Just make sure you’re spending no more than 10 percent of a project price to get the job. Paying for lead providers, printing and distributing flyers and making lawn signs don’t pay for themselves.Īlways monitor your marketing costs and stick with tactics that generate leads. Here’s a hidden cost you should definitely take into account: marketing. Raise your prices to protect yourself, recommends Painting Leads. If you’re new to estimating, you’re sure to miss something that’ll cost more.
Difficult to paint windows, like embedded windows.Then again, the following problems might triple the time a project takes: The crew will cost about $800 per work day, so you’re looking at $1,600 max.Ī 1,500 square foot house will take a day ($800) and a 4,000 square foot house will take three days ($2400).
Here’s a rough estimate for exterior painting: two to three painters can paint the exterior of a 2,500 square foot house in one to two full days. Labor cost is typically $20/hour per person, according to Painting Business Pro. Labor can be tricky to estimate because there are so many elements. The painting cost will go up for all of these factors as well, since you will then need to paint over them. It also depends on how many windows there are and how much roof line and brick there is if you’re doing an exterior-more of any of those things means more masking paper and plastic. That said, material amounts depend heavily on how much prep is required-more prep means more primer and caulking. You’ll need the following materials for an exterior painting job (the material amounts are based on a 2,500 square foot house that needs a medium amount of prep):
If you’re inexperienced at painting or estimating, try to bring someone more experienced to the job site with you.Ī professional painting contractor will be able to tell in time the different factors that go into a painting estimate.
Ask if they’ll supply the paint and if not, do they need a specific brand and will the colors need to be custom mixed, recommends Jobber.Īsking all of these questions beforehand will make your estimate more accurate and save you trouble down the line. Ask the customer if they just want the walls painted, or the ceiling, trim and doors as well. Then, take a laser measure and measure the space for yourself. Multiple accent walls and different colors will take more time. You’ll need more paint if you’re covering dark walls. There could be factors that will up the price like poor condition of the walls.
Thankfully, if you follow the below seven steps you’ll be making profitable, attractive estimates in no time.įreshBooks’ online estimating software makes generating and sending estimates easy, plus you can easily convert them into invoices.ĭo yourself a favor and visit the site first before you start your estimate.
The right price estimate will showcase your services to your clients in a competitive and professional format, letting you stand out from other painting companies.īut finding that perfect estimate requires some strategy. Nor do you want to price yourself so low you don’t make a profit. You don’t want to bid so high that you don’t get the job.
Estimating a painting job can be tough for those new to the painting business.