Short answer
A solid commercial painting bid spells out every surface, the prep and repairs, the exact products, the number of coats, the schedule and access plan, and the warranty. If a bid is one lump sum with no detail, you can’t compare it.
The checklist
1. Scope by area
Which buildings, elevations, rooms and surfaces are included, and which are not. Doors, rails, bollards, stairs and signage walls are common “surprise” exclusions.
2. Prep and repairs
Pressure washing, crack and joint repair, stucco and EIFS patching, fascia replacement, caulking and spot priming. Prep decides how long the job lasts.
3. Exact products and coats
Brand, product line and sheen for each surface, plus how many coats. “Two coats of paint” is not a spec.
4. Schedule and phasing
Start date, duration and working hours. For occupied buildings: nights, weekends or phasing by area, and how tenants or customers will be notified.
5. Access and protection
Lifts, scaffolding, parking, landscaping and floor protection, and daily cleanup.
6. Warranty
Workmanship warranty length in writing, and which manufacturer product warranty applies.
7. Licensing and insurance
The contractor’s ROC license number and proof of insurance. Ours: AZ ROC #361356, CR-34, licensed, bonded and insured.
8. Point of contact
Who you call during the job. With us, it’s an owner from bid to walkthrough.
Red flags
- A price with no products named
- No mention of repairs on an older building
- Cash-only or large upfront deposits
- No license number on the bid
We built a side-by-side version of this list. See what your bid should include, or grab our capabilities sheet for your vendor file.
Frequently asked questions
Why are painting bids so different in price?
Usually because they cover different work: fewer coats, cheaper products, less prep or no repairs. A line-item bid shows exactly what you’re paying for.
Should a commercial painting bid include a warranty?
Yes. Ask for the workmanship warranty in writing and which manufacturer warranty applies. Ours is a 4–5 year workmanship warranty plus the Sherwin-Williams or Dunn-Edwards product warranty.
Do I need to be on site for the walkthrough?
It helps. Walking the property with you or your facilities lead is how we catch access issues, hours and problem areas before we price the job.
Need a bid in the Valley? Shield Coat Painting is owner-led, licensed (AZ ROC #361356, CR-34), and puts every product, coat and warranty in writing.