How to Choose the Right Painter for Your Home in Malé
Whether you're refreshing a single room or repainting your entire apartment, choosing the right painter makes the difference between a job you love and months of regret. Here's a practical guide for hiring a painter in Malé.
1. Ask to See Previous Work
Any decent painter should be able to show you photos of past jobs, or better yet, give you an address you can visit. Look for:
- Clean, straight edges where walls meet the ceiling
- Even coverage with no drips or runs
- Neat work around switches, outlets, and door frames
If they can't show you anything, that's a red flag.
2. Get a Detailed Quote — Not Just a Number
A good quote should break down:
- Paint cost — brand, type (matte, satin, gloss), and how many coats
- Labour cost — per room, per day, or a flat rate for the whole job
- Preparation work — sanding, filling cracks, priming
- What's included — do they move furniture? Cover floors? Clean up after?
Watch out for quotes that seem too cheap — they usually mean fewer coats, cheap paint, or skipped prep work.
3. Understand Paint Quality
In Malé's humid, salty climate, paint quality matters more than most places.
- For interior walls: A good quality emulsion (washable is best for families)
- For bathrooms and kitchens: Moisture-resistant paint is essential
- For exterior walls: Weather-resistant, UV-stable paint
- Two coats minimum — one coat never looks good and doesn't last
4. Check How They Prepare Surfaces
Preparation is 80% of a good paint job. Ask specifically:
- Will they fill cracks and holes?
- Will they sand rough areas?
- Will they apply primer (especially on new plaster or stained walls)?
- Will they mask off areas that shouldn't be painted?
If a painter wants to skip straight to painting, find someone else.
5. Agree on a Timeline
A typical 2-bedroom apartment in Malé takes 3–5 days for a proper job (including prep and two coats). Be wary of someone who promises to do it in one day — corners will be cut.
Get a start date and expected finish date in writing, along with what happens if they run late.
6. Discuss Cleanup
Before they start, agree on who handles:
- Moving and covering furniture
- Protecting floors with drop cloths
- Removing paint drips and tape after
- Disposing of used paint cans and materials
7. Red Flags to Watch For
- No references or portfolio of past work
- Wants full payment upfront (a small deposit is normal; full payment is not)
- Can't tell you what paint brand they'll use
- Quotes significantly lower than everyone else
- Doesn't mention prep work at all
The Easy Fix Approach
When you book a painting job through Easy Fix, we handle the vetting for you. Our painters are experienced, we use quality paints, and every job includes proper prep, two coats, and full cleanup. No surprises, no shortcuts.