ProfitBidPainting Estimate Calculator
Price a paint job from measurements, not vibes: wall area, coats and coverage give paint gallons; hours and your rate give labor; markup turns cost into a client price you can defend.
How painting estimates are built
Paint: area × coats ÷ coverage, rounded up to whole gallons. Labor: area ÷ your real productivity — include masking, prep and cutting in, or the rate lies. Rate: use your burdened labor cost, not the wage. Exterior work: add lift/scaffold and extra prep as supplies or separate line items in the estimate generator.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I markup a painting job?
Many painting contractors apply 30-50% markup on total cost, which is a 23-33% margin. Check the margin shown here against your target; if it is below your floor, raise the price or trim scope — not the margin.
Does this include ceilings and trim?
Add their area into the total area field. Trim is often priced per linear foot in detailed bids; for a fast estimate, including trim area at the same productivity is acceptable for small jobs.