What is a painting specification (verfbestek)?

A painting specification, called a “verfbestek” in Dutch, is a specification that covers only the painting work: which elements are painted, how each surface is prepared, which paint system goes on which material, and in what order the work is carried out. It is not a separate kind of document but a specification (or a section of one) focused on a single trade.

What does it contain?

• Inventory: which parts (window frames, sashes, doors, fascias, facades, walls, ceilings, steelwork) and what they are made of: interior or exterior timber, concrete, plaster, metal.
• Surface preparation per substrate: cleaning, degreasing, sanding, scraping, filling, repairing damaged timber, priming bare spots.
• Paint system per substrate: primer, any undercoat and the topcoat, the number of coats and often the minimum dry film thickness in micrometres (µm).
• Colour and sheen level, ideally with a colour code.
• Sequence and planning: what comes first, waiting times between coats and the manufacturer’s application conditions. The Dutch reference work by Joost de Vree notes that planning matters as much as the choice of materials.
• Inspection and handover: how and when the work is checked and what guarantee applies.

Application

A painting specification is used mostly for maintenance painting. An owners’ association, housing provider or owner first has the condition of the existing paintwork surveyed and bases the specification on that. Coating defects such as cracking, flaking and rusting are often rated using the ISO 4628 series of standards. Several painters can then price the same document, so their quotes are genuinely comparable. On larger Dutch projects, painting is included as a chapter in a STABU specification. Many paint manufacturers offer a technical advisory service that writes a tailored specification.

Tips and points of attention

• Describe preparation precisely: “prepare properly” means nothing. A lot of paint failure comes from poor preparation, not from the paint itself.
• One system per substrate: primer, undercoat and topcoat are matched by the manufacturer. Mixing products from different systems risks adhesion problems and arguments about the guarantee.
• Ask for options: for example touch-up only versus stripping back completely. That shows you what you get for your money.
• List wood rot separately: make timber repair or replacement its own item, with a provisional sum for what only becomes visible during the work.
• Have film thickness measured: if you specify a minimum dry film thickness, have it checked at handover.

Related terms

• Specification
• Building specification
• STABU
• Specifications expert
• Primer
• Wall paint types

Want to learn more about construction terms? Visit our knowledge base at fredsdiyplans.com.