Why Casual Phone Quotes Always Go Wrong#
A very common experience for homeowners in Kenya is calling a painter and asking: "How much will you charge to paint a 3-bedroom house in Kitengela?" The painter quotes a casual figure like 25,000 shillings. The homeowner agrees, but two days into the job, the painter demands extra money because "the walls need too much scraping," "the ceiling is gypsum, not plaster," or "we need extra scaffolding."
A reliable quotation is never an off-the-cuff verbal guess. It is a technical scope of work based on empirical surface conditions, measured square metres, and verified material specifications. Providing comprehensive information upfront protects you from budget creep.
The 5 Essential Details Contractors Need from You#
To receive a precise, binding quotation from a professional painting contractor like Sienna Paints, prepare these five details:
1. Property Type and Physical Location: House, apartment, commercial office, or school campus; located in Nairobi, Machakos, Nakuru, Mombasa, or elsewhere. Location affects logistics and transport fees.
2. Scope of Areas to be Painted: Be specific about rooms. Are you painting interior walls only, or including ceilings, doors, skirting boards, burglar bars, and exterior perimeter compound walls?
3. Substrate Condition and Photographs: Is it fresh cement plaster (new build) or a repaint over old paint? Take 4 to 6 clear photos showing overall rooms and close-ups of any cracks, peeling sections, or dampness.
4. Preferred Finish and Quality Tier: Do you prefer washable silk vinyl for living spaces, flat matt for ceilings, or silicone weatherguard for exterior facades? Specify if you have brand preferences (such as Apex, Solai, or Crown).
5. Project Schedule and Site Access: When do you want work to start, and what is your completion deadline? Is the property currently occupied or vacant?
Supply-and-Apply vs Labour-Only Contracts#
Clarify whether you want a supply-and-apply or labour-only quotation:
Supply-and-Apply: The contractor supplies all verified paint, primers, fillers, sandpaper, masking tape, and labour. This is strongly recommended because the contractor provides a single warranty covering both materials and application.
Labour-Only: You purchase the paint and materials based on a bill of quantities provided by the contractor, paying only for application labour. Ensure the contractor provides an exact material schedule so you do not over-purchase or run short.