Painting

A painting quote is really a description of work: which surfaces, how much preparation, which product, how many coats. Two quotes for the same house can be far apart simply because they describe two different jobs. The guides in this section break that work into its parts, so each line of a quote can be checked against the others.

Calgary adds its own conditions. Dry winter air and chinook temperature swings show up as cracks at drywall seams. The outdoor season for exterior paint is short and interrupted by cold nights and summer hail. And in older neighbourhoods, lead-based paint is a real consideration before anyone starts sanding.

What to have ready before asking painters for quotes

• A list of the rooms or elevations you want painted, and which surfaces in each: walls, ceilings, trim, doors.
• Colour choices, or at least whether colours are changing — a big change affects coats and primer.
• Notes on any damage that needs repair first, such as cracks, water stains or peeling areas.
• The year the house was built, which tells a painter whether to plan for lead-safe prep.

Prices in these guides are Calgary market estimates, compiled from local Calgary market pricing, and each guide shows the month its figures were last updated.