Question 1

What goes on a painting estimate?

Accepted Answer

Surface area (square footage of walls, ceilings, trim), prep work (scraping, sanding, caulking, drywall repair, primer), paint product + sheen + brand, number of coats, color count, trim/baseboard/door treatment, ceilings (if included), and warranty. Surface prep is typically 30-60% of total labor and the line item that distinguishes a quality painter from a discount painter.

Question 2

How do painters price by square footage?

Accepted Answer

Interior: $2-$6/sq ft of floor area for walls only, $3-$8/sq ft if ceilings included, with per-foot premiums for trim and doors. Exterior: $1.50-$4/sq ft of siding for one-coat, $2.50-$7/sq ft for two coats with full prep. Per-room flat rates ($150-$700/room depending on size and prep) are common on smaller residential jobs. Whatever method you use, document the calculation on the estimate so the homeowner sees the math.

Question 3

Should I quote primer separately?

Accepted Answer

Yes — primer is its own labor + materials cost. Note when primer is required: bare wood, repaired drywall, dramatic color change (dark over light), oil-painted surfaces being painted with latex. Some homeowners try to skip primer to save money; clearly stating which surfaces require it (and why) prevents arguments mid-job. List as a separate line item with the brand and tinted-or-not.

Question 4

How many coats should the estimate include?

Accepted Answer

Two coats is industry-standard for residential interior; one coat is acceptable on touch-up or refresh of same color (and even then, two coats look better in most light). Three coats may be needed for dark-to-light color changes or red/yellow color shifts. State coat count explicitly: "Two coats Sherwin-Williams Emerald, eggshell finish." One-coat estimates that look cheaper than competitors usually mean cheaper paint or skipped prep.

Question 5

Should I list the paint brand and product?

Accepted Answer

Yes, every time. Paint quality varies dramatically — Sherwin-Williams Emerald, Benjamin Moore Aura, and similar premium products cost 2-3x cheap contractor paint and last 2-3x as long. Specifying the product justifies your price against competitors who quote with cheap paint. Some homeowners have brand preferences; surfacing the option lets them upgrade or substitute.

Question 6

How do I handle color matching and color count?

Accepted Answer

Most quotes assume up to 2-3 colors per project (walls + trim + accent); additional colors charged per gallon and per labor adjustment. State color limit in the description: "Includes 2 wall colors + trim white + ceiling white. Additional accent colors at $X each." Color matching from existing paint or non-standard chips often costs an extra $20-$50 per gallon at the paint store; pass through to the homeowner.

Question 7

Should I include drywall repair?

Accepted Answer

Quote separately. Minor patching (nail holes, small dings) is included in standard prep. Major drywall repair (cracks, holes >1 inch, water damage) is its own line item billed by hours or by patch. State explicitly: "Quote includes nail-hole patching only; major drywall repair quoted separately at $X/hr." Without this distinction, painters get blamed for not fixing drywall problems they didn't agree to fix.

Question 8

What's standard for painting warranty?

Accepted Answer

Interior: 2-3 years on workmanship; manufacturer's warranty on paint product (typically lifetime limited from premium brands). Exterior: 5-7 years from quality painters using premium paint, 1-2 years from budget painters. Specify what voids it (substrate failure, mechanical damage, fading from extreme sun exposure on south-facing walls). Issueable's terms section is the right place; reference on every estimate.

Painting Estimate Template

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Prep Itemized

Paint Brand + Sheen

Coat Count Explicit

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Residential Interior

Residential Exterior

Commercial Interior

Cabinet Refinishing

Painting Estimate FAQ