With the skyrocketing cost of paint and painting supplies you can very quickly find your small budget project costing hundreds, even thousands, of dollars. Proper estimating is so important to saving a bundle.
Nowadays painting manufacturers have deleted their supple of pre-mixed colors which means with the majority of paint colors mixed in the store, they can't be returned by the purchaser. The average cost of a quality gallon of paint product is about $50 so it can add up quickly.
There is a formula I use when it comes to estimating exterior projects which I call "the terrible twos." Remember this is a quick reference and not an exact science as each project has its own variations. It will give you a general idea as to cost with the material cost being fairly accurate.
On a two-story home it will take two gallons of paint per coat, per side, for the siding. The trim, 1-2 gallons per coat. It will cost approximately $2,000 per side and there will be about $200 worth of miscellaneous materials—sandpaper, spackle, caulk, thinner, etc. I came up with this formula because over the many years of doing business potential clients will ask over the phone for an approximate cost. Using this as a guide I explain that the only way to give a proper estimate is to come to the home and look at the job. A quick reference to estimating interiors is that it will cost approximately the same as the exterior for a two-story, 2,800-square-foot home.
As I'm sure you know when it comes to prices from contractors, the difference between the low end and the high end is ridiculous. That's why word of mouth and referrals has always been my best form of advertising.
I hope this helps, especially with the outside season in full bloom. Please contact me with any questions you may have when it comes to residential painting.
This week's "Tricks of the Trade"
When I finish cleaning my water-based paint brushes, I apply hair conditioner to the brush and let it sit for an hour or even overnight. I then rinse it which will make it good as new.
