Painting material and labor estimator

Painting Cost Calculator

Estimate rough painting cost from paintable area, coat count, primer, coverage, material price, labor rate, waste, and markup. Use it after the paint quantity takeoff when you need a planning number.

Units

Paintable area (ft²)Finish coats Paint coverage (ft²/gal)Paint cost ($/gal)Primer coats Primer coverage (ft²/gal)Primer cost ($/gal)Waste / touch-up (%)Labor rate ($/ft²)Markup / overhead (%)

Rough total

Material subtotal

Labor subtotal

Rough cost

Painting cost needs a real scope check

Prep level, repairs, masking, trim, ceilings, spraying or rolling, exterior height, paint quality, primer needs, taxes, and local labor rates can change the final price.

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Paint Calculator

Estimate gallons or litres before pricing labor.

Drywall Cost Calculator

Price wall prep and board scope before paint.

Labor Cost Calculator

Model crew rates, burden, overhead, and profit.

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Painting cost formula

Paint units = area × coats × (1 + waste %) ÷ paint coverage

Primer units = area × primer coats × (1 + waste %) ÷ primer coverage

Material = rounded paint units × paint cost + rounded primer units × primer cost

Total = (material + area × labor rate) × (1 + markup %)

Sample takeoff

A 900 ft² paint area with two finish coats, one primer coat, 10% waste, 350 ft²/gal coverage, US$42 paint, US$28 primer, US$1.25/ft² labor, and 10% markup is about US$1,607.An 83.6 m² paint area with two finish coats, one primer coat, 10% waste, 8.6 m²/L coverage, US$11/L paint, US$7/L primer, US$13.50/m² labor, and 10% markup is about US$1,576.

Painting Cost Calculator FAQ

How do I estimate painting cost?+

Multiply paintable area by coats, divide by coverage, round material up, then add primer, labor, and markup.Multiply paintable area by coats, divide by coverage, round material up, then add primer, labor, and markup.

Should ceilings and trim be included?+

Include them in paintable area only if the same labor and material assumptions apply. Run separate passes for trim, doors, ceilings, or exterior work when rates differ.Include them in paintable area only if the same labor and material assumptions apply. Run separate passes for trim, doors, ceilings, or exterior work when rates differ.

Is this a painting quote?+

No. It is a rough planning calculator. Real painting prices depend heavily on prep, access, finish quality, local labor, and product choice.No. It is a rough planning calculator. Real painting prices depend heavily on prep, access, finish quality, local labor, and product choice.