Painter invoice template
Painting invoices need surface preparation itemised — prep is most of the labour and none of the visible result. Build one below — prefilled painter services, payment terms, PDF download, and a public payment link.
How painter invoicing actually works
Customers price paint jobs by the paint. The labour is in the preparation: masking, filling, sanding, caulking, priming, protecting floors and furniture. If prep is invisible on the invoice, every competitor who skips it looks cheaper than you and every customer wonders why two quotes for the same rooms differ by so much. Itemise prep and you are selling the thing that actually differs.
Coat count and product line are the other two variables that decide price. "Two coats, premium acrylic eggshell" and "one coat, contractor-grade flat" are different jobs. Put both on the invoice and the document becomes a specification the customer can hold you to and can compare against.
Colour changes mid-job, especially dark-to-light, are extra coats. Handle that as a written change before you buy the paint.
What belongs on a painter invoice
Beyond the universals — your details, the customer's details, a unique invoice number, dates, totals and payment terms — these are the lines that matter in this trade.
- Preparation itemised separately from application
- Masking, filling, sanding, caulking, priming — the labour the finished wall does not show.
- Coat count per surface
- Walls, ceilings and trim often differ. State each.
- Paint product line and sheen
- Brand, line and finish. It is the difference between two quotes that look identical.
- Surfaces included and explicitly excluded
- Closets, ceilings, trim, doors, inside of cupboards. Exclusions prevent the end-of-job scope argument.
- Protection and cleanup
- Floor covering, furniture moving, and removal of masking and waste at the end.
Line items this template starts with
These are the prefilled starting values in the BillingDone painter template — a starting point to edit, not a survey of market rates. Set your own prices once and they save for next time.
| Service | Unit | Starting price |
|---|---|---|
| Painting labor hourly | Hour | $70.00 |
| Interior room painting | Room | $425.00 |
| Exterior painting | Project | $1,800.00 |
| Trim painting | Linear foot | $2.50 |
| Cabinet painting | Project | $1,800.00 |
| Drywall prep | Project | $225.00 |
| Painting touch-up | Project | $175.00 |
| Paint | Each | $65.00 |
| Primer | Each | $45.00 |
| Tape/plastic/supplies | Each | $35.00 |
| Color change fee | Each | $150.00 |
| Room paint package | Room | $550.00 |
Getting paid as a painter
- Take a deposit that covers paint. Custom-tinted paint has no resale value if the job falls through.
- On multi-room interiors, invoice by room or by floor as each is completed rather than waiting for the whole property. It keeps cashflow moving and gives the customer a natural sign-off point.
- Walk the finished work with the customer and agree the snag list before you invoice the balance. A punch list found after invoicing always becomes a payment delay.
Example invoice wording: Prepared surfaces, applied two coats of paint, and completed final cleanup.
Painter invoicing questions
What should a painter invoice include?
A painter invoice should include your business details, the customer's contact information, itemized services, materials or fees, taxes, payment terms, a due date, and a clear total due.
Can painters send invoices from a phone?
Yes. BillingDone is designed for fast mobile invoice creation so you can create, send, and collect payment while you are still on site.
Can I save common services?
Yes. Start with the built-in Quick Add Invoice Library, then save custom services, prices, and descriptions for your own repeat work.
Should surface prep be a separate line on a painting invoice?
Yes. Prep is the majority of the labour and none of the visible result, so a customer comparing quotes cannot see it unless you name it. Itemising prep is how you explain why a thorough quote costs more than a cheap one.
How many coats should a painting invoice specify?
State the coat count per surface type, because walls, ceilings and trim frequently differ. It turns the invoice into a specification rather than a price, which protects both sides.
Should the paint brand be on the invoice?
Yes — brand, product line and sheen. It documents what was actually applied, helps the customer touch up later, and distinguishes your quote from one using contractor-grade product on the same rooms.
More construction & remodeling templates
Project-based trades that quote scope, stage payments, and invoice against milestones.
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Items
Adjustments
Recurring schedule
Auto-generate this invoice on a schedule. Perfect for cleaners, lawn care, IT support, retainers.
Payments
Record cash, check, Zelle, Venmo, or any partial payment. The public invoice shows the remaining balance automatically.
Job photos
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Summary
- Subtotal
- $0.00
- Tax
- $0.00
- Total due
- $0.00