Spray painting attracts a small number of unqualified operators who take deposits and deliver poor results. The good news is that the signs are easy to spot if you know what to look for. This guide gives you a practical checklist for vetting any spray painting company in Yorkshire, along with the questions to ask before you hand over a penny.
- Always get a fixed written quote before work starts. Verbal quotes are not binding.
- Check for public liability insurance, VAT registration and a verifiable fixed address.
- Kolorbond certification is a recognised quality mark for uPVC and door spraying contractors.
- A 5-year written guarantee is the minimum you should accept for any spray painting job.
- The cheapest quote is often not the best value. Low prices usually mean shortcuts on preparation.
Red Flags: Warning Signs to Watch For
Most spray painting cowboys share the same traits. They offer extremely low prices, ask for large deposits upfront, cannot provide insurance documents and have no verifiable address. Spotting these signs early will save you a lot of money and stress.
No fixed address. If a company only gives you a mobile number and cannot tell you where they are based, be very cautious. Reputable companies have a registered business address you can verify. ColourHaus is based at Unit 9 Taverners Walk, Sheepscar, Leeds, LS7 1AH and has been there since 2015.
Cash only, no invoice. Any legitimate business issues a VAT invoice. Cash-only traders cannot provide one, which means you have no paper trail if something goes wrong and no way to make a formal complaint or claim.
No written guarantee. A verbal promise of "we'll sort it if there are any problems" is worthless. You need a written guarantee that clearly states what is covered, for how long and what the company will do if a claim is made.
No insurance. A spray painting contractor working in your home must carry public liability insurance. Ask for a certificate. If they cannot produce one, do not let them start work.
Pressure tactics. "This price is only available today" is a classic pressure tactic. Reputable companies do not pressure you into an immediate decision. A fixed-price quote should be valid for long enough for you to compare it with others.
Extremely low prices. Professional spray painting requires specialist equipment, proper materials and significant preparation time. A quote that is dramatically lower than others is almost certainly cutting corners somewhere, and preparation is always where the shortcuts happen.
Green Flags: What a Trustworthy Company Looks Like
The right company will be transparent, insured, certified and willing to put everything in writing. These are not exceptional standards. They are the minimum you should expect from any professional contractor.
Fixed address and VAT registration. A VAT-registered company has a formal business identity you can verify with HMRC. It also means the company is trading above the VAT threshold, which indicates a meaningful level of business activity.
Public liability insurance. Ask the company to email you their insurance certificate before you book. Any professional will do this without hesitation.
Trade certification. Kolorbond Certified Applicator status is a recognised mark for uPVC and architectural surface coating. It means the company has been trained and approved by one of the UK's leading coating manufacturers. ColourHaus holds this certification.
Verifiable Google reviews. A large number of recent, detailed Google reviews is a strong indicator of an active and professional business. Look at the one and two-star reviews too. How a company responds to criticism tells you as much as the praise does. ColourHaus has over 252 five-star Google reviews built up since 2015.
Written, fixed-price quote. The price agreed in writing before work starts should be the price you pay. No surprises. No additions on the final day.
5-year written guarantee. This is the standard for professional spray painting. It should cover adhesion, peeling and flaking, and it should be issued to you as a named document with clear terms.
The Vetting Checklist
| Question to Ask | Green Flag (good sign) | Red Flag (walk away) |
|---|---|---|
| Can you give me your fixed business address? | Named premises with verifiable address | Mobile number only, no address |
| Are you VAT registered? | Yes, with VAT number provided | No, or evasive answer |
| Can I see your public liability insurance? | Certificate emailed promptly | No insurance or cannot provide proof |
| Do you hold any trade certifications? | Kolorbond certified or equivalent | No certifications at all |
| Will the quote be fixed in writing? | Yes, written quote before work starts | Verbal only or price may change |
| What guarantee do you offer? | 5-year written guarantee issued on completion | Verbal promise only or no guarantee |
| Can you show me examples of recent work? | Gallery, photos or customer references | No examples available |
| How do you handle complaints? | Clear process, responds to reviews professionally | Defensive, no process described |
How to Compare Quotes Properly
Never compare quotes on price alone. Compare what is included. A lower quote that skips primer application, uses a single topcoat instead of two, or does not include a written guarantee is not a cheaper version of the same job. It is a different, inferior job.
When you receive a quote, ask the company to break it down. What preparation is included? How many coats of primer and topcoat? What brand of paint system will be used? Does the price include a written guarantee, and if so, what does it cover? These are reasonable questions and any professional will answer them without hesitation.
Our complete guide to kitchen spray painting in Yorkshire explains what a properly prepared and applied kitchen respray involves, which gives you a useful benchmark for evaluating quotes. You can also read our kitchen respray case study to see what a real job looks like from start to finish.
What a Proper Guarantee Covers
A 5-year written guarantee on spray painting should cover adhesion failure, peeling and flaking of the paint system. It should be issued to you by name and should state clearly what the company will do if you make a claim: whether they will rectify the work, replace the coating or offer a refund.
What it does not cover is physical damage, deliberate misuse or fair wear and tear. A guarantee does not mean the surface becomes indestructible. It means that if the paint system fails due to application error or material failure, the company will fix it.
Always read the guarantee document before you sign the contract. If no guarantee document is provided, ask why.
Why the Cheapest Quote Often Costs More
The most common scenario we see is a homeowner who chose the lowest quote, received a poor result, and then called ColourHaus to fix it. In most cases, the failed coating has to be stripped back before the job can be done properly. This adds time and cost. The total spent ends up being more than if they had chosen a reputable company from the start.
On surfaces like uPVC and kitchen cabinets, a poor preparation job leads to early adhesion failure. Once a coating starts to peel, the only remedy is full removal and recoating. There is no patch repair that looks right. Our article on spray painting versus replacing: which surfaces are worth it covers the economics in more detail.
ColourHaus covers all areas across Yorkshire, including Leeds, Sheffield, Harrogate, York, Hull, Wakefield, Bradford, Huddersfield and more than 200 additional towns and villages. Our team can visit and quote at no charge.
Yes. ColourHaus is a Kolorbond Certified applicator. Kolorbond is a leading manufacturer of specialist coatings for uPVC, wood and other surfaces. Certification means the applicator has been trained and approved to use Kolorbond products correctly. It is one of the most recognised quality indicators in the surface coating industry in the UK.
Ask for a fixed written quote, a copy of their public liability insurance, proof of VAT registration, evidence of any trade certifications and examples of recent work. Ask what guarantee they provide in writing, whether the price can change after the quote and what preparation they carry out. Any reputable company will answer all of these questions clearly.
Kolorbond is a British manufacturer of specialist surface coatings for uPVC, GRP, metal and wood. Their products are designed specifically for refurbishment work on windows, doors and other architectural surfaces. The Kolorbond Certified Applicator scheme trains and approves contractors to apply their systems correctly. It is widely regarded as the gold standard for uPVC and door spraying in the UK.
Written by the ColourHaus team · 13 January 2027 · More articles