Guide
Getting Multifamily Exterior Painting Bids in Utah
On an apartment community, the paint is often the smaller part of an exterior painting bid. Prep, access and working around residents shape the price, so the request should cover them.
What to give painters
- Number of buildings and stories, and the siding or surface types
- What's being painted: siding, trim, doors, railings, stairs and fences
- The current condition, including peeling, rot and caulking failure
- Whether wood repairs are part of this job
- The age of the buildings, because lead rules can apply to older properties
- Parking, patios and access limits, and how much notice residents need
How to compare the bids
- Prep: washing, scraping, priming and caulking
- Paint product and number of coats
- Unit prices for repairs, so that hidden rot doesn't become an open-ended cost
- Protection for patios, windows and landscaping
- Sequence by building, and who notifies residents
- Warranty terms and what they exclude
Timing in Utah
Exterior coatings need suitable temperatures to cure, which shortens the season at higher elevations. Ask each painter what conditions the product requires, and how they'll handle cold or wet days.
Before you award the job
- License. Look the contractor up with the Utah Division of Professional Licensing, and confirm that the license is active and covers this trade.
- Insurance. Ask for a current certificate showing general liability and workers' compensation, and ask to be named as an additional insured where your lender or policy requires it.
- Lien waivers. Agree up front that a waiver comes with each payment, including waivers from subcontractors and suppliers on larger jobs.
Getting the bids with BidCraft
Describe the job at BidCraft's quote request page and give an email for receiving bids. BidCraft looks for local contractors, shows you who it plans to contact and sends you a link. Nothing goes out until you click it. Then BidCraft asks up to five contractors for quotes on your behalf, and you track the responses on one page.
Contractors see the job description, your city and any company or property name you choose to give, but not your email. BidCraft finds many contractors through public listings and doesn't verify their licenses or insurance, so check those before you award the work.
Frequently asked questions
Should painters quote per building or for the whole property?
Ask for both a total and a per-building price. That makes phasing possible, and it's easier to compare bids.
Who should tell residents about the work?
Agree on it before the job starts. Many managers send the notices and ask the painter for a building schedule at least a few days ahead.