Painter and decorator · Quotes and invoices
Quote software for painters
Surface areas, surface prep, number of coats: a precise painting quote avoids arguments at the end of the job.
A sample painter quote
| Service | Qty | Unit price excl. VAT | Total excl. VAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floor and furniture protection | 1 flat rate | €80.00 | €80.00 |
| Wall filling and sanding | 60 m² | €6.00 | €360.00 |
| Primer coat | 60 m² | €5.00 | €300.00 |
| Matte acrylic paint, two coats | 60 m² | €18.00 | €1,080.00 |
VAT 10%: €182.00
Total incl. VAT: €2,002.00
Example for guidance only: prices and VAT rates vary depending on your region, suppliers and the job.
How to prepare a painter quote
Start with a room-by-room takeoff: wall and ceiling areas, minus large openings, then woodwork, radiators and baseboards priced separately. Next, detail the prep work, often the longest item: washing, filling, sanding, skim coat if the walls need it. State the number of coats and the type of finish. For supplies, work from the coverage stated by the manufacturer and the area to cover. Price labor based on your actual pace. Add floor and furniture protection and any travel costs. Finally, include an optional line for surfaces in worse condition than expected.
The VAT rate depends on the job. Under French rules, the 10% rate applies, subject to conditions, to improvement or maintenance work in a home completed more than two years ago. A new home or business premises generally falls under the 20% rate. As a VAT-exempt micro-entrepreneur, write “TVA non applicable, art. 293 B du CGI”. Specify the finish (matte, satin, eggshell), the chosen color or reference, the rooms and surfaces covered, and what is excluded, such as moving heavy furniture. If your trade requires French ten-year liability insurance (décennale), state the insurer and geographic coverage. Also describe the condition of the surfaces before work begins.
With Ecomely, you can describe the job to Zély, the AI Assistant. She drafts a quote from your usual lines: protection, prep, primer, finish coats. You adjust the areas and prices, then send the quote, which the client signs online. Once the job is done, the quote turns into an invoice in one click, with no retyping. The client can pay by card, and automatic reminders take care of unpaid invoices. Each client's quotes and invoices stay together: handy for finding the color you used last year or pricing the room next door.
What Ecomely does for painters
- Fill in quotes from your phone, with your saved services and prices.
- Clients sign online from a simple link.
- Turn a quote into an invoice in one click, with card payment and reminders.
- Clients, documents and emails all in one place.
Trade vocabulary
- Skim coat (enduit de lissage)
- Compound applied to get a perfectly flat wall before painting.
- Primer (sous-couche)
- First coat that evens out the surface and helps the finish adhere.
- Wall washing (lessivage)
- Cleaning the walls before painting.
- Cutting in (rechampir)
- Neatly painting edges, baseboards and frames.
Frequently asked questions
Should I deduct doors and windows from the area to paint?
It is up to you to choose your method; what matters is stating it clearly on the quote. Many painters deduct large openings, like sliding glass doors and French windows, and price the frames, doors and windows to be painted separately. List areas room by room: the client understands the calculation and you avoid disputes over measurements at the end of the job.
When can I apply 10% VAT to a painting job?
In France, the 10% rate covers, subject to conditions, improvement or maintenance work carried out in a home completed more than two years ago. For a new home, business premises or certain excluded work, the applicable rate is generally 20%. Check the conditions for each job before drawing up the quote. If in doubt, ask your accountant.
What should I do if I find surfaces in worse condition than expected during the job?
Stop work on that item and show the client the problem. Then draw up an additional quote detailing the extra work: major filling, skim coating, crack repair. Get it approved before continuing. If you included an optional line in the original quote, simply confirm it. Describing the condition of the surfaces in the first quote makes this conversation much easier.
Should I state the paint brand and color on the quote?
It is not mandatory, but it is very useful. Specifying the type of paint (acrylic, alkyd), the finish, the color or its reference, and possibly the product line avoids misunderstandings about the final result. If the color has not been chosen yet, say so and note that a deep color may need an extra coat, priced as an option.
The rules mentioned on this page (VAT, required quote details, insurance) are those that apply in France.