FAQ'S
Some of the commonly asked questions about painting jobs and estimates in New Zealand are listed here. We hope you find our answers helpful, but feel free to contact us if you have a specific query not covered here.
When employing a painting company, it is important the client knows what they are looking for in terms of budget and timeframe.
A key component to cost is manpower utilised. You may notice labour costs vary from company to company. Obviously having more personnel on site will decrease the time required to complete the job. However, the increase in productivity with more manpower employed is more than relative to the corresponding number of painters working. For example, what one painter can do in 40 hours, 2 paints should achieve in 15 hours because of the more efficient setup process taking less time.
So, bear this in mind when seeking quotes: what may initially seem an expensive hourly labour cost will actually end up the more economical option at the completion of the job.Talk to us for a better understanding of how your particular job would be costed.
The time it takes to paint any job generally depends on two factors: the quality of the finish required and the current state of the painting surface. A house that hasn't been painted in a long time and has cracking, flaky paint takes longer to prepare than a house that has been regularly maintained with competent painting work throughout the years.
Things you can do to speed up the process (and save money!):
Move all furniture into the centre of the rooms to allow direct acces to the painting surfaces.
Vacuum and wipe down the skirting boards.
Make sure all foliage is cut back from painting surfaces (for exterior painting).
We can provide a no-obligation quote based on your particular property. Just get in touch and we'll take it from there.
It is hard to provide a general answer here, as obviously cost varies considerably between jobs, according to factors noted in other FAQs here. Broadly, painters will provide estimates based on the size of the job and the number of areas that need to be prepared and painted. The cost of paint and materials, plus any tight deadlines, will affect the overall quote. Scaffolding, if needed, is always costed separately.
You have probably found online painting cost calculators and are wondering whether they are reliable. We think these are rather a blunt instrument for calculating cost and recommend obtaining quotes with an on-site consultation. However, when comparing estimates, remember to check you are comparing like for like. The lowest price doesn't necessarily mean you're getting the best deal.
This quote comparison checklist might be helpful:
Is the scope is the same – Is there any difference in the prep work described, are the type and/or brands of paint the same, how many coats of primer and paint will be used, and is clean-up included?
Prep work – No shortcuts should be taken here as surface preparation is one of the most important steps in a quality painting job. Look for details in the estimates.
Timeframe – Have start and finish dates been given? Are they realistic?
Price and payment terms – [insert something here that relates to how you charge... and deposits, etc]
Warranty – Companies should stand by their quality workmanship by offering a guarantee separate to the paint manufacturer's warranty.
Insurance – Only consider employing a company that has liability insurance.
Even the best prepped and executed painting will deteriorate over time. Here are some tips to make your painting investment last as long as possible:
Clean your exterior paint work annually to remove airborne contaminants. This is particularly important in coastal parts of Auckland where salt deposits can attack the surface. Moss and lichen are also a problem in our climate. NB: Do not clean your freshly painted surfaces for at least four weeks from completion of the job – the paint needs time to cure. Contact us if you would like us to arrange an appropriate washing service for your property to protect your paint work.
For internal paintwork, avoid excess moisture. This is particularly important during the drying period. Open windows for airflow and use heaters/dehumidifiers as needed. Your painter can advise the best approach to avoid blistering and longer-term mould problems.
In New Zealand fading from UV light is a constant challenge. Using top-quality paints developed for local conditions is essential to minimise sun damage and fading.