Hiring a painter is a significant investment, and checking references properly before signing anything is one of the smartest things you can do. A reputable painter will be happy to provide references — and if they're reluctant, that's a red flag worth taking seriously.
Why References Matter
Painting work can look great on day one but fail within a year if the wrong products, preparation, or techniques were used. References from past clients give you real-world evidence of a painter's quality, reliability, and professionalism — things that are hard to judge from a quote alone. BRANZ research consistently shows that poor surface preparation and incorrect product selection are leading causes of early paint failure, so you want someone who does the job properly from the start.
How Many References Should You Ask For?
Ask for at least three references, ideally from jobs completed in the last 12–24 months. Try to get a mix:
- A job similar in scope to yours (e.g. exterior repaint, new build interior)
- A job in a similar NZ climate zone if relevant (coastal, high-UV, or high-rainfall areas have different demands)
- A repeat customer if possible — this shows the painter earns ongoing trust
What to Ask the References
Don't just confirm the painter did the work — dig into the detail. Here are good questions to ask:
- Did the painter show up on time and stick to the agreed schedule?
- Was the final cost close to the original quote, and were any variations explained clearly?
- How was the surface preparation done? (This is critical — good painters sand, clean, fill, and prime properly before applying topcoats.)
- What paint brands were used? Reputable NZ painters typically use quality products from brands like Resene, Dulux, or Wattyl.
- Were there any issues, and how were they handled?
- Would you hire them again?
That last question is often the most telling.
Check Their Work in Person If You Can
A reference is even more valuable if you can actually see the finished job. Ask the referee if you can visit to inspect the paintwork — most people are happy to show off a good result. Look for:
- Even coverage with no runs, drips, or brush marks
- Clean edges around trims, windows, and ceilings
- No peeling, bubbling, or cracking (especially on exterior surfaces)
- Neat masking and no paint on surfaces it shouldn't be on
Verify Their Credentials and Business Standing
Beyond personal references, do a bit of background checking:
- Search their business name on the Companies Office register (companies.govt.nz) to confirm they're a legitimate registered business.
- Check online reviews on Google, Neighbourly, or tradedirectory.co.nz — look for patterns across multiple reviews rather than focusing on one or two.
- Ask if they're a member of a trade body such as the Master Painters New Zealand Association, which requires members to meet certain standards.
- Confirm they hold public liability insurance — ask to see a current certificate. This protects you if something goes wrong on your property.
- For any work involving lead paint (common in homes built before 1980), check that the painter follows safe work practices as outlined by WorkSafe NZ.
Watch Out for These Red Flags
- Unwilling to provide references or only offers one
- References who seem vague or can't recall specifics
- No written quote or contract
- Asking for a large upfront cash payment
- No public liability insurance
- Unusually low quote (often a sign of shortcuts on prep or product quality)
Get Everything in Writing
Once you're satisfied with the references, make sure your agreement covers the scope of work, paint brands and number of coats, timeline, payment schedule, and what happens if issues arise after completion. Consumer NZ has useful general guidance on hiring tradespeople and your rights if things go wrong.
When to Call a Professional
Most interior and exterior painting is not restricted work under NZ law, so homeowners can paint their own homes. However, if your project involves working at height (above 3 metres), you need to follow safe work practices — check WorkSafe NZ for guidance. If your home was built before 1980, there's a real chance of lead-based paint being present, and disturbing it without proper precautions is a health risk. In these cases, hiring an experienced professional is strongly recommended.
For any painting project of significant size or complexity, finding a qualified local painter through tradedirectory.co.nz is a great starting point — you can read reviews and request quotes from painters in your area.
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