Skip to Content
Man with light green shirt holding white paint bucket and paint brush painting under window outside

Expanded Painting Job Estimating Guidelines

Boost your profitability by mastering paint project estimation.

Man with light green shirt holding white paint bucket and paint brush painting under window outside

Understanding the Basics:

Estimating the cost of a painting job is more than just calculating hours and materials. It involves understanding the scope of the project, the environment, and any unique challenges that may arise. Accurate estimates ensure that you cover your costs while providing value to your clients.

Find A Store Near You Find Paint Products Discover Pro Resources

How Much To Charge For Professional Paint Job

How Much To Charge For Professional Painting

Most Painting Jobs

How Much To Charge For Residential - Interior Repaint 
$25.00 to $35.00/hr, plus material

How Much To Charge For Residential - Exterior Repaint 
$30.00 to $35.00/hr, plus materials

How Much To Charge For Commercial Jobs - Int./Ext. Repaint 
$25.00 to $45.00/hr, plus materials

How Much To Charge For Custom Homes Painting - Interior New 
$2.65 to $4.00 per sq. ft. of living area

How Much To Charge For Painting Production Homes - Interior New 
$1.00 to $1.75 per sq. ft. of living area
Note: ADD $.50 per sq. ft. for exterior

How Much To Charge For Painting Apartments - Interior    
1 Color with walls Flat and Trim, New Semi-Gloss = $.85 to $1.25 per sq. ft. of living area
1 color with walls and trim both Eggshell or Semi-Gloss = $1.25 to $1.45 per sq. ft. of living area
1 Bedroom = $120.00 to $160.00, plus materials
2 Bedrooms = $130.00 to $170.00, plus materials

How Much To Charge For PaintingTown Homes    
$285.00 to $300.00, plus materials

Want more painting leads for your business?
Click the button below to become a PPG Painter!

Sign Up To Be A PPG Painter   ​ 

How Much To Charge For Professional Paint Job

How Much To Charge For Professional Painting

Quick Cross-Check Estimates 

Total Bid for painting jobs, including both material and labor
Material Cost x 4, 5, 6 or 7, depending on the degree of difficulty, the time of year, and the time of day/night that the work must be performed.

Note:    
4 = Most commercial/large jobs
5 = Most residential jobs; THE MOST COMMON FACTOR IS 5
6 = Some difficulty, i.e. extensive height and/or extensive surface prep
7 = Extreme difficulty, i.e. bridge over water, or a cliff

Want more painting leads for your business?
Click the button below to become a PPG Painter!

Sign Up To Be A PPG Painter   ​ 

How Much To Charge For Professional Paint Job

How Much To Charge To Paint A Room & More

Interior Painting Projects

How Much To Charge To Paint Walls & Ceilings    
1 coat = $.35 to $.40 per sq. ft.
2 coats = $.40 to $.50 per sq. ft.

How Much To Charge To Paint Doors & Windows    
1 coat = $20.00 to $30.00
2 coats = $35.00 to $45.00

How Much To Charge To Paint Spindles    
1 coat = $3.00 to $4.50
2 coats = $5.50 to $7.50

How Much To Charge To Paint Baseboards & Chair Rail    
1 coat = $.50 to $.75 per linear ft.
2 coats = $.75 to $1.00 per linear ft.

How Much To Charge To Paint Patching    
Estimate time and materials.
 

Want more painting leads for your business?
Click the button below to become a PPG Painter!

Sign Up To Be A PPG Painter   ​ 

How Much To Charge For Professional Paint Job

How Much To Charge For Professional Painting

Interiors - New Construction

How Much To Charge To Paint Walls & Ceilings    
2 coats = $.30 to $.40 per sq. ft.
3 coats = $.50 to $.70 per sq. ft.

How Much To Charge To Paint Doors & Windows (Painted)    
2 coats = $25.00 to $35.00
3 coats = $35.00 to $45.00

How Much To Charge To Stain Doors & Windows (Already Stained)    
2 coats = $35.00 to $45.00
3 coats = $45.00 to $55.00

How Much To Charge To Paint Crown Moulding    
Stage 1 = $1.00 per linear ft.
Stage 2 = $1.50 per linear ft.
Stage 3 = $2.00 per linear ft
 

Want more painting leads for your business?
Click the button below to become a PPG Painter!

Sign Up To Be A PPG Painter   ​ 

How Much To Charge For Professional Paint Job

How Much To Charge For Professional Painting

Exteriors - Repaint & New Home Construction

How Much To Charge To Paint Siding - Smooth    
1 coat = $.35 to $.50 per sq. ft.
2 coats = $.55 to $.75 per sq. ft.

How Much To Charge To Paint Siding - Rough Sawn    
1 coat = $.35 to $.50 per sq. ft.
2 coats = $.55 to $.75 per sq. ft.

How Much To Charge To Paint Overhang / Soffit    
1 coat = $.80 to $1.00 per sq. ft.
2 coats = $1.20 to $1.50 per sq. ft.
*Add extra for Dental Crown Trim

How Much To Charge To Paint Doors & Windows    
1 coat = $20.00 to $30.00
2 coats = $35.00 to $45.00

How Much To Charge To Paint Dormer (Small Size)    
1 coat = $75.00 to $100.00
2 coats = $110.00 to $150.00

How Much To Charge To Paint Gables    
Sq ft. = base x height divided by 2

How Much To Charge To Paint Shutters    
1 coat = $25.00 to $35.00 pair
2 coats = $37.00 to $52.00 pair

How Much To Charge To Paint Guttering    
1 coat = $1.10 to $1.35 linear ft.
2 coats = $1.65 to $2.00 linear ft.

How Much To Charge To Paint Flashing    
1 coat = $1.00 to $1.50 linear ft.
2 coats = $1.50 to $2.00 linear ft.

How Much To Charge To Paint Concrete Block/Split Face    
1 coat = $.40 to $.80 per sq. ft.
2 coats = $.80 to $1.60 per sq. ft.
 

Want more painting leads for your business?
Click the button below to become a PPG Painter!

Sign Up To Be A PPG Painter   ​ 

How Much To Charge For Professional Paint Job

How Much To Charge For Professional Painting

Exteriors - New Home Construction

How Much To Charge To Paint Concrete Block/Split Face    
2 coats = $.65 to $.80 per sq. ft.
3 coats = $.95 to $1.20 per sq. ft.

How Much To Charge To Paint Shadow Box Fence    
Total sq. ft. plus 30% divided by 120 sq ft/gal for #1819

How Much To Charge To Paint Fluted Block    
Horizontal linear ft. plus 30% x height divided by 200 sq. ft./gal for #6010 and #519

How Much To Charge For Pressure Washing    
Time plus Rental cost plus cost of Chemicals
 

Want more painting leads for your business?
Click the button below to become a PPG Painter!

Sign Up To Be A PPG Painter   ​ 

How Much To Charge For Professional Paint Job

How Much To Charge For Professional Painting

Floor Systems

How Much To Charge To Epoxy and Megaseal Floors - including material and labor

For Epoxy Floor Systems: 

  • Average price for a 2-coat epoxy floor system = $2.00 per sq. ft.

  • Average price for a 2-coat epoxy floor system plus blastrack IF YOU OWN the equipment = $2.50 per sq. ft.

  • Average price for a 2-coat epoxy floor system plus blastrack IF YOU RENT the equipment = $3.00 per sq. ft.

For MegaSeal Floor Systems:

  • Average price for material = $1.00 per sq. ft. plus prep.

  • Average bid price = $2.50 to $5.00 per sq. ft.

  • HS Primer Clear / SL / Clear = $4.00 to $5.00 per sq. ft.

  • Broadcast Flakes to Random = $5.00 per sq. ft.

  • Broadcast flakes to Rejection and Quartz = $7.00 per sq. ft.

     

    Want more painting leads for your business?
    Click the button below to become a PPG Painter!

    Sign Up To Be A PPG Painter   ​ 

Note: Water-based products can be applied with brush and roller. "ALL other products, (which are alcohol-based) must be applied with a squeegee."

How Much To Charge For Professional Paint Job

How Much To Charge For Professional Painting

Wallcovering

How Much To Charge To Install Wallpaper /  54" Vinyl Wallcovering

  • $3.25 to $4.00 per yard, NOT including adhesive paste.

  • $4.00 to $5.00 per yard including adhesive paste.

Note: Lower end of range for straight walls/corridors or simple patterns. Upper end of range for high walls or difficult patterns.

  • Labor only application rate is 60 to 100 yards per day, depending on the type of walls and the type of pattern.

  • Fabric = $6.00 to $8.00 per yard.

Note: Water-based products can be applied with brush and roller. "ALL other products, (which are alcohol-based) must be applied with a squeegee.
 

Want more painting leads for your business?
Click the button below to become a PPG Painter!

Sign Up To Be A PPG Painter   ​ 

Please note: All guidelines are subject to change and are only projections based on 2008-2009 estimates. PPG Architectural Coatings relinquishes responsibility for quoting and pricing on any jobs referenced from this manual. Please use common business sense when estimating pricing, as all estimates in this manual are subject to change. 

How Much To Charge For Professional Paint Job

How Much To Charge For Professional Painting

The PACER Estimating System

With PACER you have the ability to:

  • Increase your close rate, enhance your margins, improve your accuracy and submit more bids.

  • Estimate Residential, Commercial and Industrial jobs quickly, efficiently and accurately.

  • Select from over 7,000 pre-configured items from PDCA's Cost and Estimating Guide.

  • Protect profit by integrating Industry Standards to establish common expectations and minimize rework.

  • Finalize bids during walk-throughs, or at your desk.

  • Imput from blueprints (electronic or paper).

  • Free up time to focus on other aspects of your business.
     

All information about PACER estimating system provided by the PDCA. For more information, visit https://pcapainted.org/.

Want more painting leads for your business?
Click the button below to become a PPG Painter!

Sign Up To Be A PPG Painter   ​