How Painting Contractors Cut Corners — And How to Protect Yourself

Apr 18, 2026·By Asher Pte Ltd

A homeowner recently posted on Reddit asking a question that stopped many of us in our tracks:

"Is my painter cutting corners? I saw them mixing Matex with Odourless All-in-One."

It's a question more homeowners should be asking. Because what that Redditor witnessed wasn't a mistake — it was a cost-cutting tactic. And it's more common than you might think.

At Asher, we've spent over a decade painting homes across Singapore. We've seen the full range of what goes on in this industry. In this post, we're pulling back the curtain on two of the most common ways painting contractors cut corners — on materials and on labour — and what you can do to protect yourself before you sign any quote.

The Paint Mixing Problem

Let's start with what that Redditor saw.

Matex is a ceiling paint. A 20-litre bucket costs around $70. Odourless All-in-One — a premium paint commonly used on walls — costs about $400 for the same quantity. That's almost a six-fold difference.

When a contractor quotes a very low price for a paint job, something has to give. Often, what gives is the paint itself. Some contractors mix premium paint with cheaper, lower-grade products to reduce material costs while still appearing to use the brand the homeowner paid for. Others go further — using leftover "balance paint" from previous jobs, which may be contaminated or degraded.

The insidious part? It may look perfectly fine on the day the job is done.

The problems reveal themselves later. Paint that has been diluted or substituted tends to show:

❌ Fading — colour loses vibrancy faster than it should
❌ Chalking — a powdery residue forms on the wall surface
❌ Patchiness — uneven tone or sheen becomes visible in different lighting
❌ Peeling or flaking — in some cases, as early as two weeks after the job

Hers's what even more concerning, if contaminated balance paint is used in your home, mould can appear within a week. Not just because your walls are damp, but because the paint itself introduced the problem.

You may think you can prevent this by being around to watch over the painters. Well, some contractors have found ways around homeowners watching over the job on-site. Reddit threads have revealed that there are paint shops which fill low-grade paint into premium brand cans so the mixing happens before the painters even arrive at your home.

If painters are out to cut corners, they will find a way to do it.

The Labour Problem

Paint isn't the only place corners get cut. Labour is another.

Some low-cost painting jobs are completed by moonlighting painters, freelancers, or unregulated workers. These painters may not have formal training, and because they're typically under pressure to finish quickly, they often take shortcuts that affect the quality of your walls:

❌ Poor protection work — furniture, floors, and fittings are left exposed to paint splatters
❌ Insufficient drying time — the next coat is applied before the previous one has properly bonded
❌ Skipped coats — what was quoted as two coats may only get one
❌ Uneven edge lines — cutting in at ceilings, skirting boards, and door frames requires skill that comes with proper training

The finish looks acceptable on the day. But without the right process behind it, the problems surface quickly — streak marks, uneven patches, and the kind of finish that looks noticeably different from what you were shown in photos.

The worst outcome? The contractor becomes uncontactable after the job. No warranty, no accountability, no one to call when the walls start peeling three months later.

Why the Cheap Quote Is the Expensive Option

This is the part that tends to surprise homeowners the most.

A paint job done incorrectly doesn't just look bad — it costs more in the long run. Walls that peel within a year need to be stripped, treated, and repainted. Mould that appears because of contaminated paint needs specialist treatment before any repainting can happen. The savings from a low quote are quickly wiped out — and often exceeded — by what it costs to rectify the damage.

A cheap paint job almost always becomes an expensive one. Because you end up paying twice.

What You Can Do to Protect Yourself

You don't need to become a painting expert to protect yourself. You just need to ask the right questions — before you commit to any contractor.

1️⃣ Ask for paint details in the quotation

The brand, model, and quantity of paint to be used should be written into any reputable contractor's quote. If it isn't listed, ask for it to be added. Vague quotations that only say "2 coats of paint" give contractors room to substitute.

2️⃣ Ask about work progress updates

A reliable contractor will have no issue sending you photos or videos of the job as it progresses. Ask upfront: "Will you provide live updates during the job?" If they're reluctant, that tells you something.

3️⃣ Ask for the balance paint to be left behind

This is one of the most effective protections available to you. If the leftover paint stays in your home, it can't be reused on another job — and if anything goes wrong, you have the original product for testing. Any contractor unwilling to leave the balance paint should raise a flag.

4️⃣ Ask what happens if something goes wrong

Do they offer a warranty? How long? What does it cover? A contractor who stands behind their work will answer these questions clearly and confidently. One who is cutting corners will be vague or evasive.

5️⃣ Ask who is actually doing the work

Are the painters in-house employees or subcontractors? Subcontracting isn't automatically a problem, but it becomes one when the contractor has no control over the standards or conduct of the workers they're sending to your home. Ask whether the team is trained and whether they follow a standard operating procedure.

The Asher Approach

We share all of this not to alarm you, but because we believe homeowners deserve to make informed decisions.

At Asher, we don't underquote to win jobs. Our pricing reflects the true cost of doing the job properly — with the right products, the right team, and the right process. We document what's used on every project, provide live progress updates, and leave balance paint with the homeowner as standard practice.

Our painters are trained in-house, paid fairly, and follow strict SOPs on every job. We provide MOM-approved accommodation for our workers and invest in their welfare and development through internal promotions. This isn't just about doing right by our team to motivate them to excel — it's what keeps our quality consistent from job to job, and homeowner to homeowner.

And we back all of it with a 12-month warranty. Because if we've done the job right, we have nothing to worry about.

Before You Book Your Next Paint Job

Take five minutes to ask the questions above. A contractor with nothing to hide will welcome them. One who is evasive or unwilling to commit specifics to writing is telling you something important.

If you'd like a second opinion on a quote you've received, or simply want to understand what a properly scoped paint job should look like, we're happy to help. Reach out to us for a free, no-obligation on-site assessment — we'll give you an honest picture of what your walls need and what it should cost.

WhatsApp us at 9157 7555, or follow us on social media for more tips on getting your home painting right.