02/08/2026
Save this before choosing a painter.
Not all quotes are equal. Some look cheap upfront but cost far more later.
These red flags will help you spot when something isnāt quite right.
š© āWeāll beat any quote.ā
If someoneās goal is to be the cheapest, theyāre cutting corners - not prices. Good painters donāt pride themselves on being the cheapest - they pride themselves on quality, longevity, and professionalism.
š© Guesstimating instead of measuring.
Professionals measure properly with tape measures, laser measurers, and clear calculations.
Cheap painters eyeball it and hope for the best.
š© One lump sum with no detail.
A vague quote like:
āInterior repaint $10,000ā tells you nothing.
There should be clear itemisation, not just a final number:
- what substrates are being painted
- how many coats youāre getting
- which products are being used
- whatās being prepped and how
If you canāt see how they got to the amount, you canāt compare it fairly.
š© No mention of areas included/excluded.
If the quote doesnāt clearly state which rooms, walls, ceilings, trims, or exteriors are included, it leaves a lot of room for āOh, that wasnāt part of the quoteā later.
š© No warranty mentioned.
If thereās no workmanship warranty written anywhere, thereās usually no intention to come back if something goes wrong.
š© āWe can start tomorrow.ā
No pipeline, no planning, no demand.
A rushed start usually means a rushed job.
š© No QBCC licence number or insurance details.
Without a licence number, you may have no protection for defects, disputes, or unfinished work. Without insurance, youāre exposed if something in your home is damaged or if someone is injured on your property.
If you ever want help comparing quotes, weāre always happy to offer honest guidance - no pressure, no sales pitch.
šBrisbane Professional Painters