Commercial painting bidding requires understanding surface preparation, coating specifications, and labor productivity. This guide helps painting contractors submit competitive and profitable bids.
Understanding Painting Specifications
Division 09 Sections
Key Specification Areas
- 09 91 00 - Painting
- 09 93 00 - Staining and Transparent Finishes
- 09 96 00 - High-Performance Coatings
- 09 97 00 - Special Coatings
Critical Details
- Surface preparation requirements
- Primer and paint systems
- Number of coats
- Acceptable manufacturers
- Color and sheen specifications
Drawing Review
What to Look For
- Finish schedules
- Room elevations
- Detail sheets
- Millwork drawings
- Door/window schedules
Color and Finish Information
- Paint codes
- Sheen levels
- Accent colors
- Special finishes
Accurate Area Takeoffs
Wall Measurements
Standard Method
- Calculate perimeter
- Multiply by ceiling height
- Deduct openings over 10 SF
- Add returns and soffits
Don't Forget
- Door and window frames
- Reveals and recesses
- Column wraps
- Elevator lobbies
Ceiling Takeoffs
Measurement Approach
- Use floor plan areas
- Adjust for non-painted areas
- Include soffits and bulkheads
- Account for height access
Specialty Areas
Often Underestimated
- Stairwells (add 30-40%)
- Mechanical rooms
- Restroom walls
- Storage areas
- Parking structures
Pricing Strategies
Labor Rates
Productivity Factors
- Surface condition
- Ceiling height
- Cut-in requirements
- Occupied vs. unoccupied
- Number of colors
Standard Production Rates
- Smooth walls: 200-300 SF/hour
- Textured walls: 150-200 SF/hour
- Spray application: 400-600 SF/hour
- Cut-in work: 50-75 SF/hour
Material Pricing
Coverage Rates
- Primer: 300-400 SF/gallon
- Flat paint: 350-400 SF/gallon
- Eggshell/satin: 350-400 SF/gallon
- Semi-gloss: 300-350 SF/gallon
Don't Forget
- Multiple coats as specified
- Touch-up material
- Caulking and patching
- Masking supplies
Surface Preparation
Preparation Levels
- Level 0: No finishing
- Level 1: Basic tape and mud
- Level 2: Covered with texture
- Level 3: Light commercial
- Level 4: Flat paint ready
- Level 5: High-end finish
Preparation Tasks
- Cleaning and degreasing
- Sanding and patching
- Caulking
- Priming
- Masking and protection
Common Bidding Mistakes
Scope Gaps
Frequently Missed
- Door and frame painting
- Pipe and conduit painting
- Touch-up after other trades
- Final punch list work
- Millwork finishes
Clarification Items
- Drywall finish level provided
- Access scheduling
- Protection requirements
- Color selection process
Labor Underestimation
Watch For
- Complex color schemes
- High detail areas
- Limited access time
- Occupied space work
- Quality expectations
Material Errors
Common Problems
- Wrong coverage rates
- Missing specialty coatings
- Underestimating waste
- Ignoring material costs
Bid Presentation
Professional Format
Include
- Base bid price
- Alternates as requested
- Scope inclusions
- Exclusions (reasonable)
- Schedule assumptions
Supporting Documents
- Reference list
- Insurance certificate
- License information
- Safety record
Qualifications
Standard Qualifications
- Based on specifications dated
- Excludes scaffolding over X height
- Normal working hours
- Per schedule received
Avoid Over-Qualifying
- Don't exclude specified items
- Don't add excessive conditions
- Don't alter payment terms
- Don't limit warranty
Working With GCs
Getting on Bid Lists
Build Your Reputation
- Complete projects on time
- Deliver quality finishes
- Communicate proactively
- Handle punch list promptly
Marketing Approaches
- Direct outreach
- Industry events
- Online presence
- Referral requests
Negotiation Points
Common Issues
- Schedule compression
- Payment terms
- Change order process
- Warranty requirements
Know Your Limits
- Minimum acceptable margin
- Schedule feasibility
- Risk tolerance
- Cash flow requirements
Specialty Coatings
Types of Specialty Work
High-Performance Coatings
- Epoxy floor coatings
- Urethane systems
- Anti-graffiti coatings
- Fire-retardant paints
Industrial Coatings
- Structural steel
- Tank linings
- Waterproofing
- Traffic markings
Pricing Specialty Work
Additional Factors
- Surface preparation intensity
- Application requirements
- Cure time considerations
- Quality control measures
Safety and Compliance
OSHA Requirements
Key Areas
- Fall protection
- Respiratory protection
- Lead paint procedures
- Confined space entry
- Hazard communication
VOC Compliance
Regional Regulations
- VOC limits vary by region
- Documentation requirements
- Product certifications
- Application records
Technology in Painting Estimation
Estimating Software
Options
- PaintSquare Calculator
- ProEst
- STACK
- Custom spreadsheets
Features
- Area calculations
- Coverage rates
- Labor productivity
- Report generation
Digital Takeoff
Benefits
- Faster measurements
- Better accuracy
- Easy adjustments
- Historical data
Improving Win Rates
Selective Bidding
Good Opportunities
- Familiar building types
- Strong GC relationships
- Reasonable specifications
- Fair schedules
Red Flags
- Unrealistic budgets
- Problem owners
- Excessive competition
- Unclear specifications
Post-Bid Analysis
Track Results
- Win/loss ratio
- Margin analysis
- Competitor pricing
- Feedback collection
Conclusion
Successful painting bidding requires accurate takeoffs, realistic labor estimates, and professional presentation. Understand the specifications. Measure carefully. Price all preparation work. Present your bid professionally.
The painting contractors who win consistently combine competitive pricing with reliability and quality that GCs trust.
ConstructionBids.ai helps painting contractors find commercial opportunities and track deadlines, ensuring you bid on projects that match your expertise.
