How to Use Linear Feet to Estimate Painting Job

Determining an estimate for a paint job can be done using numerous methods. The most popular method is by using the linear feet of the room. The linear feet method provides an accurate way of determining the amount of paint needed.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Calculator

Instructions

1. Use a tape measure to measure all the walls in the room that will be painted. If the room is rectangular, simply measure one of the two walls that are the same size and multiply by two. Multiply the length of the walls by the height of the room; most homes have eight-foot-tall walls.

2. Remove the amount of space occupied by doors and windows or other wall openings. Measure the length and width of each door, window and opening and multiply the two numbers together. Subtract these results by the previously calculated room area.

3. Divide the total paintable area by 350 using a calculator. Write the number down; the whole number represents the amount of gallons needed for the job. Get an extra gallon of paint if the remainder is greater than .5. Order two quarts if the remainder is less than .5.

References

• Dummies.com: Estimated How Much Paint to Buy