Painting Scope of Work Template

The finish line. Ensure a flawless handover by defining prep work, number of coats, and quality standards for interior and exterior painting.

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Painting Scope of Work

CSI Division: 09 90 00

From (General Contractor)

Company Name

Project Manager

Phone

To (Subcontractor)

Subcontractor Company

Project Details

Project Name / Address

Date

Project Narrative / Overview

1. General Requirements

Provide all labor, materials, equipment, and protection for a complete paint job.
Prepare mock-ups or samples for color approval prior to ordering.
Protect all floors, cabinets, fixtures, and hardware from paint splatter.
Remove and reinstall electrical plates and hardware as needed (or mask effectively).
Properly dispose of all paint cans and chemical waste.
Leave all paint codes and 1 quart of touch-up paint for each color used.

2. Surface Preparation (The Most Important Part)

Scrape, sand, and clean all surfaces to ensure proper adhesion.
Fill all nail holes, cracks, and imperfections with spackle or wood filler.
Caulk all trim joints, baseboards, and door casings (paintable caulk).
Prime all new drywall (PVA primer) and bare wood before top-coating.
Seal knots in wood trim to prevent bleed-through.

3. Interior Painting

Apply finish coats to Ceilings (Flat finish).
Apply finish coats to Walls (Eggshell, Satin, or Flat as specified).
Apply finish coats to Trim, Doors, and Baseboards (Semi-Gloss or Satin).
Sand between coats for a smooth finish on woodwork.
Paint interior of closets and pantry.
Stain and seal stair treads, handrails, or beams if specified.

4. Exterior Painting

Pressure wash exterior surfaces to remove dirt and mildew.
Scrape loose paint and prime bare spots (if re-paint).
Apply finish coats to Siding, Fascia, Soffits, and Trim.
Paint/Stain exterior doors and garage doors.
Paint exterior shutters, columns, and railings.
Caulk exterior penetrations and trim to weather-proof.

5. Touch-Up & Completion

Perform a final touch-up after other trades complete their finish work (Point-Up).
Clean all glass and surfaces of paint drops.
Ensure straight and crisp cut-lines between colors/ceilings.
Walk through with GC/Owner for final acceptance.

6. Exclusions

Wallpaper removal or installation.
Drywall repair beyond minor nicks (Level 5 prep by Drywaller).
Faux finishes or specialty textures (unless noted).
Painting of pre-finished items (e.g., factory finished windows/cabinets).

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The Final Finish

Painting is where the client sees the quality of the home. A vague scope ("Paint house") leads to one coat of cheap paint and transparent walls.

Painting Scope Essentials

Prep Work: 80% of a good paint job is prep. Ensure sanding, caulking, and filling are explicitly included line items.
Coats: Specify "1 Coat Primer + 2 Coats Finish." Don't just say "paint walls."
Protection: Make the painter responsible for covering floors and furniture. Paint splatter is difficult to remove.
Touch-ups: The "Point-Up" phase is crucial. The painter must return after the electrician and movers are done to fix the final dings.

"A good painter makes the carpenter look better. A bad painter ruins good carpentry."