The Painter’s Guide to Pricing That Pays Off
Many painters undercharge without even realising it. They set their prices based on what others are charging, not on what their business actually needs to stay profitable. The result? Long hours, thin margins, and constant stress over cash flow.
Here’s how to price your work so it pays off.
1. Know your costs
Before you can set a fair price, you need to know what it costs to run your business. That includes labour, materials, overheads, and the profit you want to make.
The fix: Track every expense for at least a month. Use this data to calculate an hourly or daily rate that covers costs and delivers profit.
2. Charge for prep work
Prep is often where painters lose time and money—it gets buried in the labour rate or forgotten altogether.
The fix: List prep work as a separate line item in your quotes so clients understand its value.
3. Use daily rates for certain jobs
For smaller or more straightforward jobs, a daily rate can simplify quoting and help avoid drawn-out negotiations.
The fix: Decide on a daily rate that covers costs and profit, and use it for jobs under a certain size or complexity.
4. Factor in travel time
Travel is part of the job, and it costs you time and money.
The fix: Build travel into your pricing, either as a separate item or by adjusting your rates to account for it.
5. Review your prices regularly
Supplier costs go up, and so should your rates. If you don’t adjust, your margins will shrink without you noticing.
The fix: Review your rates every 6–12 months and adjust as needed to keep pace with costs.
Bottom line:
Profitable pricing isn’t guesswork. It’s about knowing your numbers, valuing your time, and being clear with clients.
Want to check if your pricing is really paying off? Take the free business check—it’s a 5-minute quiz that shows you exactly what to fix first.