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Free Painting Quote Template

Short answer

A painting quote measures each surface, states the number of coats, the prep work and the paint product, and sets a deposit and how long the price is valid.

Two painting quotes for the same room can differ a lot, and the difference is nearly always prep and product. One painter fills, sands and primes, and uses a washable paint in two coats; the other rolls one coat of whatever is cheapest over the cracks. A painting quote that spells out preparation, coats and the paint line lets the client see why yours costs what it does, and gives you something to point to if they expect a finish the quote never promised.

Sample painting quote

Copy the text, print it, or fill it in online with your own business details, prices and logo. The business and client below are made up.

Truecoat Painting

[Street address, city]
[Phone] · [Email]

Quote

Number
Q-1042
Date
Oct 24, 2026
Valid until
Nov 23, 2026

Prepared for

Hannah Kowalczyk

[Client address]

Job

Interior repaint: living room, hallway and stairwell

Example prices: replace with your own

DescriptionQtyAmount
Protect floors and furniture, mask trim and fittings1 job× $180.00$180.00
Fill cracks and nail holes, sand and spot-prime1 job× $220.00$220.00
Walls: two coats, living room and hallway640 sq ft× $1.90$1,216.00
Stairwell walls, two coats (includes scaffold tower)310 sq ft× $2.60$806.00
Ceilings: one coat flat white420 sq ft× $1.20$504.00
Baseboards, door frames and doors, semi-gloss9 door× $65.00$585.00
Paint: premium washable matte, colour as chosen7 gallon× $58.00$406.00
Clean-up and removal of masking and waste1 job× $90.00$90.00
Subtotal
$4,007.00
Tax (example rate 6%)
$240.42
Total
$4,247.42
Deposit due on acceptance (25%)
$1,061.86
  • Two coats on all walls; deep colours may need a third coat at the rate shown.
  • Minor crack and hole repair included; larger plaster repair quoted separately.
  • Client to clear small items and valuables; we move and cover large furniture.
  • This quote is valid until Nov 23, 2026.

Accepted by: Date:

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What to include in a painting quote

  • Surfaces and measurements

    Walls, ceilings, trim and doors as separate lines, with square footage or counts, so the client can see what is included room by room.

  • Preparation

    Filling, sanding, caulking gaps and spot-priming, plus any repair of peeling or water-stained areas. Prep is where cheaper quotes cut corners, so make yours visible.

  • Number of coats and sheen

    Say how many coats each surface gets and the sheen (matte walls, semi-gloss trim). "Two coats" on paper avoids "I thought it would be two coats" on site.

  • Paint product and colours

    Name the paint line, or the grade, and whether the price covers the client's colour choices. Note any extra cost for strong colours that need more coats.

  • Protection and furniture

    Who moves furniture, how floors are covered and whether you remove switch plates and fittings.

  • Exterior extras

    For outside work: pressure washing, scraping, ladder or lift access and how weather delays are handled.

How to write a painting quote, step by step

  1. Measure every surface

    Measure walls, ceilings and trim room by room, and note heights; stairwells and tall ceilings take longer and may need a tower.

  2. Inspect the condition

    Look for cracks, stains, peeling and previous gloss paint that needs keying. Each changes the prep time.

  3. Choose the product with the client

    Agree the paint grade and sheen, and whether colours are chosen yet. If not, quote a standard colour and note the adjustment for deep tones.

  4. Price labour and materials

    Price per square foot or per room for labour, add paint and sundries, and keep prep as its own line.

  5. Write terms and timing

    Start date, expected days on site, deposit, payment on completion and the expiry date.

  6. Send photos of problem areas with the quote

    If an area needs extra repair, a photo next to the line explains the cost better than words.

Deposits and payment terms

A deposit on acceptance is common for painting, often enough to cover the paint and to hold the dates, with the balance on completion after a final walk-through. For a large exterior job spread over weeks, a mid-point payment keeps the money in step with the work.

Say what a completion walk-through involves and that touch-ups found then are included. Deposit limits and contract wording rules for home improvement work vary by place, so check the rules where you work.

Frequently asked questions

Should a painting quote be per square foot or per room?
Either works if it is consistent. Per square foot is easier to check and scales well; per room is simpler to read. Many painters measure in square feet and show a price per room.
Should the quote include the cost of paint?
Yes, as its own line, with the product named. If the client buys the paint, say that your price is labour only and that quality issues with supplied paint are not covered.
How do I quote for colour changes from dark to light?
Note that a big colour change may need a primer or an extra coat, and give the price for it as an option. Then the client is not surprised when you open a third tin.

More templates and guides

Job done? Bill it with the matching invoiceFree Painting Invoice Template

Templates for related trades

Further reading

Send it as a branded quote your client accepts online

i-quote puts your logo on the quote, takes an optional deposit, and lets the client accept or decline online. One click turns the accepted quote into an invoice. The Free plan includes 3 quotes and 3 invoices a month.

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