What should I look for in a painting quote from a contractor in New Brunswick?

A solid painting quote from a New Brunswick contractor should be written, detailed, and specific enough that you could hand it to a different painter and they would know exactly what work is included.

Scope of work must be itemized. The quote should list every room or surface being painted, the specific surfaces (walls only, or walls plus ceiling, trim, baseboards, doors?), the number of coats, and the paint brand, product line, sheen, and colour for each. A quote that says "paint living room — $650" tells you almost nothing. A proper quote says: "Living room — walls (eggshell, 2 coats, Benjamin Moore Regal Select), ceiling (flat, 1 coat), baseboard and trim (semi-gloss, 2 coats, Benjamin Moore Advance) — $650."

Surface preparation should be spelled out. In NB’s older housing stock, prep is where paint jobs succeed or fail. The quote should state whether patching and skim-coating is included, whether peeling areas will be sanded and primed, whether kitchen walls will be degreased, and whether caulking is included.

Paint quality and who supplies it. Be wary of quotes that just say "quality paint" without naming a brand. Premium interior paint runs $55-75/gallon; mid-range runs $40-55/gallon. The difference matters.

Payment schedule and terms. A reasonable deposit is 25-30% to book the job. Avoid paying more than 50% before work starts.

Timeline and crew size. The quote should give you start and estimated completion dates.

Warranty. Many NB painting contractors offer a 1-2 year workmanship warranty. This should be in writing.

Exclusions. A good quote explicitly states what is NOT included — furniture moving, drywall repair beyond minor patching, moving appliances.

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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