Template

Painting Scope of Work: Template and Examples

The scope of work says exactly what you will and won't do. A clear scope protects your price, and it's what you point to when a homeowner asks, "Weren't you doing the closet too?"

What a scope of work covers

Section	What to state
Areas	Each room, and which surfaces in it: walls, ceiling, trim, doors, closets
Prep	Patching, caulking, sanding, spot priming, and any repair limits
Coats and products	Number of coats, brand and product line, sheen, colors
Protection	Floors and furniture covered, fixtures and outlet covers removed and replaced
Cleanup	Daily tidy, final cleanup, and what happens to leftover paint
Exclusions	Anything a homeowner might assume is included but isn't

Template

AREAS [Room]: walls [and ceiling / trim / doors], [N] coats. PREPARATION Fill nail holes and minor cracks, sand smooth, and spot prime patches. Caulk gaps between trim and walls. Drywall repairs larger than [size] are priced separately. PRODUCTS [Brand] [product line], [sheen] on walls, [sheen] on ceilings. Colors selected by the homeowner before the start date. PROTECTION AND CLEANUP Cover floors and furniture. Remove and replace outlet and switch covers. Clean work areas daily and at completion. Leftover paint is labeled and left for touch-ups. EXCLUSIONS Moving furniture, removing wall hangings, closets, [other].

Example wording by room

Living room

"Walls and ceiling, 2 coats. Walls in eggshell, ceiling in flat white. Fill nail holes and caulk trim gaps before painting. Excludes trim, doors, and the fireplace surround."

Kitchen

"Walls only, 2 coats in satin. Degrease walls behind the stove before painting. Excludes cabinets, backsplash, and ceiling."

Bathroom

"Walls and ceiling, 2 coats in a moisture-resistant bath paint. Treat existing mildew spots before priming. Excludes vanity, tile, and door."

Hallway and stairwell

"Walls, 2 coats in satin. Includes wall above the stairs up to the ceiling line. Excludes railings, spindles, and baseboards."

Exclusions worth writing down

Moving furniture and removing wall hangings or TV mounts
Closets, unless listed
Drywall repairs beyond minor patching
Wallpaper removal
Color changes after work has started

Anything added after signing goes on a change order.

Put your scope in the terms box and send it as part of a full estimate.

Create an estimate