Painting · Free estimate sample

Painting estimate template

The general shape of a painting estimate. Prep, primer, finish coats, and materials kept separate — because prep is where painting bids actually differ, and it's the line customers never see unless you show it.

Use this template in the app Sample document · illustrative figures only · no signup

Estimate #5101

Sample Painting Co. · Sample date

Valid 30 days

Surface preparation — cleaning, scraping, sanding, patching, caulking$650.00

Protection — masking, drop cloths, furniture moving as stated$150.00

Primer where required$280.00

Finish coats — number of coats and areas as listed$1,400.00

Paint and materials — product line as specified$420.00

Total$2,900.00

Excludes: repair of damaged drywall or plaster beyond minor patching, wallpaper removal, lead abatement, and color changes after the first coat. Number of coats, sheen, and product as specified; color selections by customer. Payment due on completion.

Sample template only. Company, figures, and scope are fictional and for illustration — not a quote, price guide, or market rate.

Common practice

Why it's written this way

Every painting bid includes paint. Only the good ones show the prep.

Why is prep its own line?

Prep determines how long the paint lasts and takes most of the labor. A separate line explains your price against a bid that just rolls over the old surface.

Why state the number of coats?

"Paint the room" means one coat to some customers and two to others. Stating it prevents the most common painting dispute.

Why name the product?

Paint lines differ in price and durability. Naming the product makes a comparison fair and stops downgrade accusations later.

Before you send it

What varies by state

Painting is licensed in some states and not others; the lead-paint rule applies everywhere.

LicensingSome states license painting contractors specifically or above a dollar threshold; others don't license painting at all.
Lead paintDisturbing painted surfaces in homes built before 1978 triggers federal EPA RRP rules — certified firm, certified renovator, lead-safe work practices — in every state.
PermitsInterior painting needs no permit; exterior work on historic or regulated buildings sometimes does.
VOC rulesSome states restrict the VOC content of coatings, affecting product choice.
Contract rulesHome-improvement deposit caps and written-contract rules apply.

General information, not legal, tax, or licensing advice. Requirements differ by state, county, and city and change over time. Confirm with your state licensing board and the local authority having jurisdiction before relying on any of this.

Estimator notes

Common questions

Should I charge per square foot or per room?

Estimate per square foot; present per room or per area on the document.

Do I include the paint?

Usually yes, with the product named. Customer-supplied paint means labor only and no finish warranty.

What if the walls are worse than expected?

Exclude major repair and price it as a change when found.

How many coats?

Two finish coats is the standard for a color change. Say so.