Painting an apartment in Águilas: what the quote depends on

Why no serious painter gives you a price over the phone

Two 90 m² apartments can have very different quotes. One may have smooth walls in good condition, and the other gotelé (the textured wall finish found in many Spanish homes), cracks and damp stains. That is why a serious painter needs to see the property before giving a fixed price.

A rough price over the phone usually ends in one of two ways: either it is inflated so the painter is covered, or extras appear halfway through the job. Neither is good for you.

The metres that count are not the apartment’s

The square metres on the title deeds are no use for painting. What gets measured is the surface area of walls and ceilings, which is usually quite a bit larger than the floor area of the home. What affects it:

• The height of the ceilings.
• The number of rooms: more partitions, more wall.
• Whether the ceilings are painted too or only the walls.
• Hallways, stairwells and double-height areas.

The condition of the walls: what changes the price most

Painting a smooth, sound wall is quick. What takes time is preparing it, and that is where the biggest difference between quotes lies:

• Gotelé: if you want smooth walls, it has to be removed or covered before painting. It is a separate job, wall smoothing.
• Cracks, holes and dents: they have to be filled and sanded so they do not show afterwards.
• Damp stains or mould: they have to be treated before painting, or they will come back.
• Old paint in poor condition: if it is peeling or flaking, it has to be made good first.

Colours, finishes and type of paint

Repainting in the same light colour is not the same as going from a dark colour to a light one, which needs more coats to cover properly. The type of paint matters too: you do not use the same paint in a living room as in a bathroom or kitchen, where a paint designed for damp is the better choice.

If you want to combine colours, paint one wall in a different shade or have a decorative finish such as stucco, that is also reflected in the quote.

Empty or furnished home

An empty home is quicker to paint. If it is furnished, furniture, floors and sockets have to be moved and protected, and the work is done area by area. It is not a problem, but it takes longer and the quote should take it into account.

What a good quote should include

When you compare quotes, make sure they are in writing and set out, at the very least:

• Which rooms and surfaces are to be painted (walls, ceilings, doors…).
• What preparation is done: gotelé, cracks, damp.
• Type of paint and colours.
• Whether it includes protecting the home and cleaning up at the end.
• The guarantee, and whether the company has public liability insurance.

A very cheap quote that specifies nothing usually hides skimpy preparation, and that shows within a few months.

Doors, railings, terraces and other extras

Many quotes cover only walls and ceilings. If you want other things painted as well, it is best to say so from the start so they are included in the price:

• Lacquering of doors, frames and skirting boards.
• Window grilles, railings and metal doors.
• Terraces and balconies, which sometimes need waterproofing as well as paint.
• The facade or boundary walls, if it is a house or a villa.

Putting everything in one quote usually works out better value than doing it separately at different times.

The most common mistakes when comparing quotes

• Comparing only the total. Two quotes with the same price can include very different work.
• Not asking about the preparation. It is what takes the most time and what shows most in the medium term.
• Accepting a verbal quote. With nothing on paper, any extra is open to argument.
• Not asking about insurance. If something in your home or your neighbour’s is damaged during the job, public liability insurance is what protects you.
• Forgetting the guarantee. Ask for it to be put in writing.

When is the best time to paint?

Indoors you can paint at any time of year. Even so, on the coast it is best to avoid very humid days so the paint dries properly, and in summer to air the home during the cooler hours.

If you are going to rent the property out for the season or move in on a particular date, the best thing is to ask for a quote well in advance so the work can be organised without rushing.

How we do it

We come to see your apartment at no cost, measure up, check the condition of the walls and give you a fixed quote in writing, without obligation. We work with public liability insurance and give a 1-year guarantee.

Frequently asked questions