If a painting quote's ever come back way under what the job actually cost, there's a good chance the takeoff didn't account for substrate condition, coat count, or sheen level properly. Our estimators measure every wall, ceiling, door and steel surface against AS/NZS 2311 and AS/NZS 5131, so the BOQ you send out is right the first time.

Introduction to painting estimation

Painting is one of the most visible trades on a job, and one of the easiest to under-price. It covers everything from a single coat of low-sheen acrylic on new plasterboard through to multi-coat protective systems on structural steel exposed to the weather. You'll find it across residential, commercial, industrial and infrastructure work — internal walls and ceilings, external facades, joinery, steelwork — and because it's usually one of the last trades on site, getting the early pricing right really matters for the overall budget.

The real cost of a painting package comes down to a lot more than room size — substrate condition, paint system, coat count, sheen level, dry film thickness (DFT) and access all move the price. A painting takeoff turns drawings and specifications into a proper Bill of Quantities — wall and ceiling area, trims, doors, protective coating systems — measured separately by location and priced to current Australian rates. That's what we do: fast, accurate, standards-compliant takeoffs built for contractors, subcontractors and project managers who need numbers they can actually tender, procure and control costs against.

Why accurate estimation matters

Painting scopes get quoted per square metre, but a small error in substrate, coat count or sheen level compounds fast across a whole project. Getting the takeoff right protects your business at every stage:

• Tender accuracy — you're pricing off real measured quantities, not a gut-feel allowance
• Material procurement — order the right volume of paint based on actual spread rate (m²/L) and coat count
• Labour planning — put painting crews on site against real wall, ceiling and trim quantities
• Reduced wastage — stop over-ordering paint, primer and protective coating systems
• Better profitability — protect your margin by pricing the whole scope, cutting-in and detail work included
• Cost control — track variations against an itemised BOQ instead of arguing over a lump-sum allowance
• Fewer disputes — when substrate, sheen level and coat count are documented up front, there's a lot less to argue about later

Scope of work

Our painting takeoffs generally cover the full range of internal, external and specialty coating work, including:

• Internal walls
• External walls
• Ceilings
• Doors
• Frames
• Structural steel
• Feature coatings

What we measure

Every BOQ we put together separates quantities out by surface and location, so you can price and order with confidence rather than crossing your fingers. That includes:

• Wall area (m²)
• Ceiling area (m²)
• Doors (nr, both faces)
• Frames (lm)
• Skirting (lm)
• Structural steel (m², by DFT/coat system)
• Bollards (nr)
• Line marking (lm)

Our quantity takeoff process

We don't just apply a square-metre rate on the job. Every estimate is built from the substrate up:

• Review architectural drawings and specifications
• Study specifications and manufacturer data sheets
• Identify the full painting trade scope
• Measure quantities directly from the drawing set
• Separate quantities by location and substrate (walls, ceilings, trims, steel, etc.)
• Apply relevant Australian Standards to each surface and system
• Prepare a detailed Bill of Quantities (BOQ)
• Carry out quality checking against drawings and specifications
• Deliver the completed takeoff in Excel or PDF format

Australian Standards we work to

Every takeoff we prepare is referenced against the current Australian Standards and the National Construction Code, including:

Standard	Scope
AS/NZS 2311:2017	Guide to the painting of buildings — systems, preparation and application
AS 1627 (Series)	Metal surface preparation and protective coating methods prior to painting
AS/NZS 5131:2016	Structural steelwork — fabrication, painting and protective treatment grades (P1/P2/P3)
NCC Volume One & Two	National Construction Code — durability and fire-performance provisions for coatings

What's included in our estimate

• Quantity takeoff — m² walls / m² ceilings / lm trims / nr doors & windows
• System build-up costing — primer + undercoat + finish coats per substrate
• Product-specific rates — actual spread rate (m²/L), coat count & wastage applied
• Room-by-room or elevation-by-elevation area split
• Protective coating DFT schedule — primer + mid-coat + topcoat per system
• Labour productivity rates aligned with Australian painting trades
• Sheen level and product grade clearly stated per area
• Clear assumptions and scope exclusions documented in the BOQ

Industries we serve

• Residential
• Commercial
• Industrial
• Education
• Healthcare
• Retail
• High-rise
• Government
• Infrastructure

Software we use

• Bluebeam
• PlanSwift
• AutoCAD
• Excel

Why choose us

• Estimators who actually know painting, not generalists
• Takeoffs prepared to current Australian Standards
• Fast turnaround when you're up against a tender deadline
• Competitive, transparent pricing
• A detailed, room-by-room or elevation-by-elevation BOQ
• Proper quality assurance on every takeoff, every time
• Tender support for builders and subcontractors
• Real experience across Australian residential, commercial and infrastructure projects

Frequently asked questions

Do you deduct windows?

Yes. Window and door openings get deducted from the wall area so the net paintable area reflects what's actually going to be coated.

Is steel painting included?

Yes. Structural steel is measured and priced separately by protective coating system (C2 through C5) and dry film thickness (DFT) — not at the standard wall rate.

Do you measure by m²?

Yes, for walls, ceilings and steel. Trims, skirtings and architraves are measured in linear metres, and doors, frames and bollards are counted as individual items.

Are ceilings measured separately?

Yes. Ceilings are priced separately from walls, partly because of access difficulty and partly because they typically use a different sealer and finish system (usually flat white).

Get started

Need an accurate painting quantity takeoff for your next project? Get in touch with our estimating team for a detailed BOQ prepared to Australian Standards, or call us on 0448 504 380.