What’s on the painting estimate template
Extra fields on this template: Job site.
| Item | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walls: living room and hallwayPrep and 2 coats, per sq ft | 820 | $1.60 | $1,312.00 |
| Ceilings1 coat flat white, per sq ft | 540 | $0.90 | $486.00 |
| Trim and doorsSemi-gloss, per door with casing | 6 | $85.00 | $510.00 |
| Drywall repairPatch and sand small holes and cracks | 1 | $180.00 | $180.00 |
| Paint and materials[Brand, line], per gallon | 9 | $58.00 | $522.00 |
| Estimated total | $3,010.00 | ||
Example prices in US dollars. Replace them with your own; in the generator, any currency works.
How painters price a job
Most painters price walls and ceilings by the square foot of surface (not floor area), trim by the linear foot, and doors, windows and cabinets per piece. Others price by the room or by labor hours plus materials. Whatever you use, show quantities: a client comparing three bids trusts the one that shows 820 sq ft of wall at $1.60 more than a single number.
What to include
- Surfaces and rooms, and what isn’t being painted.
- Prep: washing, scraping, sanding, caulking, priming, and drywall repairs.
- Number of coats and the paint brand, line and sheen.
- Furniture moving, protection and cleanup.
- Lead-safe practices for pre-1978 homes, which the EPA’s RRP rule requires of certified firms.
- Color selection: when it must be decided and what a change mid-job costs.
Exterior jobs
For exteriors, add lines for pressure washing, scraping and priming bare wood, caulking, and any carpentry repair, plus access equipment such as lifts or scaffolding. Note weather: exterior paint needs dry days above the label’s minimum temperature, so the schedule may move. When the work is done, bill with the painting invoice template.
Frequently asked questions
How much paint does a room need?
A gallon covers about 350–400 sq ft per coat. Two coats on 820 sq ft of wall need about 4.5 gallons; round up, and add ceiling and trim paint separately.
Should the estimate include paint or should the client buy it?
Either works. If you supply it, name the brand and line so the client knows what they’re paying for; if they supply it, say so and price labor only.
Do painters charge for estimates?
Residential painting estimates are usually free. Commercial bids from drawings sometimes carry a fee.