The 21-Point Painting Quote Checklist
- Customer and property details
- Rooms and surfaces included
- Approximate dimensions
- Existing surface condition
- Furniture moving responsibility
- Floor and furniture protection
- Filling and sanding allowance
- Caulking and minor repairs
- Stain, damp or mould treatment
- Primer or mist coat
- Number of finish coats
- Walls, ceilings and woodwork separated
- Paint brand and product range
- Colour-change assumptions
- Materials supplied by each party
- Access and parking
- Start date and estimated duration
- Working hours
- Waste and cleaning
- Exclusions and variation process
- Deposit, due date and quote expiry
Example Room Breakdown
| Section | Example scope |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Protect floor, fill minor holes, sand and spot-prime |
| Ceiling | Two coats white matt |
| Walls | Two coats durable matt in one agreed colour |
| Woodwork | Prepare, undercoat and one finish coat |
| Excluded | Damp treatment, major plaster repair and furniture removal |
Price the Preparation, Not Just the Paint
Preparation can use more labour than applying the finish. Inspect cracks, peeling coatings, new plaster, stains and damaged woodwork before fixing the price. Use an allowance or provisional item where the condition cannot be confirmed.
Define Materials Properly
Name the expected product quality and whether colour changes or premium finishes cost extra. If the customer supplies paint, explain delays or extra coats caused by insufficient or unsuitable products.
Good scope wording: “Price includes two finish coats. Additional coats required because of a major colour change will be treated as a variation with customer approval.”
Common Exclusions
- Major plaster repairs
- Active damp or mould remediation
- Wallpaper removal unless listed
- Moving heavy furniture
- Scaffolding or specialist access
- Work behind fixed fittings
Why This Wins Better Jobs
A customer is comparing risk as well as price. A professional itemised quote shows what will happen, which products will be used and how changes are handled. That makes a sustainable price easier to trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a painter and decorator quote include?
It should define surfaces, preparation, number of coats, products, materials, access, exclusions, timing, payment terms and how extra work is approved.
Should paint be included in a decorating quote?
Either approach can work, but the quote should state who supplies each product and the assumed quality, quantity and colour.
How long should a painting quote remain valid?
Many tradespeople use a defined validity period such as 14 or 30 days so labour and material prices can be reviewed afterward.
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