Buying a spray booth isn't like ordering office supplies.

It's a significant capital investment that will affect your production capacity, part quality, energy use, and even safety for years to come.

That's why a good checklist, and a few non-negotiable questions, can make the difference between a smooth installation and an expensive headache.

Below are six questions every buyer should ask before signing a proposal. If a vendor can't (or won't) answer them clearly and in writing, that's your cue to pause.

1. "What booth type and size are you proposing – and how did you size it for my parts now and in the future?"

A credible vendor should walk you through:

1. The exact booth type (batch, conveyorized, etc.)
2. Internal working dimensions
3. How do those dimensions match your current part sizes
4. How much room do you have for future part sizes or line changes

If all you get back is "this is our standard size" without any discussion about your parts, racks, or production plans, that's a red flag. A booth that's undersized or poorly matched to your workpieces can cause bottlenecks, rework, or an expensive need to upgrade sooner than you'd like.

Don't sign if: the vendor can't show, step by step, how your parts will move in and out of the booth and where your growth room is.

2. "How will airflow and filtration be designed for my production and environmental requirements?"

Airflow and filtration are at the heart of a safe, efficient booth. A good answer should cover things like:

1. Airflow pattern (crossdraft, downdraft, side draft, etc.)
2. Target capture velocities and why they're appropriate
3. Filter type, efficiency, and expected maintenance schedule
4. How the design meets local environmental and safety requirements

Vague language like "plenty of airflow" or "we meet standards" without any numbers, specs, or references to regulations is a warning sign.

Don't sign if: the vendor can't provide precise specs for airflow, filtration, and compliance in the proposal.

3. "What's the plan for overspray control, colour changes, and waste handling in my operation?"

No matter what you're spraying, powder or liquid, you're going to have overspray, colour changes, and waste to deal with. How your booth handles those three things will have a huge impact on:

1. Material usage and waste costs
2. Changeover downtime
3. Compliance and housekeeping
4. Overall operating costs

A serious vendor will start by asking how many colours you run, how often you change them, what finish quality you need, and what your environmental requirements are. From there, they should be able to explain overspray control, how colour changes are addressed, waste handling and compliance measures.

Don't sign if: they can't clearly explain how their design will keep overspray under control, colour changes efficient, and waste handled safely and legally for your booth.

4. "What supporting equipment is included, and how will it integrate with the rest of my line?"

A spray booth rarely works alone. It often needs:

1. Air make up unit
2. Ovens and curing equipment
3. Spray guns and control systems
4. Pretreatment or wash systems
5. Material handling and conveyors

Your vendor should be able to outline clearly:

1. What equipment is included in the proposal
2. What's not included (and who supplies it)
3. How will everything be integrated so that parts flow smoothly

Proposals that only list a booth model and a lump-sum price, with no detail on supporting equipment or integration, are a classic "vague proposal" red flag.

Don't sign if: you can't answer, in your own words, "Here's how a part moves from pretreatment to coating to curing in our future setup."

5. "What are the facility requirements, and what site-specific planning have you done?"

Even a great booth will fail if it's dropped into the wrong environment. Your vendor should look at:

1. Your electrical service and panel capacity
2. Ventilation and make up air needs
3. Floor condition, drains, and structural support
4. Ceiling height, doors, and pathways for installation
5. Existing equipment and traffic patterns

You should expect more than a generic quote. There should be at least a basic plan or sketch showing how the booth fits into your layout and how the installation will be staged.

Red flags include:

1. No site visit or no request for drawings/photos
2. No discussion of your local codes or permits
3. Unrealistic delivery and install dates that ignore real-world constraints

Don't sign if: the proposal could be copy-pasted into any plant, anywhere, without changing a word.

6. "What training, support, and warranty do we get after the booth is installed?"

The day you start painting is not the day your vendor relationship ends. Ask for details on:

1. Operator and maintenance training – who, when, and how long
2. Documentation: manuals, checklists, and troubleshooting guides
3. Remote and on-site support options
4. Spare parts availability and lead times
5. Warranty coverage: what's covered, for how long, and what's excluded

If the answer is basically "we'll show your team the basics on install day" and nothing is spelled out in the proposal, you're taking on unnecessary risk. Limited training and support are one of the most significant hidden costs in finishing systems.

Don't sign if: you don't see clear, written commitments on training, support, and warranty.

Why does Alberta Booth insist on these questions

At Alberta Booth, we encourage buyers to use a checklist and ask tough questions long before they commit to a system. A structured checklist helps you:

1. Evaluate your needs and future growth
2. Compare vendors on more than just price
3. Plan installation without last-minute surprises
4. Spot red flags like vague proposals or unrealistic timelines early

Our approach is simple: we'd rather spend more time up front educating and planning than see a client stuck with a booth that doesn't fit their parts, their building, or their long-term goals.

If your current vendor can't or won't answer these six questions clearly, it might be time to get a second opinion – before you sign the paperwork.

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Need help, or confused with your current, or future Booth purchasing? Let's talk:

contact@albertabooth.com 

1 (855) 681-6810