Painting Estimating Guide
Interior and exterior painting estimating for residential and commercial projects.
Overview
Painting estimates are built on surface area calculations, surface condition assessment, and coat requirements. Interior painting is typically priced per square foot of wall area or per room, while exterior painting considers the home's total exterior surface area. Prep work — which includes scraping, sanding, caulking, and priming — often accounts for 60-80% of total labor on repaint jobs.
Common Projects
- Full interior repaint (walls and ceilings)
- Exterior house painting
- Cabinet painting and refinishing
- Commercial office or retail painting
- New construction painting (prime and two coats)
- Deck and fence staining
Pricing Factors
- Total paintable surface area (square feet)
- Surface condition and prep work required
- Number of coats needed (primer plus finish)
- Paint quality and type (latex, oil-based, specialty)
- Ceiling height and accessibility
- Number of colors and cut-in complexity
Materials List
- Interior and exterior paint (various sheens)
- Primer (bonding, stain-blocking, drywall)
- Caulk and wood filler
- Sandpaper and sanding supplies
- Painter's tape and drop cloths
- Brushes, rollers, and spray tips
- Patching compound and joint compound
Estimating Tips
- Calculate wall area by multiplying room perimeter by ceiling height, then subtract window and door openings.
- Always inspect surfaces before bidding — peeling, cracking, and water damage dramatically increase prep time.
- Price cabinet painting per linear foot of cabinetry, not per square foot — it is highly labor-intensive work.
- Include drying time between coats in your labor schedule, especially for multi-story exteriors.
- Factor in paint coverage rates: one gallon covers approximately 350-400 square feet per coat on smooth surfaces.
Estimate Painting Jobs in ContractorIQ
Snap a photo of the job or describe it, and ContractorIQ itemizes the materials and labor, priced for your market.
FAQs
Common questions about painting estimating
Interior painting is commonly priced at $1.50-$3.50 per square foot of wall area, or $300-$800 per room for average-sized rooms. This includes prep, prime (if needed), and two coats of finish paint. Ceilings, trim, and doors are typically priced as add-ons.
Exterior painting for an average single-story home (1,500 sq ft of paintable surface) typically ranges from $3,000-$7,000 depending on prep work needed, number of stories, and paint quality. Pricing is usually $2.00-$4.50 per square foot of exterior surface area.
Professional contractors should include paint in their bid with a 20-35% markup. This ensures you control the product quality, simplifies the project for the customer, and adds profit margin. Only allow customer-supplied paint if they understand it may void your workmanship warranty.