Height
anything above reach needs ladders, scaffolds, or lifts
Division 09, Painting
Painting Estimating Services for Commercial & Residential Contractors
Paint is the cheap part of a painting job. Labor is most of the cost, and labor depends on things a square-foot number doesn't show: how much cutting in there is, how high the walls go, how many colors change room to room, and how many doors, frames, and railings need brushing by hand.
Our painting estimating services take off every paintable surface and counted item from the drawings and finish schedule, then price material and labor based on the paint system specified.
09 90 00By surface and system
Excel + PDFWith marked-up drawings
ZIP-code pricedLocal material and labor rates
24 to 48 hoursTypical turnaround
Measured Surfaces and Counted Items
Measured by area
- Gypsum board walls and ceilings
- Masonry and concrete walls
- Exterior siding, stucco, and trim surfaces
- Exposed deck and structure
- Floors receiving sealers or coatings
Measured by length
- Trim, base, and crown
- Handrails and guardrails
- Exposed pipe and conduit (by size)
Counted
- Doors (each side) and frames
- Windows and window trim
- Bollards, pipe guards, and posts
- Columns
- Access panels, grilles, and miscellaneous items
Labor Drives the Price
Production rates (how many square feet or items a painter completes per hour) change with:
Cut-in
small rooms with lots of corners and edges are slower than open walls
Color changes
accent walls and multiple colors per room add cut lines
Surface texture
block and textured surfaces take more material and time
Method
brush, roll, or spray
Occupied buildings
after-hours work, protection, and limited access
We apply production rates by surface and condition, or use your own rates if you provide them.
The Paint System From the Spec
Specifications define a paint system for each substrate, for example, one coat of primer and two finish coats on new gypsum board, or a block filler plus two coats on concrete masonry. We read the paint schedule and price the right number of coats and products for each surface rather than applying a generic "two coats."
Surfaces Contractors Often Miss
Exposed ceilings and structure
, often painted with dryfall coatings
Hollow metal frames
and doors that arrive primed but need finish paint
Exposed mechanical and electrical
pipes, ducts, and conduit in exposed areas
Stair stringers, railings, and miscellaneous steel
Mechanical rooms and back-of-house spaces
listed in a corner of the finish schedule
Pavement markings and curb painting
, if in scope
Exterior Painting
Siding, trim, soffits, fascia, stucco, masonry, metal panels, and railings, with surface prep (pressure washing, scraping, caulking), primer requirements, and access equipment for upper stories.
Who Uses Painting Estimating
- Commercial painting contractors
- Residential painters
- General contractors pricing Division 09
- Property managers planning repaints
Checklist
What to Send
- Floor plans, reflected ceiling plans, and elevations
- Finish schedule and paint schedule
- Painting specifications
- Door schedule
- For repaints: photos and access information
Send Your Files
Upload the drawings through our quote form, share a Google Drive or plan-room link, or email them. Large sets travel best as a shared folder.
Upload Your Plans →Or email info@primeestimation.com.
Excel + PDFWith marked-up drawings
Deliverables
What You Receive
- Surface areas by substrate and paint system
- Counts for doors, frames, and miscellaneous items
- Gallons by product
- Labor hours by task
- Material and labor pricing
- Marked-up drawings
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you estimate a painting job?
Measure paintable surfaces by area and length, count doors, frames, and other items, apply the specified paint system and coats, then price labor using production rates adjusted for height and complexity.
Do you include doors and frames?
Yes, counted and priced individually.
Do you estimate exterior painting?
Yes, including prep and access equipment.
Can you use my production rates?
Yes, if you provide them.
Ready to Get Started?
Price the Labor, Not Just the Paint
Send your plans and finish schedule. We'll quote the takeoff and delivery date.