What hidden costs should I expect when hiring a painting contractor in the Greater Moncton area?

When hiring a painting contractor in Greater Moncton, the hidden costs that catch homeowners off guard most often are surface preparation charges, primer upgrades, extra coats for colour changes, furniture moving fees, and travel surcharges for outlying communities like Riverview, Dieppe, or Shediac. Getting a quote that feels surprisingly low is the biggest warning sign — it usually means these items aren't included.

Prep work is the biggest wildcard in any Moncton paint job. A quote that covers "labour and paint" may not include the time required to scrape loose paint, fill nail holes and cracks, sand glossy surfaces, caulk window and door casings, or apply a stain-blocking primer over water marks and smoke stains. In Moncton's older housing stock — particularly the character homes in Moncton North, Lewisville, and the historic Westmount area — walls frequently need patching, skim coating, and sanding before a brush ever touches the surface. Prep accounts for 60–80% of what makes a paint job last, and if it's not priced into the quote, either you're paying extra mid-project, or it's being skipped.

Primer is another common add-on. A base quote often assumes going from one colour to a similar colour in reasonable condition. If you're making a dramatic colour change — dark to light, or covering a badly stained wall — you'll need a full coat of primer first, which adds $40–60/gallon in material and a half-day of labour per average room. Stain-blocking primers (like Zinsser BIN shellac-based) run $45–65/gallon and are non-negotiable for covering nicotine stains, water damage, or cedar bleed-through.

Other hidden costs to ask about upfront:

Furniture and floor protection — professional painters should include moving light furniture and protecting floors in their quote, but not all do. Ask explicitly. Specialty floor protection materials can add $100–300 to a whole-house job.

Colour matching and multiple colours — each additional colour means additional cut-in time, tape changes, and cleanup. A single-colour interior job is faster than a three-tone room with an accent wall.

Touch-up paint — ask whether leftover paint for touch-ups is included. Most professional painters will leave you a quart of each colour; some charge separately.

HST — New Brunswick charges 15% HST on painting services. Always confirm whether quotes are before or after tax. A $5,000 quote becomes $5,750 with HST.

Scaffolding or lift rental — for two-storey exteriors or vaulted interior spaces in Moncton's newer developments along Mountain Road or Wheeler Boulevard, scaffolding may be needed at $200–600 per week rental plus setup.

The best way to avoid surprises is to get a detailed written quote that itemizes prep, primer, number of coats, materials, HST, and what specifically is excluded. Get at least three quotes — painting prices in Greater Moncton can vary 25–40% between contractors for identical scope. New Brunswick Painting can connect you with local painters who provide clear, itemized estimates.

---

Find a Painting Contractor

New Brunswick Painting helps you find local painting contractors through the New Brunswick Construction Network:

• Expressions Painting
• Loves Painting Ltd.
• Worry No More Handyman Services