to 60 minutes with your estimator, depending on the size of your project.
The goals of your painting estimate are:
- Evaluate your project to give you an accurate understanding of the scope and cost
- Allow you to ask any questions you may have about the project and our process
As we set off to accomplish these goals, we can determine if we are a good fit for one another.
Five Steps to Every Painting Consultation
Every consultation will be slightly different, but all of them will include the following steps. The goal is to ensure you receive a detailed, accurate estimate while having all of your questions answered, so you can move forward with confidence. Here’s what you can expect:
- Discuss your goals, such as durability, aesthetics, or specific challenges of your space.
- Inspect the area and assess the condition of the surface and any existing paint.
- Take measurements to determine the size of the project.
- Review available products, finishes, and colors to match your vision.
- Get honest, transparent answers to your questions, including pricing.
Many people are most excited to choose paint colors to enhance and beautify their space. However, your consultation is also the perfect time to ask about timelines, prep work, and any other project details that matter to you.
How to Choose the Perfect Paint Color
Choosing the right paint color can feel overwhelming, but it’s also one of the most exciting parts of the painting process. The right shade can completely transform your space, enhancing its mood, style, and overall appeal. Whether you have a vision in mind or need guidance, there are plenty of tools and resources to help you make the perfect choice.
If you don’t know what paint color you want to choose, here are a few handy shortcuts to help you make a decision. Check out Sherwin-Williams Color Visualizer or Rodda Paint’s Color Visualizer. These are fun tools that make re-imagining your space easy and exciting. Your estimator can provide additional assistance with choosing colors if needed.
Our team prefers to use Sherwin-Williams, Rodda Paint, and Benjamin Moore paints. These brands offer the best value for premium paint and allow us to match colors from other brands. If you want to use a paint brand not listed, we are happy to accommodate you, but there may be additional costs.
5 Key Factors that Affect the Price of Your Painting Estimate
Several contributing factors can alter the price of your painting estimate. If you are receiving multiple bids for the work, be sure to carefully read the entire estimate and ask for any missing details from contractors. What may look like a lower bid at first may actually be missing essential steps for a quality painting job.
These are just some of the things that could affect the price of your painting project:
- Size of Project: The bigger and more complex the project, the more it is going to cost. Estimators will use square footage when measuring your space to help determine the cost.
- Surface Condition/Prep Time: The current state of your drywall, trim, or exterior of the building will determine how much prep time is required to get the surface ready to paint.
- Color Change: Color changes generally require additional coats of paint to get full coverage. A repaint of the same or similar color can be completed with fewer coats, taking less time and less paint.
- Primer and Paint: You decide whether you want a full coat of primer followed by two coats of paint or a refresh. The quality of the paint you choose will also affect the price.
- Special Issues/Conditions: Occasionally, projects have special issues like wax bleed on wood siding or cracks in stucco. These usually required additional materials and labor to repair.
- Additional Structures: Adding sheds, fencing, or patio covers to your painting project will increase the total cost.
What Does It Cost to Hire Professional Painters?
One of the biggest questions everyone has is: How much will it cost? As you know, the price of painting your space depends on several factors, including the size of the area being painted, the condition of the surfaces, the type of paint used, and the amount of prep work. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $4,000 to $12,000.
For a more detailed breakdown, check out our in-depth guides on the cost of exterior painting and the cost of interior painting. These articles outline the key factors influencing pricing and what to expect when budgeting for your painting project.
What Happens After Your Painting Consultation
As your painting consultation comes to an end, you and your estimator can discuss any scheduling needs you may have (e.g., upcoming special events, vacations, or work). This will help us determine whether you are ready to schedule or need more time to decide.
Within 24 hours of your consultation, you will receive an email with a brief description of your project. This will outline some of the key points of your project and the cost to complete the work.
If you choose to work with Roe Painting, you’ll receive a full, in-depth, detailed proposal that can quickly and easily be signed electronically before picking a date to start your project.
Finding the Best Contractor for Your Painting Project
At this point, you know what to expect at your painting consultation. You understand how to prepare, what questions to ask, and what factors influence pricing.
However, choosing the right painting contractor is just as important as the consultation itself. Not all painters are created equal, and ensuring you work with a trustworthy, experienced team can make all the difference.
At Roe Painting, we’ve helped thousands of home and business owners achieve stunning, long-lasting paint transformations using premium paints applied by experienced craftsmen.
Ready to get started? Schedule your complimentary painting consultation today! We’re ready to help you bring your vision to life.
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