🎨 Painting · 6 min read
Painting Labor Productivity and Crew-Hour Estimating
Painting is labour-dominated. A percentage-of-material approach hides where the money goes; an output-rate approach lets you see and defend the number.
Output rates (m² per painter-hour, per coat)
| Surface / method | Prep | Prime | Finish coat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plaster wall, roller | 15–25 | 12–18 | 14–20 |
| Ceiling, roller (overhead) | 12–18 | 10–14 | 10–16 |
| Masonry, exterior roller | 10–16 | 6–10 | 8–12 |
| Doors/trim, brush (per side, girthed) | 4–8 | 4–6 | 4–7 |
| Structural steel, brush | 3–6 | 3–5 | 3–5 |
| Large flat areas, spray | — | 40–80 | 40–80 |
Advertisement
Adjustment factors
- Work above 3.5 m from scaffold: × 1.2–1.4 on the rate (slower, plus scaffold moves).
- Cutting-in, colour changes, small rooms: × 1.2–1.5.
- Occupied premises, out-of-hours, masking furniture: × 1.3–1.7.
- Repaint over sound existing (fewer coats): faster overall, but more prep time.
Convert to cost
Painter-hours = Σ (area × coats / output rate × adjustment)
Labour cost = painter-hours × all-in labour rate
Add supervision, and non-productive time (setup, cleanup, travel) at 10–20%
Labour cost = painter-hours × all-in labour rate
Add supervision, and non-productive time (setup, cleanup, travel) at 10–20%
Crew and programme
Divide total painter-hours by the crew size to get calendar duration, then check it against the weather window and the trade sequence (painting usually follows ceiling and precedes final fit-out).
🎨 Using EngEst Pro
EngEst Pro’s Painting Calculator applies labour output rates by surface, coat, and method to your schedule, adds height and complexity factors, and returns painter-hours and labour cost alongside the material in the BOM.
Put this on autopilot with EngEst Pro
Create a free EngEst Pro account — 5 projects a month, all 8 calculators, PDF BOQ export. No credit card required.
Create Free Account → Run your first estimate in under 10 minutes.