Start with the room that must stay usable.
Identify the entrance, washroom, work area or route that people need throughout the day. Then work backwards to decide which surfaces can be prepared and painted together. Note any constraints before the estimate: appointments, business hours, resident access or a room that cannot be emptied.
List surfaces, not just rooms.
“Paint the office” could mean walls only, or walls, ceilings, doors, frames and baseboards. Write each surface down. Identify areas with stains, peeling, holes or previous repairs. If the cause of a stain is unknown or still active, that question comes before the new finish.
Choose the finish before the start date.
Confirm the colour, sheen and product selection with the person responsible for the estimate. A sample can look different under daylight and evening lighting. Keep the product name and colour code, not just a phone photo of the colour. Product instructions determine preparation, application and return-to-use requirements.
Agree the room handover.
State who clears furniture, removes wall hangings and handles fragile or sensitive equipment. Decide where items can be stored and how the work area will be separated. Do not assume that moving a desk includes disconnecting and reconnecting its electronics. Small assumptions like these can hold up otherwise simple work.
Treat drying and curing as different questions.
A finish that feels dry may still need time before cleaning, rubbing or regular use. Ask for the instructions for the selected product and the conditions in your space. There is no single timetable that fits every coating, substrate or room.
Check the completed work in normal use.
Review the agreed surfaces under the lighting people normally use. Keep a short list of any agreed touch-ups and retain labelled leftover paint if available. Record the product and sheen for future maintenance; a colour name on its own is not enough.
A useful starting point
For your estimate, send the surface list, approximate room sizes and the times each area can be available. That is a better starting point than a colour choice alone.