Painting Scope of Work Template
Painting disputes are almost always prep disputes. The scope needs to separate the prep that is included from the pre-existing damage that is not, room by room, before anyone opens a can.
Where painting scopes usually fail
- Surface prep for pre-existing damage not excluded, so patching drywall becomes free.
- Coat count left unstated — one coat delivered, two expected.
- Trim, doors and ceilings assumed in a 'paint the room' line item.
The template
Copy this structure section by section. Anything you cannot state definitively belongs under exclusions or open items — not left out and hoped over.
Surface Preparation
Work to be Performed
- Mask and protect floors, fixtures and furniture in each work area
- Fill nail holes and minor dings, sand smooth
- Spot prime patched and bare areas
Materials & Specifications
- Primer product
- Filler and caulk type
Exclusions
- Repair of pre-existing drywall damage, water staining or cracks beyond minor nail holes
- Lead paint abatement or testing
- Wallpaper removal
Interior Painting — per room
Work to be Performed
- Apply the agreed number of finish coats to walls
- Cut in edges, corners and ceiling lines by hand
Materials & Specifications
- Paint brand, line, colour and sheen per room
- Number of coats
Exclusions
- Ceilings unless listed
- Closet interiors unless listed
Trim, Doors and Ceilings
Work to be Performed
- Paint trim, baseboard and casing in the listed rooms
- Paint doors, both faces and edges
Materials & Specifications
- Trim paint product and sheen
Exclusions
- Refinishing or staining natural wood
- Door hardware replacement
Assumptions & Open Items
Every scope needs this section. List anything the homeowner raised that you did not confirm, and anything you inferred rather than agreed. It is the difference between a change order and an argument.
WalkProof writes this for you. Record the walkthrough, and you get a draft in exactly this structure — per area, with assumptions and unclear items flagged separately so you can check them before anything goes to the homeowner.