What to include in a painter invoice
- Rooms or square feet. The rooms or the square footage painted, in whichever unit you quoted and never both on one invoice, so the count matches the estimate.
- Paint by the gallon. Gallons of paint and primer with brand, color name and sheen, priced apart from labor, so the customer can buy matching touch-up paint later.
- Surface prep. Washing, scraping, patching drywall, sanding and caulking, listed on its own line because prep takes real time that disappears once the paint dries.
- Surfaces and coats. Walls, ceilings, trim and doors painted, with the number of coats on each, which explains why two similar rooms cost different amounts.
- Lead-safe work notes. For homes built before 1978, a note that the work followed EPA lead-safe practices and your firm's RRP certification number, where the rule applies.
- Changes and extra coats. Extra rooms, color changes or added coats asked for mid-job, each on its own line and approved, so the final total matches what was requested.
- Deposit received. The deposit paid at the start, subtracted before the balance, so the final invoice shows exactly what is due after the walkthrough.
- License and job address. Your contractor license number where your state requires one for painting, and the property address that landlords and property managers match to their records.