House painting question
- Thread starter Hunt200
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ingmansinc
US Veteran
Most are figured by the job not the hour. How big is the house? Are you going to spray and backroll or brush? How many colors? I hope you are buying the paint so you get a top quality paint and don't have to keep putting on extra coats to achieve coverage. What colors, dark or light? Does it need much prep work, scrapping, etc? Is it chalking? Are you going to pressure wash? What is the house built with, block, wood, stucco? These are all very important questions that need to be considered before quoting a paint job.
It's outside about 1000 square feet, scraping and prep should not be too bad, he has Aluminum capping on all the windows and trim which will not need to be painted. Caulking is great shape and tight as is. The color will be a sky blue. The house has asphalt shingles in good shape. The front is sided so it will not have to be touched.
ingmansinc
US Veteran
I will assume you meant asbestos shingles on three sides with alum or vinyl on the front.
Pressure wash to remove any mildew, tape and paper windows, prime if needed, and top coat. Materials should be about $200.00 and 12 hours labor. I would not charge more than $800.00 labor and materials.
Pressure wash to remove any mildew, tape and paper windows, prime if needed, and top coat. Materials should be about $200.00 and 12 hours labor. I would not charge more than $800.00 labor and materials.
Pilgrim
US Veteran
I just paid a guy $25/hr to paint all my house and garage trim. It worked out to about $700.
HCD
Member
I'm retired after 30 years in the building trades union, a rule of thumb on side jobs was figgur how much cost to do job, double it and then add 10% should get you close to a fair return. If you work faster you make more per hr.
I just had a 2500 sq ft two-story wood house painted in Hawaii. Built on a hill, with four verandas. Cleaned, scraped, etc., two coats of paint. First guy quoted me $20K, second guy $8.5K Had a third guy who quoted $8K. I took the $8.5K, and two days in the guy told me he couldn't do it for that, and needed $12.5K as house was bigger and more difficult than he realized. So, I agreed.
My recommendation is do not underbid. I think HCD's approach makes sense.
My recommendation is do not underbid. I think HCD's approach makes sense.
I can't speak to the OP's question, but I have to ask - he bid you the job and then told you partway in that his bid wasn't right? I'd understand if he said, "Look, I underestimated size/materials and I need another $500 for more paint." ... but to jump your bill by 50% through his own mistake? I'd be VERY upset.
(I just re-roofed my house. Contractor cut me a break on labor since I helped him and he didn't have to hire anyone. He underestimated materials as well; I just went to the store and bought what he told me to get. That's an acceptable increase to me.)
Be sure to use good quality paint, and make sure surface is prepped properly. It would be a shame if it started peeling off in a year or two and he came back to you to redo at your expense.
JcMack
Member
Unless you're really in need (I know who ain't, including me) I'd avoid exterior painting unless you have the background. It always seem to bite you in the butt. NO RECEIPTS. CASH ONLY. Call a painter and have him give a estimate.
