Understanding commercial painting costs and quotes

1. The quality and durability of paint products 

While the paint itself is one of the smaller items contributing to your overall commercial painting costs, it is the most enduring aspect of your project. Even though high-quality paints and specialised coatings may cost more at face value, they deliver a much better finish. This includes protection against elements such as corrosion, marine and industrial environments, weathering, graffiti removing chemicals, impacts or abrasion. Investing in durable paint products that are long-lasting can also reduce the frequency at which painting and maintenance work needs to be done, which can save you lots of money (and time) in the long run.

2. Surface preparation and the number of coats

The condition of your building’s surfaces also plays into the cost of commercial painting. Your contractors may need to clean or treat your structural materials first, or they could be ready to repaint straight away. Beyond that, the number of coats of paint also needs to be considered. If you’re planning a dramatic colour change, more coats will be needed than what’s required for a simple refresh of your existing colour scheme. Similarly, the type of surface and the type of paint also affect coverage, with some options requiring more coats to achieve a good finish. In this case, not only will the volume of paint required increase, but so will the work hours needed to apply it, both of which impact your final cost.

3.  Design

1. Assess the condition of your property and prioritise urgent paintwork

Before you start looking for quotes and commercial painting contractors, it’s important to conduct a thorough assessment of your property so you can prioritise the most pressing work. Additionally, a proper assessment can save you from doing unnecessary paintwork, where a wash or clean would’ve been perfectly sufficient.

It’s best practice to compile a full, detailed list of all the painted areas in your property and gauge the level of attention each area requires. Try dividing your property into three categories: surfaces that require urgent maintenance, surfaces that need minor touch-ups and areas that don’t need to be tended to until months or years down the track. Asking maintenance staff, board members and tenants for feedback can also help ensure that you’ve covered all bases and included all necessary painting work.

2. Choose quality and workmanship

While it may be tempting to go with the cheapest quote, this often comes back to bite you, usually in the form of paint deterioration and other maintenance issues that lead to more frequent repaints. Instead, look for expert painting contractors whom you can trust to deliver a professional, long-lasting finish that will save you money in the long term. Contractors that can provide you with a quality and workmanship guarantee will give you the reassurance you need that you’re getting value for money.

3. Hire reputable commercial painting contractors

With an inexperienced commercial painting provider, you run a greater risk of potential problems not being identified and dealt with early, costing you more in repairs down the track. There is also the risk that the practices of a less diligent commercial painting operator might result in safety incidents. Therefore, it’s critical that you do a thorough evaluation of contracting companies. Here are some practical tips on what you should look out for in a reputable painting contractor:

• A convincing reputation and track record - Painters from reputable service providers with a national reach typically have a higher level of training and understanding when it comes to commercial projects. This usually translates into a history of professional, industry-specific experience that they can demonstrate through references and examples of past work.
  
  
• The ability to take on the size and scope of work - It’s essential that your contractors have the labour force and equipment to complete your project to schedule. During the contractor procurement process, be sure to ask questions about internal capabilities, capacity and other similar work the provider has completed to determine if they’re a good fit for your project.
  
  
• Compliance with health and safety standards - Health and safety is something you can’t afford to skimp on and needs to be a crucial component of your hiring decision. Going with a company that has recognised accreditations or certifications is your best bet and means that the contractor you choose has safety regulations in place that meet industry standards.

Scope of work

• Areas to be addressed: The scope of work should clearly stipulate which areas are to be painted. (You may also want to stipulate areas that are NOT to be painted to ensure there’s no room for error.) Make sure that this is as detailed as possible to avoid any misunderstandings. That includes specifics such as to whether or not gutters, trims, fascias, eaves or doors are to be painted.
  
  
• Surface preparation: If your surfaces need to be repaired, stripped, cleaned or sealed, make sure any of these preparation services are accounted for in your quote.
  
  
• Painting and finishes: Application of primers, use of undercoats and the quantity and brand of each product needs to be clearly outlined and costed.
  
  
• Access requirements: If there are hard-to-reach areas for repainting, the quote should indicate any costs associated with scaffolding, hoists or EWPs used in the project.
  
  
• Health and safety: It’s important that you fully understand how the contractor will ensure the health and safety of their workers, as well as anyone else in the vicinity of the area that is being repainted. If there are particular requirements that need to be met, this might impact the overall price, so it definitely needs to be included in your quote.

Liaison arrangements

Liaison arrangements, such as an on-site foreman, are necessary to ensure consistent communication throughout the painting project. The last thing you want is for a painting contractor to accept the job and then forget to keep you in the loop. You want to make sure the contractor is on top of things and committed to finishing the job to the highest standards. That’s why appropriate liaison arrangements need to be defined in your quote to ensure you know that you will be getting regular updates throughout the project.

Timeline and schedules

When it comes to painting properties, minimising disruptions for everyone involved is key, so your contractor should demonstrate flexibility and reliability. A detailed timetable should be included with your quote and must show that work can be completed within the timeframe you require. This could include completing work outside of your building's core operating hours, incurring additional costs that should be noted in your quote.

Price

When it comes to painting properties, minimising disruptions for everyone involved is key, so your contractor should demonstrate flexibility and reliability. A detailed timetable should be included with your quote and must show that work can be completed within the timeframe you require. This could include completing work outside of your building's core operating hours, incurring additional costs that should be noted in your quote.