How do painting contractors come up with an estimate? Are painters paid by the hour? How much, usually?

Question

Also, do they just pass along the charge for the paint?

Answer 1

Of course they pass along the paint charge. (would a mechanic place in new parts to your car and only charge you the labor?) They look at the rooms size and they already have an idea of how fast they work will charge you per hour. I was charged for my new house 1,700 square feet $5,000 dollars. So hopefully that will give you an idea of what to expect. Good luck.

Answer 2

Typically by the hour/day etc. you are paying them for the time it takes to do the job properly. They try to figure out how long it usually would take them. I am a contractor and know that the rates vary by what part of the country you live in as well as where you live...urban or rural. Normally the city is more money per hour/day than rural. Someone said $18.00 per hour ..that is very low, normally what a painter who works for a contractor should expect to get paid. A good range would be $35- $75 per hour. Is this a specialty painter, a painter who has a good reputation for doing quality work? These are the questions you need to ask...try your local paint dealer they usually know the good ones , the cheap ones and the ones to avoid. Also if you expect the painter to take care of purchasing the paint then it is reasonable to assume that they will mark it up. Otherewise you pick it up , but be sure to check with your painter and make sure you get the proper paint or the paint they would normally be using. Prices are based on performance of paint. Example if you buy cheap paint that does not cover well, the painter is not going to do 4 coats when he figured it for two. Hope this helps.
Beware , you usually get what you pay for!
The laborer is worthy the hire.
Good Luck,
Mark

Answer 3

My sister contracts herself out as both a painter/wallpaper applicator and charges a flat rate of $18.00 per hour, along with an estimate of how long the job should take. (She could get 20.00 to 22.00 easy, but she's happy with what she gets) An honest contractor will pass along the charge for the paint, but not charge more than what they paid for it, which unfortunately, is not a common practice.

Answer 4

When I worked painting it was figured out by the size of the job. How much in paint would be needed, etc. And of course if they buy the paint, that is marked up to cover the additional expenditures of having to go out and get it. They calculate a flat fee for the hours a typical job will take for so many painters to do. Chow

Answer 5

Their estimate would include the charge for the paint and other supplies and the charge for how long they thought it would take to complete the job.

Answer 6

They usually give a price for a job, including paint. Some may go into "depending on how many coats, this much or that much".

Answer 7

Usually the size of the job (square footage), paint and materials needed; hourly wage which is calculated against the time in which it may take to finish.

Answer 8

usually by the square foot,my help is hourly and material costs are in my bid. I pay my guys from $8 to $22 depending on their experience, job descriptiion, and how well I like them

Answer 9

ask them to charge on square feet or square metre basis it is easy to cross check.hourly payment method they can cheat and to cross check is not easy for a layman.