PAINTING
How to Estimate Parking Lot Striping
Contractor method for pricing line painting, stalls and symbols in a parking lot.
Parking lot striping is paint area plus per-stall labor plus symbols. The line width and the paint type decide the material, and the symbols add fixed work.
THE SHORT ANSWER
How do you estimate parking lot striping?
Multiply line footage by width for the painted area, then add per-stall and per-symbol labor. 600 ft of 4-inch lines is 200 sq ft at $2.50 plus 20 stalls and 2 symbols for $780.
Measure the lines
Total the linear feet of stall lines, arrows and islands. Multiply by the line width for the painted area.
Set the paint rate
Waterborne paint is cheaper and covers the basics; thermoplastic lasts longer but costs more per area.
- Waterborne
- Thermoplastic
- Line width
- Stall count
Add stalls and symbols
Each stall carries a per-stall labor cost, and handicap, arrow and stop symbols carry their own fixed cost.
Total and validate
200 sq ft at $2.50 is $500 plus 20 stalls at $10 and 2 symbols at $40 for $280, totaling $780. Use the Parking Lot Striping Cost Calculator.