Price For Painting Doors

dwbrooks

Hello Everyone,

This is not so much a way for me to give an estimate but rather a way to see how my prices compare to others. I figured this is something easy to describe without see the project. I'm fairly new to bidding jobs and often think my bids are to low.

A builder that I did a few homes for wants 6 doors in total painted. They are all doors leading to the outside (one side interior one side exterior). I'm taking them off the hinges, putting them on saw horses and taping off the glass areas and knobs/locks and spraying them. Two coats on each side. Hes providing the paint/tape.

One other question, he was planning on having me use latex satin on the doors. Would you recommend something else or is that the norm aside from a differance in sheen?

slickshift

Well, you wouldn't really be able to go by what people in different regions charge
There can be a big difference
Guys from Arizona or Wisconson think they can come out here to make the big bucks when they see what I charge, they don't realize that to rent an apt. to sleep in is twice what they are used to

That being said, I don't have any problem telling you what I charge
Let me know if this helps or not

Not sure what type of doors you got there, but to give you an idea of what I charge, it's usually around $100 a door for 2 coats on six-panel doors
Six doors, is almost enough as to whether or not I'd rent a sprayer (I don't own one-not enough jobs I could use it on)
Probably not, as I can whip them out pretty quick by hand, no taping, no rehanging etc.
Actually now that I think about it, I'd have it done by hand in half a day, not worth it to rent a sprayer at all

I would never let someone else spec the paint
I might let them buy it (it's a sales tax thing for commercial accounts of mine), but it's to my specs

Latex satin is fine, just make sure it's OK for exteriors

dwbrooks

Thanks much Slickshift. I own a sprayer but like you were saying it might be as easy or easier to use a foam mini roller and brush. Thanks again

Bret

I can't give you any advice of what to charge, but I would definately advise you not to use a latex on any steel door that get used often. Latex does not have the durability (hardness) that is required for keys banging below the knob, fingernails scratching, diamond rings, watches and toes banging at the bottom. There are some high end latex enamels that are good, but I would only use a high end oil enamel that can take some abuse. Like it or not, even if you did a great application job, how they look a year from now can be an indicator in some peoples of your quality of work. Hope this helps.
Bret

pitterpat

Wish I had this forum last year when I was just painting my first doors!

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Pat Harris
A HandyWOMAN Service, LLC
"Why call a handyman when you can call A HandyWOMAN?

DelW

As to latex or not, check with the manufacturer, some spec latex only ( there is usually a sticker on the door someplace with painting instructions) Especially if its going to be a dark color. If you can do all 6 doors at once, I'd spray them. otherwise I'd agree with Slickshift and do them by hand.