Stop losing money on underestimated jobs. This calculator includes the hidden costs that destroy contractor profits.
"This calculator caught a $8,000 error in my estimate. Saved my business from bankruptcy." - Tom K., Denver
Total floor area of rooms to paint
Our professional wall paint calculator uses industry-standard formulas to provide accurate painting estimates:
Several factors can impact your final painting quote:
| Room Type | Size (sq ft) | DIY Cost | Professional Cost | Time (hours) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedroom | 12x12 | $150-250 | $400-800 | 4-6 |
| Living Room | 15x20 | $300-400 | $800-1,600 | 8-10 |
| Kitchen | 10x12 | $150-200 | $350-700 | 3-5 |
| Bathroom | 8x10 | $100-150 | $250-500 | 2-4 |
| Whole House Interior | 2,000 | $1,200-2,000 | $3,000-8,000 | 24-40 |
| Exterior House | 2,500 | $1,500-2,500 | $3,000-7,000 | 20-35 |
Most calculators use 1990s coverage rates (400 sqft/gallon) when modern paints actually cover 320-350 sqft. They ignore waste factors, multiple coats, and primer needs. Result: You buy 30% less paint than needed and look like an amateur. Our calculator uses REAL coverage rates from 50,000+ actual jobs.
They measure floor area instead of WALL area. A 20x30 room isn't 600 sqft of walls - it's 800+ sqft (perimeter x height). Miss this and you're short 6 gallons of paint, plus labor costs explode when you have to return. Our calculator prevents this costly amateur mistake automatically.
Professional presentation. A scribbled estimate on notebook paper vs. a detailed breakdown showing prep work, materials, labor, and timeline. Psychology: detailed estimates appear more valuable. Our calculator creates professional breakdowns that justify premium pricing.
Real story: Contractor estimated 15 gallons for a 2,000 sqft house. Needed 23 gallons. Ran out of paint 2 days before Christmas, matching paint discontinued. Job delayed 3 weeks, customer sued, contractor went bankrupt. DON'T GUESS. Our calculator includes 15% waste factor automatically.
Painting estimate examples vary due to: paint quality ($15-100/gallon), labor rates ($20-75/hour), prep work requirements, surface conditions, accessibility, timeline, and contractor overhead. Premium services include better warranties and insurance.