What should a painting quote actually include?

The surfaces by name, the prep steps as verbs, the product line and sheen for each surface, the number of coats, and clear exclusions. Colour changes and repairs should be listed separately. If the quote is one line and one number, you cannot compare it to another quote or hold anyone to it later.

How do I compare two painting quotes that are far apart in price?

The gap is almost always prep or coats. Ask both painters how many hours go into washing, sanding, filling and priming, and whether the price covers one coat or two. A lower quote often assumes sound existing paint and a similar colour. Once you match the scopes, the numbers usually move closer together.

What questions should I ask a painter before hiring?

Who is actually on site each day, which product line they are quoting and why, how they handle a colour change from dark to light, what happens to exterior work if rain sets in, and how touch ups are handled after furniture goes back. Vague answers on any of those tend to predict vague work.

Is a painter who skips primer cutting corners?

Not always. Primer is needed on bare drywall, bare wood, filler and patches, over stains, and on big colour changes. Repainting a sound, similar-coloured wall in good condition often does not need it. The problem is a quote that never mentions primer at all, because it usually means nobody has assessed the substrate.

What drives the cost of a painting job?

Square footage is only part of it. Condition of the surface, amount of scraping and filling, ceiling height and access, trim and door counts, the number of colours, and whether a colour change needs an extra coat all move the number. Exterior work adds weather windows, washing and prep for West Coast moisture.

How to Choose a Painter in Vancouver

How To Choose A Painter In Vancouver

Most painting complaints are not about the colour. They trace back to a quote that never said what would be sanded, filled, primed or how many coats were included. This guide covers what a real quote spells out, and the questions that expose a vague one.

Established 2018Locally owned painting teamServing the Lower Mainland since 2018

5-Star Rated25 Google reviewsAcross 25 Google reviews

Locally Owned100+ homes served100+ local homes served and counting

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Interior painting, a light blue room with white doors

Reading the quote

Look for the verbs. Washing, scraping, sanding, filling, spot priming. A quote that says prepped as required has committed to nothing measurable.

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How prep is described

Product line matters more than brand. Ask which line and which sheen per surface, since a builder-grade flat and a scrubbable eggshell wear very differently.

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Product and sheen

Two coats over a similar colour behave differently than two coats over dark red. A big colour change usually calls for a blocking primer tinted toward the new colour.

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Surface prep, a room masked and draped before painting

Coat counts and colour changes

Ask who is on site daily, how caulking and filler are handled, what happens if rain moves in, and how touch ups after furniture returns are handled.

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Questions worth asking

Verbal-only pricing, pressure to sign the same day, no mention of primer anywhere, and a start date offered before anyone has looked at the substrate.

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Commercial space painted by Primal Painting

Warning signs

Interior and exterior painting for offices, units and storefronts, scoped around the property and access needs.

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The Questions Worth Asking

Primal Painting has been family-run since 2018, working across Metro Vancouver from Coquitlam and Port Moody through Langley, Burnaby and North Vancouver. Estimates are free with no obligation, and what comes back is a clear written quote you can read at your own pace before deciding anything.

We show up when we say we will, protect your space, clean up after ourselves, and don't leave until the finish meets a standard we're proud to put our name on.

Communication First

On Time, Every Time

Treated Like Our Own Home

Clear Written Estimates

Proudly Serving The Whole Lower Mainland

From Coquitlam to Vancouver and everywhere between. If you're in the Lower Mainland, we'd love to paint for you.

Review all twelve current communities on our service areas page, then ask about availability for your property and project scope.

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Serving the whole Lower Mainland. Tell us about your project and we'll call you back within the day.

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One of the Primal Painting team will call you back within the day to set up your free estimate.

Loved By Homeowners & Businesses

5-Star Painting Reviews From Across The Lower Mainland

25 Google reviews

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Homeowners pick Primal because we're communicative, on time, professional, and we genuinely care. We treat your home like it's our own, and our reviews show it.

Cas De Iongh

Google review

Great communication, the paint quality and finish is amazing. Steve and Josh go above and beyond to make sure everything is perfect and have a personable tailored approach. Thank you for transforming our home!

Sarah Troyer

Appraisal and painting all completed under a week. Invoice matched the estimate. Place looks great! Steve was a pleasure to work with. I had a lot of questions about paint colours and he was super helpful and always willing to take my call.

Priscilla Marquez

Great professionalism, punctuality, and the quality of work delivered were truly outstanding. Our apartment looks fantastic, and we are super happy with the results. We highly recommend the dynamic duo for an amazing job done!

Derek Green

I was absolutely thrilled with the work Josh and Steve of Primal Painting did at my home. The quality of their work was exceptional and they left my home looking gorgeous.

Stephanie Melo

Steve and Josh did an amazing job painting my condo. The previous paint job was poorly done, so their extra effort meant a lot to me. They were excellent communicators, and they treated my dog exceptionally well.

Teresa Drew

Steve and his team were awesome. They were punctual, friendly, accommodating and excellent at communicating. They did a beautiful job of painting our apartment. We highly recommend this company.

Lexi Stewart

Steve was so responsive and quick to get a quote and get the job done. He was also great at helping to narrow down a colour. Honest and much needed input!

A. Wilson

Steve and Josh were fantastic! They responded quickly to messages, were efficient, professional, and offered fair pricing. I will definitely call them again, next time I need something painted.

How To Choose A Painter In Vancouver

What A Real Quote Should Contain

Reading the quote

How prep is described

Product and sheen

Coat counts and colour changes

Questions worth asking

Warning signs

The Questions Worth Asking

What Good Looks Like, Step By Step

Free Estimate

Prep & Protect

Paint To A High Standard

Final Walkthrough

Painting We're Proud To Put Our Name On

Hiring Questions

Let's Get Your Place Looking Brand New

5-Star Painting Reviews From Across The Lower Mainland

Proudly Serving The Whole Lower Mainland

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