Can I show subtotals per group?

No. Group headings and subtotals are unavailable. Start descriptions with Labour or Materials and arrange the lines in that order.

Can I combine a m² price including paint with separate lines?

Yes. Each line is independent, so you can combine a m² price including paint with, for example, a separate specialist primer.

Where do I process paint invoices?

In the Inbox. Upload the invoice or receive it through Peppol, review it and approve it. Only then does it count towards your costs.

Painters

Paint and materials separate from labour on quotes and invoices

A total price leaves customers wondering how much covers paint and how much covers your work. Separating materials and labour answers that upfront, makes your price more credible and helps you see your margin.

Why separating costs pays off

Paint is expensive, especially quality products for exterior work or damp rooms. An all-in m² price hides material costs and needs recalculating if the customer chooses dearer paint or an extra colour. Separate lines let you change only the materials item.

If a larger-than-expected job needs more paint, customers can see that only consumption increased, not your labour rate. You also spot a growing materials share in your invoices and know when to update paint prices, rather than discovering the problem in disappointing year-end figures.

In ProFactuur

How to do it, step by step

1
Create products for materials
Save commonly used items such as Matt wall paint, 10-litre bucket or Masking and protective materials, fixed fee. Their price and VAT rate are then ready.
2
Create products for labour
Add work products per hour, day or m² to combine labour and materials easily on each quote.
3
Use separate lines
Add labour first, then materials, each with its own quantity. To group them, start descriptions with Labour or Materials. Group headings and subtotals are not available.
4
Track purchases
Process your wholesaler’s paint invoices in the Inbox. Reports compare costs with turnover so you can check whether your materials prices still work.

Example

Example: exterior painting of a façade

A painter invoices a private customer for painting a façade and windows. The house is less than ten years old, so 21% applies.

Labour: clean and paint façade, 3 days at €420.00	€1,260.00
Labour: paint windows and doors, 9 hours at €52.00	€468.00
Materials: façade paint, 4 buckets at €96.00	€384.00
Materials: enamel, primer and protective materials, fixed fee	€145.00
Total excluding VAT	€2,257.00
VAT at 21%	€473.97
Total payable	€2,730.97

The customer immediately sees €1,728.00 for labour and €529.00 for materials. Choosing another façade paint changes only that line.

Materials supplied by you or the customer

If customers supply their own paint, perhaps a colour mixed in a shop, invoice only labour and state in a line or note that materials were customer-supplied. If there is not enough paint, add the shortfall as a separate materials line with its own quantity and price.

For a property that may qualify for the reduced rate, read the conditions on our page about 6% VAT on renovation. If you work for a contractor, read the reverse-charge VAT guidance.

Frequently asked questions

More for painters

Painting quote per m² or room

Prices per m² or room, online acceptance and extra work.

Deposit and final invoice for painting work

A deposit for large jobs and a clear final account.

All about invoicing for painters 6% VAT on renovation Reverse-charge VAT

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