EXAMPLE AT A GLANCE
This fictional Vancouver, British Columbia exterior painting example has 6 itemized costs and a C$4,704.00 total before tax or markup. The PDF, quantities, unit rates and scope assumptions match the table below.
Use this completed exterior painting document to see how a specific job becomes a client-facing estimate. The project, business, customer and amounts are fictional. For the single-storey siding repaint in Vancouver, British Columbia, the example uses the measured trade units shown in its PDF. Residential jobs may mix square feet, linear feet, counts and supplier units; keep each line’s measurement basis visible. Inspect substrate moisture and condition, product availability and the chosen finish. Write down the preparation level and any work needed before the selected product can be installed. The figures are fictional CAD inputs, not a local price survey.
Project scope: single-storey siding repaint
Repaint 1,600 square feet of accessible siding on a single-storey home. Include surface washing, limited scraping and caulking, coating materials, two finish coats, 180 linear feet of trim painting and final cleanup.
- Example location
- Vancouver, British Columbia
- Prepared by
- Cedar & Beam Builders · fictional business
- Prepared for
- Jordan Taylor · fictional client
- Issued / valid through
- September 25 / October 25, 2026
Measure this work on the actual property before using any quantity. The illustration separates supplied products or materials from installation where the selection could change. A client should be able to compare each line with the agreed work, the selected products and the limits recorded in the notes.
The 6 itemized costs in Canadian dollars
Every row below is taken from the corresponding app-exported PDF fixture. Multiply the quantity by the unit rate to check the amount. These rates were chosen for this fictional example; they are not advertised prices or current averages for Vancouver, British Columbia.
| Work item | Quantity | Unit rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface washing and protection | 1 job | C$415.00 | C$415.00 |
| Scraping and caulking allowance | 12 hours | C$59.00 | C$708.00 |
| Coating materials allowance | 1 job | C$765.00 | C$765.00 |
| Siding painting labour | 1600 sq. ft. | C$1.30 | C$2,080.00 |
| Trim preparation and painting | 180 linear ft. | C$2.95 | C$531.00 |
| Final cleanup | 1 job | C$205.00 | C$205.00 |
| Subtotal / example total | C$4,704.00 | ||
Two calculation checks:
- Scraping and caulking allowance: 12 hours × C$59.00 = C$708.00.
- Siding painting labour: 1600 sq. ft. × C$1.30 = C$2,080.00.
The PDF shows a 0% tax entry, so the illustrated tax is C$0.00 and the total remains C$4,704.00. This only describes the example. Confirm the applicable tax treatment and any markup for the real job before issuing your estimate.
Assumptions that change the price
Break the exterior into siding, trim, fascia, doors and any other surfaces the customer requests. Record material types and existing conditions. A single overall square-foot number can hide exclusions that become disputes later.
A repaint allowance is not a replacement budget for rotten siding. Describe the preparation included and list damaged components separately. If their extent is unknown, explain when the repair scope will be assessed and how it will be priced.
Height, landscaping, parked vehicles and limited access can change the work effort. The example assumes a single-storey property with ordinary access. Record what must be moved and who is responsible for it before work begins.
Outside this example: No siding replacement, multi-storey access, deck staining or hazardous-coating remediation. Product and site conditions must be checked before work.
Inspect substrate moisture and condition, product availability and the chosen finish. Write down the preparation level and any work needed before the selected product can be installed. An allowance is a stated placeholder, not a promise to cover all work discovered later. If a selected product, quantity or hidden condition changes, update the affected line and explain the revision before proceeding.
Download the actual app PDF
The linked PDF was exported from Estimates for this fictional Canadian project. It carries the project scope, customer, work items, quantities, CAD rates and subtotal used in this table, plus a short note on tax, markup and one key exclusion. The detailed exclusions above remain important when adapting the example. Preview every PDF page, including the final totals and note.
Use the structure for a real job
- Replace Vancouver, British Columbia and the example scope with the actual site and customer details.
- Measure the work and confirm the product schedule with the client.
- Replace every fictional CAD rate with your own labour, supplier and subcontractor inputs.
- Check exclusions, approvals, tax, markup and the document’s validity period for the real project.
- Preview the final PDF and recheck the total before sharing.
- Identify every included exterior surface.
- Record preparation limits and visible damage.
- Confirm access equipment and protection needs.
- Agree colours and coating products before procurement.
Common questions
Should siding repairs be included in a painting price?
Include only repairs you have inspected and scoped. If a repair quantity is uncertain, state that it is excluded or provide a clearly defined allowance with a process for revision.
Is exterior painting priced only by square foot?
Surface area can price application work, while trim length, preparation hours, materials and access may need separate lines.
For the planning steps behind this document, read the exterior painting estimating guide.
