Getting three quotes for a painting job in Adelaide is sensible advice. But if you don’t know what to look for in the quotes you receive, you’re essentially comparing three numbers without understanding what those numbers actually represent.
The cheapest painting quote isn’t always a bargain. Sometimes it is — sometimes a leaner operation with lower overheads can genuinely offer competitive pricing without cutting corners on the work. But sometimes it’s an opener that expands once the job starts, or an accurate reflection of the preparation that won’t be done and the products that won’t be used.
Here’s how to read a painting quote properly.
What a Good Quote Specifies
A thorough painting quote should specify: the scope of surfaces to be painted (rooms, areas, specific elements), the preparation work included (filling, sanding, washing, priming), the number of coats to be applied to each surface type, the products to be used including brand and product line, an estimate of time on site, what protection of floors and furniture is included, and the process for addressing any defects identified during or after the job.
If a quote is a single number with a brief description — “interior repaint, 3 bedrooms, lounge, hallway” — you don’t know what you’re buying. You know you’re buying paint applied to those rooms. You don’t know how many coats, with what product, over what level of preparation.
Understanding What Drives Price Differences
When three quotes come back and one is significantly lower than the others, there are a few possible explanations. The operator has lower overheads and genuinely passes that on — a sole operator with no staff costs differently to a business with employees and vehicles to run. The scope is different — they’re quoting fewer coats or less preparation. The products are different — a quote using trade-grade premium product versus a budget product looks different on paper. Or the quote is an underestimate that will expand mid-job.
Asking each painter to specify exactly what products they’ll use and how many coats on each surface brings the quotes onto comparable terms. Then the price difference reflects the operation cost, not hidden scope differences.
Red Flags to Watch For
Request for a large cash deposit upfront — reputable painters typically ask for a deposit of 10-20% to confirm the booking, with staged payments as work progresses. A full upfront payment before any work starts is a significant risk.
Inability to provide a written scope of work. If a painter won’t put in writing what they’re going to do, there’s no basis for a conversation if the outcome doesn’t match your expectations.
No evidence of licensing or insurance. In South Australia, residential builders (including painters on jobs above the threshold) must hold CBS licensing. Public liability insurance is a minimum expectation for anyone working in your home.
Vagueness about preparation. If you ask a painter specifically how they’ll handle the flaking paint on your exterior and they say “we’ll sort it out when we get there,” that’s not a preparation plan.
Getting the Most Useful Quote: What to Tell the Painter
The more specific you are about what you want, the more specific a quote can be. Tell the painter: which rooms or areas, whether you want ceilings included, whether you have colours selected or need colour advice, any specific surfaces of concern (cracked render, damp patches, previous mould), your timeline, and whether anyone will be in the property during the work or whether it’ll be vacant.
If you have concerns about specific areas — a wall that’s been repainted badly before, a damp corner that’s had ongoing issues — point these out during the quoting visit. A good painter will tell you what they think is causing it and what addressing it properly would involve. That conversation tells you a lot about how they approach their work.
After the Quote: What to Ask Before You Sign
Once you have quotes in hand, a few questions before confirming: Who specifically will be doing the work — the person who quoted, or a subcontractor? If subcontractors are used, does the primary contractor take responsibility for their work? What’s the warranty on the job and what does it cover? What happens if a problem appears in the first few months?
The answers to these questions — delivered clearly and without defensiveness — are your best indicator of how a painter will handle things if something doesn’t go to plan.
➤ Brighto Painting provides detailed written quotes for residential and commercial painting across Adelaide. Our quotes specify preparation, products, coats, and scope. Get in touch and we’ll come out to assess your job and give you a quote you can actually compare.