Skip to main content

How To Estimate Exterior Commercial Painting

By August 7, 2020May 31st, 2022Commercial Projects, Contracting Tips
Estimate Exterior Commercial Painting

Before starting any commercial exterior paint project, it is crucial to estimate how much it will cost you. When it comes to estimating exterior commercial painting costs, your professional painting contractor will calculate the cost of each aspect of the project, like materials, equipment, labor, transportation, etc. It will allow them to get the things required to complete the project successfully and efficiently. However, these estimates are not fixed, and they should not be, because during the project there can be modifications to the scope of the project, which can increase the cost.

How to Come Up With Accurate Estimates For a Painting Project

To work out estimations accurately for a commercial painting project, start by assessing each detail of the project and any possible problems. Some things you must consider while estimating exterior painting costs include:

The Surface Area that Needs to Be Painted

You can calculate the surface area that needs to be painted by multiplying the length by the height of every wall. Then, find the value of the total surface area by adding all the figures. You also need to calculate the surface area of everything that does not need to be painted, like doors and windows. After that, subtract the combined value of that from the total surface area of the exterior walls.
Let’s say a building has four exterior walls. They have a length of 20 feet and a width of 40 feet. So, the total surface area of the walls will be 3200 (4x20x40). If this building has eight windows (each six feet high and 5 feet wide), you will subtract a surface area of 240 square feet from the exterior walls’ total surface area. This meaning that, the surface area that needs to be painted is 2960 (3200-240).

How Much Paint Is Required

Generally, a single paint gallon covers around 400 sq. ft. if the surface is smooth, and 300 sq. ft. if the surface is textured. According to this, you will require around 7.4 paint gallons to cover 2960 square feet of smooth surface and 9.8 gallons for a textured surface. If the exterior requires two coats of paint, then this amount will be doubled.

Calculate the Cost of All the Materials

Start by determining all the supplies that will be required to finish the project. You will be required to buy additional rollers or brushes, painters tape, clean drop cloths, pan liners, and other various supplies.
Good-quality paint costs around 25 to 40 dollars per gallon. You will need to first calculate how much it will cost to buy the paint. Next, add the cost of other materials such as paint trays, brushes, drop cloths, and rollers. Professional painters will create a detailed list with the estimated cost of supplies that will be used during the project; This allows customers to see how they got at that price.

Determine the Cost of Labor

You need to determine how much time your worker will take to finish the job to calculate labor costs. Do not forget to consider the wall preparation process. It generally includes washing, caulking, scraping, treating areas that need special attention, and applying a coat of primer.
If there are any additional workers, consider their cost too. When working on a large commercial project that requires timeliness, having additional workers help you out can be very beneficial. Make sure your total labor costs include the hourly wage or per job payment of each worker, as well as any benefits.

How Much Time It Will Take

Consider the amount of time needed to finish the task, from the preparation work to cleanup. The painters might have to spend more time preparing the exterior than painting. The process of surface preparation (pressure washing, scraping, etc.), covering outlets, floor surface, and woodwork, and protecting the commercial structure is as essential as the painting part of the process. Therefore, you need to consider these tasks in the estimate as well.

Lodging and Fuel Costs

Some other costs you need to include in the estimate are lodging (if required), fuel, and mileage. These costs can be minimized by ensuring the workers get everything they require for the project before arriving at the site. Make sure not to underestimate the amount of materials you will need for the project. Otherwise, it will add to the mileage since you will need to make more trips to the store to buy the necessary supplies. Many commercial exterior painting projects require travel. In that case, the lodging costs should also be included in the estimate.

Take Everything Into Account

It is important to take everything into account- from the different materials required and the number of workers needed to the total time it will take to fuel and lodging costs- to get an accurate estimate cost of commercial painting. You can get the estimate after adding all these individual costs. For a better estimate, you can also add overhead costs (insurance, power-washer rental, etc.) and any additional costs.
Keep in mind the estimate will increase with the area that needs to be painted. That is why painters price their projects according to the surface area. Since some things, like outdoor obstructions, safety tasks, the difficulty of preparation tasks, and complexities of trim details can make a painting project considerably more complicated, many painters consider these factors in their estimate too.

Do you want an accurate estimate of the price to paint the exterior of your commercial structure, with no hidden costs and each detail accounted for? Then we can help you. We calculate estimates while taking into account all the unique specifications of each project. It ensures our customers are provided with the full picture before the project begins. So they can feel at peace, knowing that there will not be any drastic fluctuations in the costs at the last moment, and the cost of the project will stay within their budget. Contact re:fab and get your FREE estimate by calling 1.800.690.2539 or visiting www.refabpro.com/

Please fill out the contact information below and we will be in touch shortly to discuss this position. Thanks!

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Service Area
Please select the states in which you are licensed to work/willing to travel to and work on assignments.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Please fill out the contact information below and we will be in touch shortly to discuss this position. Thanks!

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Please fill out the contact information below and we will be in touch shortly to discuss this position. Thanks!

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Location Choice*
Select all interested jobsite regions.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Please fill out the contact information below and we will be in touch shortly to discuss this position. Thanks!

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Please fill out the contact information below and we will be in touch shortly to discuss this position. Thanks!

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Please fill out the contact information below and we will be in touch shortly to discuss this position. Thanks!

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Location Choice*
Select all interested jobsite regions.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Please fill out the contact information below and we will be in touch shortly to discuss this position. Thanks!

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.


Drywall + Carpentry


Whether the interior walls of your commercial facility have been damaged, the front door of your business needs an upgrade or your floors are in need of attention, re:fab has the right team and process to meet your specific needs.
With a team of skilled carpenters and specialty craftsmen, re:fab helps clients tackle quick improvements to full-scale renovation needs.


Renovation Services


Professional Renovation Services Tailored to your Industry.

re:fab is the trusted partner for commercial renovations and specialty applications for properties and facilities across all industries. Whether a commercial office building or a multi-family property, our experienced team has the knowledge and resources to get your job done right.

  • Flooring & Epoxy Coatings
  • Windows and Doors
  • Interior and Exterior Painting
  • Rebranding Services and Special Finishes Installments
  • Carpentry & Drywall Repairs
  • Heating and AC and/or HVAC
  • Plumbing & Electrical
  • Trenching
  • Appliance Replacement
  • Gutters
  • Structural Repairs & Safety Hazards


Specialty Flooring


Floor Coatings Keep Your Foundations Safe

re:fab’s floor coating services provide a dramatic enhancement to the look and feel of commercial and industrial properties. In addition, specialty floor coatings maintain the health and durability of your floors and overall properties, creating a more healthy and safer space for your employees, customers and the environment

Our Experts Provide A Variety Of Floor Coating Services, Including:

  • Epoxy Floor Coatings
  • Cementitious Urethane Resurfacers
  • Decorative Flake and Quartz Floor Coating Systems
  • Joint Fillers-Repair Mortars
  • Electrostatic Dissipative (ESD) Coating Systems
  • High-Performance Urethane Topcoat
  • Resurfacers
  • Same-Day Coating Systems
  • Moisture Vapor Reducer
  • Sealers
  • Urethane Topcoats

*Please note: re:fab provides flooring services as part of a larger renovation or painting program or project, not a standalone service.


EIFS + Stucco


Commercial buildings and industrial facilities featuring exterior walls with an Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS) have the attractiveness of a stucco finish but with greater insulation, toughness and longevity. In fact, unlike stucco, EIFS is actually a multi-layered system that includes insulation board, base coat and finish coat. It’s a combination that provides a classic look with modern advantages.

In addition to much-improved insulation, EIFS can improve indoor air quality and reduce the environmental impact of a structure throughout its lifetime, and it is available in a virtually unlimited range of colors and textures.

EIFS has transformed commercial buildings across all industries and our team of specialists can help you understand the benefits of this important application.

*We are Dryvit Systems EIFS Certified Installers.


Power Washing


Regular power washing keeps commercial facilities running efficiently and safely, helps businesses stay compliant with environmental regulations, rids surfaces of mold and delivers an attractive first impression to clients and guests. Our team can quickly and easily return your properties to excellent condition.

Exterior Power Washing Services Include:

  • Exterior wall pressure washing
  • Construction clean-up
  • Graffiti removal
  • Heavy equipment, truck and fleet cleaning
  • Driveway and parking lot cleaning
  • Patio washing
  • Gutter and drain cleaning
  • Outdoor structures such as play equipment
  • Swimming pools
  • Outbuilding

Choose the organization you think deserves a refresh, or enter one of your own and vote!

Please fill out the contact information below and we will be in touch shortly to discuss this position. Thanks!

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Please fill out the contact information below and we will be in touch shortly to discuss this position. Thanks!

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Please fill out the contact information below and we will be in touch shortly to discuss this position. Thanks!

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Trade Experience (Select All That Apply)
Service Area
Please select the states in which you are licensed to work/willing to travel to and work on assignments.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Get a free Estimate

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Let us know how you got here!
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Fill In Your Contact Information Below And Someone From Our Team Will Be In Touch Shortly.


Painting


re:fab’s 30 years+ experience with commercial interior and exterior painting, sealing and wall & ceiling applications assures each client that we have the expertise to deliver for any business painting requirement. Tackling projects both large and small, across New England, our teams are capable of serving all of your standard and specialty painting and application needs.

  • Interior & exterior applications
  • Multi-color systems
  • Wallpaper removal & installation
  • Power washing
  • EIFS & stucco
  • Wall coverings
  • Korugard
  • Acoustical ceiling painting
  • Lead paint removal
  • Low odor and non-VOC painting
  • Line striping
  • Electrostatic painting