Painting quote example: free template + what to include (2026)
7 min read
A good painting quote contains your business details, a description per item (walls, ceilings, frames), quantities with per-m² or per-unit prices, whether materials are included, the applicable VAT rate, a validity period and a clause for additional work. Below you'll find two fully worked examples and a free download.
What should a painting quotation include?
A complete painting quote contains at minimum: business and client details, a quote number and date, a description per item with quantities and prices, whether materials are included, the VAT rate, the total price, a validity period and agreements about additional work and planning.
- Business details: name, address, registration and VAT number
- Client details and the address where the work takes place
- Quote number, date and validity period (30 days is common)
- Description per item: which room, which surface area, which treatment (sanding, priming, top coats)
- Quantities with a price per m², per unit or per hour
- Whether materials (paint, filler, tape) are included
- The applicable VAT rate for your country and job type
- Additional-work clause: what happens with wood rot or extra coats
- An indication of start date and duration
- Payment terms and any deposit
Worked example: interior painting quote
This example shows an interior job - living room and hallway - built up from line items with per-m² and per-unit prices.
| Description | Quantity | Price | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walls, living room + hallway (2 coats) | 48 m² | € 12.50 / m² | € 600.00 |
| Ceiling, living room | 24 m² | € 14.00 / m² | € 336.00 |
| Frames and doors (sand, prime, 2× top coat) | 6 units | € 95.00 / unit | € 570.00 |
| Preparation: masking, covering, minor repairs | 1× | € 180.00 | € 180.00 |
| Subtotal | € 1,686.00 | ||
| VAT 9% (Dutch reduced rate, homes older than 2 years) | € 151.74 | ||
| Total | € 1,837.74 |
Example amounts based on common 2026 rates; materials (quality wall paint and lacquer) included. VAT rules differ per country - in the Netherlands, painting homes older than 2 years is taxed at 9%.
Worked example: exterior painting quote
For exterior work, use provisional sums for wood rot and a separate line for access (scaffolding or lift). That prevents disputes afterwards.
| Description | Quantity | Price | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior frames: sand, prime, 2× top coat | 22 m² | € 42.50 / m² | € 935.00 |
| Front door and garage door, complete | 2 units | € 165.00 / unit | € 330.00 |
| Wood rot repair (provisional sum, settled on actuals) | prov. sum | € 250.00 | |
| Scaffolding/ladder work and protection | 1× | € 220.00 | € 220.00 |
| Subtotal | € 1,735.00 | ||
| VAT 9% (Dutch reduced rate) | € 156.15 | ||
| Total | € 1,891.15 |
A provisional sum gives the client clarity up front: you name an indicative amount and settle based on what you actually find.
Fixed price, hourly rate or price indication?
There are three common pricing formats: a fixed price (clearest for the client), a price indication with a range (useful with unknowns like wood rot) and hourly rate plus materials (for small or unpredictable jobs). Choose per job and state the format explicitly.
- Fixed price: you carry the risk, the client knows exactly where they stand - strongest for standard work
- Price indication: quote a range (e.g. € 1,700 – € 2,000) and record when the final price is set
- Hourly rate + materials: transparent for small jobs; do include an estimate of the hours
The 5 most common mistakes in painting quotes
- No additional-work clause - wood rot or extra coats become your cost
- Materials not specified - 'paint included' without brand or quality leads to discussion
- Wrong VAT rate - check the reduced rates that may apply to renovation work in your country
- No validity period - with rising material prices you want to recalculate after 30 days
- Sending too late - quoting within 24 hours demonstrably wins more jobs than taking a week
Quote faster: let the client do the math
The quote above easily costs you an hour per request - measuring, calculating, formatting. And part of those requests never become a job. That's why more and more painters put a quote calculator on their website: the visitor answers a few questions (what, how many m², which quality) and instantly sees a price indication. You receive the request with all answers and the price shown, and only have to confirm the final quote.
It filters out price shoppers before you drive anywhere, and you're always ahead of the competitor who's 'still thinking about it'. Try it below.
Download the example as a PDF
Both example quotes (interior and exterior) in one document, ready to rebuild in your own branding.
Download example quote (PDF)Try it: this is how your client calculates
This is a working quote calculator for painting - the same questions and pricing logic as the example above, but filled in by your client.
Step 1 of 3
Your project
Frequently asked questions about painting quotes
What VAT rate applies to painting work?
It depends on your country. In the Netherlands, painting, wallpapering and plastering on homes older than 2 years is taxed at the reduced 9% rate (labour and materials); newer homes and commercial buildings at 21%.
What does a painter charge per hour in 2026?
In the Netherlands the going hourly rate is € 45 to € 65 excluding VAT, depending on region and specialisation. Sole traders often sit slightly below companies with staff.
How long should a quote be valid?
That's up to you, but 30 days is common. State the period explicitly; after that you can recalculate, for instance when paint prices have risen.
Is a quote legally binding?
Once the client accepts a fixed-price quote, there's an agreement and you're held to that price. With a price indication the final price may reasonably deviate (rule of thumb: up to ~10%), unless agreed otherwise.
Should I charge call-out fees?
For full-day jobs call-out fees are unusual; travel time is part of your hourly or m² rate. For small jobs or long distances you can include them - as a separate, named line item.
Dennis - Founder of Quotira
Dennis builds Quotira, the quote calculator for trade businesses, and writes these guides based on the pricing logic from hundreds of calculator configurations.
Published on July 9, 2026
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Turn this quote into a calculator on your site
Start with the painting template, add your own m² prices and receive requests with the price already attached. Free to try, no credit card needed.
Start with the painting template