Getting Started

Here are the basic steps to get set up and start your first estimate.

The first thing you will want to do is open the Company Data form and go through the six main sections. These areas include Company Info, Employees, Workers Compensation, Working Hours, Overhead, and Profit settings.

Open Company Data

To open the Company Data form, click on the icon indicated in the image below.

Open Company Data form
Opening the Company Data form

Step 1: Company Information

Fill out your company name, address, and other basic business details.

Company information form
Company information setup

Step 2: Employees

This section is where you add your employees. You will see a default employee named The Boss. This represents you as the owner of the company.

Edit this employee and enter your own information, including your wage. Be sure to use a wage that reflects what you would pay someone else with the same skill set.

Employee list
Employee list

After editing your information, click Save & Return and continue adding additional employees.

Important: You must always have at least one employee classified as a painter. Painters generate income that pays for overhead and operating expenses.

Edit employee form
Editing employee information

Step 3: Workers Compensation

If you carry workers compensation insurance, enter the appropriate values here. The calculation method can vary by state.

In many states, including California, Option A is commonly used.

Workers compensation settings
Workers compensation setup

Step 4: Working Hours & Employee Perks

Enter how many hours your employees work per day, along with sick time and holiday benefits. These perks apply only to painters.

Working hours and employee perks
Working hours and perks

When finished, click Save All. The program will calculate how much these perks add to each employee’s hourly rate.

Step 5: General Overhead

Overhead includes all expenses required to operate your business, such as licenses, insurance, vehicles, phone costs, and office supplies.

Enter each overhead item carefully, as these costs are distributed across your active painter employees.

Overhead categories
Overhead categories
Add overhead items
Adding overhead items
Overhead category example
Overhead category example
Advertising overhead example
Advertising overhead example

Step 6: Profit & Summary

Enter your default company profit percentage. The default is 15%, but this value can be changed later on individual estimates.

The summary section shows a breakdown of your total overhead.

Profit and summary
Profit and summary

Review Employee Costs

After completing these steps, return to the Employees page to review how overhead and workers compensation are distributed.

Employee cost summary
Employee cost summary

This calculation ensures that overhead is properly accounted for across all active painters.

If at any time you have questions, please contact support@thepaintestimator.com .