🎨
Estimating Templates Painting

Free Interior Painting Estimate Template (Excel, 2026 Labor Rates)

Typical project: $2,500 – $8,500 · Timeline: 1 weeks

📝

Real-World Scenario: The 3-Bedroom Repaint

A standard interior repaint for a 1,800 sq ft home. Includes minor drywall patching, two coats of premium eggshell paint on walls, and semi-gloss on trim/doors in white.

📊 Painting Trade Benchmarks (avg)

Sq Ft per Hour
150 - 200
Includes prep and cleanup
Mat/Labor Split
20/80
Labor-intensive trade
Paint Coverage
350 sq ft/gal
Typical for high-quality latex

📦 Materials Cost Breakdown

Direct Material
Line Item Cost
Premium Interior Latex $1,200
Trim & Door Enamel $450
Supplies (Tape, Paper, Plastic) $250
Materials Subtotal $1,900

👷 Labor Cost Breakdown

Direct Labor
Task Cost
Prep & Masking $1,800
Wall Painting (2 coats) $3,200
Trim & Door Painting $1,400
Labor Subtotal $6,400
⚠️

Markup ≠ Margin — Don't Make This Mistake

A 35% markup on $8,300 gives 26% gross margin — not 35%. To hit a true 35% gross margin, divide your cost by 0.65.

→ Verify with the Profit Calculator

Does this template match the real-world costs you see on-site?

Your answer helps us improve our financial tools and guides for the trade.

Quick Signal:

"Does this template match the real-world costs you see on-site?"