A painting contract is a legal agreement between the contractor and a client regarding a painting job. It outlines the nature of the job, the cost, the anticipated start and end dates, and the details of the work. A good contract spells out any problems that could arise and sets forth plans for problem resolution should difficulties arise.
What Is a Painting Contract?
A painting contract is a legally binding document that establishes all details of a painting job. The customer and the contractor determine exactly what is expected before the job begins.
The painting contract specifies where and when the work will be done, the color and type of paint to be used, how long the job is expected to take, and what will be done in case of unexpected contingencies. These contingencies might include rain or damaged surfaces.
The document puts all parties on the same page and helps avoid time-wasting debates.
Why Use a Painting Contract?
A painting contract before the work begins helps avoid confusion about what will be done. It also helps protect both the painter and the customer in the case of legal problems.
The painting contract service agreement describes the specifics of the work and what each party must do. For example, the painter agrees to paint the home’s exterior between Friday and Sunday. The homeowner agrees to pay $1000 to the painter on Monday morning. If these things do not happen, the parties can go to court to demand that the other party perform on the contract.
If the homeowner claims the painter damaged the property or did something outside the scope of the contract, then this can be established by examining the terms of the contract.
What to Include
A painting contract can be created from the template below. It is a legal document and can be presented in court like any other contract. It should include:
- Date of contract
- Party information – The names and addresses of both parties should be printed on the form.
-
Services to be provided – These should be as detailed as possible. In the case of a painting contract, there may be subsections of the services to be provided:
- Labor – If additional painters will be used, will they be paid hourly or a flat fee?
- Materials – How much paint will be used, and what will the cost be?
- Preparation – Will the walls need to be stripped before painting can begin? If so, is that included in the cost?
- Payment method – Some contractors prefer to be paid in installments to pay their workers or subcontractors. Installment payments should include a date or deadline.
- Dispute resolution – Some states require binding arbitration or mediation instead of litigation for professional services. Parties may wish to consult an attorney before designing their own contract.
- Right to cancel – Some states allow a three-day right of cancellation after signing a contract. This can be confirmed on the state’s government website.
- Signatures
How to Estimate The Price of a Paint Job
There are several ways to estimate the cost of a paint job. It can be done by estimating the cost of materials or the amount of labor needed.
Materials Estimate
- Measure the room or home. Measure the length and height of the walls and multiply them to get the square footage.
- Subtract the parts that will not be painted. Measure the doors and windows and subtract that area from the total square footage.
- Determine the amount of paint needed. One gallon covers 250 square feet. Two coats are always needed for coverage, so two gallons are needed for every 250 square feet.
- Estimate the cost of the paint. Top-quality exterior paints are more expensive.
- Estimate the cost of other materials. Professional contractors do not always line-items things like dropcloths, caulking, and tape, but these will appear in a contract under “materials.”
Labor Estimate
- Two painters can handle 2,500 square feet in two days. A labor cost will be about $500, or $250 for each person.
- Measure the area to be painted as above. Determine how much time is available to paint and how many painters will be needed to paint that area.
- Consider other factors. If furniture must be moved or the exterior walls must be stripped or sanded, this will add time and labor to the costs.
- Allow extra time for accidents, unforeseen incidents, and other problems. Add this figure to the total.
These figures are only rough estimates. A painting contract should be constructed so that the parties can adjust for unforeseen changes, price fluctuations, and cost differences.
Painting Contract Sample
Below, you can download a painting contract template in PDF or Word format:
