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View Full Version : What is square footage in painting? What is the formula


juliematthews7
Dec 1, 2008, 04:52 PM
Hi:

I guess my question is this? If a room is 12X12... does that make it 144sq ft or do you factor in the 8ft high wall height as well?

Also, is $1.25 per square foot the going rate for walls? What is the going rate for windows and doors and crown and base molding (using oil-base)?

Thank you.

ATYOURSERVICE
Dec 1, 2008, 05:26 PM
square footage is square footage. 12x12 would be the floor square footage. Assuming you have 4 walls. You would do 12x8x4 or 384. 12 feet length of walls x 8 feet high x 4 walls.

for paint I would suggest you use primer first and then you can paint. The primer allows for the paint to stay faster and you need less coats. I have used about 1.5 gallons to paint the kids room that size.

windows and doors depends on the size you require, type, and style and material. Same with the walls. Depends on the thickness of the drywall. You need to shop around.

crown and base you can find unpainted and painted. If you paint and use oil expect the smell to linger for a while. Hard to clean up as well. Water based is easier to work with and easier to clean. I would suggest semi-gloss.

Sounds like a fun project

Clough
Dec 1, 2008, 10:52 PM
Hi, juliematthews7!

There are many factors that need to be considered when pricing a paint job. For instance, the manner in which the paint is to be applied, be it by roller spray or by brush. The type of surface area, be it perfectly flat or textured in some way. Whether a primer is to be used and how many finish coats are to be applied. Also, the specific kind of painting that's to be done.

It really does get kind of complicated...

Square footage in figuring out how much to charge is about the area that's to be painted and how the paint is to be applied according to how many coats.

Any areas that are to be brushed, such as trim and molding of any kind, are usually priced by the linear foot and not square foot.

The going rate for painting will vary greatly depending on the location where the painting is done, the manner in which the paint is applied and also the type of surface area that's to be painted.

If there are any repairs that need to be made to any surface area that's to be painted, those things would also figure into the cost.

Without more specifics from you about factors involved that I've already mentioned, it's difficult to address your question.

Thanks!