How to Estimate Man Hours in Painting
- 1). Assess the job from start to finish. Walk around the job site--whether it's a single room on the entire exterior--with a note pad and pen and write down everything that has to be done to complete the job.
- 2). Write a list of all the tools and materials you'll need, such as masking tape and paper, caulking, scrapers and spackle. This gives you a better idea of the scope of what needs to be done.
- 3). Pay attention to potential problems that can increase man hours for your painting project. These may include uneven ground, trees or landscaping that get in the way of ladders, or a cluttered interior that requires extra time in moving furniture and working around it.
- 4). Choose the method of application for paint. If you plan on spraying, the application time is going to be much faster than using a roller and brush, but you need to spend extra time masking and protecting adjacent surfaces and furniture.
- 5). Calculate how many coats of primer and paint are required. The first coat of paint usually takes a little longer to apply; subsequent coats go on faster.
- 6). Plan on spending about 1 man hour per work day in cleaning tools and equipment and keeping the work area clean and safe.