Contractor Budget Kit
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PAINTING

Painting Cost Calculator

Plan the paint, gallons and labor you need so you can price a painting job with confidence.

JOB INPUTS

Enter your numbers

Loading saved values

Total wall/ceiling area in square feet

sq ft
Total wall/ceiling area in square feet

Number of coats to apply

Number of coats to apply

Square feet one gallon covers

sq ft
Square feet one gallon covers

Cost of one gallon of paint

$
Cost of one gallon of paint

Total hours to prep and paint

hrs
Total hours to prep and paint

Hourly cost of the painting crew

$
Hourly cost of the painting crew
Results update automatically
CALCULATED RESULTUSD
Total painting cost$1,540.00
Gallons needed10.0
Paint cost$420.00
Labor cost$1,120.00
Cost per sq ft$0.96
FORMULA USED(1,600.0 × 2 coats ÷ 350.0) ≈ 10 gal × $42.00 + 40.0 h × $28.00 = $1,540.00

HOW TO USE IT

How to use the Painting Cost Calculator

  1. 1

    Enter the area to paint and the number of coats.

  2. 2

    Set coverage per gallon and price per gallon.

  3. 3

    Enter labor hours and the labor rate.

  4. 4

    Review gallons needed, paint cost and total price.

THE MATH

Painting cost formula

Gallons = area × coats ÷ coverage; total = paint cost + labor cost

Gallons are rounded up so you buy enough paint. Labor is calculated from the hours and your crew rate, then added to the paint cost.

PRACTICAL EXAMPLE

A 1,600 sq ft interior

1,600 sq ft with 2 coats at 350 sq ft per gallon needs about 10 gallons. At $42 per gallon plus 40 hours at $28, the total is around $1,540.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Do I need primer?

Not always. Primer is needed for drywall, stains, drastic color changes or bare wood. Add it as its own paint line item if required.

Is the labor rate inclusive?

The rate should cover your crew's total cost, including burden, so the total reflects real job cost.