What we take off
| Surface | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Interior walls | SF | By finish system and sheen |
| Ceilings | SF | Drywall, exposed structure, deck |
| Doors and frames | Each | Hollow metal, wood, by side |
| Trim and casework | LF, each | Base, casing, crown, cabinets where specified |
| Exterior siding and trim | SF, LF | By substrate: fiber cement, wood, stucco, masonry |
| Structural steel | SF or tons | Converted from steel weight and shapes |
| Specialty coatings | SF | Epoxy, urethane, elastomeric, intumescent |
Productivity drives painting cost
Painting labor depends on surface type, height, access, number of colors, cut-in and masking. Open warehouse ceilings sprayed from lifts move very differently from a medical office with accent walls. We price labor by surface and condition rather than one rate per square foot.
Kansas painting considerations
- Weather windows. Exterior painting in Kansas is limited by cold in winter and by wind and heat in summer. Coating manufacturers specify temperature and humidity ranges, which affect schedule.
- Hail claims. After hailstorms, siding and trim on affected elevations are often repainted or replaced. Painting scopes are a standard part of storm damage estimates.
- Industrial coatings. Food processing, aerospace and manufacturing plants specify high-performance coatings and washdown-rated floors.
- Sales tax. Material is taxable, and labor on repainting existing buildings is generally taxable in Kansas as repair or maintenance, while painting in original construction is generally exempt. See our sales tax guide.
Related trades
Drywall shares wall areas with painting, and flooring shares room areas. See also Overland Park and Topeka for commercial repaint and tenant finish markets.
Frequently asked questions
How do you measure paint area from plans?
We measure wall area by room or by wall type from floor plans and ceiling heights, deduct large openings, then add ceilings, soffits and doors and frames by count. Exterior areas come from elevations.
Do you estimate exterior painting in winter?
Yes, but we flag temperature limits. Most coatings have minimum application temperatures, so Kansas winter work may require schedule allowances or heated enclosures.
Can you price epoxy and industrial coatings?
Yes. We price surface preparation, such as shot blasting or abrasive blasting, and each coat of the specified system for floors, steel and tanks.