What is a Painter?

A Painter is a finishing tradesperson responsible for preparing surfaces and applying coatings to both the interior and exterior of your home. Their work protects building materials and brings your design vision to life through colour and finish.

What does a Painter do?

Your Painter will complete works according to your agreed scope of works.


Typically, a Painter will:

  • Prepare surfaces including sanding, patching, caulking, and priming
  • Apply paints, stains, or sealants to walls, ceilings, trim, doors, and exteriors
  • Use rollers, brushes, or sprayers depending on the surface and finish required
  • Coordinate painting in stages to align with site readiness (external first, internal coats later)
  • Return for final touch-ups before handover


Painting is staged across multiple visits to ensure quality and timing align with other finishing trades.

Barry's Toolbox

Schedule your painter only after all linings and fixouts are finished—and your site is dust-free. Good prep is everything. Rushing paint can ruin your final result.

What Makes a Good Painter?

Look for someone who:

  • Are licensed and experienced in new residential construction
  • Provide detailed quotes including surface prep, number of coats, and products used
  • Work cleanly and protect finishes like cabinetry, flooring, and hardware
  • Are responsive to RFIs and can coordinate well with other trades
  • Offer warranties on workmanship and product durability

Before You Begin: What You’ll Need Ready

To get quotes from Painters, you’ll need:

  • Your approved internal and external colour selections
  • Details of surface materials and finishes (e.g. render, weatherboard, gyprock)
  • Floor plans and elevations to indicate coverage
  • Timeline for site readiness and each coat stage

Average Timeframe

For this task, Pros typically provide quotes within 7-10 business days.

When Can I Expect Quotes?

Timeframes often vary based on demand and the type of Pro you're engaging (e.g. a plumber). If additional communication or clarification is needed is needed, the quoting process may take longer.

 

Don't be alarmed if you don't receive quotes or communication from any Build Buddy Pros straight away. Some work is more complex and the Pro may need time to comprehend your documents or scope of work. Depending on the job, there may even be some work required by the Pro before they are able to quote (e.g. a site visit might be required).

 

If the average timeframe indicated here has passed, and you have not received any messages or quotes, please feel free to contact the Build Buddy Expert Guidance and Support team for an update on quoting for this task.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can the painter start before flooring or cabinetry is installed?

    Yes—for early coats. But final coat should be scheduled after floors and fixouts to prevent damage or overlap.

  • Do I need to supply paint?

    Not usually. Most painters include high-quality trade paints in their quote. Confirm brand, sheen, and colour codes with them.

  • What’s included in internal vs external painting?

    Internal includes ceilings, walls, doors, and trims. External covers rendered walls, cladding, eaves, and exposed beams—check your scope to avoid surprises.

How to Complete this Task?

STEP 1

Review and Adjust the Scope of Works

Timeframes may vary based on demand and the type of Pro you're engaging (e.g., a plumber). If additional communication or clarification is needed, the quoting process may take longer.

STEP 2

Confirm Required Documents Are Uploaded

Check that the following required document(s) are uploaded for this task. These are essential to proceed:

STEP 3

Update the Quality Assurance Checklist

Go to the Quality Assurance tab in this task and review the checklist. Edit any details to suit your project requirements. Being clear and upfront helps set expectations with the Pro. Updating the checklist before requesting quotes ensures everyone is aligned.

STEP 4

Request Quotes

Click the orange ‘Request Quotes’ button to start the quoting process.

STEP 5

Review the Quotes

Once you receive quotes:

  • Review each one carefully, including the payment schedule and any special terms
  • Download attached quote documents for detailed review
  • Check each Pro’s profile and read past client reviews

STEP 6

Communicate with the Pro

If needed, message or call the Pro to clarify details or negotiate terms.

STEP 7

Accept a Quote

Choose the quote that best suits your needs. Once you accept a quote, any other pending quotes will be automatically declined. An agreement will automatically be generated.

STEP 8

Complete the Tasks In Your App

New tasks will appear to guide you through this job — follow each step carefully. Make sure to use the Quality Assurance Checklist, and refer to your contract and final Scope of Works whenever needed.

NEED HELP?

Reach Out to Your Build Buddy Pro

If you have any questions or need a hand, your Build Buddy Pro is your best first contact. They’re a licensed expert in their field and can understand the ins and outs of your project. You can message them via the platform, or you can call them directly.


If you have already contacted your Build Buddy Pro and still need further assistance, the Build Buddy Expert Guidance and Support team are here to help. They will be able to guide you on your next steps or help you find answers to any questions you may have.