What is in the free painting estimate template
The Estimate sheet has one row per line item with quantity, unit, material and labor cost per unit, and formulas for material, labor and line totals. Below the lines it totals the job and adds overhead, profit and sales tax on materials from percentages you enter. No price or percentage is filled in for you.
The Quantities sheet works out gallons as area times coats divided by the spread rate, plus waste, and labor hours as area times coats divided by your production rate. Use the spread rate on the product data sheet: Sherwin-Williams lists 350 to 400 SF per gallon at 4 mils wet for its ProMar 200 Zero VOC interior latex flat.
Painting estimate template line items
| Line item | Unit |
|---|---|
| Surface prep and patching | SF |
| Primer | Gallon |
| Finish paint, walls and ceilings | Gallon |
| Trim and base | LF |
| Doors and frames | EA |
| Painting labor | Hour |
| Masking, protection, lifts and cleanup | LS |
Short on time? Send the plans and specs and we do this for you. Fixed quote within 2 business hours. Plan review is free, and you pay only after you accept.
Get a fixed quoteHow to use it
- Measure walls, ceilings and trim by surface and system.
- Enter area, coats, spread rate and waste on the Quantities sheet for gallons.
- Enter your own production rate for labor hours.
- Copy gallons and hours to the Estimate sheet and enter your costs.
- Enter overhead, profit and tax percentages and check the total.
Worked example
The office suite on the painting estimate calculator: 1,992 SF of wall, two coats, 350 SF per gallon and 10% waste gives 1,992 x 2 / 350 x 1.10 = 12.5 gallons, so 13 to order. Labor hours are 3,984 SF of coats divided by your SF per hour per coat.
From template to bid
Use the painting estimate calculator for a quick check, the contractor markup calculator for overhead and profit, and how to bid a painting job for the whole method. For a measured takeoff from your plans, see commercial painting estimating.
Frequently asked questions
How do I estimate a painting job?
Measure the paintable area by surface, work out gallons from coats and spread rate and labor hours from your production rate, price both at your costs and add overhead and profit.
What spread rate should I use?
The one on your product’s data sheet. Sherwin-Williams lists 350 to 400 SF per gallon at 4 mils wet for its ProMar 200 Zero VOC interior latex flat.
Is the template free?
Yes. Download it, change it and use it on your own bids. No sign-up.
Does it work in Google Sheets and Numbers?
Yes. It is a plain .xlsx file with ordinary formulas.
Link to this template
Teaching estimating, running a trade association or keeping a resources page for contractors? You are welcome to link to this free template. Copy the link below into your page’s HTML.