Add the surfaces you are painting and their square footage to get an instant, itemized price for the job. Adjust every rate to match your own pricing. Free, and no signup needed.
Surfaces to paint
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These figures are estimates to help you quote a job. Adjust the per-square-foot rates to match your local market, paint and material costs, prep work, and how you price.
It is a free tool that turns the surfaces you plan to paint and their square footage into a fast, itemized price for the job. Instead of guessing or rebuilding a spreadsheet on every quote, you enter each surface, adjust the rate to match your pricing, and see the subtotal, a suggested range, and a recommended estimate right away.
Add one row per surface (interior walls, ceilings, trim, exterior siding, and so on), enter the paintable area in square feet, and set the rate per square foot. The tool fills in a typical starting rate for each surface, which you can change to match your market. Tick any add-ons such as wall repair or wallpaper removal, set your minimum service charge, and your estimate updates instantly.
Most painters price by the square foot of paintable surface, sometimes per room, and almost always with a minimum charge so a small job still covers setup, materials, and cleanup. Rates vary by surface and prep: bare drywall, big color changes, high ceilings, and detailed trim take more coats and labor than a straightforward repaint. Local competition, paint quality, and travel all move the number, which is why every rate here is editable. For a deeper look at what to charge, see our guide on how to price a painting job. When the job is booked, bill it with our free painting invoice template.
These are common starting points in the United States. Treat them as a baseline and adjust for your area, paint quality, and prep.
| Surface | Typical rate |
|---|---|
| Interior walls | $1.00 to $2.50 / sq ft |
| Ceilings | $1.00 to $2.00 / sq ft |
| Doors, trim, and cabinets | $2.00 to $5.00 / sq ft |
| Exterior siding | $1.50 to $4.00 / sq ft |
| Fence or deck | $1.50 to $3.50 / sq ft |
| Minimum service charge | $200 to $400 |
Measure the real paintable area rather than eyeballing it, price prep work and extra coats separately so they are not a surprise, and keep a firm minimum for small jobs. Put the scope, paint brand, number of coats, and what is included in writing on a signed estimate before you start. When the job is agreed, our free painting quote template and estimate and quote generator turn the same line items into a professional document you can send in seconds.
This calculator provides estimates for planning purposes only. Your final price should reflect your own costs, local rates, the condition of each surface, and the prep the job needs.
Quote the job here, then send a branded estimate and invoice, collect payment online, and track it all from one Billbooks account.
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