I agree that usually the contractors do not include the cost of paint. I think we might be a little rough on Mr Consumer though. I enjoy this site, it's very informative. So Mr C posts something he thinks isn't right. In his experience he didn't know it's common to not include the paint in the estimate. It's not the end of the world. The comments can set him straight without stating the site is no good anymore and won't come to it anymore.