From proposals to final finishes, here’s how property managers and strata councils can confidently select the right painting contractor for interior common spaces. Your building’s common area, like lobbies, hallways, and stairwells, says a lot about your property, but a rushed or unprofessional paint job can make the wrong first impression. These high-traffic spaces require more than just a quick coat of paint—proper coordination, preparation, drywall repairs, and finishes are all a part of ensuring safety, longevity, and resident satisfaction. In this guide, we’ll show you how to spot skilled interior painting contractors, evaluate proposals, and choose a contractor who will get the job done right the first time.
From prep to finish, our top tips for choosing a painting contractor for your interior common spaces.
Define the scope of your interior painting project
Before you start reaching out to contractors, it’s important that you, as a strata, property management team, or owner, clearly define the scope of your interior painting project. Take the time to carefully identify exactly which areas of the building need attention, like hallways, stairwells, lobbies, utility rooms, and other common spaces, and clarify the specific needs for each. Consider the types of surfaces involved. Stairwells may accumulate dents and heavy scuffs. Ceilings may show signs of water damage around sprinklers, etc.
Thinking big picture
If you decide your project might also include related upgrades like finish carpentry, such as baseboard, crown, or trim mouldings, drywall repairs, or even wall coverings, be sure to note those in your scope as well so you can ensure they’re included in proposals.
Quick checklist for strata, property owners, and managers
- Walk through all common areas and identify the areas in need of a paint job: hallways, stairwells, lobbies, utility rooms, etc.
- Note surface types: drywall, plaster, metal, wood trim, and note specific issues like scuffs, cracks, water stains, and smoke damage.
- Consider the durability needs of each area, such as high-traffic scuff resistance around elevators, stairways, and halls.
- Differentiate between a cosmetic refresh and more involved work that might include surface repair or replacement.
The search begins: Finding the best team for your needs.
Now that you’ve identified what and where needs painting and repair, it’s time to begin your search for a professional and reputable interior painting contractor. A quick internet search will likely yield plenty of results, but not all painters are equipped to handle the complexities of interior common areas in multi-unit or high-traffic buildings. It’s key to identify contractors with true, relevant commercial experience and expertise, who understand how to work safely and efficiently in occupied spaces. It takes experience to effectively minimize disruption to tenants while delivering lasting results that look picture perfect.
Look for teams experienced with off-hour or phased schedules, who can coordinate with property managers and residents. This is just one level of cooperation that keeps the project moving on time and reduces stress and costs.
Checklist for narrowing down your search:
- Request examples of their work on similar building types, size, and age.
- Review their portfolio photos or case studies. A good contractor will be proud of their work and will want to show it off.
- Ask about their experience with specialty coatings, like high-durability, low-VOC paints, or sustainable options.
Do they handle more than just paint?
If you think your common area upgrades might also require finish carpentry, drywall, or texture repairs, wall coverings, or protective wall panels, a contractor who can manage these additional elements will save you the hassle of hiring multiple trades, make for a more efficient workflow, and ensure a more seamless result.
When evaluating contractors, ask whether they can also handle:
- Drywall repairs and texture blending to fix cracks, dents, or water damage.
- Finish carpentry and trim installations like baseboards and moldings.
- Wall coverings and wall protection for additional durability in high-traffic areas.
Choosing a contractor with interior remodeling capabilities simplifies coordination, minimizes downtime, and helps ensure the entire scope of the project is executed to the same professional standard.
Gathering proposals
Ok, so you’ve found a few interior painting contractors who have caught your eye. They’ve been upfront with their levels of experience, can show examples of their work with similar building types and project scope, and they seem reputable. Now it’s time to ask for price quotes on your project.
When comparing bids, it’s important to make sure you’re reviewing apples-to-apples proposals. A well-prepared proposal should go beyond just an estimated dollar figure. It should show you exactly what you will be paying for. Detailed breakdowns of the project scope, product specifications, and clear exclusions all help you see that the contractor is prepared to deliver what you expect, and help prevent costly surprises once the job is underway.
What to look for in a proposal:
- They’ve included paint product details (name brand, durability level, type of finish, VOC level, etc).
- Offered a clear breakdown of all labour, including set up, prep work, repairs, and mobilization.
- Attention to protecting carpets, floors, etc, on your site and thorough plans for cleanup.
- If applicable, a clear scope for any interior finish carpentry work, such as drywall, trim, or wall coverings.
Red flags: Lack of detail, vague line items, unusually low bids, and missing preparation details. These often signal a lack of experience, unprofessionalism, and corner-cutting that lead to poor finishes, safety issues, and unexpected expenses. Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to ask for a sample progress report or job-site photos from past projects. This is an easy way to see just how organized and transparent a contractor is to work with before the work begins.
Verify their licensing, insurance, and safety record
Now that you’ve narrowed down potential contractors based on scope, experience, and received detailed proposals, it’s time to confirm they are qualified to work on your property. That means looking beyond price and ensuring they are properly licensed and insured. At a minimum, they should carry WorkSafeBC coverage to protect their workers, liability insurance to safeguard your property, and even bonding if required for your project.
Just as important is their safety record and planning. Specific questions to ask are:
- How do they plan to address occupant access while work is underway?
- What containment measures would they take to protect common areas from dust, paint, and debris?
- What air quality measures would they take to keep residents safe and comfortable?
These safeguards reduce liability, prevent disruptions, and ensure your project is completed responsibly. For more details, see our blog on [Construction Safety: 6 Essentials When Hiring a Contractor].
WorkSafeBC Clearance Letter - Always confirm that your contractor is in good standing with WorkSafeBC. Some companies fall behind on their premiums, which can put you at risk. Contractors must be registered with WorkSafeBC and up to date on their premiums. You can request a clearance letter to verify this.
NOTE: The clearance letter from WorkSafeBC shows if the contractor is in “good standing.” It may not, however, show the company’s full safety history.
WorkSafeBC Inspections & Orders
- WorkSafeBC conducts inspections, issues compliance orders, and maintains inspection reports. Sometimes these are accessible online. These reports can show whether the contractor has had violations or corrective actions, which gives insight into how seriously they take safety.
Ask for references (and actually call them!)
A reliable painting contractor should be proud to connect you with their recent and past clients. Don’t just collect the list and sit on it; make the calls. Ask their references questions like how communication and concerns were handled, whether enough measures were taken to minimize disruptions to occupants, and if the prep work and final results met expectations. And of course, confirm if the project stayed on schedule and budget.
- If possible, go one step further and visit a recently completed project to see the quality of the finish with your own eyes. A reputable contractor will be happy to help arrange this kind of visit.
- Red flag: if a contractor hesitates to share references, stalls, or provides vague answers, consider it a warning sign that it might be time to move to the next potential choice on your list.
The steps involved in an interior painting project.
By understanding the steps that go into a commercial interior painting project, you’ll have a better sense of what to expect, how to plan, and what might be required. This will help you better evaluate costs and estimates, and equip you with the knowledge to ask contractors the right questions.
Here’s how a good contractor should approach each and every project.
- Step 1: Site evaluation and scope
Identify and measure all surfaces involved, identifying materials and assessing traffic levels to set an accurate project plan and budget. - Step 2: Scheduling, coordination, and labour
Much of interior painting in multi-unit buildings is about logistics, such as scheduling with building managers, putting plans in place to minimize disruptions, and coordinating skilled trades for specialized work.
A good contractor will:
- Work with property management to plan timing around tenant routines and daily building operations.
- Handle sensitive items like unit doors, ensuring security, access, and proper product selection.
- Provide clear notices well in advance so residents, visitors, and staff know what to expect.
- Coordinate with property owners on hardware, locks, and other details to avoid last-minute issues.
- Step 3: Access and logistics
Careful setup for stairwells and high ceilings, plus signage and barriers to keep occupants protected and well informed. - Step 4: Surface repair and restoration
Repairing holes and dents in drywall, removing old surfaces or wall coverings, treating stains, and smoothing textured ceilings or walls. - Step 5: Final surface prep
Filling, sanding, priming, caulking surfaces for paint, and masking to protect floors and fixtures. - Step 6: Paint selection
Depending on the location, your contractor will help you in choosing durable, low-VOC, or specialty coatings to match traffic, health, and design needs. - Step 7: Painting process
Applying primers where necessary, followed by multiple coats of paint for an even, long-lasting finish. - Step 8: Cleanup & Final Inspection
Finally, touch-ups, cleanup, and a quality walkthrough between the contractor and the property management team to confirm expectations have been met.
After the paint dries: Warranties & post-project support
Even the best paint jobs will need follow-up from time to time. Whether it’s a touch-up in a high-traffic area or addressing a hidden deficiency that might have been missed in the final inspection.
That’s why it’s important to ask about both product and labour warranties upfront. A reliable interior painting contractor will stand behind their work, outline how long their warranty lasts, and walk you through their process for requesting service after the job is complete.
Look for clear details on:
- Labour and paint warranties – get clear definitions on what’s covered and for how long.
- Post-project support – ask how to request touch-ups or repairs, and their typical response times.
- Look for ongoing maintenance programs like our ProTech Warranty & Maintenance Program, which helps extend the life of your investment and provides proper documentation for property records.
- Red flag: Don’t settle for vague promises of “we’ll take care of you” without anything in writing.
Every building is unique, and interior common areas all have their own challenges and requirements. Getting a personalized consultation will ensure your project gets the right paint, finishes, and techniques for the best results and the lowest long-term costs.
Peace of mind with every brush stroke
At WCP, our work doesn’t end when the paint is dry and the scaffolding comes down. We proudly back all our work with our industry-leading WCP PROTECH Warranty & Maintenance Program.
+ Up to 5 years of warranty coverage
+ 2-year maintenance follow-ups
+ A detailed completion and maintenance manual
It’s more than just a warranty; it’s our way of providing peace of mind that the investment you’ve made in your building will continue to pay off well into the future.
Ready to get started?
Request your custom consultation today and discover why strata, property owners, and managers trust WCP for expert interior painting, exterior painting, and more. Our projects are backed by warrantied workmanship and strict safety compliance, so you can rest easy knowing everything is covered. And with our experienced and efficient project management team, we know how to keep disruptions to a minimum while delivering results that last.
Get in touch
For more information on our interior common area painting and renewal, and our other services, contact us at [email protected] or call us at 604-420-5552
Protect your property and plan with confidence. Reach out today for a free, no-obligation quote.
