FREE PREPARATION RESOURCE
Exterior painting project checklist and proposal comparison worksheet
Free fillable exterior painting worksheets to map surfaces, record visible conditions, prepare access questions and compare proposals against the same requested scope.
View the checklist and download the fillable PDF ↗FIND HELP. COMPARE OFFERS. YOU CHOOSE.
Exterior Painting
Tell us what you need. Pros can review your request and send you offers. You decide who to hire.
Start my requestFree to request. No need to hire anyone.
What kind of help do you need?
Choose an option to learn more. Not sure? You can describe the problem in your request.
What information helps?
Share what you know. You do not need to know every detail.
- The problem or the result you want
- Where you need the service
- When you would like help
- Your budget, if you have one
Do not guess measurements or costs. You can ask a pro to check them.
Want to learn more before you start?
Open the guide for costs, useful questions and planning tools. You can start your request without reading it all.
Home · THE PROJECT GUIDE
Exterior Painting.
Get the details right.
Preparation and access can explain more of a painting quote than the finish coat. Ask for a surface-by-surface scope and the named coating system.
Explore freely · Compare thoughtfully · You choose the professional
THE WORK BEHIND THE WORDS
Choose the work you actually need.
Explore a specific project type for a more focused brief. Related tasks may belong in one combined request; separate them in the scope so providers can explain the price.
House painting
List elevations, trim and excluded surfaces.
Plan this service ↗Stucco painting
Ask how cracks and failed coatings are assessed and treated.
Plan this service ↗Siding painting
Name the substrate and repairs required before coating.
Plan this service ↗Trim painting
Specify fascia, soffits, doors and window trim separately.
Plan this service ↗Exterior preparation and repairs
Distinguish cosmetic preparation from replacement carpentry.
Plan this service ↗Deck staining
Confirm cleaning, previous-coating removal and exposed surfaces.
Plan this service ↗Fence staining
Measure sections and specify one or both sides.
Plan this service ↗| Detail | Get this in writing | Keep the comparison fair |
|---|---|---|
| Surface schedule | Name every area, color and finish included. | Compare the same surfaces and exclusions. |
| Preparation and repair | Describe cleaning, coating removal, patching and separate repairs. | Price known repair work and define unknowns. |
| Product system | Specify coating products and their application requirements. | Keep product substitutions subject to approval. |
| Protection and completion | Include access, masking, cleanup and final review. | Clarify weather delays and workmanship terms. |
UNDERSTAND THE PRICE
See the parts. Then compare the total.
A useful budget explains what the money covers. Keep these cost areas visible rather than relying on a package name or headline figure.
Products and installation
Access, disposal and reinstatement
Approvals, testing and handover
What changes the scope?
Preparation and access can explain more of a painting quote than the finish coat. Ask for a surface-by-surface scope and the named coating system.
Ask providers to explain how surface preparation and product and finish affect their assumptions. Separate confirmed information from items still awaiting assessment.
What does the chart show?
The planning tool compares amounts you enter over the same period. Fixed charges, rate × quantity, monthly charges and extras stay separate. Its cumulative-cost graph makes different upfront and recurring arrangements easier to understand.
Published references, where available below, show their own units, source and period. They remain separate from your calculator inputs. Employee wages and producer-price indexes are context, not the price a provider will charge. Ask for current proposals for your actual scope.
Are relevant producer prices rising or falling?
Architectural coatings
+1.9%2025-09 to 2026-08
Change in the named U.S. producer-price index, not seasonally adjusted. This is an upstream product-group measure, not retail material prices or the cost of this complete service.
Use this to ask about quote validity and product allowances. Do not apply the percentage to an entire bid: the index excludes the mix of labor, access, overhead and site work in your project.
View observations and calculation
| Month | Index | Change from 2025-09 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-09 | 523.488 | 0.0% |
| 2025-10 | 523.534 | +0.0% |
| 2025-11 | 523.285 | -0.0% |
| 2025-12 | 523.223 | -0.1% |
| 2026-01 | 524.933 | +0.3% |
| 2026-02 | 524.933 | +0.3% |
| 2026-03 | 526.120 | +0.5% |
| 2026-04 | 528.527 | +1.0% |
| 2026-05 | 532.365 | +1.7% |
| 2026-06 | 533.523 | +1.9% |
| 2026-07 | 533.567 | +1.9% |
| 2026-08 | 533.567 | +1.9% |
Change = (month’s index ÷ first displayed index − 1) × 100. The vertical axis is percentage change; its labeled bounds adjust to the displayed data and include zero. Published observations may be revised.
Source: BLS producer prices via FRED ↗ · Snapshot retrieved 2026-10-08. The observation month above is the data period; the retrieval date is not a new price observation.
Explore employee wages by state
Related occupation: Painters, Construction and Maintenance. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. These are employee wages, not contractor billing rates, business fees or an installed-project estimate.
$18.00U.S. · 10th percentile
$23.75U.S. · Median hourly wage
$37.89U.S. · 90th percentile
The median divides employees into two equal groups. The percentile figures describe the wage distribution; they are not minimum and maximum prices. Unpublished or suppressed estimates remain “Not published.”
Mean wages and interpretation
| Area | Median | Mean |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $23.75 | $26.64 |
A provider’s charge also covers costs such as nonbillable time, supervision, vehicles, equipment, insurance, administration and profit. The selected occupation may cover only part of a multitrade project. OEWS does not measure self-employed contractors’ fees. No wage-to-quote multiplier is applied, and these snapshots do not establish a current labor-price trend.
BLS national and state source tables ↗ · SOC 47-2141 · Reviewed October 8, 2026.
YOUR PLANNING DESK
A clearer brief. A better starting point.
Build your request, compare entered costs and download a branded planning pack. Your selections stay here until you choose to continue.
Start with the details that matter.
No account needed to plan. Keep private documents, account numbers, credentials and sensitive case details out of this brief.
Also consider: Access, occupancy and scheduling constraints. Leave unknown details for the provider to assess.
Review your starting brief
Review before continuing. You can edit the wording below. Manual edits stay in place until you choose to regenerate from your answers.
308 characters
Next, review the request in PickYourPro.ai. An account is required to complete it. This step does not send invitations or commit you to a provider. Service availability and provider participation vary.
Opt-in saves form answers only. Manual brief edits, comparison values and checklist selections are not saved. Download a copy to keep them; avoid saving on shared devices.
FROM FIRST QUESTION TO HANDOVER
Know what happens next.
- 1
Define
Describe the outcome and current condition. Mark unknown measurements rather than guessing.
- 2
Assess
Agree any visit or diagnostic fee. Ask what must be checked before the price can be final.
- 3
Compare
Use the same drawings, selections and boundaries for each proposal.
- 4
Complete
Approve changes in writing and collect the agreed completion records.
A planning sequence, not a promised duration. Actual timing depends on the service, the information available and the provider's agreed scope.
WHEN YOU WANT THE DEEPER VIEW
The details worth resolving early.
The durable part of a painting job often happens before the finish coat. Compare surfaces, repairs, preparation and the named coating system. A total based only on house size can hide substantial differences in the work.
- 01Inspect surfaces
- 02Agree repairs
- 03Prepare & protect
- 04Apply system
- 05Review & clean
Which surfaces and repairs?
List siding, stucco, trim, doors, railings and any excluded areas. Identify visible deterioration for assessment. Ask whether rotten wood, cracks, failed sealant or moisture sources are included in this contractor’s work or require another trade.
Preparation and protection
Request the cleaning and preparation approach for each surface and the protection plan for plants, windows, vehicles and neighboring property. Ask how debris is contained and removed. Preparation should be described as tasks, not just a promise to “prep as needed.”
Coating system and finish
Ask for the manufacturer, product line, primer where needed, finish and color schedule. Coverage can depend on the surface, color change and product instructions. Compare the proposed coating system and application requirements rather than assuming coat count alone establishes quality.
Weather, access and final inspection
Discuss access equipment, working hours and weather-related scheduling. Agree how touch-ups and missed areas will be reviewed under normal viewing conditions. For older painted buildings, ask about appropriate lead-safe assessment and work practices before disturbing paint.
What changes with location and conditions?
- Sun, rain, coastal exposure and freezing conditions can influence coating choice and the work schedule. Ask how the proposed system suits the surface and exposure.
- Height and access can require different equipment and protection plans. Describe slopes, narrow setbacks and difficult elevations.
- Waste handling and requirements for disturbing older coatings may affect the scope. Ask the provider to identify the applicable approach.
Documents to collect at completion
- Product and color schedule
- Photos of agreed repairs
- Workmanship and product coverage documents
- Leftover labeled paint or touch-up information if included
Compare these promised records before choosing a provider. Keep the originals alongside your planning pack.
PICKYOURPRO.AI · YOUR NEXT STEP
Explain it once.
Compare with more clarity.
Turn what you have learned into a focused request. Give providers the same starting information, review their responses and ask questions about differences in scope, timing and fees.
- 1
Build a clear brief
Describe the service, your priorities and what needs assessment.
- 2
Review responses
Compare what each provider proposes and clarify open questions.
- 3
Choose your provider
Consider relevant experience, scope and terms—not just the lowest number.
Requesting and comparing proposals is free for clients. Provider participation, availability and response times vary. Confirm any separate consultation or inspection charge. Review project unlock terms for later project stages.
GOOD QUESTIONS, CLEARER CHOICES
Before you choose.
What should I include in a exterior painting request?
Preparation and access can explain more of a painting quote than the finish coat. Ask for a surface-by-surface scope and the named coating system. Include surface preparation, product and finish, access equipment, protection and cleanup where known. Leave unknowns for the professional to assess.
Can I compare prices before an assessment?
You can compare the stated assumptions, scope and fee basis. Ask what must be checked before an offer is final and whether a consultation, inspection or diagnostic visit has a separate charge. For this service, start by clarifying surface preparation.
How should I handle a lower price?
Ask which tasks, deliverables and terms differ. Use the cost tool to compare the same period and quantities, then review exclusions and professional fit. The smallest calculated number is not a recommendation.
Does the planning pack create an agreement?
No. It records your brief and entered scenarios. You still need to review and agree the provider’s actual proposal and terms. Keep original documents and approvals.
What happens after I continue to my request?
Your reviewed brief enters the existing PickYourPro.ai request process. You will need an account and can confirm the remaining details before completing the request. Provider participation and availability vary.
Are these live market prices?
The planning calculator uses your entered figures. Published references elsewhere on the page are separate, dated observations with their own sources and limitations. Neither is a live provider quote. Employee wages are not billable labor rates, and a producer-price index is not an installed project price.
TRANSPARENT BY DESIGN
Sources and editorial notes.
Prepared by PickYourPro.ai with AI assistance · Framework published October 7, 2026. Expanded research review: October 8, 2026. These service-planning questions have not been independently reviewed by a licensed specialist. Local requirements and professional suitability need individual verification.
- FTC: hiring a contractor ↗
Background on written estimates and checking a contractor. This resource does not endorse PickYourPro.ai. See any price-reference chart for the exact unit, scope and observation date.
- EPA: renovation guidance for consumers ↗
Lead-safe planning background for work that disturbs older painted surfaces. This resource does not endorse PickYourPro.ai. See any price-reference chart for the exact unit, scope and observation date.
Methodology and updates
Scope questions are organized by service and buying process. The planning calculator uses only entered values. Separately labelled reference charts use public source observations; no private PickYourPro project history is used. A permanent page address does not make a dated reference permanently current. Substantive changes should update the editorial record.
October 7, 2026: initial guide, service-specific scope, planning worksheet and cost-comparison tools published.
October 8, 2026: expanded option comparisons, project-specific buying questions, regional considerations and completion records.
KEEP EXPLORING
Related planning guides.
Junk Removal
The same pile can produce different estimates when access, labor and disposal are described differently. Build an inventory before comparing totals.
Explore ↗HVAC Replacement
Compare the proposed system and the installation together. Equipment model numbers alone do not explain sizing, duct changes, electrical work or commissioning.
Explore ↗House Cleaning
Define rooms, tasks and frequency so an initial deep clean is not confused with recurring upkeep. Clarify supplies, access and exclusions before booking.
Explore ↗Landscaping
Separate design, installation and ongoing care. A shared plan makes plant quantities, grading assumptions and irrigation changes easier to compare.
Explore ↗