Painters send a written estimate before almost every job, and homeowners often collect two or three to compare. Clients compare the total price, but also what is included: number of coats, prep work, paint quality, and cleanup. A clear estimate helps you win the job without underbidding.
When to use estimates: Use estimates to provide project quotes and get client approval before starting work. Once approved, convert your estimate to an invoice with one click to collect payment.
Create an invoice for payment collection
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Invoice_1001_Client_2026-10-14.pdf
Specify rooms, walls, ceilings, trim, doors, closets, and exterior sides so there is no argument about whether a closet or garage ceiling was included.
State what you will do, such as washing, scraping, sanding, caulking, patching, and priming, and note what is excluded, such as major drywall repair or rotted wood replacement.
Paint quality affects both cost and durability. Naming the product prevents a lower-quality substitution claim and lets clients compare bids fairly.
Clarify whether the client chooses and buys the paint or you do, and whether furniture moving, wall hanging removal, and outlet cover removal are included.
Exterior work depends on weather. Stating a timeline and a rain delay policy sets expectations and avoids complaints about schedule slips.
Spell out the deposit amount, progress payments, and final payment so clients know what is due and when.
Paint and labor costs change. A 30-day expiration protects you, and a change order clause covers extra work found after you begin.
A one to two year workmanship warranty is common and gives clients a reason to choose you over a cheaper bidder.
| Service | Priced | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Interior wall painting (walls only, two coats) | per sq ft of wall area | $1.50-4.00 |
| Interior room painting (walls, average bedroom) | flat fee per room | $350-900 |
| Ceiling painting | per sq ft of ceiling | $1.00-2.50 |
| Trim, baseboards, and crown molding | per linear ft | $1.50-4.00 |
| Exterior house painting (siding, two coats) | per sq ft of surface | $2.00-4.50 |
| Cabinet painting or refinishing | per cabinet door/drawer front | $75-200 |
| Drywall patching and minor repair | per hour | $45-85 |
| Pressure washing before exterior painting | flat fee | $150-500 |
Typical US ranges. Rates vary by region, experience, and job size.
Calculate wall and ceiling square footage, count doors, windows, and cabinet fronts, and note the ceiling height. A quick measurement beats guessing from the size of the house and keeps your margins consistent.
Prep often takes as long as painting. Look closely at wall condition, caulk lines, peeling areas, and dark colors that need extra coats, and price that time in. Underestimating prep is the most common way painters lose money on a job.
Present one or two paint grades with the price difference listed. Clients often choose the middle option, and you avoid the argument later about why the cheap paint did not cover in two coats.
Houses built before 1978 may contain lead paint, which triggers federal lead-safe work practice rules for renovation work in many cases. Build certification, containment, and cleanup into your price or decline the job if you are not certified.
Most residential painters give free estimates for standard jobs. For large or complex projects, such as full exterior repaints or historic homes, some charge a fee of $50 to $200 and credit it toward the job if the client hires them.
Thirty days is typical. Paint prices and your schedule change, so put an expiration date on the estimate and state that prices may change after that.
It depends on how you word it. A quote labeled as a fixed price for a defined scope is generally treated as binding for that scope. If conditions might change, label it as an estimate and include a clause that hidden damage or added work will be billed as a change order.
You can agree, but note on the estimate that you are not responsible for coverage, color match, or finish problems caused by the client's paint. Some painters charge a slightly higher labor rate or require the client to buy enough paint for two full coats.
Use the Painter invoice template to bill the client, or convert this estimate once it's approved.
Painter invoice template