A painting estimate template helps NZ painters share an early pricing indication before the full quote is finalised. It should outline likely scope, assumptions, approximate pricing, and what still needs confirmation before it becomes a formal quote.
Page last reviewed: 12 July 2026
Download the DOCX estimate template for early pricing. Use ATT when you need estimates, quotes, follow-up, and jobs connected.
| Question | Estimate | Formal quote |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial status | Provisional price indication | Formal offer for defined work |
| Best use | Early discussion before final scope | Customer approval and job booking |
| Scope detail | Assumptions and likely inclusions | Specific inclusions, exclusions, prep, and terms |
| Pricing | Approximate range or provisional figure | Final price with GST treatment and terms |
| Next step | Confirm site details and quote properly | Follow up, accept, schedule, and invoice |
Use this estimate template when the customer wants an early price indication but the job scope is not fully confirmed. The wording should clearly say that pricing is provisional and depends on site access, preparation, paint system, repairs, and final measurements.
A good estimate helps move the conversation forward without pretending the price is final.
An estimate is a provisional pricing view. A quote is the formal commercial offer. Mixing the two up is a common source of confusion, so the template should make the estimate status obvious.
For NZ painters, use an estimate when you need to give a rough price range before confirming prep, access, repairs, number of coats, or product specification.
Example: Based on the information provided, we estimate the exterior repaint will likely sit between $9,500 and $12,500 + GST. This estimate assumes standard preparation, no major timber repairs, normal access, and a two-coat exterior paint system. A formal quote will be provided after a site visit and final scope confirmation.
A DOCX estimate is useful for a first conversation. It becomes limiting when the estimate needs to turn into a quote, follow-up, accepted job, schedule, and invoice. ATT helps connect that workflow so early pricing does not get lost in documents and email threads.
Read painting quote template NZ, how to quote a painting job NZ, and quoting and invoicing software NZ next.
A practical ATT workflow starts when a lead arrives, captures site notes and measurements, builds the quote with Mate, follows up with the customer, converts accepted work into a job, schedules staff or subcontractors, records timesheets and supplier costs, sends progress invoices, and syncs the accounting handoff to Xero.
ATT is built around the day-to-day needs of New Zealand painting and decorating businesses rather than a generic trade workflow.
Start with the customer details, site address, surfaces, measurements, prep notes, paint system, labour allowance, materials, access, exclusions, GST, and payment stages. Once the customer accepts, ATT can turn the same quote into a scheduled job with contractor updates, costs, progress invoices, and the Xero handoff.
Download the DOCX estimate template for early pricing. Use ATT when you need estimates, quotes, follow-up, and jobs connected.
An estimate is usually a provisional price indication, not a final quote. Make the wording clear and issue a formal quote once the scope is confirmed.
Include customer details, likely scope, assumptions, provisional pricing, GST wording, exclusions, and what must be confirmed before a quote is issued.
Yes. State clearly whether the estimate includes GST, excludes GST, or is only a provisional range before GST is finalised.
An estimate is an early price indication. A quote is the formal offer for defined work with clearer scope, pricing, and terms.
ATT is designed for quote-led workflow, helping teams move from early pricing conversations into quotes, follow-up, accepted jobs, and invoicing.
ATT keeps the customer, scope, quote, job, schedule, costs, invoices, and Xero handoff connected so the same information does not need to be rebuilt in separate tools.
Include scope, measurements, prep, paint system, labour, materials, access, exclusions, GST, margin, payment stages, and acceptance terms.