A painting subcontractor agreement is used by general contractors to hire painters, detailing the terms of the professional relationship. The services the painter will be expected to perform, the project deadlines, their compensation, and their independent contractor status should all be relayed in the document. Whether the painter is required to provide their own materials, equipment, labor, and transportation can also be stipulated in the agreement ahead of time.

Sample
Typical Services
Painting Subcontractors vs. Employees
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Sample

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PAINTING SUBCONTRACTOR AGREEMENT

This Painting Subcontractor Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into by and between [CONTRACTOR NAME], hereinafter known as the “Contractor,” and [SUBCONTRACTOR NAME], hereinafter known as the “Subcontractor.”

1. OVERVIEW. The Contractor hereby engages the Subcontractor to perform the painting services specified in this Agreement (the “Services”) in a professional and workmanlike manner.

2. SERVICES. The Subcontractor agrees to provide the following painting Services: [DESCRIBE PAINTING SERVICES]. Any further details shall be included in an attachment to this Agreement. The Services shall be performed in a timely and professional manner, according to all applicable laws, regulations, and safety standards.

3. COMPENSATION. The Contractor shall pay the Subcontractor [$]/per hour for the Services performed in accordance with this Agreement. Payment shall be made within [#] days of the invoice date.

4. INSURANCE. The Subcontractor shall maintain, in full force and effect, adequate and appropriate insurance coverage to protect both the Contractor and the Subcontractor from any claims associated with the Services rendered.

5. WARRANTY. The Subcontractor warrants and guarantees the quality of the Services and that all materials used are of the highest quality. The Subcontractor shall be responsible for any defects in workmanship or materials for [#] years from completion.

6. INDEMNIFICATION. The Subcontractor shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Contractor from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, liabilities, damages, and expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees and costs) that may arise out of or in connection with the performance of the Services.

7. TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated by either party upon [#] days written notice, with or without cause.

8. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the [STATE].

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the date set forth below:

Contractor: _____________________
Date: [MM/DD/YYYY]

Subcontractor: _____________________
Date: [MM/DD/YYYY]

Typical Services

Overall, a painting subcontractor’s job is to paint the interior or exterior of commercial and residential buildings. A painting contract could be used to hire a subcontractor for a new development or as a part of a renovation project. In either of these cases, a painter would likely be expected to provide the following services:

Job Preparation

Proper job preparation is essential to ensure a successful outcome. The subcontractor could be expected to carry out any or all of the following preparatory tasks:

Evaluating the needs of the client and taking measurements to give an estimate of the cost of the project.
Purchasing paint, brushes, rollers, drop sheets, painter’s tape, sandpaper, scrapers, sprayers, and other required materials.
Prepping the site by removing dust and dirt from the surfaces, sometimes with a pressure washer.
Repairing holes and other imperfections that may exist on the surface of the painting area.
Setting up appropriate scaffolding, ladders, and lifts when necessary.
Protecting surfaces that should not be painted with tape, plastic, and drop cloths.
Sanding surfaces to remove chipped paint and providing some “tooth” so the new paint properly adheres to the wall.

Painting is a job that has the potential to create a messy work area. Proper prep will ensure the painting subcontractor keeps a clean and organized job site, improving efficiency and overall results.

Job Execution

Once the prep is complete, the subcontractor will paint the surface based on the project needs. The painter may choose any combination of spraying, rolling, or brushing to get the job done.

Priming

Generally, the subcontractor will begin by priming the surface with either a latex, alcohol, or alkyd primer. The number of coats and type of priming done will vary on the client’s budget and individual project needs.

Painting

Once prep and priming are complete, the subcontractor will move on to painting. The painter will use the paint most suitable for the project; some areas, such as a bathroom or kitchen, will require special paint resistant to moisture.

The subcontractor will ensure the walls, edges, and corners are painted up to industry standards. For jobs requiring several layers of paint, the subcontractor must ensure that the paint and other materials are cleaned and stored appropriately during drying periods.

Clean Up

Finally, when the painting is complete to the subcontractor’s satisfaction, they must return the job site to its original condition. All job materials will be removed, and any of the client’s displaced belongings will be returned. The painter will then ensure that the job materials are sufficiently cleaned and prepped for storage until the next contract.

Painting Subcontractors vs. Employees

There are two essential differences between an employee who works for a company on a long-term basis, and a subcontractor is a self-employed individual contracted to complete a project. Subcontractors have the freedom to choose the jobs they want and carry out their duties as they see fit, yet they lack the same job security and benefits that full-time employment offers.

Many painters will work as subcontractors; however, there are opportunities for painters to gain full-time employment as well.

Painting Subcontractor Agreement