Before hiring a painter or finishing contractor in Spain, check that they visit and assess the walls, explain the method for gotelé or uneven walls, describe protection and dust control, include repairs and priming, give a quote broken down by room and task, agree colours with samples, provide a schedule, clean up at the end, and work with a guarantee and liability insurance. The answers matter more than the headline figure.
Before the quote: do they look properly?
- Do they visit? A serious contractor looks at the walls in person before giving a final quote, even if a first estimate comes from photos.
- Do they test the texture? If there is gotelé, they should test how it behaves before deciding the method.
- Do they ask about lighting and other work? A good painter asks whether ceilings, lights, doors or floors are changing, because that affects the order.
- Do they point out problems? Damp, cracks and stains should be mentioned, not quietly painted over.
Our guide on interior painting preparation explains what a proper assessment looks for.
The quote: is it broken down?
- Room by room, with walls and ceilings shown separately.
- Method stated for gotelé or uneven walls: stripping, skimming or painting over.
- Preparation listed: protection, repairs, corner beads, priming.
- Extras itemised: doors, frames, skirting, woodwork, wallpaper.
- Materials: who buys them, and whether they are included.
- Cleaning and waste: stated as part of the job.
A single round figure for “painting the flat” is impossible to compare and invites disputes. For the factors behind the figure, see presupuestoreforma.eu.
The work: how will it be organised?
- Protection: how floors, windows, furniture and communal areas will be protected.
- Dust control: whether sanding is done with extraction and rooms are sealed.
- Sequence: ceilings before walls, dusty before clean, lighting before closing.
- Schedule: a room-by-room plan, especially if you live there.
- Working hours: compatible with your community’s rules.
- Contact: one person you can reach during the job.
The finish: how will it be checked?
- Colour samples applied on your walls before deciding.
- Raking-light check of walls and ceilings before the final coat.
- Edge quality: straight lines at ceilings, frames and skirting.
- Walk-through at the end with a list of touch-ups.
Ask how they check walls before painting. A clear answer is a good sign; vagueness is not.
The paperwork: guarantee and insurance
- Guarantee: ask what it covers and how it is set out in writing.
- Liability insurance: a contractor working in your home should have seguro de responsabilidad civil.
- Written agreement: the quote, accepted in writing, should describe the scope.
- Changes: how extras are agreed and priced if something unexpected turns up.
We work with a guarantee and public liability insurance, and the terms are set out in the quote. Whichever contractor you choose, keep the accepted quote and any written changes together; they are your reference if a question comes up later.
What about electrics, ceilings and other trades?
If the job includes new lighting, sockets or a suspended ceiling, ask who does the electrical work and how it is coordinated. In our jobs, the electrical installation is carried out by authorised partner installers under our coordination, so you still have one point of contact. Plasterboard and ceiling work is covered on our suspended ceilings page, and door work on our door lacquering page.
How do you use this checklist?
Go through it with each contractor you are considering. You do not need perfect answers to every point, but you should get clear ones. The contractor who answers carefully, explains trade-offs and puts it all in a detailed quote is usually the one who will look after your home. Our interior painting page shows how we approach each of these points.
What warning signs should make you hesitate?
A few signals are worth taking seriously. A contractor who quotes a large job over the phone without seeing it, who will not put the scope in writing, or who asks for a large share of the money before any work starts deserves caution. So does one who dismisses visible damp or cracks with “the paint will cover it”, or who cannot tell you how the walls will be checked before painting.
Equally, be wary of a quote that seems far below the others without explanation. It may assume an easy method that will not work on your walls, leave out preparation or exclude ceilings. Ask what is not included; the answer often explains the difference. None of these signs proves bad faith, but each one is a reason to ask more questions before signing anything.
Bauman Raymond Attila · Quitar Gotelé Málaga · Avenida Antonio Belón 3, Marbella. Last reviewed: 05/11/2026.
