How to Quote a Painting Job: Pricing Method, Line Items and Example
A step-by-step method for pricing a painting job: measuring, prep, coats, labour, materials, markup and a worked example for Canadian painters.
Underpriced painting jobs usually fail for one reason: prep takes longer than expected. Here is a repeatable way to quote painting work so you earn what the job is worth.
Step 1: Measure
Measure wall area, ceiling area, trim length and the number of doors and windows. Rule of thumb: floor area times about 3 gives approximate wall area for a typical room, but measuring is better.
Step 2: Assess prep
Note holes, cracks, water stains, wallpaper, glossy surfaces, mould, lead paint risk in older homes and furniture to move. Prep is often 30–50% of the time.
Step 3: Decide coats and products
Primer if colour changes are drastic or surfaces are bare; two finish coats on most walls. Choose paint tier and note it on the quote.
Step 4: Estimate labour
Use your own production rates, such as square feet per hour for cutting in, rolling and trim, and adjust for ceiling height and access. Multiply by your hourly rate including overhead.
Step 5: Add materials
Paint (coverage divided into total coats), primer, tape, drop sheets, filler, sundries. Mark up materials.
Worked example
- Labour: 28 hours at $65 = $1,820
- Paint and primer: $310
- Supplies: $90
- Materials markup 15%: about $60
- Subtotal: about $2,280
- Tax at 13% (Ontario example): about $296
- Total: about $2,576
Your rates will differ. The structure is the point.
Step 6: Write the scope
List rooms, surfaces, coats, products, colours, exclusions and the payment terms. For market prices, see how much it costs to paint an apartment in Canada.
Speed it up
Painters using quoting software for painters can reuse rates, apply taxes and send a PDF on site. See also change orders for extra requests mid-job.