Painting customers rarely argue about the colour. They argue about what got painted, how many coats went on and whether the patching was part of the deal. A painting quote that lists every surface, the prep and the coats leaves no room for that argument, and makes your price easier to defend against a cheaper one.
This template is set up for the work painters quote most: interiors, exteriors, feature walls, cabinets, deck staining and commercial jobs. Use the room by room line items, then edit the inclusions, exclusions and assumptions to suit the house. The customer's photos of each room and any damage come through QuoteSnap before you price, and the quote you send follows this format.
What every painting quote should include
A painting quote needs to describe the house the way you expect to find it on the day you start. These items make that possible.
- Your business details. Business name, Australian Business Number (ABN), contact details, and a licence or registration number if your state requires one for painting work. Check what applies to you.
- Surfaces by area. Walls, ceilings, trims, doors and windows, listed per room or per side of the house.
- Preparation. Patching, sanding, washing, scraping and any wallpaper removal.
- Paint system. Product range, sheen and number of coats for each surface.
- Colours. Chosen colours, or a note that colours are confirmed before starting.
- Total, GST and expiry. The price, goods and services tax (GST) shown as your accountant advises, and the date the quote lapses.
Scope and line items for interior and exterior jobs
Interior jobs read best room by room. Exterior jobs read best by side or surface: front, back, sides, then fascia, gutters and trims. Either way, each line should say what is painted, the prep and the coats.
Price prep as its own line when it is more than a light sand. Customers can see the paint. They rarely see the patching underneath it.
- Interior rooms. Walls, ceiling, skirting, doors and frames, with ceiling height noted.
- Exterior. Surface type, storeys, prep needed, and trims and fascia.
- Feature walls. Which wall, the colour, and any extra coats for a strong colour change.
- Cabinets and decks. Number of doors and drawers, or deck area, with the prep and finish system.
Inclusions and exclusions on a painting quote
Your inclusions should name the protection and clean up, not just the painting. Drop sheets, masking and leaving the room as you found it are part of what the customer pays for.
Exclusions are where you fence off the extras: moving heavy furniture, repairing rotten timber, and surfaces the quote does not name. Say plainly that unnamed surfaces are not part of the price.
Assumptions and variations wording
Your price assumes the walls are in the condition you saw in the photos or on site. When you find blown plaster, water damage or old paint that may contain lead, the assumption is what lets you stop and requote rather than absorb it.
Agree variations in writing before you do the extra work, and attach a photo of the problem so the customer can see why.
Terms worth stating
- Colour changes. How a colour change after work starts is handled, and that it may add coats.
- Weather. Exterior dates depend on the weather, and the customer is told when a day moves.
- Furniture and access. Who moves furniture, and that rooms need to be clear on the day.
- Deposit. If you ask for money up front to buy paint, say how much and when the rest is paid. Set your terms and check them with your accountant.
Typical line items
| Item | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Prepare and paint walls in [room], [number] coats, [sheen] | m2 | $ |
| Prepare and paint ceiling in [room], [number] coats, [product] | m2 | $ |
| Paint skirting boards in [room], [sheen] | lm | $ |
| Paint door and frame, both sides, [sheen] | each | $ |
| Patch and sand [minor/major] wall damage in [room] | lot | $ |
| Remove wallpaper from [room] | m2 | $ |
| Pressure wash and prepare exterior [surface], [side of house] | m2 | $ |
| Paint exterior [brick/render/weatherboard] walls, [number] coats | m2 | $ |
| Paint fascia, gutters and trims in [colour] | lm | $ |
Questions about painter quotes
Should I price a painting job by the square metre or as a lump sum?
Either works. One approach is to work in square metres behind the scenes and present a total per room, which reads better than one number for the whole house. Showing areas helps the customer see what they are paying for, and you still give them a clear total at the bottom.
How do I show preparation on a painting quote?
Give it its own line or lines when it is more than a light sand: patching, sanding, washing, scraping or wallpaper removal. Customers do not see prep in the finished job, so if it is not written down, they assume it took no time and question the price.
Should I name the paint brand and sheen?
Yes, or at least the product range and sheen for each surface. It lets the customer compare your quote with others fairly, and it records what you used if they want touch ups later. If the customer is choosing the product, list it as their choice.
What do I write if the customer has not chosen colours yet?
Price on a standard repaint and add an assumption that colours are confirmed in writing before you start. If they later pick a strong colour that needs extra coats, that assumption covers the variation. Also note whether any colour consultation is included or excluded.
How do I handle older houses that may have lead paint?
Do not guess. Exclude testing and removal of lead paint, and add a line saying that if old paint may contain lead, it needs to be checked before sanding or scraping starts. Check what applies to you in your state, and point the customer to the right person to test it.
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