Painter Invoice Template
A painter invoice bills sq ft, lists labour, materials and services on separate lines and states the terms (Deposit at booking, balance due after final walkthrough). This template is pre-filled for repaint the interior of a three-bedroom house: walls, ceilings, trim and doors in two coats: 8 lines totalling $9,666.00 before tax. Edit it and download the PDF.
Pre-filled for a painter: repaint the interior of a three-bedroom house: walls, ceilings, trim and doors in two coats. Example prices: replace them with your own.
From
Summit Painting
660 Market Street
Franklin, TN 37064
billing@example.com
(312) 555-0160
Invoice
Bill to
Casey Nguyen
27 Birch Avenue
Fairview, OR 97024
client@example.com
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface prep: patch, sand and spot-prime walls | 10 hr | $55.00 | $550.00 |
| Walls, two coats eggshell | 3,200 sq ft | $1.45 | $4,640.00 |
| Ceilings, two coats flat white | 1,100 sq ft | $1.10 | $1,210.00 |
| Baseboard and casing, semi-gloss | 620 linear ft | $1.75 | $1,085.00 |
| Interior doors, both sides | 9 each | $65.00 | $585.00 |
| Premium interior paint | 22 gal | $58.00 | $1,276.00 |
| Primer, caulk, tape and masking film | 1 lot | $140.00 | $140.00 |
| Furniture moving and floor protection | 1 project | $180.00 | $180.00 |
- Subtotal
- $9,666.00
- Balance due
- $9,666.00
Notes
Thank you for choosing Summit Painting. Terms: Deposit at booking, balance due after final walkthrough.
Payment details
Bank transfer or card. Please quote the invoice number.
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Painter invoice at a glance
| Typical job | Repaint the interior of a three-bedroom house: walls, ceilings, trim and doors in two coats |
|---|---|
| Main billing unit | sq ft |
| Usual payment terms | Deposit at booking, balance due after final walkthrough |
| Deposit practice | Painters often take 25-50% at booking to buy paint and hold the dates on the schedule. |
| Sample lines | 8 lines, $9,666.00 before tax |
| Largest line | Walls, two coats eggshell: $4,640.00 (48%) |
| Labour hours billed | 10 h, $8,070.00 |
| Trade-specific fields | Job site address, Contractor license no., Colors and sheens by room, Lead-safe certification no. (pre-1978 homes) |
Sample painter invoice line items
Repaint the interior of a three-bedroom house: walls, ceilings, trim and doors in two coats: 8 lines adding up to $9,666.00, split into labour $8,070.00 (83%), materials $1,416.00 (15%) and services $180.00 (2%).
| Item | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface prep: patch, sand and spot-prime walls | 10 hr | $55.00 | $550.00 |
| Walls, two coats eggshell | 3,200 sq ft | $1.45 | $4,640.00 |
| Ceilings, two coats flat white | 1,100 sq ft | $1.10 | $1,210.00 |
| Baseboard and casing, semi-gloss | 620 linear ft | $1.75 | $1,085.00 |
| Interior doors, both sides | 9 each | $65.00 | $585.00 |
| Premium interior paint | 22 gal | $58.00 | $1,276.00 |
| Primer, caulk, tape and masking film | 1 lot | $140.00 | $140.00 |
| Furniture moving and floor protection | 1 project | $180.00 | $180.00 |
| Subtotal | $9,666.00 | ||
| Total before tax | $9,666.00 |
What a painter invoice should include
- Your painting business name, address, phone and email, plus a tax ID if you are registered
- The customer's name and billing address (Casey Nguyen in the sample)
- A unique invoice number (INV-8218) and the issue date
- Payment terms and a due date: Deposit at booking, balance due after final walkthrough
- Job site address: for example 27 Birch Avenue
- Contractor license no.: for example LIC-232535
- Colors and sheens by room: for example Kitchen and hallway
- Lead-safe certification no. (pre-1978 homes): for example LIC-282583
- Line items in sq ft or per item, each with quantity, rate and amount
- How to pay you: bank details, card link or cheque payee
How painters bill
Prices by the room or by paintable square footage, with prep work, number of coats and paint grade driving the rate.
Painters commonly use "Deposit at booking, balance due after final walkthrough". Painters often take 25-50% at booking to buy paint and hold the dates on the schedule.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024: median hourly wage of Painters, Construction and Maintenance $23.40 (employees, not contractor rates). The sample's $55.00 per hour for "Surface prep: patch, sand and spot-prime walls" is 2.4 times that employee figure; a business rate also has to cover insurance, tools, travel, unbilled admin time and profit.
Painter invoicing tips
- Write the color code, sheen and room for every color used; the owner will reach for that list for touch-ups years later, and it proves you applied what was agreed.
- Charge heavy prep such as wallpaper removal, stain blocking or skim coating as separate hourly lines instead of folding it into the square-foot rate where nobody can see it.
- In homes built before 1978, note the lead-safe work practices followed and your certification number, because federal rules apply to renovation that disturbs old painted surfaces.
- When the customer changes a color after the first coat goes on, invoice the extra coat and paint as a change with the date it was requested.
Painter billing disputes to head off
- Payments often stall at the final walkthrough over small touch-ups. Stating that one punch-list visit is included and that the balance is due once it is done keeps the last payment from drifting.
- Customers sometimes count leftover gallons and ask for a refund; noting that leftover paint stays on site for future touch-ups settles it in advance.
Work a painter can bill for
Core tasks of Painters, Construction and Maintenance (O*NET 47-2141.00, O*NET 29.x task statements, CC BY 4.0). Each can become a line on the invoice.
- Cover surfaces with dropcloths or masking tape and paper to protect surfaces during painting.
- Fill cracks, holes, or joints with caulk, putty, plaster, or other fillers, using caulking guns or putty knives.
- Apply primers or sealers to prepare new surfaces, such as bare wood or metal, for finish coats.
- Apply paint, stain, varnish, enamel, or other finishes to equipment, buildings, bridges, or other structures, using brushes, spray guns, or rollers.
- Calculate amounts of required materials and estimate costs, based on surface measurements or work orders.
- Read work orders or receive instructions from supervisors or homeowners to determine work requirements.
How to make a painter invoice
-
Add both parties
Enter Summit Painting (your business) and the customer, Casey Nguyen, then job site address.
-
Number and terms
Give it a unique number such as INV-8218 and set the terms to Deposit at booking, balance due after final walkthrough.
-
List the work
One line per item: the sample runs from "Surface prep: patch, sand and spot-prime walls" (10 hr) to "Furniture moving and floor protection" (1 project).
-
Check the total
The 8 lines come to $9,666.00; add sales tax only if your state taxes painting work.
-
Download and send
Download the PDF or print it, then keep a copy with the painting work records.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a painter invoice?
Add your painting business details, the customer, job site address, contractor license no., colors and sheens by room and lead-safe certification no. (pre-1978 homes), then one line per item with quantity and rate. The template above is pre-filled with 8 lines for repaint the interior of a three-bedroom house: walls, ceilings, trim and doors in two coats totalling $9,666.00; change the prices and download the PDF.
How do painters charge?
Mostly sq ft. Prices by the room or by paintable square footage, with prep work, number of coats and paint grade driving the rate.
When should a painter invoice be paid?
Deposit at booking, balance due after final walkthrough is the usual arrangement. Painters often take 25-50% at booking to buy paint and hold the dates on the schedule. Put the terms and the due date on the invoice so there is no doubt.
How much do painters earn per hour?
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024: median hourly wage of Painters, Construction and Maintenance $23.40 (employees, not contractor rates). Self-employed rates are usually higher because they cover overhead and unbilled time.