What Should Your Residential Painting Estimate Include?

We receive numerous calls here at Brush & Roll Painting from homeowners in Omaha, NE and beyond, requesting for a quick quote on how much it will cost to paint their home painting projects. They typically give us the number of rooms or estimated square footage over the phone and request for a quick estimate.

Such homeowners are usually comparing quotes from different Omaha, NE painting contractors hoping to get the best deal. And quite honestly, we can’t blame them, after all, painting a home can be quite a costly investment. We usually spent time explaining to such homeowners that every painting project is unique and we have to actually see the project before we offer a realistic estimate.

When professional painting contractors are developing a painting estimate, they usually consider the condition of the wall, the square footage of the walls, any damage or repairs to be done, the height of the ceilings, color transition, number of colors and coats, number of doors and windows, among other things. Do you see why it’s difficult to offer an estimate without a visit?

But what really needs to be included in a painting estimate? In our line of work, we’ve seen all types of painting estimates –from numbers scribbled at the back of a napkin to a five-page estimate with so much fine print you can develop a headache trying to decipher them. While there is no standard format for painting estimates, here is a quick run through what you should expect when receiving one:

• The Contractor’s Contact Details: the estimate should include the company name, telephone number, address, website, and so on. If the only thing provided is the name of the painter and number, you might not be able to track them in case of anything.

• Company Business Details: confirm that the company is dully registered, and has business liability insurance and worker’s compensation. If in any doubt, ask them to provide a copy of the said documents for your verification.

• The Scope of Work: this section defines in details the type of work to be done. So they will detail areas to be painted, type of prep work, repairs (if any) and the application process. How large or small this section will depend on the size of the project. They should also mention the number of primer and paint coats they will use.

• Products to be Used: the estimate should include what paint and products they will use. Always strive to use the best quality paint products for a high-quality and long-lasting paint job. If the painter tries to cut corners by using cheap, inferior paint products, maybe they’re not the right ones.

• Project Timelines: this basically includes the start and end dates, which good paint should adhere to unless during unavoidable circumstances –like rain when exterior painting is scheduled.

• Project Cost: this includes the total cost plus taxes. If you’re interviewing multiple painters, you might be tempted to pick the cheapest painter on your list –don’t. Instead, you need to pay for value –so, go with a painting contractor that actually meets all your painting needs. Be sure to agree on payment terms and how any extra work will be introduced. Ideally, the painter should never ask for full payment upfront.

Bottom Line
While painting estimate formats might vary from one painter to another, the above key information should come out clearly. At Brush & Roll

Painting, during residential painting estimate, we keep our estimates to pretty much the information outlined above. Details might vary depending on the specific project, but we always make sure the homeowner gets all the details they need, and they understand everything.

If you need professional assistance with your painting project, we would be more than happy to help. Simply schedule a free estimate below or call us if you need any additional information.