How much caulk?

Question

I recently started using a new painter and I'm wondering if he is over-estimating material on purpose or if I'm just being stingy lol. I've been flipping houses for years but honestly can't remember how much caulk on average is needed. The house is 2,000 square feet.

I know it depends on the number of seams, wall height, amount of doors, windows, etc. but on average, how much caulk would you guestimate a painter would need to paint a 2,000 square foot house? He is requesting 2 cases of caulk (12 tubes in each case).

Bob S. · Answer

Come on this is like a FB post, WHO CARES, really!! its 50 bux !! You are working/overthinking way too much

Good luck

Matthew Paul · Answer

Better to over estimate and keep working than to run out and have to stop , and then get more .

James Hamling · Answer

@Alex Locklear I never, NEVER do a line-item bidding with painters, EVER. If that's what you're doing here, T&M, then I all but guarantee he IS estimating high, and honestly it's smart of him to do so.

See, when you put someones back against the wall with T&M, you're forcing them to be sure they are "safe" in that material order because they know efforts to be accurate leave a good chance of being a bit short on this n that, and either you not reimbursing, or giving em hell on why there is additional "and then" items.

And especially with paint, no, I do T&M many places but NEVER paint.

I ALWAYS do paint by scope and that's it. I am crystal clear of my expectation, I pay 1 price, done. It's way more efficient for everyone.

Yes, I had blue tapped up properties, made em come back 2-3 times at properties before and it sucks for all but my painter, he really get's on his guys for it BIG time, because it's costing him big time.

There is places to slash costs, paint isn't one of em, the juice simply isn't worth the squeeze.

Randall Alan · Answer

@Alex Locklear

It doesn't seem too unreasonable - given it's an estimate. A lot depends on how well caulked it is today, whether there are a lot of cracks that need to be sealed, etc.  We use a lot of caulk on damaged wood to help fill in gaps, etc - especially up high on the sides of houses.  It doesn't go really far when you are caulking long seams.  Like going up and down the pitch over a 2 car garage could easily use a tube by itself, for instance.  At $6 a tube (give or take), you are talking $144.  That is likely a small expense with regards to painting the house.  I don't think it's the expense I would be focusing on / worrying about.  (Also - any extra can be returned!)

All the best!

Randy

Matt Devincenzo · Answer

Who cares if he's over estimating materials, is his price for the work being done reasonable? And more importantly is the quality for the price appropriate? If so then if he keeps a couple hundred in extra materials vs charging it as profit the result is the same.

Austin F. · Answer

I'm a firm believer in "do your best, caulk the rest" and I don't think I I've used 24 tubes in my entire life, I've painted some crappy houses too.

Bob S. · Answer

YOU and ONLY YOU need to know ALL the numbers, for EVERYTHNING. but again, this is 50 bux, some of these posts on BP are getting more and more ridiculous,

Alex Locklear · Answer

@Bob Stevens

100% agreed, it's a small amount of $. He's also requesting 5 more gallons of ceiling paint than I would normally use on a house this size. I just wanting to make sure he's not purposely overestimating material and then keeping it to use on other jobs.

Kris Allen · Answer

@Alex Locklear I think 2 cases is fair. Me as I remodeler over estimate my material I need. However , I’m 100% honest and will return anything I don’t need and will refund my customer. So yeah… between baseboards, window/door casing, crown molding , and any of the random seams I think 2 cases is fair. Is this include exterior as well?

Matthew Paul · Answer

Estimating is the key word .  You either have paint left over or you run out . Same with caulk .  I

If you are paying a flat price to get the house painted , who cares how much paint he uses , as long as its done . If you are paying time and materials , take the unopened paint back .

How much caulk?

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