6 min read
Knowing the right questions to ask a painter in Dublin protects you far better than collecting three prices does, because the cheapest quote is usually the one with the least preparation hidden inside it. These are the questions we would ask if we were hiring a decorator for our own house, and the answers you should expect from any professional working in North Dublin.
Before the quote
Ask whether they will visit and inspect the walls, or whether they are pricing off a description. Ask if they are insured and VAT registered. Ask for recent local work you can see — photos of jobs in your own area are far more useful than a generic gallery.
- —Are you insured and VAT registered?
- —Will you visit before quoting?
- —Can I see recent work nearby?
- —Who will actually be on site?
About the quote itself
A professional quote states scope. Ask how many coats are included, whether ceilings and woodwork are in the price, what filling and caulking is covered, which brand and finish will be used, and whether paint is supplied. If those answers are vague, the price is not comparable to anyone else's.
- —How many coats on walls, ceilings and woodwork?
- —What preparation is included?
- —Which paint brand and finish?
- —Is the price fixed, and what would change it?
About finishing and aftercare
Ask what happens at the end of each day, whether furniture and floors are protected and reinstated, and what the guarantee covers. We leave labelled touch-up paint, clean the space daily rather than only at handover, and stand over our workmanship — that combination is what most complaints about other trades are actually about.
Frequently asked questions
- Should I always take the cheapest painting quote?
- No. Compare scope first. A price that is far below the others almost always omits preparation, a second coat, or woodwork.
- Should I pay a deposit?
- A materials deposit on a large job is normal. Paying the full amount up front is not.