Hiring a professional painter can sometimes put a dent in your home improvement budget. But did you know there are smart strategies to bring down the painting costs without sacrificing the quality of the job? In this blog post, we will share seven tips on how to get a cheaper price from your painter.
A fresh paint job not only increases the curb appeal of your home, but it can also make you a happier homeowner. A new, updated look can help you fall in love with your home again while helping to protect it and keep your walls in their best condition.
Getting a cheaper painting quote can be a scary and exciting thing. Getting a hefty price to get the job done in only one of those two. At Home Painters Toronto, we have come to the conclusion that not one house is the same, and several things can affect the price.
Your home requires a new coat of paint every five to seven years, approximately. If you are starting to find blistering, peeling or chalking, you’ve likely waited a little too long, and you will need an extra coat of paint or damage repair, which can add to your budgeted costs.
We will share some tips on what to say or ask your painter if you are trying to get a painting cost estimate.
Understanding the Cost Factors in a Painting Job
Navigating the cost of painting can be a daunting prospect for many people. Numerous factors influence the quote you receive from a professional painter. Understanding these can arm you with the information necessary to get the best value for your money. Here’s a breakdown of some primary cost determinants.
1. Size of the Area to be Painted
One of the most obvious cost factors in a painting job is the size of the area to be painted. Larger surfaces require more paint and more labour, hence a higher-cost job.
2. Types of Paint and Materials
The cost and quality of the paint can significantly influence the overall price of a painting job. Higher-end paints yield a more polished result but come at a higher price point. Additional materials, like primers, sealers, or special finishes, can also increase costs.
3. Complexity and Condition of the Job
The complexity of the painting job contributes to the cost as well. If there’s intricate trim work, high ceilings, or textured walls that require special techniques or equipment, the price will increase. Similarly, if there are heavy repairs to do before painting, like drywall repair or removing old wallpaper, this can also hike up costs.
4. Labour Costs
Labour costs vary significantly between different painters or painting companies, and this forms a significant portion of your painting job’s overall cost. This usually includes their time, insurance, business operation expenses, and profit margins.
5. Time of the Year
Seasonality can affect costs, as painters may charge more during the peak painting season (usually summer and early fall) due to high demand. Scheduling your job for off-peak seasons could save you some money.
6. Location
Your geographical location can also affect pricing due to variations in living costs and the competitive market in the area.
By understanding what goes into the cost of a painting job, you can make more informed decisions when budgeting and planning your project. It’s not always about the cheaper painting contractor, but getting the best value and quality for the price you’re willing to pay.
What to Do to Lower The Cost of Your Painting Quote?
As a homeowner, you want to save costs where you can but not skimp on quality. Home improvements add significant value to your home, but you don’t want to overpay a contractor. When trying to get the best bang for your buck, here are some tips:
Time and Flexibility
If you can be a bit flexible with your schedule, you’ll avoid paying premiums for rush services. Slower seasons like winter or early spring can lead to discounted prices from the best companies, as they’re not in high demand. If you have some flexibility, you might be able to snag a cancellation spot at a discounted price. There is a good chance they may give you a bit of a price break in return, and so you will have a cheaper painting quote.
For an interior painting quote, have your house EMPTY
One of the biggest time wasters for painters is moving the furniture and preparing the rooms prior to painting the property. So if your house is completely empty, you more than likely will get a cheaper painting quote price than if it is full of furniture. The other option is if you are living there, to offer to move all or most of the furniture. This will almost always get you a cheaper cost estimate. Especially if there are many articles, most painters will build this into their quote price and charge you more. So next time you get a painting quote from your painter, ask them if you will get a cheaper painting quote if you move all your furniture.
As Long As it’s Top Quality, Let the Painter Choose the Brands
Some tips on getting a cheaper quote for painting contractors get better discounts from different paint manufacturers. This doesn’t always mean you are getting cheaper paint. Because It just means that one supplier may have worked out a better volume discount than another.
So next time you’re getting a quote, ask your painter what brand they prefer. If it’s a top-quality paint brand, then tell them it’s okay as long as you use their better grade of paint. If you happen to have prior colours picked from a paint manufacturer, then most paint manufacturers can colour-match them with close to 100% accuracy.
Make your payment terms flexible
Most reliable and reputable painters will offer you payment terms. For example, Visa, MasterCard, Amex, or even postdated checks. Ask them if you pay by check; this will affect the house painting prices. Deposits show that you are serious about them doing the project. In addition, anywhere from 10-25 % is a reasonable deposit amount. Offer them a deposit since it shows your commitment to using them.
Get Multiple Painting Quotes
It is usually wise to get 1 or 2 other painting estimates (Some of the painting contractors offer you a free Online cost estimate for painting your house). When painting your home, you can pick the cheaper painting quote. This is especially true if you have never hired a painter before. This is a common practice. Of course, when you get the others’ painting quotes, make sure they have all the necessary credentials and qualifications.
There is also a cost estimator you can seek help from online, which usually gives you what you are looking for.
- How to estimate a paint job calculator? Estimating the cost for any home improvement job can be tricky unless you get a solid quote with the tips above. The size of your home, the cost of materials, and labour all contribute to the cost of a paint job.
- What if you don’t want to go through the hassle of other quotes? If you can’t be bothered getting other property painting quotes, feel comfortable with your painter, and it’s just a matter of getting a discount.
Ask them, if you sign today and forego getting other painting estimates if they would be willing to offer you some sort of a discount. In instances sometimes they will give it to you. This is a typical tactic clients use to get lower prices for painting their houses, and it will almost always work. But it’s essential not just to say you are going to get referrals for them. Please go out and do it! For example, ask your neighbours, friends, family, etc.
Most painters in Toronto will give you a reduced referral fee or lower your quoting price depending on the referred job’s size.
Painting more is better
Did you ever notice that when you buy popcorn at a movie theatre? They only charge $1 or more but give you more than 30% more popcorn. The reason why is economies of scale. The cost of the popcorn is minimal.
It’s the transaction and set up fee that takes all the time and cost. Hence, it takes almost the same amount of time and labour to serve extra-large popcorn as small or medium-size popcorn.
With painting, it is quite similar. Painting one more wall or one more room once all our material and set up time have been done is quite minimal.
Lesson? Always try to pack more items in the painting deal than less. You would be surprised at how little an extra wall or room costs once we are already there with all our supplies out and the room is all set up for painting. Painting more areas can cost just marginally a bit more in some cases, in addition!
When all else fails, politely beg!
Some painters are ordinary people trying to make ends meet too. Just tell them that you want the best value for your money and that you like them. But you need a better price to go ahead with this project. Again, the key here is to be polite and a little insistent that you want a better cost estimate for painting your home. As simple as this sounds, many times you will get what you wish.
Remember, the key to any of these tricks is to be polite, courteous, and to ask. There is never anything wrong with asking. Most home painters will be happy to try to help you in any way they can, some more than others. In short, regardless of the price, it makes no sense to pay anyone anything to do a job that you are not satisfied with or one that is of inferior quality.
HOMEOWNER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
DO YOU PAY PAINTERS UPFRONT?
Most importantly, if a painter demands you pay them the entire sum beforehand, then find another company. Depending on which payment method you choose, cash and checks will be due upfront for the first deposit.
HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU PAY A PAINTER UPFRONT?
Each painting company will have different policies in place for job deposits. Many companies require a deposit to book you into their calendars to ensure they get paid for their work. Some companies prefer full payment after the job is done. Talk to the company you want to hire and discuss their policies. Only give reputable businesses whom you have met and gotten a quote from a deposit to avoid being scammed.
HOW MUCH IS THE PRICE TO PAINT IN CANADA?
In Toronto and the GTA, the price of home painting ranges from $2 to $3 per square foot plus HST. For a small to medium-sized home, it can cost between $3,000 and $5,000 plus HST. If you have a large or extra-large home, you’re looking at around $5,000 to $10,000 plus HST or more. If you’re looking for the highest quality products, damage repair, or premium paint services, we recommend getting a quote from a professional.
FINAL THOUGHTS
As a homeowner who takes pride in their property, you want your home to look its very best at all times. However, sometimes you don’t have the budget for all the changes you’d like to make. A blend of affordability and high-quality workmanship can be achieved. Cheaper doesn’t necessarily mean better, and it could end up costing you more in the long run.
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At Home Painters Toronto, we have been professional painters for over 36 years. We know how important it is to create just the right atmosphere for you in your home. We guarantee that you will be pleasantly satisfied with our friendly and professional service.
If the work involved in house painting sounds like it involves too much time and energy to do yourself, call 416.494.9095 or email Brian@HomePaintersToronto.com for a FREE quote. Or connect with us below on any of our social media accounts as well!
