An important aspect of estimation is calculating preparation time.
Estimating the cost of painting a home involves many factors, including size and type of job and your experience level. Estimation requires interior painters to walk the fine line of presenting a price that is low enough to retain business, yet high enough to sustain your company and assure that you skillfully and thoroughly complete the job. The estimation process is simple, however, when your labor costs are set. Simply determine the number of hours you will work, the amount of materials needed and the cost per unit of both.
Instructions
1. Determine the amount of preparation work you will need to complete. If you need to repair a lot of dents or holes, use primer and edge numerous surfaces, note the time it will take to complete these tasks.
2. Determine how much paint you need. This is primarily determined by the square footage of the surface you are painting. One gallon of paint typically covers 400 square feet, equivalent to one 10-by-15 foot room with 8-foot ceilings. Subtract the area of doors and windows, generally 21 and 15 square feet, respectively. Take into account the number of coats you will need; darker paint generally requires two or more coats.
3. Calculate the cost of materials. Paint costs vary from $10 to $50 per gallon, so determine the type of paint you will be using and multiply the per-gallon cost by the number of gallons needed. Take into account the amount of tape you will use, and any other special tools or materials you will need for the job such as tarps, brushes and rollers.
4. Calculate the number of hours you will spend painting. You should know the speed at which you paint; a typical 10-by-15 foot room should take about four hours for the trim and first coat.
5. Multiply the number of hours estimated for preparation time and painting time by the amount you charge for labor. In May 2008, median labor charges per hour for painters and construction workers was $15.85, but this does not include the self employed. Self employed painters often charge $40 an hour or more; know your experience and efficiency level to determine a fair price.
Tags: number hours, will need, 10-by-15 foot, 10-by-15 foot room, foot room, hours will
