Painting Estimator
Painting Estimator
Interior Finishes
Painting, Decorating & Wallpaper Takeoff (Walls, Ceilings, Doors & Trims)
We convert Architectural plans and specs into an accurate painting, decorating or wallpaper take-off for a trade-ready schedule of quantities that’s built for fast, confident pricing.
For Main Contractors, Sub-contractors and maintenance teams who need scope accuracy with clean, traceable quantities from drawings through to quote/tender sign-off.
We measure and schedule by area and surface type (walls, ceilings, soffits, doors, frames, skirtings, architraves & feature areas) including m², lineal metres and item counts - plus notes and priceable descriptions for paint systems where specified.
Scope clarity matters - you’ll see exactly what’s included, what’s assumed and what needs confirmation so your quote holds up when the tricky questions start.
Revision-friendly: if updated drawings are issued, we can re-measure quickly and provide a clear scope change summary to price variations with minimal hassle.
Email your plans & specification and we’ll confirm a fixed fee and turnaround timeframe.
We convert Architectural plans and specs into an accurate painting, decorating or wallpaper take-off for a trade-ready schedule of quantities that’s built for fast, confident pricing.
For Main Contractors, Sub-contractors and maintenance teams who need scope accuracy with clean, traceable quantities from drawings through to quote/tender sign-off.
We measure and schedule by area and surface type (walls, ceilings, soffits, doors, frames, skirtings, architraves & feature areas) including m², lineal metres and item counts - plus notes and priceable descriptions for paint systems where specified.
Scope clarity matters - you’ll see exactly what’s included, what’s assumed and what needs confirmation so your quote holds up when the tricky questions start.
Revision-friendly: if updated drawings are issued, we can re-measure quickly and provide a clear scope change summary to price variations with minimal hassle.
Email your plans & specification and we’ll confirm a fixed fee and turnaround timeframe.
The Process.
Simple.
The Process.
Simple.
Drawings
Drawings
Send through the Architectural documentation sets along with any NTT's & Specifications issued to date.
Takeoff
Takeoff
The plan sets are loaded into CostX for manual take-off. We follow ANZSMM 2022 best practices for measuring.
Measure
Measure
Scope is measured in depth and separated by substrate and finishing system eg: Resene, Dulux, Aalto Paints or similar.
Detailed Takeoff
Receive the final hard copy of the quantities as a baseline to refer back to for orders or variations.
Detailed Takeoff
Receive the final hard copy of the quantities as a baseline to refer back to for orders or variations.
Excel Takeoff
Receive the soft copy workbook of the takeoff that acts as a valuable tool for pricing, tracking variations and progress claims.
Excel Takeoff
Receive the soft copy workbook of the takeoff that acts as a valuable tool for pricing, tracking variations and progress claims.
Report
As with all our work, we issue a covering letter that includes the final PDF measure, baseline documents used, plus any noteworthy tags or clarifications to assist with your pricing.
Report
As with all our work, we issue a covering letter that includes the final PDF measure, baseline documents used, plus any noteworthy tags or clarifications to assist with your pricing.
FAQ
What’s included in a painting takeoff (interior & exterior)?
A painting takeoff typically measures square metres (M²) of walls/ceilings/soffits, lineal metres (LM) of trims (skirtings, architraves, fascias), and item counts (NO.) for one-off items. A good takeoff also notes surface types (plasterboard, timber, masonry), the specified paint system (primer/undercoat/topcoats) and any access/height requirements so the quote is complete and comparable.
Do painting estimates include preparation, repairs, and surface condition?
Prep is where budgets blow out. We separate and highlight allowances for surface prep (sanding, filling, sealing stains, mould treatment), minor repairs, and substrate priming, because these depend on existing condition and spec. For repaints, we recommend a defined prep schedule (assumptions + exclusions) so you’re not carrying unlimited remedials in a lump-sum rate.
How do you calculate painting m² from plans (and avoid missing areas)?
With experience. We use CostX takeoff software and split out each substrate type for each paint system, that includes any deductions for openings or back-painting to joinery etc.
What affects the cost of exterior painting in New Zealand?
Key cost drivers include cladding type (timber weatherboard, plaster, masonry, fibre cement), height/access (scaffold vs ladders/EWP), coastal exposure, weather windows, and the specified coating system (elastomeric, high-build, anti-graffiti, stains). We flag these factors in the takeoff notes so your pricing reflects real site conditions.
What’s included in a painting takeoff (interior & exterior)?
A painting takeoff typically measures square metres (M²) of walls/ceilings/soffits, lineal metres (LM) of trims (skirtings, architraves, fascias), and item counts (NO.) for one-off items. A good takeoff also notes surface types (plasterboard, timber, masonry), the specified paint system (primer/undercoat/topcoats) and any access/height requirements so the quote is complete and comparable.
Do painting estimates include preparation, repairs, and surface condition?
Prep is where budgets blow out. We separate and highlight allowances for surface prep (sanding, filling, sealing stains, mould treatment), minor repairs, and substrate priming, because these depend on existing condition and spec. For repaints, we recommend a defined prep schedule (assumptions + exclusions) so you’re not carrying unlimited remedials in a lump-sum rate.
How do you calculate painting m² from plans (and avoid missing areas)?
With experience. We use CostX takeoff software and split out each substrate type for each paint system, that includes any deductions for openings or back-painting to joinery etc.
What affects the cost of exterior painting in New Zealand?
Key cost drivers include cladding type (timber weatherboard, plaster, masonry, fibre cement), height/access (scaffold vs ladders/EWP), coastal exposure, weather windows, and the specified coating system (elastomeric, high-build, anti-graffiti, stains). We flag these factors in the takeoff notes so your pricing reflects real site conditions.
What’s included in a painting takeoff (interior & exterior)?
A painting takeoff typically measures square metres (M²) of walls/ceilings/soffits, lineal metres (LM) of trims (skirtings, architraves, fascias), and item counts (NO.) for one-off items. A good takeoff also notes surface types (plasterboard, timber, masonry), the specified paint system (primer/undercoat/topcoats) and any access/height requirements so the quote is complete and comparable.
Do painting estimates include preparation, repairs, and surface condition?
Prep is where budgets blow out. We separate and highlight allowances for surface prep (sanding, filling, sealing stains, mould treatment), minor repairs, and substrate priming, because these depend on existing condition and spec. For repaints, we recommend a defined prep schedule (assumptions + exclusions) so you’re not carrying unlimited remedials in a lump-sum rate.
How do you calculate painting m² from plans (and avoid missing areas)?
With experience. We use CostX takeoff software and split out each substrate type for each paint system, that includes any deductions for openings or back-painting to joinery etc.
What affects the cost of exterior painting in New Zealand?
Key cost drivers include cladding type (timber weatherboard, plaster, masonry, fibre cement), height/access (scaffold vs ladders/EWP), coastal exposure, weather windows, and the specified coating system (elastomeric, high-build, anti-graffiti, stains). We flag these factors in the takeoff notes so your pricing reflects real site conditions.