Chicago wall painting: Quotes, Prep and Hiring

Define the work before comparing quotes

Walk through the rooms with each candidate. Point out cracks, peeling paint, stains and previous patches. Have the painter identify the repairs included in the estimate and any problems that need another specialist. Photograph the areas you discuss so you can check the finished work against the agreement.

List the surfaces by name: walls, ceilings, baseboards, door frames, doors and closets. Include wallpaper removal or stairwell work if you need it. For a walls-only job, write down the exclusions. Request a description of the preparation method rather than accepting prep included as the entire explanation.

Record the paint brand, product line, color and sheen for each room, along with the primer and finish-coat plan. Approve a sample in the room under your usual lighting. Agree on who buys the materials and who keeps the remaining paint for touch-ups.

Resolve lead questions before disturbing old paint

Gather the construction date and any existing lead reports. Chicago’s historical lead FAQ says most homes built before 1978 have some lead paint inside or outside. It explains that cracking and peeling paint creates lead dust that residents cannot see or smell. Bring deteriorating coatings to the painter’s attention before agreeing to preparation. [1]

EPA includes painting preparation among activities that can fall under its federal Renovation, Repair and Painting rule. For covered work, obtain the firm’s certification and discuss its lead-safe work practices. Have the contractor describe how it will protect household members, manage the work area and clean up. [2]

EPA does not require paint testing under RRP. For otherwise covered work, the requirements apply unless documentation establishes that the affected paint is not lead-based. EPA also lists exemptions. Require the contractor to explain any claimed exemption against the actual preparation scope, rather than treating a color change as the deciding factor. [2]

Get a quote that covers repairs and changes

Get a site-specific written quote that includes repairs and any lead-related work. Request separate descriptions for preparation, materials, painting and cleanup, even if the painter offers one total price. Confirm floor and furniture protection, disposal, parking arrangements and access equipment.

Set an approval process for damage discovered during preparation. The painter should describe the extra work and its price before you authorize it. Review payment timing, insurance documentation, cancellation terms and the procedure for correcting missed areas. Compare the total against another offer only after aligning the scopes.

Schedule the rooms and check the finish

Agree on the order of rooms and which spaces you can use during the job. Assign furniture moving and remove fragile items. In a managed building, check contractor entry, working hours, elevator reservations and required documents with management before committing to dates.

Have the painter plan around the selected product’s temperature, ventilation, drying and recoating instructions. Discuss how you will maintain those conditions while occupying the home. For exterior walls, review the forecast and product instructions before confirming the workday.

Inspect the finished rooms with the painter under your usual lighting. Check agreed repairs, coverage, edges and adjacent surfaces. Record touch-ups before closing out the job. Keep the product and color information, and obtain instructions for returning furniture and cleaning the walls.

Chicago monthly average outdoor low and high temperatures

Choose the next step for your walls

Your hiring checklist

1. List rooms, surfaces and ceiling or trim exclusions.
2. Photograph damage and agree on included repairs.
3. Gather the construction date and existing lead reports before preparation.
4. Confirm applicable credentials and the contractor’s preparation method.
5. Approve products, colors, sheen and the coat plan in writing.
6. Set room access, furniture moving and ventilation arrangements.
7. Record extra-work approval, payment timing and walkthrough terms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every painter need EPA certification for my home?

EPA generally requires certification for paid work that disturbs paint in pre-1978 housing covered by RRP. It lists exemptions, so the building’s age alone does not settle applicability. Have the painter explain how the rule applies to the proposed preparation and provide certification for covered work. [2]

Must I test the paint before hiring?

EPA does not require testing under RRP. For otherwise covered work, the contractor must follow the rule unless documentation establishes that the affected paint is not lead-based. If you choose testing, EPA requires an appropriately qualified professional to test the surfaces the work will affect. [2]

Can I schedule an interior repaint in winter?

Discuss whether you and the painter can maintain the selected product’s indoor conditions and ventilation throughout the job. Agree on room access and drying time before choosing dates. Use actual conditions and product instructions to make the decision.

What should I send for an estimate?

Send room dimensions, wall heights, photos of damage and a surface list. Include access restrictions, the construction date and existing lead reports. Arrange a site visit if the painter cannot define repairs or preparation from that information.