Painting Scope of Work Checklist: Prep, Prime, and Finish (CSI 09 90 00)

The Painter is the “Makeup Artist” of the construction project. Their job is to make the surfaces look flawless, often hiding the minor imperfections left by the drywaller and the carpenter.

However, many painters bid strictly on “Applying Color,” assuming the surfaces are already perfect. When they arrive and see 5,000 nail holes in the trim, they issue a Change Order for “Prep.”

To ensure the prep work is baked into the base price, use this Painting Scope of Work Checklist (aligned with CSI Division 09).

The Standard Inclusions (The “Must Haves”)

A professional paint bid must define the system being applied, not just the color:

• Surface Prep: Sanding walls, caulking trim joints, and filling nail holes (puttying).
• Priming: Application of a dedicated primer coat (essential for new drywall and bare wood).
• Finish Coats: Application of two (2) coats of finish paint. (One coat is rarely sufficient).
• Ceilings: Flat white paint on all ceilings.
• Trim Package: Spray or brush finish on baseboards, casing, and crown molding (Semi-gloss).
• Doors: Painting all interior doors (and edges!).
• Protection: Masking floors, windows, and cabinets with paper/plastic.

The “Scope Gaps” (Where You Lose Money)

1. Nail Holes and Caulk (Carpenter vs. Painter)

This is the classic standoff.

• The Trap: The Painter says, “The Carpenter should have puttied the holes.” The Carpenter says, “I’m not a finisher.”
• The Fix: Assign the “Filling of all nail holes and caulking of all trim joints” explicitly to the Painter. They are better at it, and it makes them responsible for the final look.

2. Paint Quality (Contractor vs. Premium)

• The Trap: The bid says “Sherwin Williams Paint.” That could mean the $20/gallon “Property Solution” (cheap) or the $75/gallon “Emerald” (premium).
• The Fix: Specify the “Line and Sheen” in the contract (e.g., “Sherwin Williams Promar 200 Zero VOC”). Don’t leave it vague.

3. Hardware Removal

• The Trap: The painter tapes over the light switch plates and door knobs, leaving messy paint edges.
• The Fix: Require the “Removal and Re-installation of all switch plates, outlet covers, and door hardware.”

4. Closets and Pantries

• The Trap: You do the final walkthrough and open the closet door. It’s unpainted drywall. The Painter points to the fine print: “Closets Excluded.”
• The Fix: Ensure the bid includes “All closets, pantries, and shelving units” (unless you want to save money by leaving them unfinished).

The Drywall Texture Reconciliation

One of the most common disputes on a new construction site is the “Texture Standoff.” This occurs when the Drywall sub finish is technically a “Level 4,” but the surface has visible sanding marks or slight humps that will be exaggerated by a satin or eggshell paint.

The Painter arrives and says, “I can’t paint this; the drywall is bad.” The Drywaller says, “I’m done; it’s passed inspection.”

Your scope of work should include a “Surface Acceptance” clause for the Painter. By making the Painter responsible for a final “light sanding” or a “Level 5 primer coat” (if specified), you remove the ambiguity. The Painter should walk the walls with a high-intensity light before they start, and any major defects must be fixed by the Drywall sub. Once the Painter hits the wall with primer, they “own” the surface.

Interface Points (Coordination)

• vs. Flooring: The Painter should ideally spray the baseboards before the carpet/hardwood is installed. If they paint after, they must protect the floor.
• vs. Drywall: The Painter is the first line of defense for quality control. Require them to “Sign off” on the wall condition before they prime. If they prime a bad wall, they own it.
• vs. Electrician: The Electrician installs the lights. The Painter needs to be careful not to get overspray on the can light trims.

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Comparing Paint Bids with Bid Bench

Paint bids can vary by 50% depending on the labor effort.

Bid Bench helps you see the difference:

1. Prep Verification: Our AI scans the text for “Caulking” and “Putty.” If a bidder excludes this, you know their price is artificially low.
2. Coat Count: It highlights whether the bid is for “1 Prime / 1 Finish” (Low quality) or “1 Prime / 2 Finish” (Standard quality).
3. Material Allowance: It extracts the “Material Allowance” per gallon, ensuring the bidder isn’t planning to use water-downed paint.

Get a flawless finish.
[Start your 30-day free trial of Bid Bench today.]