When you ask three painters for a price, you often get three very different numbers. The cheapest isn’t always the best deal, and the most expensive isn’t always the best job. The only way to compare fairly is to look at what each quotation includes. Here is what a good painting quotation in Kenya should show, with a sample you can use.
What a good painting quotation includes
- Client and site details: name, location and date of the site visit.
- Scope: every room and surface, such as walls, ceilings, doors, frames, cabinets, exterior walls, gates and roof.
- Measurements in m² for each area, plus counts for doors and windows.
- Preparation: washing, scraping, filling, sanding, mould treatment, skimming and sealing.
- Products: the paint brand, range and finish for each surface.
- Number of coats, including primer or sealer.
- Materials: included or supplied by the client.
- Access equipment: ladders, scaffolding and who provides it.
- Timeline: start date, working days and working hours.
- Payment terms and the validity period of the quote.
- Exclusions: what is not included, such as plaster repairs, carpentry or moving heavy furniture.
Sample itemised painting quotation
An illustrative example for repainting the interior of a 2-bedroom apartment, inclusive of paint:
| Item | Qty | Rate (KES) | Amount (KES) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walls: wash, fill cracks, sand, 2 coats washable vinyl matt | 190 m² | 300 | 57,000 |
| Ceilings: fill, 2 coats flat white | 60 m² | 320 | 19,200 |
| Bathroom walls and ceiling: mould wash, 2 coats anti-mould paint | 20 m² | 380 | 7,600 |
| Doors and frames: sand, undercoat, 2 coats satin enamel | 6 doors | 2,500 | 15,000 |
| Protection, masking and daily clean-up | — | — | Included |
| Total | 98,800 |
Payment terms could be: 40% deposit for materials, 30% at the midpoint, and 30% after the final walk-through. Duration: 4 working days. This sample is for illustration only. Your price will depend on the condition of your walls and your choice of paint. See current painting rates per m².
How to compare quotes fairly
| Check | Quote A | Quote B |
|---|---|---|
| Total m² measured | ? | ? |
| Preparation listed? | ? | ? |
| Sealer or primer included? | ? | ? |
| Paint brand and range named? | ? | ? |
| Number of coats | ? | ? |
| Materials included? | ? | ? |
| Timeline in days | ? | ? |
| Payment terms | ? | ? |
If one quote measures 250 m² and another 180 m² for the same house, ask why. If one includes a sealer and two coats and the other doesn’t say, the cheaper one may be leaving them out.
Red flags in a painting quote
- A single lump sum with no breakdown.
- No paint brand or product named (“good quality paint”).
- No mention of preparation or primer.
- A price far below the typical KES 250–400 per m² inclusive rate.
- A request for full payment before work starts.
- A price given without seeing the property.
- No written document, only a WhatsApp message with a number.
Questions to ask before you accept
- Who will supervise the crew, and how many painters will be on site?
- How will floors, furniture and fittings be protected?
- What happens if extra repairs are discovered?
- Will you do a final walk-through and touch-ups before final payment?
- Can I see photos or reviews of recent similar jobs?
For a full checklist, read how to hire painters in Nairobi.
Get a free, itemised quotation
BrushMasters visits your home or business, measures every surface and sends a written, itemised quotation listing the products, coats, timeline and payment terms. There are no hidden extras. Book your free site visit or see our pricing.
