Painting jobs live and die by the quote. Send a vague number and the client shops around. Send a clear, professional painting quote and you become the obvious choice — even if you are not the cheapest. This guide covers what to include in your painter quote template and how to use it to win more residential and commercial jobs.
What Makes a Painting Quote Professional
A professional painting quote is not just a number on a piece of paper. It is a document that tells the client exactly what they are getting, protects you if the scope changes, and signals that you run a proper business.
Customers comparing multiple painters will almost always lean toward the one whose quote is the clearest — not necessarily the cheapest.
What to Include in a Painter Quote Template
Your Business Details
- Business name and logo
- Contact phone and email
- Business registration or ABN/VAT number
- Painters registration or trade licence number (where required)
- Quote number and issue date
- Quote valid until date
Client and Property Details
- Client full name
- Property address where work will be done
- Client email and phone number
Scope of Work
Break it down by area and type of work. This is where most painters are too vague. Instead of “interior painting — $3,500”, write this:
| Description | Area / Qty | Unit Price | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceiling — 2 coats low-sheen white (Dulux) | 85 m² | $8/m² | $680 |
| Walls — 2 coats low-sheen (client colour) | 210 m² | $9/m² | $1,890 |
| Skirtings and architraves — 2 coats semi-gloss | 1 lot | $420 | $420 |
| Doors — both sides, 2 coats semi-gloss | 8 | $65 | $520 |
| Surface prep (filling, sanding, priming) | 1 lot | $350 | $350 |
Products and Specifications
List the paint brand and product range you are using. Clients who care about quality will notice. It also prevents disputes about what was promised.
- Paint brand: Dulux, Taubmans, Haymes, etc.
- Sheen level: flat, low-sheen, semi-gloss, gloss
- Number of coats for each surface type
- Primer type if applicable
Exclusions
State clearly what is not included in this quote:
- Exterior surfaces (if only quoting interior)
- Roof or garage painting
- Repairs beyond standard filling (e.g., major plaster damage, water stains requiring sealing)
- Furniture removal or floor protection beyond standard drop sheets
- Touch-ups after other trades (if applicable)
Pricing Summary
- Subtotal before tax
- GST / VAT
- Total including tax
Payment Schedule
- Deposit required before start (typically 20–30%)
- Progress payment after first coat or at agreed milestone
- Final payment on completion
- Accepted payment methods
Notes
- Expected start date and duration
- Client responsibilities (clearing the space, providing access)
- Warranty on workmanship (typically 2–5 years for residential painting)
- What happens if additional prep work is needed once you start
Painter Quote Template — Common Mistakes
- One-line pricing — “Interior paint job — $4,000” gives the client nothing to evaluate and everything to argue about later
- Not specifying coats — Clients assume you mean two coats. If you mean one, write it down. If you mean three, write it down. Ambiguity costs you money.
- Skipping exclusions — Touch-ups after other trades, high ceilings requiring scaffolding, exterior areas — if it is not excluded, the client may assume it is included
- Late quotes — Most painting jobs get three quotes. The painter who follows up first — not the cheapest — often wins
- No product names — Listing Dulux Weathershield vs. a generic “exterior paint” is a quality signal that justifies your price
How to Send a Painting Quote Quickly
Many painters still rely on email and Word documents. The process of filling in a template, formatting it, exporting to PDF, and emailing takes 30 minutes or more per quote. When you are pricing five jobs a week, that is hours lost.
OfferKit lets you build your painting quote from your phone in minutes. Enter your areas, line items, and client details — and it produces a clean, branded PDF instantly. Send it before you have even left the driveway.
Generate Your First Painting Quote Now
OfferKit is free to start. No templates to design, no software to configure. Create your first professional painting quote in under two minutes.
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