Hiring a painter: checks before signing

Choosing a painter is not just about comparing prices per square metre. Between serious professionals and those who disappear at the first problem, the difference often comes down to a few simple checks that too many homeowners forget to do before signing.

This guide details what to examine, what questions to ask, and what documents to request to hire a professional safely, whether you are repainting an apartment in Lyon, a house in Bordeaux, or a façade in Brittany.

Verify the professional's legal status and insurance

The SIRET, proof of a declared business

Every painter must have a SIRET number and be registered in the trades register. This verifiable status attests to a declared business and recognised training1, and serves as the first filter to rule out unregistered operators. Our platform validates that all painters are properly registered with a SIRET before presenting them as an option.

Request a copy of the Kbis or registration certificate. A serious professional will provide this document without hesitation. If the tradesperson avoids the question or claims not to have it on hand, move on.

The guarantees that protect your project

After completion of your work, three legal guarantees cover any defects:

• Guarantee of perfect completion (1 year): covers all defects reported within a year of completion, including aesthetic imperfections.
• Two-year guarantee (2 years): applies to removable equipment (radiators, shutters, etc.) that do not work correctly.
• Ten-year guarantee (10 years): mandatory for work affecting the structural integrity of the building or waterproofing (repointing, external painting on structural supports).

For purely decorative interior painting, the ten-year guarantee is not required, but the certificate remains a good indicator of professionalism2. Always request certificates that are currently valid, with a visible expiry date: a document from the previous year is worthless.

What to check on the certificate

If the painter refuses to provide their insurance certificate or delays producing it, that is a red flag. On our platform, all project details and guarantees are visible online for the client, the professional, and the platform itself: nothing remains unclear or accessible only through private messages.

Read the quote line by line

The mandatory legal requirements

A quote signed by both parties has the value of a contract, and as soon as it involves work at a homeowner's property, the law requires a certain number of statements. Check that the document includes:

• The name, address, and SIRET of the company
• The date of issue and validity period of the offer
• A detailed description of the work (surfaces, rooms, number of coats)
• The total price excluding tax and including all taxes
• The applicable VAT rate (10% for renovation of a property over two years old, 20% for new construction)
• Payment terms (payment schedule, methods)
• The estimated duration of the project

What a detailed quote should contain

A professional quote mentions:

• The brands and references of paints used (Tollens, Sikkens, Zolpan are common professional brands)
• The type of surface preparation (sanding, filling, primer)
• The number of finish coats (two is the standard)
• Detailed surfaces listed room by room

A professional quote must mention the paint brands used, the number of coats, and the type of preparation: be wary of one-line quotes3. A global price without breakdown prevents any verification and may hide under-evaluated items that will emerge during the project as supplements.

On our platform, the quote is always established after the professional has seen the space, either via photos and videos or during a visit. Both methods work in the same way and allow assessment of the actual condition of surfaces (cracks, damp marks, damaged plaster). A serious quote can never be given over the phone without having seen the surfaces4.

Payment terms

Our payment model works in two stages: 50% at the start (to reserve the date and purchase materials) and 50% at the end, after verification of the work. This split protects both the client (who only pays the balance once satisfied) and the professional (who can order materials without advancing everything).

A deposit of more than 30% before starting is unusual in the general market, but our 50/50 payment system is transparent and fixed as soon as the quote is accepted, which avoids any vague negotiations during the project.

Compare several tradespeople without wasting time

Consult reviews and references

Beyond the displayed stars, the consistency of comments over time reveals much more than the overall rating. Consult multiple sources: Google, local business directories, forums. A professional established locally for years rarely wants to damage their reputation for one project.

Also ask for references of projects similar to yours. Consult reviews and ask for references of similar projects: a good painter willingly accepts to show you photos of recent work. Images reveal the quality of finishes, the cleanliness of the work, and the mastered techniques.

Prioritise a local and responsive tradesperson

A painter based in your region (Île-de-France, Provence, Loire, etc.) knows local constraints: climate, type of building, building regulations. They will also be easier to reach if a detail needs to be rectified after completion.

A serious professional responds within 48 to 72 hours for a quote and offers a technical visit within 7 days. A much longer delay signals either an overloaded order book or poor organisation.

The points to compare between several quotes

When you have two or three proposals in hand, do not stop at the total price. Compare:

• The nature of the materials: two quotes at a similar price may hide very different ranges, with a direct impact on durability.
• The estimated duration: a precise timeline commits the professional and protects you against projects that drag on without justification.
• The detail of the preparation: sanding, filling, primer. This is often where the final quality is determined.
• The payment conditions: check the schedule and the date of the balance.

On our platform, you can request several quotes and compare offers side by side. All information (scope, price, timeline, materials) is visible online, which simplifies comparison and avoids multiple calls to clarify a detail.

The warning signs that should make you give up

Risky behaviours

Certain behaviours are grounds for immediate refusal: persistent doorstep selling coupled with an offer valid only today, refusal to provide a written quote, a request for a large deposit in cash, or the absence of a verifiable business address.

Add to this list:

• A quote without detail ("apartment painting flat fee €X")
• Absence of SIRET or insurance certificate
• A price significantly below market without explanation (low-quality materials, minimal preparation)
• A tradesperson who promises an unrealistic timeline (three rooms in one day, façade in two days)

What should reassure you, on the other hand

A reliable professional:

• Asks questions about the condition of the walls, damp, old coatings
• Explains the stages (preparation, primer, number of coats)
• Indicates the brands and types of paint suited to each surface
• Voluntarily provides their legal documents (Kbis, insurance certificate)
• Accepts that you visit an ongoing project or speak to former clients

These details show that they master their trade and assume responsibility for the result.

What to do once the quote is signed

Keep a written record of everything

Once accepted, the quote becomes the contract, and the Civil Code establishes the principle that an agreement of wills creates obligations. Keep a copy of the signed quote, the insurance certificate, the agreed schedule, and any important exchanges (by e-mail or message).

On our platform, all project elements (description, photos, price, timeline) remain accessible online for the client, the painter, and the platform. Nothing relies on a piece of paper that can be lost or on an oral promise.

Monitor progress and completion

During the project, regularly verify that the work follows the quote's description. If a problem arises (surface not prepared, wrong colour, poor finish), report it immediately in writing.

At the end, arrange a completion inspection: inspect each room in the presence of the painter. Note in writing any visible defect (drips, uncovered areas, brush marks). Before completion of the work, the painter is bound by a result obligation: they must deliver work that complies with what was agreed. If reservations are made, the painter must resolve them before you pay the balance.

Our 50/50 payment model protects exactly this crucial moment: the remaining 50% is only paid after verification and validation of the work.

Activate guarantees in case of problems

If a defect appears after completion, refer to the legal guarantees:

• First year: guarantee of perfect completion (all defects)
• Two years: two-year guarantee (equipment)
• Ten years: ten-year guarantee (structural integrity, waterproofing)

Send a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt to the painter describing the problem and requesting an intervention. Attach photos. If the professional does not respond or refuses to intervene, contact their ten-year insurer (the details are on the certificate).