How to choose a painting contractor in Austin.

By Kris Bohman, Owner, Hill Country Painting. Updated November 2026.

Choose the painter who will show you real recent jobs with prices, give you an itemized written estimate, and put the warranty in writing. Those three checks filter out most bad outcomes.

Seven things to check

1. A written, itemized estimate. It should name the surfaces, the prep, the paint and the total. A number given over the phone is not an estimate.
2. Real recent jobs you can look at. Ask for projects near you, with scope and price, not only photos. Ours are on this site, each linked to its own page.
3. A written warranty. Ask what it covers and for how long. Ours is 7 years, in writing.
4. Proof of insurance. Texas has no state painting license, so insurance is the main credential to ask for. Ask for proof of coverage before work starts.
5. Who does the work and who manages it. Most painting companies use subcontractors, and that is not a problem on its own. What matters is dedicated project management: one person responsible for the schedule, the standards and your questions from start to finish. Ask who that is.
6. What is and is not included. Extra coats, repairs and moving furniture are where surprise charges come from. We never charge extra for additional coats.
7. Reviews that name the work and the town. Look for details, like the service and the city, rather than a star rating alone.

A bid far below the others

A price well under the rest usually means thinner prep or lower-grade paint. That tends to show up within a year or two as peeling or uneven coverage.

Related: questions to ask before hiring an interior painter, what a whole-house interior costs, and what an exterior costs.