What to Charge? A Practical Guide to Pricing Painting & Decorating Services in New Zealand

Setting the right price for painting and decorating services in New Zealand means factoring in materials, labour, and the specific needs of each job. This friendly and practical guide offers 10 actionable tips to help painting professionals competitively and fairly price their services while attracting local clients.

Here are some tips that you might find interesting:

1. Calculate All Business Expenses

Include paint, brushes, tools, scaffolding or ladders, transport, and labour costs.

Auckland decorators usually face higher material and rental costs than those in smaller places like Whanganui.

Understanding the full cost helps you set sustainable prices.

2. Research Local Market Pricing

Check competitor prices on platforms like Yada, TradeMe Services, and community forums.

Rates vary by region; for instance, Wellington’s demand often means higher prices than provincial areas.

Knowing market rates helps you stay competitive.

3. Price by Job Size and Complexity

Larger or intricate jobs, like decorative finishes or multiple coats, warrant higher fees.

Christchurch painters charge more for specialty finishes compared to basic wall painting.

Be transparent about complexity's impact on pricing.

4. Set Clear Labour Rates

Establish hourly or daily labour rates reflective of skill and local demand.

Wellington decorators often command higher labour rates due to cost of living.

Clear labour pricing aids client understanding and trust.

5. Include Prep and Clean-Up Time

Factor in time for surface preparation, masking, and post-job cleaning.

Weirdly enough, prep and cleanup often take as long as the painting itself.

Tauranga decorators include these in pricing to reflect real job effort.

6. Factor Material Quality and Brand

High-quality or eco-friendly paints affect material costs and pricing.

Nelson professionals discuss premium product choices with clients upfront.

Helping clients understand material impact builds trust.

7. Be Transparent About Additional Fees

Disclose fees for difficult access, extra coats, or repairs.

Auckland decorators often have surcharges for hard-to-reach areas or restoration work.

Transparency prevents disputes and fosters good relations.

8. Showcase Experience and Certifications

Promote trade qualifications, years of experience, and insurance coverage.

An Auckland painter’s certifications allow for premium pricing.

Clients feel confident hiring insured, experienced pros.

9. Use Testimonials and Case Studies

Collect and display client reviews and project photos on Yada and social media.

Positive testimonials helped Christchurch decorators build strong reputations.

Word-of-mouth is powerful in New Zealand’s tight-knit communities.

10. Advertise on Multiple Platforms

List services on Yada, TradeMe, and other local directories for better visibility.

Yada’s commission-free model lets you keep more and price honestly.

Its mobile-friendly platform makes client communication and booking easy.

11. Personalise Client Quotes

Use Yada’s chat and call features to understand client needs and tailor pricing.

Dunedin decorators often adjust quotes post site visits.

Personalised communication builds client trust and loyalty.

12. Avoid Racing to Bottom

Focus on delivering quality and excellent service rather than lowest price.

Fair pricing helps Wellington decorators maintain steady bookings.

Clients appreciate honest, skill-based fees.

13. Regularly Review Pricing

Update prices annually considering costs, demand, and skills gained.

Yada’s feedback and job data provide useful insights.

Regular reviews keep your business competitive and profitable.

14. Build Referral Networks

Collaborate with builders, designers, and real estate agents for steady referrals.

An Auckland professional expanded their client base through industry connections.

Strong networks support a steady client flow and help justify higher rates.