PAINTING
How to Estimate Commercial Painting
Contractor method for estimating commercial painting by area, condition and coats.
Commercial painting bids fail on the wall condition and the coats. The area is easy math; good, average and needs-prep walls are very different rates, and each coat multiplies the cost.
THE SHORT ANSWER
How do you estimate commercial painting?
Measure paintable area, choose a per-coat rate (good $1.25, average $1.75, prep $2.50/sq ft), then multiply by coats. A 2,500 sq ft average job at 2 coats runs about $8,750.
Measure the paintable area
Measure the paintable wall area in sq ft, not the floor area. Subtract openings and count the trim. Confirm the surface condition.
- Measure walls, not floor
- Subtract windows and doors
- Note ceilings and trim
- Confirm the surface condition
Assess the condition
Per coat, a wall in good condition runs ~$1.25/sq ft, average ~$1.75 and needing prep ~$2.50. Prep adds labor and materials.
Multiply by coats
Each coat multiplies the rate. Two coats are standard. Use the Commercial Painting Cost Calculator to build the quote, then add any specialty coatings.
Check the total
Your total should land within 10% of the calculator output before markup. Confirm the ceiling and trim scope separately.