Two painting quotes for the same house can differ by thousands, and the gap is almost always prep and coats. A good quote spells out both. Use the free painting quote template below, which starts with example lines for an interior repaint, then read the notes on preparation, products, access, older homes, deposits and workmanship warranties.
Quote generator
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Quote
Your business name
Quote no.
Q-0001
Date
Valid until
Description
Qty
Unit price
GST
Amount
Prepare walls: wash, fill, sand and spot prime
1 house
–
$0.00
$0.00
Walls: 2 coats low sheen acrylic (colour code)
180 m²
–
$0.00
$0.00
Ceilings: 2 coats flat ceiling white
85 m²
–
$0.00
$0.00
Doors and frames: 2 coats semi-gloss enamel
9 doors
–
$0.00
$0.00
Skirting boards
120 lineal metres
–
$0.00
$0.00
Move and cover furniture, protect floors
1 job
–
$0.00
$0.00
Subtotal (excl. GST)
$0.00
GST
$0.00
Total (incl. GST)
$0.00
Accepted by the customer
NameSignatureDate
In the print window, choose Save as PDF to keep a copy.
Send it as a real quote your customer accepts online
In Karya Falak a quote goes out as a link. Your customer picks any options and accepts on their phone, and the job moves to Booked.
Customers compare totals, not prep. Write yours out so they can see why yours costs what it does: "wash all walls with sugar soap, fill and sand cracks and holes, spot prime repairs, two finish coats". If you will only find the full extent of cracking or flaking once you start, say how extra prep is charged, and get the customer’s agreement before doing it.
Colours and changes
Put the colour codes on the quote or say they will be confirmed in writing before you start. A change of colour after paint is tinted, or a dark colour that needs an extra coat, is a variation: price it and get a yes before doing it. Regulators say a tradesperson can’t do extra work first and ask for payment later.
Older homes and lead paint
Older homes may have lead-based paint under newer coats. Sanding or burning it off without precautions puts you and the household at risk. Say on the quote how you will test for it and how you will handle it if you find it, and price any extra precautions as their own line.
Deposits and warranty
Painting can count as residential building work in some states, and then deposits are capped by law, for example at 10% in NSW. For other work, consumer regulators suggest a small deposit of no more than 10%. The general quote template lists the limits we checked.
State how long your workmanship warranty lasts and what it excludes, such as peeling caused by rising damp or leaks. The consumer guarantees still apply.
Send it with options
In Karya Falak you can quote walls as standard and add ceilings, doors or a feature wall as optional lines the customer ticks on their phone. A quote template with a cover photo of your best work makes the next quote quicker to put together. See software for painters and quotes. Rules checked 30 October 2026 against ato.gov.au, business.gov.au, ACCC and state regulator guidance. General information only, not tax or legal advice. Ask your accountant, BAS agent or state regulator about your own situation.
Questions
Should I price painting by the m² or by the room?
Either works if you are consistent. m² is easier to defend on big jobs; per room is easier for homeowners to read. Whichever you use, list prep and coats.
Do I need to name the paint brand?
It helps. Customers compare products as well as prices, and naming the brand and sheen sets the standard you will be held to.
Should my quote include GST?
If you are registered for GST, show homeowners the GST-inclusive total.
Sources
Checked against these pages. Prices and rules change, so check the source before you decide.