Navigating the maze of painting estimates can feel overwhelming, but understanding how to compare bids from Lawrence contractors effectively will save you both money and headaches.
When it comes to transforming your home with a fresh coat of paint, getting multiple estimates is just the beginning. The real challenge lies in understanding what each bid truly represents and making an informed decision that goes beyond just the bottom line price. Selecting a painting contractor is less about what it costs and more about what you are actually getting for the price.
Why Painting Estimates Vary So Dramatically
The way professional painters approach the math behind their bids can lead to major differences in the final price you see. The biggest factor that affects how much your paint job costs is how well the painter understands the numbers behind their business. Experienced painters know they need to account for labor costs, painting material costs, and their desired profit margin. This fundamental difference in business understanding explains why you might receive estimates ranging from $3,000 to $8,000 for the same project.
Some painters—especially those who are newer to the field—might undercharge simply because they don’t know how to estimate labor costs properly. These less-experienced contractors often provide lower prices, but they may not cover essential expenses like taxes or equipment.
Key Components Every Estimate Should Include
When comparing bids from Lawrence contractors, ensure each estimate clearly outlines these critical elements:
- Labor Costs: Since painting costs are 80% to 90% Labor, a lower price just plain means that the contractor is planning on putting less labor into your house
- Materials and Paint Quality: A gallon of paint can be anywhere from $15-80. A homeowner might be paying $30 for a gallon of paint, when a seasoned contractor can get the same gallon for $15. This depends on the relationship the contractor has with the paint store, and how many gallons they’re buying each month
- Surface Preparation: Some painting contractors include these repairs in their quotes, while others treat it as an additional charge, which can lead to a price difference between bids. Be sure to ask whether repairs are included in your estimate or if you’ll need to hire a separate contractor for that part of the job
- Overhead and Business Expenses: Overhead consists of the actual, ongoing cost of doing business, including gas, vehicle maintenance, reusable tools and equipment, administrative support, facility expenses, marketing, and business insurance. Overhead costs will help you determine a job’s profitability
Red Flags to Watch For in Low Bids
If you see a bid that is much lower than others, it should be a pretty obvious red flag, as a low bid usually means that the contractor has missed something, or worse. So what are some of the risks of selecting a low bid solely on price?
The contractor could have low quality standards or could be planning on skimping on the specifications. This is the #1 reason for a low bid!! This means you might get poor surface prep, lack of thorough priming and caulking, or any number of other shortcuts that save time at the expense of a good paintjob. Shortcuts in painting work will almost invariably lead to ongoing paint failure issues and higher costs down the road.
What to Look for in Lawrence Area Contractors
When searching for a reliable painting contractor in lawrence, focus on these quality indicators beyond just price:
- Detailed Specifications: Make sure you check for specifics such as porch spindles, rails & floors, storm panels, window sash, doors, outbuildings, etc. Number of coats and priming specifications should also be clearly specified, with stated upfront costs on additional coats or other add-on items
- Professional Presentation: Present your bid in person, not via e-mail. Few things make a better impression than taking the time to physically deliver your bid. It allows you to have a face-to-face discussion with your client about the bid
- Clear Communication: The important thing was to communicate if any increases needed to occur at the time arose – not at the end of a job. Customers could usually understand and absorb the idea of a necessary and moderate increase as the job was progressing, but none of them ever liked a “gotcha” at the end
Understanding Estimates vs. Bids
It’s important to understand the difference between estimates and firm bids. An estimate is saying “it’ll probably cost between $2-3K to paint that.” A Bid is firm. You should be sending Bids. When I struck out on my own, I decided to only do firm quotes. This allows me to do a better job without pressure and the client is always happy. Of course, if the client asks me to do additional work, that is added on.
Evaluating Material Inclusions
Although it’s obvious that labor is included in a contractor’s bid, it’s much less clear which materials are included. In most cases, general contractors include “rough” materials. These include things like concrete, lumber, screws, drywall, plumbing pipe, etc. And there is another category of materials called “finish” materials that will usually not be included because they depend on the customer’s selection for items like faucets, tile, door handles, light fixtures, etc. One problem is that some items don’t neatly fall into one of these categories so they may or may not be included in a contractor’s estimate. Items like this include windows, flooring materials, bathroom vanity, paint, doors, recessed lights, etc. So, it’s extremely important to clarify which materials are paid for by the contractor versus the customer. Because every bid you get will have different material items included, you must factor that in before you can truly compare one price to another.
Making Your Final Decision
At the end of the day, you should think of a painting bid not just as an arbitrary price for a homogenous good, but as a promise of total effort (labor) that will be applied to your house and a final product that is specific to the standards of an individual painting company. Armed with the knowledge to thoughtfully compare painting bids (along with checking references & reviews), you should have no problem selecting a company that you can trust to have high standards, provide a great paintjob at a reasonable price, and maximize the long term value of your investment.
Remember that while low bids can be tempting, especially in todays’ economy where home improvement dollars often have to be stretched, there’s way more to getting a good deal and enduring value from a paintjob than just the price. You see, the painting industry is fairly unique in that specifications for the “same” job can be almost infinitely variable company to company.
By taking the time to thoroughly evaluate each estimate’s components, asking detailed questions about materials and processes, and focusing on value rather than just price, you’ll be well-equipped to choose the right painting contractor for your Lawrence home. The investment in proper research will pay dividends in both the quality of work and your overall satisfaction with the final result.