What questions should I ask a painting contractor before hiring them for my NB home?

Asking the right questions before you hire a painter protects you from unpleasant surprises and helps you identify contractors who will do the job properly. A confident, professional painter will welcome these questions — vague or evasive answers are a red flag worth taking seriously.

Insurance and compliance questions are first and non-negotiable. Ask directly: Do you carry general liability insurance? If so, what is the coverage limit? (A minimum of million is standard for NB residential work.) Are you covered under WorkSafeNB or do you carry your own workers's compensation coverage? These are not optional niceties — they protect you and the workers if anything goes wrong on your property. Ask to see the actual insurance certificate, not just a verbal confirmation.

Project-specific questions tell you a lot about their competence. For exterior work, ask: How do you handle surface preparation — specifically, how do you deal with peeling paint, bare wood, and moisture-damaged areas? The right answer involves scraping, sanding, priming bare spots, caulking gaps, and testing wood moisture content before painting. Anyone who says they will just paint over it is telling you the job will fail within a few years in NB's climate. For older homes built before 1978, ask specifically: Do you test for lead paint, and what lead-safe practices do you follow? This question immediately separates experienced professionals from those who may create a serious hazard on your property.

Ask about products and materials. What brand and grade of paint do you plan to use? Will you use a primer, and on what surfaces? These are legitimate questions, not picky ones. A professional will specify a premium 100% acrylic latex exterior product by brand, not just say "good quality paint." If they plan to use cheap paint to protect their margins, this is your opportunity to find out.

Scope and process questions prevent misunderstandings. What exactly is included in your quote — prep, primer coats, number of finish coats, cleanup, moving furniture? How many coats of finish paint are you pricing? (Two coats minimum is the standard.) What is your expected timeline start to finish, and what weather conditions will delay exterior work? How do you handle drips, missed spots, or colour inconsistencies after the job is done — what is your touch-up policy?

References and recent work. Ask for two or three references from projects completed in the past 12 months in your area of New Brunswick. Can you share photos of a similar project? Have you worked on homes like mine (older clapboard, new construction, heritage area)? A painter who has been working in Fredericton, Moncton, or Saint John for several years will have a portfolio of local work they can point to.

Finally, get everything in writing: scope of work, specific products to be used, number of coats, timeline, total price, payment schedule, and any warranty on their workmanship. A professional painter will have no hesitation putting these details in a written quote. New Brunswick Painting can help you connect with vetted local painters through the New Brunswick Construction Network — browse the directory to find painters working in your area.

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