How do I quote a painting job?

Author: Nickolas Nikolaus  |  Last update: Saturday, January 17, 2026

To decide the total price you should charge for painting jobs:
  1. Make your cost estimate (material + labor + overhead costs)
  2. Choose your desired profit margin.
  3. Calculate your markup.
  4. Cost estimate + markup = total price for the job.

How to estimate the cost of a paint job?

Some contractors use a rough base rate of $1.50 or $2.00 per square foot, some multiply 4 to 6 times the paint cost, some estimate the time the job will take and add it to an estimate of materials—and some may simply offer the lowest price to outbid the competition.

How do I bid out a paint job?

This leads to more accurate estimates.
  1. Measure the Square Footage Accurately.
  2. Determine the Type of Paint Needed.
  3. Calculate the Amount and Cost of Paint Required.
  4. Estimate Equipment Rental Expenses.
  5. Estimate the Time Required to Paint Each Area.
  6. Calculate Labor Costs Based on Hourly Rates.
  7. Add Business Insurance Costs.

How to calculate the painting cost?

The following factors need to be considered while calculating the painting cost:
  1. Surface Area. Take a measurement of the surface to be painted. ...
  2. Type of Paint. ...
  3. Coverage Rate Of Paint. ...
  4. Number Of Coats Required. ...
  5. Price Of The Paint. ...
  6. Cost Of Labour. ...
  7. Clean Up. ...
  8. Cost Of Equipment.

How do I estimate the price of a painting?

To stick to an objective, facts-based approach, here are a couple of formulas that may be useful:
  1. (Hourly Wage × Hours Spent) + Cost of Materials. This is a good formula to follow if you're just starting out. ...
  2. (Height x Width) × Price per square inch. ...
  3. (Height + Width) × Price per linear inch.

How to Estimate Interior Paint Jobs

How do I make an estimate for painting?

How To Estimate a Paint Job in 7 Easy Steps
  1. Step 1: Do Your Painting Job Pre-Check. ...
  2. Step 2: Measure the Space. ...
  3. Step 3: Estimate Painting Material Costs. ...
  4. Step 4: Estimate Labor and Rental Costs. ...
  5. Step 5: Account for Overhead and Profit Margin. ...
  6. Step 6: Create the Painting Estimate. ...
  7. Step 7: Deliver the Estimate.

How do painters set their price for job?

Common ways to charge for painting include per square foot, per hour, per room, and per day. Average costs vary depending on the painter's experience level, type of job, season, and location. Basic interior painting typically costs $3 to $6 per square foot.

What is a good quote for painting?

“Painting is just another way of keeping a diary.” – Pablo Picasso. “Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one.” – Stella Adler.

What do painters charge per day?

Day rates for a painter and decorator in the UK range from £150 to £400 a day. Not including the cost of paint and materials, daily rates are typically between £100 and £250.

How much labor should I charge to paint?

Interior painting labor costs $1 to $3 per square foot of coverage area or $3 to $7 per square foot of floor space. Painters charge $180 to $650 to paint a room or $20 to $50 per hour for smaller projects.

How to write up a bid for painting?

A painting proposal template is a document that explains what you can help your client achieve. It consists of an executive summary and several other sections, including “Why Us?,” project timeline, scope of work, materials you'll be using, pricing, and legal terms.

How do painters calculate square footage?

To estimate the square footage, you multiply length x width. For example: If you are painting a bedroom, you should measure from corner to corner of a wall and then measure the height. So if your wall is 12 ft wide and 8 ft high, that wall is 96 square feet.

How to bid on a painting job?

Bidding on a paint job begins with inspecting the site to measure the walls and find any damage or other problem areas. Use the square footage to find the amount of paint and other materials you'll need. Estimate the labor costs of the job and add your overhead and profit margin to the final estimate.

What is a good price for a paint job?

For most people, a mid-tier paint job is going to be the best option. This level typically costs between $1,000 and $5,000, and usually includes fairly extensive sanding, priming, and other preparation.

Do painters give free estimates?

Many contractors offer free estimates as a way of getting their foot in the door. Clients benefit from these estimates by gaining a clearer picture of what the project will entail and possibly cost.

How do painters do quotes?

Your quote should be broken down into three sections:

Second should be the decorating work that will be carried out – including how many coats of paint will be applied to certain areas. Lastly should be details of the materials to be used, including the make of paints used.

What's a good short quote?

Inspirational short quotes
  • “Every day, in every way, I'm getting better and better.” ( ...
  • “Keep on truckin'.” — ...
  • “Do not let making a living prevent you from making a life.” — ...
  • “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” — ...
  • “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” —

How do you work out a quote for a painting?

7 Steps to Estimate Your Next Painting Job
  1. Visit the Job Site. Before you do anything you should first visit the job site. ...
  2. Determine the Cost of Paint. ...
  3. Estimate Material Costs. ...
  4. Estimate Labour Costs. ...
  5. Estimate Marketing Costs. ...
  6. Include Your Business Markup. ...
  7. Time for the Final Calculation.

How do I determine my price for painting?

Multiply the painting's width by its length to arrive at the total size, in square inches. Then multiply that number by a set dollar amount that's appropriate for your reputation. I currently use $6 per square inch for oil paintings. Then calculate your cost of canvas and framing, and then double that number.

How do you commission a painting?

How to Commission Art?
  1. Select Your Subject and Aesthetic. First of all, you need to decide on your subject matter and style. ...
  2. Choose Your Artist. All artists are different. ...
  3. Establish What You Want. ...
  4. Create a Contract. ...
  5. Stay Connected With Your Artist or Their Studio. ...
  6. Be Patient.

How do painters sell their work?

#1 Galleries & Exhibitions

Holding exhibitions and selling your artwork in art galleries is the traditional way for an artist to sell their art, and also one of the more difficult ways to get started. You will find that a majority of galleries work on a commission basis where you are paid when the painting sells.

How do I charge for a painting job?

Total labor cost ÷ total square footage

For example, if your total labor cost is $960 and the total square footage of the job is 1,200 square feet, the labor cost per square foot would be: $960 ÷ 1,200 = $0.80 per square foot.

How do you calculate painting?

First off, you need to grab a tape measure to work out the height and width of the surface you want to paint. Then, multiply the height and width together to get your square metre measurement. Subtract any windows and doors by using the same calculation method and deducting it from the total.

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