Free Painting Estimate
Template
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1524 Maple Drive, Atlanta, GA 30305
Date: April 15, 2026 | Valid for 30 days
$7,450
⭐ 4.8 Stars
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What Every Painting Estimate Should Include
How to Write a Painting Estimate in 5 Steps
Step 1: Measure and Assess the Space
Walk every room. Measure wall height and width, note ceiling texture, count doors, windows, and trim pieces. Check for wallpaper removal, drywall repairs, or lead paint that adds prep time. Take photos of problem areas.
Step 2: Calculate Paint and Materials
One gallon covers around 350 sq ft. Budget 2 coats minimum. For a 1,200 sq ft interior: roughly 7 gallons wall paint, 2 gallons trim paint, plus primer if needed. Add tape, caulk, drop cloths, and sandpaper to your materials list.
Step 3: Price Your Labor
Interior painting runs $1.50-$3.50 per sq ft depending on prep work and finish quality. A 3-bedroom interior takes a 2-person crew 3-5 days. Factor in prep time. It’s usually 40-60% of total labor hours.
Step 4: Add Your Markup
Apply your markup (20-35% is standard for painting). This covers overhead, insurance, drive time, and profit. On a $6,000 job, a 25% markup adds $1,500. Don’t compete on price. Compete on quality and reliability.
Step 5: Send It and Follow Up
Export a clean PDF and send it within 24 hours of the walkthrough. Include paint color samples or swatches if discussed. Follow up within 48 hours. Painting estimates that arrive fast close more often.
Average Painting Job Costs to Guide Your Estimates
Use these benchmarks as starting points. Actual costs vary by region, materials, and job complexity.
| Job Type | Material Cost | Labor Cost | Total Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior 3-bedroom (1,200 sq ft) | $800 – $1,400 | $2,400 – $4,200 | $4,000 – $7,000 |
| Exterior 2-story home (2,500 sq ft) | $1,200 – $2,000 | $3,500 – $6,000 | $6,000 – $10,000 |
| Single room repaint (12×12) | $100 – $200 | $300 – $500 | $500 – $800 |
| Kitchen cabinet painting | $400 – $800 | $800 – $1,500 | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| Deck/fence staining (400 sq ft) | $200 – $400 | $400 – $800 | $800 – $1,500 |
| Commercial office (3,000 sq ft) | $1,500 – $3,000 | $3,000 – $5,000 | $6,000 – $10,000 |
Costs vary by region. Get a location-specific estimate in 6 seconds with SimplyWise AI Estimator →
Estimating Best Practices for Painting Contractors
Always include prep work separately
List sanding, patching, caulking, and priming as separate line items. Clients understand why the job costs what it costs, and you don’t eat hidden prep time.
Specify paint brand and finish
Benjamin Moore vs builder-grade paint is a different job. Spell out the brand, sheen (flat, eggshell, semi-gloss), and number of coats. Avoids disputes and justifies your price.
Offer interior + exterior bundles
Clients doing interior work often need exterior too. Offer a 10-15% bundle discount. Your average ticket jumps and you lock out competitors.
Photo-document existing conditions
Cracks, peeling, water damage. Photograph everything before starting. Protects you from blame for pre-existing issues and sets expectations upfront.
Build in a color change fee
If the client changes colors mid-job, that’s extra coats and materials. Include a per-room color change fee ($150-$300) in your terms.
Quote per room, not just a total
Break estimates into per-room pricing. Clients can add/remove rooms, and you upsell more easily. Transparency builds trust.
Estimate Template vs. Estimating Software
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- ✓ Pre-filled line items
- ✓ PDF, Excel, Google Sheets
- ✓ Print or email to clients
- ✓ Manual updates required
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- ✓ Photo-to-estimate in 6 seconds
- ✓ Live material pricing by ZIP code
- ✓ Professional PDF estimates + invoices
- ✓ Send directly to clients
- ✓ Track all your estimates
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