Free painting estimate template

What goes in a painting estimate?

Surfaces, room by room

Name the rooms, or the sides of the house, and what gets painted in each: walls, ceiling, trim, doors. 'Paint the living room' leaves the ceiling in question.

The prep

Patching, sanding, caulking, scraping, washing. Prep is where painting quotes differ most, and the part a cheaper quote leaves out, so list it.

Coats and primer

Say how many coats and where primer goes. 'Two coats' is a promise the client can hold you to, and a reason your price is what it is.

The paint, by name

Name the brand, product line and sheen, or say the client picks them. A cheaper paint line is the easiest way to undercut a quote, so naming yours shows what the price buys.

Who moves the furniture

Say whether you move and cover furniture or the client clears the room before you arrive.

Writing a painting estimate that gets approved

• Walk every room with the client and write down what's being painted before you measure. Most painting disputes are about a surface one of you thought was included.
• On an exterior, note the condition of each side of the house separately. A side in full sun can need far more scraping and priming than the rest.
• A big color change, or light over dark, can need a tinted primer or an extra coat. Say so in the notes if the colors aren't picked yet.
• Write down repairs you're leaving alone, like rotted trim or cracked plaster. If it isn't on the estimate, the client will assume the painting covers it.

Questions

Does a painting estimate include the paint?

A painting estimate should say whether it includes the paint. Either put paint and supplies on their own line, or note that the client supplies the paint and name the product and amount you need.

How do you measure a room for a painting estimate?

Measure wall area as the room's perimeter times the wall height, and take off big openings like large windows and garage doors if you price by the square foot. Trim is measured in linear feet, and doors and windows are often counted each.

What about lead paint in older homes?

In the US, homes built before 1978 may have lead paint, and the EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule applies when you disturb painted surfaces in them: a certified firm, lead-safe work practices, and the Renovate Right pamphlet given to the owner before work starts. It adds time and cost, so note it on the estimate.

When the job's done

Walk the finished work with a printable punch list before the invoice goes out.

• Interior painting punch list
• Exterior painting punch list