How to Estimate Painting Jobs: A Contractor's Guide

Painting looks simple from the outside. Measure walls, buy paint, roll it on. But every painter knows the real work — and the real cost — is in the prep.

And prep is where most painting estimates go wrong.

The Painting Estimate Formula

Step 1: Measure Everything

**Interior:**

Wall square footage (length × height for each wall, subtract windows/doors)

Ceiling square footage

Trim linear feet (baseboards, crown, casings, chair rail)

Doors (count and type — flush, panel, French)

Cabinets (if applicable)

Closet interiors

**Exterior:**

Siding square footage by type (lap, board & batten, stucco, brick)

Fascia and soffit linear feet

Trim and window casings

Doors

Deck or porch (if included)

Height factor (two-story+ requires lifts or scaffolding)

Step 2: Assess Prep Work

This is where money is made or lost:

**Patching and repair:** Nail holes, drywall damage, wood rot

**Sanding:** Light scuff vs. heavy sand (previously glossy surfaces)

**Caulking:** Windows, trim joints, gaps

**Priming:** Bare wood, stains, color changes, new drywall

**Masking/taping:** How detailed? Spray vs. brush/roll?

**Wallpaper removal:** Time-intensive, price accordingly

**Lead paint:** Pre-1978 homes need RRP compliance ($$$)

**Power washing:** Exterior prep, typically included

**Rule of thumb:** Prep is 60-70% of the labor on most paint jobs. If you're estimating prep at 30%, you're going to lose money.

Step 3: Calculate Materials

Paint: square footage ÷ coverage rate (350-400 sq ft/gallon for most paints)

Add 10-15% waste factor

Primer (where needed)

Caulk, patching compound, sandpaper

Tape, plastic, drop cloths

Roller covers, brushes (consumables per job)

Markup: 20-40% on materials

Step 4: Calculate Labor

Your labor rate should include:

Painter wages + burden (taxes, comp, insurance)

Your time (supervision, customer management, travel)

Overhead allocation

**Production rates** (experienced painter, per coat):

Walls (brush/roll): 150-200 sq ft/hour

Walls (spray): 400-600 sq ft/hour

Ceilings: 150-200 sq ft/hour

Trim (brush): 50-80 linear ft/hour

Doors: 30-45 minutes each

Cabinets: 4-8 hours per average kitchen

Step 5: Add Overhead and Profit

Vehicle, insurance, licensing, marketing

Office and admin time

Profit margin: 15-25%

Interior vs. Exterior Pricing

**Interior painting** is typically priced per room or per square foot:

Average room (12×12, 8ft ceiling): $350-$800 depending on market and prep

Per square foot of wall: $2.50-$5.00

**Exterior painting** is typically priced per square foot of paintable surface:

Single-story ranch: $3,000-$6,000

Two-story colonial: $5,000-$12,000

Factors: height, condition, number of colors, detail work

Common Painting Estimate Mistakes

1. **Underestimating prep time.** Always. Add 20% to whatever you think prep will take.

2. **Not charging for color changes.** Going from dark to light (or vice versa) requires primer and extra coats. That's extra paint AND extra labor. Charge for it.

3. **Ignoring travel time.** If the job is 45 minutes away, that's 1.5 hours of unbillable time per day. Factor it in.

4. **Flat-rate bidding without measuring.** "I can do that for $2,000" without measuring is a coin flip. Sometimes you win, sometimes you just worked for free.

5. **Not documenting scope.** "Paint the living room" — does that include the ceiling? The trim? The closet? The accent wall in a different color? Spell it out in the estimate or pay for it out of your pocket.

Professional Estimates Win More Jobs

A painting estimate that lists "Paint interior — $4,500" loses to one that breaks out each room, prep work, materials, and timeline. Homeowners want to understand what they're paying for.

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