# Free Painting Estimate Template

Professional estimate template used by 50,000+ contractors. Download instantly in PDF, Excel, or Google Sheets. Fill it out in under 3 minutes.

No signup required. Just download and start estimating.

## PAINTING ESTIMATE

**Premier Painting Co.**  
**Client:** Mike & Sarah Thompson  
**Address:** 1524 Maple Drive, Atlanta, GA 30305  
**Date:** April 15, 2026  
**Valid for:** 30 days

| Description | Cost |
| --- | --- |
| Interior walls, 3 bedrooms (1,200 sq ft) | $1,440 |
| Ceiling painting, 3 rooms (600 sq ft) | $720 |
| Primer + 2 coats premium latex paint | $960 |
| Trim, baseboards, and door frames | $680 |
| Labor (2-person crew, 4 days) | $3,200 |
| Prep work, taping, drop cloths | $450 |
| **TOTAL** | **$7,450** |

## What Every Painting Estimate Should Include

✓ Company name, license number, and contact info  
✓ Client name and project address  
✓ Detailed scope of work (prep, prime, paint, touchup)  
✓ Paint brand, finish, and color selections with costs  
✓ Labor hours and crew size with daily rates  
✓ Equipment and supplies (sprayers, ladders, drop cloths)  
✓ Markup and profit margin (typically 15-25%)  
✓ Subtotal, tax, and grand total  
✓ Payment schedule (deposit, progress, final)  
✓ Estimate validity period (30-60 days)  
✓ Terms, warranty, insurance, and permits  
✓ Signature line for client approval

## How to Write a Painting Estimate in 5 Steps

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 |

## Estimating Best Practices for Painting Contractors

1. **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.

2. **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.

3. **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.

4. **Photo-document existing conditions**  
   Cracks, peeling, water damage. Photograph everything before starting. Protects you from blame for pre-existing issues and sets expectations upfront.

5. **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.

6. **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.

## Frequently Asked Questions

1. **What’s the difference between an estimate and a quote?**  
   An estimate is an approximation of costs based on your initial assessment. A quote is a fixed price you commit to. Most painting contractors start with an estimate after a walkthrough, then convert it to a firm quote once the scope is finalized.

2. **How many coats should a painting estimate include?**  
   Plan for 2 coats minimum on walls and 2-3 on trim. If you’re covering dark colors or new drywall, add a primer coat. Always specify the number of coats in your estimate. It’s the #1 source of client disputes.

3. **Should I charge for painting estimates?**  
   Most residential painters offer free estimates. For large commercial jobs or detailed color consultations, charging $50-$150 is reasonable. Deduct it from the project if they hire you.

4. **What file formats can I download this template in?**  
   PDF (for sending to clients), Excel (for editing and calculations), and Google Sheets (for cloud-based collaboration). All three are free to download.

5. **Is this template really free?**  
   Yes, completely free. No sign-up, no email gate, no strings. We built these because contractors asked for them.