For those who are new to the painting industry, it can be difficult to estimate a job. It’s not a good idea to offer too high a price so that you don’t get the job. You don’t want to price yourself so low that you lose money.
A price estimate that is competitive and professional will help you stand out among other painting companies.
However, it takes some planning to get the perfect estimate.
You can make attractive, profitable estimates quickly if you follow these seven steps.
FreshBooks online estimate software makes it easy to generate and send estimates. You can also convert them into invoices.
Do a Site Visit
Before you make an estimate, do yourself a favor by visiting the site. Poor condition of walls could increase the cost. If you want to cover dark walls, you will need more paint. Multiplying accent walls with different colors and taking longer will require more work.
Next, use a laser to measure the space. Ask the customer whether they want to paint the walls only or the ceiling, trim, and doors. Jobber recommends asking the customer if they will supply the paint. If not, what brand do they require and how custom-mixed the colors are.
These questions will help you make a more accurate estimate and save you time later. You can bring someone who is more skilled in estimating or painting with you to help you estimate.
A professional painting contractor can tell you in real time what factors go into a painting estimate. You should take your time and, if possible, speak with other experienced painting contractors so that you have a better understanding of the business.
Calculate the Paint Cost
Paint can range in price from $15 to $80 per gallon, depending on brand, discount and quality. According to Painting Leads, contractors can pay as much as $45 per gallon.
Ask your paint supplier whether they offer a contractor discount. If you are buying a lot of paint each month and have a good relationship, they will be more inclined to give you a discount. You may not get a significant discount on your paint costs immediately. You will need to select the right paints for your house.
Once you have chosen your paint, measure your area and calculate how much paint is needed for your job.
Let’s assume that paint costs $25 per gallon. These are rough estimates of the cost of paint for exterior and interior purposes, as well as trim and body.
- 1500 sq. ft. house: 10 gallons, $250 paint cost
- For a house of 2,500 sq. feet, 15 gallons and $375 for paint
- For a house of 4,000 sq. feet, 25 gallons and $625 for paint
Calculate the Material Cost
The following materials are required for exterior painting.
- Primer: 1 gallon
- Caulking: 6 tubes
- Tape: 10 rolls
- 3 rolls of masking paper
- Masking plastic: 2 rolls
- Materials cost approximately $115
Material amounts are affected by how much prep work is done. More primer and caulking means that there will be more.
The number of windows and the amount of brick and roofline are important factors. If you’re painting exteriors, more masking paper or plastic is required. All of these factors will increase the cost of painting, as you will need to paint over them.
Calculate the Labor Cost
Because there are so many components to labor, it can be difficult to estimate the cost. According to Painting Business Pro, the average labor cost per hour is $20
An estimate of exterior painting costs is that two to three painters could paint a house measuring 2,500 sq. feet in one to two days. You can expect to pay $1,600 for the crew, which will cost around $800 per day.
An 800 square foot house takes one day ($800), while a 4,000 square feet house takes three days ($2400).
Here are some other problems that could double the amount of time it takes to complete a project:
- Paint must be applied multiple times
- Trees and ivy in the way
- It is difficult to paint embedded windows.
- Access to difficult houses: ladders and steep roofs are difficult to use
- Preparation is important: wood damage, peeling, and so on.
You’re likely to overlook something that will cost more if you are new to estimation. Paint Leads recommends that you raise your prices to protect yourself.
How much does marketing cost?
Marketing is a hidden expense that you need to consider. Marketing costs such as printing flyers, distribution and printing of leads and lawn signs are not a cost that is worthwhile.
Keep an eye on your marketing budget and only use tactics that produce leads. To get the job, you should not spend more than 10% of the project price. This will preserve your profit margin.
- A $1,000 painting job should not cost more than $100 in marketing.
Use Your Markup
The percentage of markup that you apply will depend on whether you are new to the painting industry or not. For a new business, a markup of 30 percent is a good choice. Painting Business Pro says that a 50 percent markup works well for larger and more experienced painting companies.
What’s the difference? One reason is overhead costs. Experienced companies typically have more staff, an office, accounting fees, and higher sales and marketing expenses.
To ensure you aren’t under-pricing yourself, it is important to know your overhead costs before you make your markup. Other costs to consider include insurance, warranty funds, clothing, vehicle costs, and gas.
According to Painting Business Pro, you should make at least 20-30 percent on every job.
Do the Final Calculation
This formula will calculate your final estimate:
Paint Cost + Materials Cost + Labor Cost + Marketing Cost + Markup = Total Project Cost
Some companies include marketing costs in their markup. It’s up to them.
To make room for unexpected costs, consider rounding up your total fees, such as $1,150 to 1,200.
For beginners, a painting estimate calculator is also useful. Homewyze offers a zip code calculator.
This article will show you how to write a formal estimate that you can send your customer.
What is the Average Charge for a Painter?
According to Home Advisor, interior painting costs range from $380 to $790. Painting interiors can vary by state, and the cost of painting will depend on many other factors. We’ve listed some of these below.
Cost will vary depending on:
- The room’s size
- The ceilings’ height
- Surface condition of walls
- Paint prices
- Covering up dark colors requires multiple coats and longer drying time.
- It is important to consider whether the ceilings or doors will be done, as well as trim and walls.
The cost to paint an exterior house measuring up to 1,500 sq. feet is typically between $1,000 and $3,000. According to Home Advisor, the national average cost is $2,581 while most homeowners pay between $1,714-$3,682.
Price will be affected by the number of floors and the ease of access. Prices can also vary depending on where you live and what your state is.
What is the Average Price for a Painter per Square Foot?
The average cost to paint an interior of a house is $1.50 to $3.50 per square feet. Smart Asset estimates that ceilings, walls, trim, and trim can increase the cost to $3-4 per square foot.
The square footage of the house will determine the cost. However, other factors such as the number and complexity of the story will also impact the price. The average cost per square foot is $1.80 to $1.80. According to Painting Leads, a 1,500-square-foot house would cost $1,500 to $2,500, while a 3,000-square foot house would run $3,500-4,500.
The cost of Interior Painting in Cypress TX depends on the type of paint used and the size of your room. According to Project Cost, the total cost to paint a room ranges from $950 to $2700. This includes labor and product costs.
What is the hourly rate for a painter?
An hourly rate for a professional painter is typically between $25-$100. Angie’s List says that the cost of a professional painter will vary depending on their experience and the difficulty of the job.
Exterior house painters are charged differently than interior house painters. According to Service Seeking, an interior painter typically charges $40-60 per hour for a basic painting job.
However, many house painters offer specialized services so the final cost may vary from job to job.
After you have completed your painting job, it is time to get paid. To get started, you can download the FreshBooks free template for painting invoices. This invoice template is specifically designed for house painters so that you can be sure you will get paid promptly and accurately.
