Specify a product, not just premium paint
Ask for the manufacturer, product line, sheen and intended surface. Primer should also be identified where the proposed system calls for it.
Two bids can use the same brand but different products. Compare the actual specification and the work included, not just a familiar logo or a broad quality label. If the painter proposes an alternative, ask what changes and why it suits the project.
Match the coating to the surface
A cabinet finish, exterior wall coating and interior wall paint serve different uses. The existing material and coating also matter to the choice.
Sherwin-Williams application guidance ties the process to the product and conditions. Its cabinet guidance separately addresses preparation for retained cabinetry. Ask the contractor to explain compatibility rather than applying a general house-paint recommendation to every surface.
Compare cleaning, appearance and care
Discuss what the surface needs to do: tolerate ordinary cleaning, provide a particular appearance or suit an exposed setting. Then read the actual product’s care and application information with the contractor.
Do not assume that sheen, price or the word “washable” establishes a universal lifespan. Any warranty should identify who provides it and its terms. This website makes no product-performance or contractor-warranty promise.
Keep the finish record after the job
Keep the product line, color formula, sheen, surface location and completion information. Ask for the manufacturer’s instructions on cleaning and normal use of the selected finish.
A small record avoids guessing later when a wall is repaired or another door is added to the project. It also makes a future quote easier to specify.
Use compare painting quotes to keep these details alongside preparation and access, or request a project quote.