Painting Quotation Format
Painting quotations are easy to undercut. A painter who skips putty, uses one coat instead of two, or quotes an economy emulsion can always come in cheaper. The only way to compete fairly is to write down exactly what you will do to each surface and which paint you will use, so the customer can see the difference.
This page explains how to measure and quote painting work, and gives a sample for repainting the interior of a 3BHK flat.
Measure paintable area, not carpet area
Customers often quote their flat by carpet area, but you paint walls and ceilings. As a rough guide, the wall area of a home is about three times the carpet area, and the ceiling area is about the same as the carpet area. A 1,100 sq ft 3BHK may have around 2,600 sq ft of wall and 1,150 sq ft of ceiling to paint.
Measure on site when you can, deduct large openings like windows and wardrobes, and write the areas in the quotation room by room or as totals. If you quote per sq ft of carpet area instead, say so clearly, so the customer does not compare your rate with someone who quoted on paint area.
What to include in a painting quotation
- Surface preparation: scraping loose paint, sanding, crack filling, and how much of it is included.
- Putty: full putty or only touch-up where needed, and number of coats.
- Primer: one coat, and the type (interior, exterior, wood or metal).
- Finish paint: brand, product name and finish (matt, satin, sheen), and number of coats, usually two.
- Ceilings, doors, windows and grills: listed separately, since they use different paints and take more time.
- Special finishes: texture, stencil or accent walls priced on their own.
- Protection and cleaning: covering furniture and floors, masking, and cleaning up at the end.
- Exclusions: dampness or seepage repair, false ceiling repair and moving heavy furniture.
Sample painting quotation (interior repaint, 3BHK flat)
ColourCraft Painting Services
Pune GSTIN 27ABCDE1234F1Z5 (sample)
QUOTATION
- Quotation No.
- QT/2026-27/010
- Date
- 01 Oct 2026
- Valid till
- 16 Oct 2026
Bill To
Mrs. Neha Kulkarni
Kothrud, Pune
Subject: Interior repainting of 3BHK flat (walls, ceilings, doors)
Swipe the table sideways to see all columns
| # | Item | Qty | Unit | Rate (₹) | GST | Amount (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Surface preparation: scraping, sanding and crack filling | 2,600 | Sq ft | 4.00 | 18% | 10,400.00 |
| 2 | Wall putty, 2 coats, on patchy areas only | 900 | Sq ft | 14.00 | 18% | 12,600.00 |
| 3 | Interior primer, 1 coat | 2,600 | Sq ft | 6.00 | 18% | 15,600.00 |
| 4 | Premium interior emulsion, 2 coats (brand and shade as approved) | 2,600 | Sq ft | 18.00 | 18% | 46,800.00 |
| 5 | Ceiling: 1 coat primer and 2 coats ceiling white | 1,150 | Sq ft | 12.00 | 18% | 13,800.00 |
| 6 | Enamel paint on doors and grills, 2 coats | 180 | Sq ft | 28.00 | 18% | 5,040.00 |
| 7 | Texture finish on living room feature wall | 120 | Sq ft | 85.00 | 18% | 10,200.00 |
| 8 | Furniture covering, masking and final cleaning | 1 | Job | 3,500.00 | 18% | 3,500.00 |
Terms & Conditions
- Areas measured on site; final bill on actual area.
- Dark-to-light colour change may need an extra coat, charged at Rs. 7/sq ft.
- Dampness and seepage repair not included.
- Work completed in about 8 working days.
For ColourCraft Painting Services
Authorised signatory
Bank / UPI (sample)
Sample Bank, A/c 000123456789, IFSC SAMP0001234
UPI: colourcraftpaintingservices@upi
Scan to Pay (sample)
Download this format: ExcelWordPDF
Sample for reference only. Rates are typical figures and vary by city and brand. GSTIN, bank and UPI details are made up. GST rates shown are common rates; confirm the current rate for your items with your accountant.
Labour-only or with material?
Some customers buy paint themselves and want a labour-only quotation. If you agree, list the exact material they must buy, with brand, product and litres, and state that delays due to late material are not your responsibility. If you supply material, name the product so the customer can check the price; vague lines like "premium emulsion" make customers suspicious.
Changing from a dark colour to a light one usually needs an extra coat. Mention it in the quotation if the customer is changing colours, or quote it as an optional line.
Dampness: say it before you paint
Fresh paint on a damp wall will peel within months, and the customer will blame the painter. If you see seepage marks, write in the quotation that the area needs waterproofing or plumbing repair first, and that peeling caused by dampness is not covered. It protects your work and often wins you the waterproofing job too.
Faster painting quotations
Once you have measured, painting quotations are mostly the same lines with different areas. In Quotely Pro you save your rates for preparation, putty, primer, emulsion, enamel and texture, copy a previous flat's quotation, update the areas, and send the PDF on WhatsApp. For new construction, see the construction quotation format; for full home makeovers, the interior design quotation format.
Frequently asked questions
What should a painting quotation include?
A painting quotation should include the areas to be painted, surface preparation, putty and primer details, the paint brand, product and finish, the number of coats, separate lines for ceilings, doors and special finishes, protection and cleaning, timeline and exclusions such as dampness repair.
How do I calculate the paintable area of a house?
As a rough guide, wall area is about three times the carpet area and ceiling area is about equal to the carpet area. For accurate quotations, measure each room's walls (perimeter x height), deduct large openings, and add the ceilings.
How many coats of paint should a quotation include?
A standard interior job is one coat of primer and two coats of emulsion. Changing from a dark to a light colour may need a third coat. Write the number of coats in the quotation so the customer can compare fairly.
Should a painting quotation mention the paint brand?
Yes. Name the brand and the exact product, not just "premium emulsion". Paint products within one brand vary a lot in price and durability, and naming the product shows the customer what they are paying for.
Can painting be quoted labour only?
Yes. In a labour-only quotation, list the exact paint and material the customer must buy, with quantities, and state that delays caused by late material delivery are not the painter's responsibility.