Count the parts and agree the surfaces
Record doors, drawer fronts, exposed cabinet sides, face frames and other included surfaces. Identify whether interiors, shelves and the backs of doors are included. A kitchen with 12 doors and 4 drawer fronts is a starting inventory, not a complete price.
Agree who removes, labels and reinstalls hardware. Note the handling and storage arrangements if components will be finished away from the property.
Separate preparation from coating
List cleaning, surface preparation and repairs separately from primer and finish coats. Inspect the substrate and existing finish before specifying a coating system. Follow the chosen coating manufacturer’s preparation, compatibility and drying instructions; do not assume every cabinet needs the same process.
Protection, ventilation, access and safe handling also affect the job. Confirm suitable conditions before committing to the method or schedule.
Build quantities from the actual job
A useful quote might include: preparation of 12 doors and 4 drawer fronts; coating of those components; agreed face frames and exposed sides; materials and consumables; and hardware reinstallation. Use your own labor expectations and selling rates for each item.
Allow for setup, transport if needed, drying intervals and cleanup. If your rates already include overhead and profit, avoid adding markup a second time. Check costs and markup in the calculator.
State exclusions and review before sending
Clarify whether replacement hardware, cabinet interiors, significant repairs and changes to the cabinet layout are excluded. Record the agreed finish, color, included surfaces and schedule assumptions. Discuss newly discovered work before adding it to the price.
Review the item quantities with the customer, then create the final PDF with their details in BidBuddy. See the painting estimate workflow.
Put the plan into a professional estimate.
Enter your reviewed items in BidBuddy, add the customer and preview your PDF. Keep the estimate and its next step together on your iPhone.
Create your estimate in BidBuddyFree to download. In-app subscriptions available. Website examples do not automatically import into the app.
Prepared by the team behind BidBuddy. Examples illustrate estimate preparation; fictional amounts are not local price guidance. Review the scope and figures against the actual job. Send a correction or question.
