How to check a painter preps properly, not just paints over

A painter who skips prep and goes straight to the roller is banking on you not noticing the difference—and betting the job will fail after your guarantee expires. The hard truth is that surface preparation accounts for 80 per cent of how long paint actually holds, yet it's invisible work that many tradies downplay or skip to save time. You need to know how to spot this before the job starts, not six months later when the paint is peeling.

What prep actually involves, and why it matters

Proper painting prep is not a quick sand and spray. It means washing down all surfaces to remove dirt, grease and mildew; filling holes, cracks and gaps with appropriate filler; sanding rough areas smooth; stripping or sanding off flaking old paint; and priming bare substrate before topcoating. On exterior work, it includes checking gutters and downpipes are clear, sealing gaps around windows and doors, and confirming the wall is dry—or if damp, addressing the source before paint goes on. When a painter glosses over this, paint doesn't adhere properly. It crazes, peels and flakes within months, especially under our sun and rain cycles.

The reason prep is skipped is simple: it's labour-intensive and doesn't look finished. You can't charge a premium for invisible work, and impatient homeowners often don't ask about it. That leaves the door open for painters who bundle the job together, quote low, and rush through the boring bits. On interior work, missed prep means paint won't stick properly to glossy surfaces or greasy kitchen walls. On exterior, missed prep is why paint fails so fast in our climate.

Checking their prep plan before they start

Ask the painter to walk you through the prep steps in writing—not just "prep and paint", but specifically what they'll strip, fill, sand, wash and seal. A credible painter will give you this detail without hesitation. If they're vague, they're probably doing the bare minimum. Request they show you a before photo of the surface and then a photo after prep, before any paint is applied. This forces them to slow down and document the work.

On exterior jobs, ask them to explain how they'll check for and handle any damp or rising moisture. Damp walls need investigation and treatment before paint; paint over damp will bubble and peel. Ask if they'll use a damp meter and at what moisture level they'll stop and advise you to call a specialist. A painter who doesn't mention damp is either hoping you won't notice, or plans to paint over it anyway.

Check their product selection. They should specify not just "undercoat" and "topcoat", but which brand, type and primer suited to your surface—concrete, wood, plaster or metal each need appropriate primer and finish. If they say "any primer works", they're cutting corners. Ask them to itemise prep and primer separately in the quote so you can see the cost and scope clearly.

Verifying experience and getting honest references

Ask how many years they've been painting and whether they're part of a professional body such as the Master Painters Association or equivalent. Check they're registered with CIPC as a business. This doesn't guarantee quality, but it shows they're formal enough to be traced and held accountable.

Request references from three jobs they've completed in the last two years—and actually call them. Ask those clients specifically: "Did they prep properly?", "Is the paint still in good condition?", and "Did they finish on time and clean up after themselves?" A painter with solid prep work will have clients who say yes to all three.

On Strove, you can see verified painters with ratings and reviews from past clients. Read the detailed reviews, not just the star count—they'll often mention whether prep was thorough and whether the finish has held up. A painter with consistent five-star reviews and comments about quality prep is far less likely to be taking shortcuts.

Before you agree to book, ask them to confirm in writing that prep and primer are included and will be completed before any topcoat is applied. That simple written promise shifts accountability.