Is it mandatory for the quote to be signed?

There is no law requiring a signature on the quote, but it is highly recommended. A signature (or written acceptance, as on our platform) makes the quote a binding commitment for both parties. Without a signature, it's harder to prove there was agreement on scope and price.

Can the painter change the price after accepting the quote?

Only if unforeseen circumstances appear that were not contemplated (for example, discovering hidden moisture when moving furniture, or finding that the wall needs more repair than expected). In that case, the painter must inform you immediately, explain the reason for the change, and agree on the new price before continuing. If the quote was clear and conditions haven't changed, the price must remain the same.

What do I do if the quote doesn't include a guarantee?

Ask the painter directly about their guarantee policy. A professional painter should offer guarantees and be willing to make corrections if necessary. If they refuse to give a written guarantee, consider looking for another option. A guarantee is a sign of confidence in the work.

Is it better to request a quote per square metre or for the complete job?

It depends on the project. Quotes per square metre are always indicative, because two surfaces of the same size can be in very different conditions. What matters is that the final price is confirmed after the painter has seen the space (through photos and videos, or with a visit). On our platform we always request images of the surfaces before closing any proposal, precisely to avoid surprises.

Should I compare several quotes before deciding?

Yes, it's advisable to request at least three quotes. This way you can compare not just prices, but also the level of detail, professionalism in communication, and conditions offered. The cheapest is not always the best option: a very low quote may mean lower quality materials, less preparation, or lack of guarantee.

What a good painting quote should include

Accepting a painting quote without knowing exactly what it includes can become a problem once work begins. The most frequent misunderstandings arise when the proposal is incomplete, expectations don't match what was agreed, or the final price rises without warning. A well-written quote protects both the homeowner and the painter, clarifies the scope of work, and prevents surprises mid-project.

Professional and client details: clear identification

A serious quote should start with complete identification of both parties. On the painter's side, there should be full name (or company name), tax identification number (NIF or CIF), address, phone number, and email. In Spain, legitimate professionals operate as registered self-employed workers with Social Security and tax authorities, or as part of a properly established company 1. Our platform always verifies that the professional is registered before presenting any proposal.

On the client's side, personal details, job address, and contact information should also be included. This information will be necessary to issue the final invoice and for any communication during the project.

Why tax identification matters

Hiring someone without official registration may seem more economical, but it leaves the homeowner without legal recourse in case of problems. Additionally, if it's discovered that an unregistered worker was employed, the client may face penalties. Always requesting that the quote includes the painter's NIF or CIF is a basic protective measure.

Detailed work description: what will be painted and how

The most important part of the quote is the work description. It should be clear:

What surfaces will be painted: walls, ceilings, doors, frames, radiators, railings, etc. Specify each element. If the quote just says "paint the apartment", it's unclear whether it includes ceilings, baseboards, or built-in wardrobes.
Condition of surfaces: whether the walls are in good condition or require repair (filling cracks, removing popcorn ceilings, sanding damaged areas). Professional painters usually offer a guarantee on completed work 2, but the guarantee only covers paint application, not pre-existing surface problems.
Preparation included: should specify whether it includes floor and furniture protection, masking of frames and outlets, dust cleaning, and removal of old nails or screws.
Number of coats: two coats are typically standard for interior work in good condition. If walls are stained or changing from a dark to light colour, more coats may be needed.
Paint type and finish: brand, quality (budget, standard, or premium), and finish (matte, satin, or gloss). The finish affects durability and ease of cleaning 3.

Example of a complete description

Element	Detailed description
Master bedroom (12 m²)	Paint walls and ceiling, 2 coats white matte plastic paint (brand X), includes light sanding and repair of small cracks, masking of frames and baseboards.
Living room (20 m²)	Paint walls in beige (reference Y), 2 coats satin paint, white matte ceiling, includes floor and furniture protection. Does not include radiators or doors.
Hallway (6 m²)	Paint walls and ceiling, 2 coats white matte plastic paint, surface in good condition, no prior repair needed.

The more specific the description, the less room for conflicting interpretations.

Itemised price and payment terms

The quote should state the total price and, if possible, a basic breakdown by room or task. It's not required to separate labour from materials (and many professionals prefer not to), but it should be clear what is included in the final price.

Payment terms

On our platform we always apply the same model: 50% upfront (to reserve the date and purchase materials) and 50% upon completion, after verifying that everything is correct. This arrangement protects both parties: the painter has resources to start, and the client only pays the remainder when work is finished.

Other arrangements (for example, payment in three parts) are common in the general market, but should never require full payment upfront.

Applicable VAT

VAT can be 10% or 21% depending on the property type and building age 4. The quote should show the net price, VAT applied, and total including VAT. If the applicable VAT is reduced (10%), the painter must be able to justify it.

Execution timeline and dates

The quote should include:

Planned start date: when work will begin.
Estimated duration: how many working days the work will take.
Completion date: when it will be ready.

These dates are important for organising the home (emptying rooms, coordinating with other professionals, planning temporary moves). If the painter cannot commit to exact dates, at least they should provide a realistic time window.

What happens if there's a delay

Delays can occur for justified reasons (rain on exterior work, unexpected surface issues). What's important is that the painter informs you in advance and proposes a new date. On our platform, the scope of work and dates are recorded in writing, visible to the client, professional, and platform, making it easier to manage any changes.

Guarantee on work completed

A standard guarantee for professional painting work in Spain typically lasts one to two years. This guarantee covers application defects: paint that peels without reason, stains that reappear, uneven finishes. It does not cover damage from misuse, new humidity that appears later, or natural wear over time.

The quote should indicate:

Guarantee duration: how long it covers.
What exactly it covers: application defects, adhesion, finish.
What it does NOT cover: moisture, impacts, damage by third parties.

How to claim the guarantee

According to Spanish regulations, the period for claiming defects in paint finishes and applications is one year. To claim, you need a legal invoice of the work, showing the date, professional's tax details, a detailed description of the work, and the guarantee period 5. Always keep the invoice and signed quote.

Quote validity and acceptance

Quotes have limited validity, typically between 15 and 30 days. After that period, the painter may revise the price (for example, if materials increase). The document should state the date until which the offer is valid.

To accept the quote, the client should sign it or confirm it in writing. On our platform, acceptance is recorded online, and the client, painter, and platform all have access to the agreed scope. This prevents the proposal from remaining in a private message or phone conversation without documentation.

How to evaluate a quote: key questions

Before accepting any proposal, ask yourself:

Are all the painter's details clear? Full name or company name, NIF/CIF, address, contact.
Is the work description specific? What is being painted, how many coats, what type of paint, what preparation is included.
Does the price include materials? Or just labour.
Is VAT itemised? And correctly applied.
Are there start and end dates? Or at least a realistic estimate.
Does it include a guarantee? Duration and coverage.
What is the payment scheme? Never pay everything upfront.
Has the painter seen the space? Whether through photos and videos or an on-site visit. Both options work equally well for assessing the real condition of surfaces 6, especially if there are moisture problems or prior damage 7.

If anything is unclear, ask before signing. A serious professional will have no problem clarifying each point.

Documents to keep

Once the quote is accepted and work is completed, keep these documents:

Signed quote by both parties.
Final invoice with all tax details.
Before and after photographs (optional, but useful).
Payment proof for both instalments.

These documents are your backup if you need to claim the guarantee or justify the expense (for example, for tax deductions if the work is on a second rental property, or to justify improvements to a future buyer).

Elements of a quality painting quote