Learning Center · Hiring
How to Read and Compare a Painting Estimate
Two painting bids for the same house can be thousands of dollars apart and still both be honest. The difference is in what each one includes. This guide shows what a complete estimate names, and how to check it.
Updated October 11, 2026
Read This First
The short version
- A complete painting estimate names every surface, the prep steps, the product line and sheen, and the number of coats.
- Coverage per gallon sets paint thickness, so a gallon stretched over twice the area gives about half the paint film.
- The painting industry judges a finished surface from 39 inches away in normal light.
- A paint maker’s warranty covers the paint, not the labor of putting it on.
For a written estimate on your house, start with Get Help or call or text 512-575-5052.
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Direct Answer
What a complete painting estimate names
Surfaces, prep, product line, sheen, coats, colors, repairs and cleanup should all be in writing.
The lines to look for
A good estimate leaves little to guess. It names each surface, such as siding, trim, doors and fascia, or walls, ceilings, trim and doors inside. It lists the prep steps, the product line and sheen for each surface, the number of coats, how many colors, which repairs are included, and how the site is protected and cleaned up. Our exterior prep guide explains each prep step.
For homes built before 1978
Lead belongs on the page. If your home was built before 1978, the estimate should say how lead is being handled. Our lead paint guide explains the federal rule.
The Math
Coverage per gallon and paint thickness
Duration exterior lists 250 to 300 square feet a gallon, and stretching it further thins the coat.
Why coverage matters
Paint life depends on thickness, and thickness depends on how far each gallon is spread. Sherwin-Williams Duration Exterior lists a spread rate of 250 to 300 square feet per gallon for a dry film of 2.2 to 2.7 mils per coat. Spread that same gallon over 500 square feet and the coat is about half as thick.
How to check a bid
Do rough math. Ask how many gallons the job will use. Divide the wall area by the gallons and the number of coats. If the result is far above the coverage on the data sheet, the paint is being stretched.
Industry Standard
What counts as a properly painted surface
The industry inspects from 39 inches away in finished light, not with a flashlight up close.
The 39 inch rule
There is a written standard. The Painting Contractors Association defines a properly painted surface as uniform in appearance, color, texture, hiding and sheen, with essentially no runs, sags, misses or spatters caused by the painters. It says the surface shall be examined without magnification at a distance of thirty nine inches, about one meter, or more, under finished lighting and from a normal viewing position.
Why it helps you
A shared standard settles arguments. Agreeing to it in writing gives you and the painter the same yardstick for the final walkthrough and touch-ups.
Coverage
Paint warranties and workmanship, kept separate
The paint maker covers the paint itself, and the painter covers the labor, so ask about both.
Two different promises
The can and the crew are covered separately. A paint maker’s limited coverage applies to its product and has conditions, such as following the label. It does not pay for the labor to repaint. Workmanship is the painter’s promise. Ask what it covers, for how long, and get it in writing.
Watch For
Red flags on a painting estimate
No product named, one coat on a color change, no prep listed and a large cash deposit are warnings.
The warning signs
Some bids tell on themselves. Watch for no product line named, one coat on a color change, no prep steps listed, no mention of repairs on an older house, pressure to sign the same day, and a large deposit in cash. Compare bids line by line before comparing totals, and see our painting cost guide for planning numbers.
Common Questions
Questions homeowners ask
Why are painting estimates so different?
They include different work. Prep, product line, number of coats and repairs change the price far more than the hourly rate. Compare the scopes line by line.
How much paint should a house take?
Divide the area by the coverage on the data sheet, then multiply by the number of coats. Sherwin-Williams Duration Exterior, for example, lists 250 to 300 square feet per gallon.
What is a properly painted surface?
The Painting Contractors Association defines it as uniform in color, texture, hiding and sheen, with no runs, sags or misses, judged from 39 inches or more away in finished light.
Does a lifetime paint warranty cover labor?
Usually not. A paint maker’s consumer coverage applies to its product, typically replacement paint or a refund, not the labor to apply it. Read the terms, and ask the painter for workmanship coverage in writing.
Should the estimate name the paint brand?
It should name the brand, the product line and the sheen for each surface, so you can look up the data sheet yourself.
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