What should a painting estimate include?

More than a total. A painting estimate you can compare writes down how the room is protected, which repairs are made, whether the walls are sanded, filled and primed, the paint by brand, line, color and sheen, which surfaces are included, the timeline, and how changes get approved. If those lines are missing, the total doesn't tell you what you are buying.

By Danilo Candido, Owner of JCIL Services Inc. · November 4, 2026 · 2 min read

Why do two painting quotes for the same room come out so far apart?

Usually because they are not quoting the same job. One painter planned to fix the cracks, patch the drywall and prime the stains. The other planned to paint over whatever is there. Both wrote one number at the bottom, and only the lines above it show the difference. Without those lines you can't compare the two.

Stop buying a job you cannot compare.

What does 'labor and materials' leave out?

It doesn't say which walls, whether the ceiling is in, how many coats, what gets repaired first or what paint is used. 'Paint the room' has the same problem. It names a job without saying what the job is.

The lines to look for

• Protection: floors and furniture covered.
• Repairs: nail holes, cracks, peeling paint, drywall seams, each named.
• Prep: sanding and filling before paint.
• Primer: where it goes and why.
• Paint: brand, line, color and sheen.
• Surfaces: walls, ceiling, trim and doors, room by room.
• Timeline, payment terms, and how a change gets approved.

Sanding, filling, drywall repair and primer are written into the applicable scope before paint.

Your scope names the paint brand, line, color and sheen, so you know exactly what goes on the walls.

When does a wall need primer?

On new drywall and on patches, so the repaired spots don't show through as dull patches. On a big color change. And over water or smoke stains, but only after the leak or the source has been dealt with, or the stain comes back through the new paint. A wall that is already sound and staying close to its color often goes without it. Either way, the estimate should say which.

What if something changes once the work starts?

You get the scope in writing before any work starts, and nothing is added or changed without your written approval.

That covers the change you ask for. For the one nobody could see, like damaged drywall behind old wallpaper, the work stops and you see it before anything is added to the price.

Pricing a single bedroom? Read what sets the price of a 12x12 room.

The interior painting page has a printable checklist, "Before you hire an interior painter in Massachusetts", with these lines on one sheet. No email needed.

Questions