A lot can be told about a Toronto painter based on the quote he or she provides, and the way they conduct themselves during the estimate. In order to make an informed decision about who to hire, you need to consider – and compare – quotes carefully, as they can vary widely between painting companies.

The price is a focal point for most people, and it is tempting to choose a contractor based largely on the price they offer, but the truth is, the quoted cost should not be the most important consideration in hiring painters. A quote is really an estimate of the amount of hours of labour and materials needed to complete a project. The key point is that the amount of work required will vary based on the quality a company delivers; better quality work requires more time, or a higer skill level. In both cases a quote may be higher for the same work, but the end result will be of finer quality. When you obtain several quotes, you must consider that the cheapest quote might overlook details, or worse, be due to a lack of experience from the estimator. Some cheap painting companies will end up asking for more money after the contract is won. If your project demands any significant level of detail, be very careful about the low price quote.

On the other end, a high quote could be unnecessarily inflated. Some high profile painters charge a premium price simply because they are well established and in demand. You will likely get a quality paint job from them, but maybe not the best value. A rule of thumb in the contracting world is to choose the middle quote of three obtained, as they will usually be the most accurate in price, all things considered. But this is not enough; be sure to consider each painting contractor from many parameters other than price, and you will make a much better decision.

All in all, you should take the price with a grain of salt, and weight it against the reputation and credibility of the painters themselves. Don’t compare “apples to oranges.” There are many variables, but some of them most important factors to remember when comparing quotes are:

• The specific details of work included.  “Their price is good, but did they include the doors?”
• Is paint included?
• Are they doing the same level of prep work?
• Are they using the same quality of paint?
• Do they offer equivalent warranty terms?
• What is their reputation and skill level?

Sometimes even simple indications and character judgment can go a long way. Is the quote written clearly and did the estimator address your specific concerns? Were they professional? Did they display respect for your home? Finding the right Toronto painters is not a mystery if you know what to look for.