PAINTING
How to Estimate Spray Painting
Contractor method for pricing spray painting by area, coats, paint, prep and equipment.
Spray painting is a productivity play. The spray rate decides the hours, and the rental and prep decide how much of the saving survives.
THE SHORT ANSWER
How do you estimate spray painting?
Price paint by area and coats, calculate spray hours, then add rental and prep. At the defaults, 2,000 sq ft over 2 coats uses $1,400 of paint and consumables, $450 labor, $200 rental and $300 prep = $2,350.
Set the spray rate
The sprayer covers a large area per hour, but masking and detail slow it. Use a realistic rate for the surface type.
Compute the hours
Multiply the area by the coats and divide by the spray rate. This gives the labor hours before prep.
Add paint, rental and prep
Paint and consumables belong in the bid along with the sprayer, compressor, masking, plastic and sanding.
- Paint and consumables
- Sprayer rental
- Masking and plastic
- Sanding
Total and validate
At $0.35 per sq ft per coat, paint and consumables add $1,400. Ten labor hours at $45 add $450, plus $200 rental and $300 prep, for $2,350. Use the Spray Painting Cost Calculator.