Painting FAQs

Yes. Frank will come out, look at the job and give you a written estimate at no cost and with no obligation. For smaller jobs we can often quote from a few clear photos sent by text.

The areas being painted, the prep involved, the number of coats, the product and sheen, the colours and a realistic timeline. Everything is in writing before we start, so there are no surprises later.

For interior work, a few weeks is usually enough. Exterior jobs in Calgary all compete for the same short summer window, so it pays to get your estimate done in spring. If you are on a deadline, like a move-in date, tell us up front and we will be straight with you about whether we can make it.

All four quadrants of Calgary, plus Airdrie, Chestermere, Cochrane and Okotoks. We also take jobs in nearby spots like High River, Strathmore, Langdon, Bragg Creek and Springbank. Just ask.

Prep is most of the job. We protect floors and furniture, fill holes and cracks, sand patches smooth, caulk gaps in trim, clean greasy or dusty surfaces, and spot-prime repairs or stains so they do not show through. Then we paint.

Please clear small items, breakables and anything off the walls. We handle the heavy stuff: furniture is moved to the centre of the room or out of the way, covered, and put back when we are done.

Not necessarily. Lots of clients give us access and go to work. We will agree on how we get in, what rooms are off limits and how you want updates. Frank is your contact the whole way through.

It depends on size and prep. A single bedroom is often a day, a main floor might be a few days, and a full exterior can take a week or more with weather. Your estimate will give a realistic timeline.

We are happy to give an honest opinion and talk through sheens and how a colour will look in your light. For bigger decisions, we recommend painting large sample swatches and looking at them morning and evening before you commit.

We use quality professional-grade paints matched to the surface: scrubbable finishes for busy walls, enamels for trim and cabinets, and exterior products rated for our UV and temperature swings. The exact product is listed on your estimate, and if you have a favourite brand, just tell us.

As a rule of thumb: flat or matte for ceilings, eggshell or matte for living areas and bedrooms, satin for kitchens, bathrooms and kids' rooms, and semi-gloss for trim and doors. We will recommend what fits each room.

Roughly late May to mid-September, depending on the year. Most exterior paints need the air and the surface to stay above a minimum temperature, often around 10°C, while the paint sets, and Calgary nights can drop fast. We plan around that.

We watch the forecast closely and will not paint into rain, hail or a big temperature drop. If weather pushes us back, we reschedule and let you know right away. It is better to wait a day than redo a wall.

Yes. Stucco needs to be cleaned, cracks repaired and the right masonry product used so it can still breathe. We will look at its condition during the estimate and tell you honestly whether paint is a good fit.

When they are prepped properly, yes. That means degreasing, sanding, a bonding primer and a hard-wearing enamel, followed by proper cure time. Shortcuts on prep are what cause peeling, so we do not take them.

Mostly, yes. Doors and drawers usually come off and are finished separately, while the boxes are painted in place. There will be a few days where things are a bit disrupted, and we will plan that with you.

Deposit and payment terms depend on the size of the job. We will spell this out clearly in your written estimate before any work starts.

We do a final walkthrough with you and touch up anything you are not happy with before we call the job done. Any written guarantee that applies to your project is spelled out in your estimate.

Yes, First Impressions Painting is fully insured. If you need proof of insurance for your condo board or property manager, just ask.