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Free proposal Template

Painting Proposal Template

Painting contractor proposal template for interior and exterior residential and commercial projects.

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Below is the complete template. Copy any section, or download the full file above.

# Painting Services Proposal

**[Company Name]** — Licensed Painting Contractor
**License #:** [State] | **Insured:** General Liability $[X]M | EPA RRP Certified (lead-safe)
**Member:** PDCA (Painting & Decorating Contractors of America)

---

**Date:** _______________ | **Proposal #:** PT-[YYYY-MM-NNN] | **Valid for:** 30 days

## 1. Customer & Property

**Owner:** _______________________________ **Phone:** _______________
**Service address:** _______________________________________
**Property type:** ☐ Residential interior  ☐ Residential exterior  ☐ Commercial  ☐ HOA common areas
**Year built:** _____ (Pre-1978 homes require EPA RRP lead-safe practices)

## 2. Project Scope

### Interior

**Rooms to be painted:**

| Room | Walls | Ceiling | Trim | Doors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |

**Surface preparation:**
- [ ] Patch nail holes, minor cracks
- [ ] Caulk gaps at trim/baseboard
- [ ] Skim coat: ☐ Spot repairs only  ☐ Full wall (Level 4 finish)  ☐ Level 5 (smooth)
- [ ] Sand glossy surfaces
- [ ] Remove wallpaper: ☐ Yes (additional fee)  ☐ No

**Coats:**
- [ ] Primer: ☐ Yes (recommended for color changes >3 shades)  ☐ No
- [ ] 2 coats of paint (standard)
- [ ] 3rd coat for deep colors (red, dark blue, etc.) — included in pricing

### Exterior

**Surfaces:**
- [ ] Siding: _____ sq ft  | Material: ☐ Wood  ☐ Vinyl  ☐ Fiber cement (Hardie)  ☐ Stucco
- [ ] Trim: _____ LF
- [ ] Soffit / fascia
- [ ] Doors: _____ qty
- [ ] Windows: _____ qty (frames only, no glass)
- [ ] Garage door

**Surface prep (exterior):**
- [ ] Power wash entire surface (always included)
- [ ] Scrape loose paint
- [ ] Sand to feather edges
- [ ] Spot prime bare wood
- [ ] Caulk siding joints, around windows/doors
- [ ] Replace rotted wood: ☐ Up to _____ LF included  ☐ Additional $_____/LF

## 3. Paint Specifications

| Surface | Brand | Product | Sheen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior walls | Benjamin Moore / Sherwin-Williams | Regal Select / Cashmere | Eggshell |
| Interior trim | Same | Advance / Emerald | Semi-gloss |
| Interior ceilings | Same | Waterborne Ceiling | Flat |
| Exterior siding | Same | Aura / Duration | Satin |
| Exterior trim | Same | Advance / Emerald Urethane | Semi-gloss |
| Cabinets / built-ins | Same | Advance / Emerald | Satin |

**No substitutions:** Builder-grade or contractor-grade paint NOT used. Top-tier products only (we've tested cheaper alternatives — they fail).

## 4. Colors

Customer agrees to select colors no later than _____ days before start date.

**Color samples included:** Up to 3 sample colors painted on wall (4"x6" patches) for $_____ per sample (refunded if proceeding with full job).

**Customer-supplied paint:** Discount of $_____/gallon. Note: We don't warranty work using customer-supplied paint (no control over quality/age).

## 5. Lead Paint (Pre-1978 Homes)

For homes built before 1978, EPA RRP rule applies:

- We are EPA RRP certified
- We use lead-safe work practices (HEPA vacuum, plastic containment, wet methods)
- Additional fee: $_____ for lead-safe protocols
- Customer receives EPA "Renovate Right" pamphlet
- Final cleanup with HEPA vacuum + lead-specific wipes

## 6. Pricing

| Item | Quantity | Unit Cost | Subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior walls | _____ sq ft | $_____/sq ft | $_____ |
| Interior trim | _____ LF | $_____/LF | $_____ |
| Interior ceilings | _____ sq ft | $_____/sq ft | $_____ |
| Exterior siding | _____ sq ft | $_____/sq ft | $_____ |
| Exterior trim | _____ LF | $_____/LF | $_____ |
| Wood replacement (allowance) | _____ LF | $_____/LF | $_____ |
| Lead-safe prep (if applicable) | LS | — | $_____ |
| Paint materials | LS | — | $_____ |
| **Subtotal** | | | **$_____** |
| Sales tax | | | $_____ |
| **TOTAL** | | | **$_____** |

### Pricing assumptions
- Standard 8-9 ft ceilings
- Furniture moved to room center / covered (we provide drop cloths)
- Customer removes wall art, switch plates, outlet covers
- Reasonable access to all surfaces

### Additional charges
- Vaulted ceilings over 12 ft: 15% upcharge
- Cabinet refinishing: priced separately ($_____ per linear ft)
- Multi-floor stairwells: priced separately
- Skim coating (Level 5 finish): $_____ /sq ft additional

## 7. Timeline

**Start:** Within _____ business days of signed contract + color selection
**Duration:** _____ business days
**Daily schedule:** 8 AM - 5 PM, Mon-Fri (weekend work available at 1.5x rate)

**Weather (exterior):** Painting requires dry weather + temps 50-90°F. Forecast checked daily. Customer notified by 7 AM if weather affects scheduled work.

## 8. Warranty

**Workmanship:** 3 years from completion date
- Covers peeling, blistering caused by improper preparation
- Covers paint film failure
- Does NOT cover: customer damage, water damage, normal wear, color fade

**Paint product:** Per manufacturer warranty (typically 25 years exterior, lifetime interior)

## 9. Payment

**Jobs under $2,000:** Full payment on completion
**Jobs $2,000-$10,000:** 30% deposit, 70% on completion
**Jobs over $10,000:** 30% / 30% / 40% on milestones

**Methods:** Check, ACH, credit card (+3% surcharge)

## 10. Customer Prep List

To ensure fast, quality work, before our arrival please:

- [ ] Move small furniture from rooms being painted
- [ ] Remove wall hangings, switch plates, outlet covers (we'll reinstall)
- [ ] Identify any wall repairs needed (we'll address during prep)
- [ ] Decide final color selections (Benjamin Moore color cards provided on request)
- [ ] Secure pets in a separate area during work hours
- [ ] Clear access to exterior walls if exterior work (move planters, etc.)

## 11. Signatures

**Customer:**
Signature: _________________________ Date: __________

**Painting Contractor:**
Signature: _________________________ Date: __________
License #: _________________________

---

*Free virtual quotes available — text photos to [phone] for ballpark estimate before site visit.*

What's Included

This painting proposal template includes 6 pre-built sections:

  • 1. Project scope (rooms/surfaces)
  • 2. Surface preparation
  • 3. Paint products & colors
  • 4. Number of coats
  • 5. Labor estimate
  • 6. Timeline & weather contingency

How to Use This Template

  1. 1
    Download the format you prefer.

    Word (.docx) for desktop editing, PDF for printing, Google Docs for cloud collaboration.

  2. 2
    Customize with your business info.

    Add your logo, business address, license number, and insurance information.

  3. 3
    Fill in project-specific details.

    Each section has placeholders showing what to include. Replace with your actual project info.

  4. 4
    Get signatures and store.

    Always get both parties to sign and date. Keep digital and printed copies.

💡 Pro Tip: Graduate to Software

Templates work great for low-volume contractors. Once you're handling 10+ jobs/month, software like Jobber or Housecall Pro will save you 5-10 hours per week by auto-generating proposals from your project data.

See best Painting software →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this Painting Proposal Template really free?

Yes — completely free, no email signup or paywall. Download in Word, PDF, or Google Docs format.

Can I customize this template?

Absolutely. Open in Word or Google Docs and edit all sections to fit your specific Painting business.

Is this legally binding once signed?

When properly completed, signed, and dated by both parties, this template creates a binding agreement. For complex or high-value projects, consult an attorney.

What software should I pair with this template?

Most Painting contractors graduate from templates to software like Jobber when their volume exceeds 10-20 jobs/month.