Not All Bids Are Created Equal: How to Spot a Quality Contractor

Not All Bids Are Created Equal: What to Know Before Choosing a Painting Contractor

When you're gathering quotes for a painting project—whether it's for your home, commercial building, or industrial site—it's natural to focus on the bottom line. But when it comes to painting estimates, the lowest bid isn't always the best deal.

At Element Coatings, we’re not here to put down other painters—we know there are many talented contractors out there. But in May 2025 alone, we were called in to rescue four projects where another painter either walked off the job, delivered poor-quality work, or left customers hanging without clear communication. It’s frustrating for clients and contractors alike, and we want to help more people avoid that situation—whether they hire us or not.

What Does a Painting Estimate Really Tell You?

A painting estimate should include more than just a price. When comparing bids, it’s important to look at:

• Surface preparation (Are they pressure washing, scraping, sanding, masking?)

• Number of coats

• Product types and brands

• Warranty or guarantees

• Timeline

• Insurance and licensing

• Who’s actually doing the work—employees or subcontractors?

If you get an estimate that’s dramatically lower than the others, it might mean:

• They’re skipping essential prep work (which can lead to peeling, chipping, or rust)

• They’re using cheap or unlisted products

• They may not be licensed, insured, or accountable

• The timeline is unclear or unrealistic

But a Low Bid Isn’t Always a Red Flag

In some cases, a low estimate could come from a highly efficient contractor who:

• Knows exactly how to tackle the project

• Has low overhead

• Uses trusted systems and quality materials at scale

• Isn’t trying to upsell or pad the bill

Some painting companies (ours included) offer competitive pricing when schedules allow or for simple, straightforward projects. The key is making sure you understand what you're getting—and what you're not.

Why We've Had to Fix Other Contractors’ Work

In May 2025, Element Coatings stepped in on four separate projects across Salt Lake County:

• One residential repaint where wrong fillers were used and patches weren’t sanded properly as well as cleaning up previously painters overspray throughout project.

• A commercial office where job was started then painter wasn’t communicative got their deposit and disapeered.

• An exterior lime wash project where they used the wrong product and didn’t listen to customers needs we had to strip and redo the white washing project.

• A new construction interior painting project where the previous painter wasn’t doing proper prep work and had left partially filled holes and under sanded areas while painting over them. We were called to start the project over.

Each of these cases meant the property owner had to pay twice—once for the bad work, and again to fix it. We understand how frustrating and expensive that can be, and we want to help people avoid that experience.

How to Compare Painting Quotes Wisely

Whether you're comparing bids for house painting, commercial interiors, or industrial coatings, here are a few tips:

• Ask for itemized quotes that show materials, labor, prep, and number of coats

• Confirm product types (e.g., Sherwin-Williams Bondplex vs. standard acrylic)

• Check for licensing and insurance

• Read reviews and ask for references

• Request a clear timeline and warranty in writing

Bottom Line: Choose the Contractor, Not Just the Cost

We want customers to feel confident in who they hire—not just what they pay. Whether you go with us or someone else, make sure you’re comparing more than just numbers. Ask questions. Get clarity. Protect your investment.

And if you ever find yourself in a tough spot with a painting project gone wrong, we’re here to help.