Envelope & Interiors
Finishes Estimating Services in New Zealand
The fit-out that clients notice: tiling, splashbacks, cabinetry, fixtures, accessories and fit-off, measured from the finishes schedule.
Finishes are where budgets drift. Clients upgrade tiles, add a butler's pantry or choose a different tapware range, and each change ripples through the project. A clear finishes estimate makes those choices visible and keeps them under control.
We measure interior finishes from the finishes schedule and interior elevations: wall tiling by area and tile type, splashbacks, kitchen and vanity cabinetry by lineal metre or unit, benchtops, sanitary fixtures, tapware, accessories, mirrors and shower screens. Each item is listed with its specification so it can be priced or replaced with a client selection.
Where selections have not been made, we include prime cost sums with the quantity, so the allowance and the actual selection can be compared later.
Scope
What we measure in a finishes takeoff
| Item | Unit | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Wall tiling | m² | By tile type and size, with trims and grout. |
| Splashbacks | m² | Tile, glass or panel splashbacks. |
| Cabinetry | lm / no. | Kitchen, vanity, laundry and wardrobe joinery. |
| Benchtops | lm / m² | By material, with cut-outs counted. |
| Sanitary fixtures | no. | Toilets, basins, baths and showers. |
| Tapware and accessories | no. | Mixers, towel rails and accessories. |
| Shower screens and mirrors | no. / m² | By size and type. |
| Prime cost sums | PC sum | Where selections are not yet made. |
Deliverables
What you receive
Finishes estimates include a selections register with quantities and PC allowances, which can be used to track client choices against the budget.
| Itemised quantity sheet | Excel + PDF |
| Marked-up plans | Colour-coded PDF |
| Material and labour schedule | Excel |
| Assumptions and exclusions list |
Who it is for
Built for the people who price the work
- Builders
- Set realistic PC sums with quantities clients can see.
- Subcontractors
- Tilers and cabinetmakers can quote from measured areas and runs.
- Developers
- Set a consistent finishes specification across units and price it.
- Architects
- Show a client the cost of a premium finishes package against a standard one.
Process
How a finishes estimate runs
STEP 01
Upload plans
Upload plans, interior elevations and the finishes schedule.
STEP 02
Scope confirmation
We confirm selections, PC sum levels and which items are by the client.
STEP 03
Takeoff and review
Finishes are measured by room and checked against the schedule for missing items.
STEP 04
Delivery
You receive the finishes estimate, selections register, PDF and marked-up interiors.
New Zealand context
Standards and practice
Under the Building Act, residential building contracts over a set value must include certain disclosures, and prime cost and provisional sums are commonly used for items not yet selected. Clear PC sums with quantities help avoid disputes when selections change.
Tiled showers and wet-area finishes must sit over a compliant waterproofing system under clause E3. We measure tiling and waterproofing as separate items so each is priced correctly.
We measure and price to the drawings. Design compliance and building consent remain with your designer and building consent authority.
Cost drivers
What drives the cost of finishes work
01
Selections
The difference between entry-level and premium fixtures, tiles and cabinetry is often the largest single cost variable in a home.
02
Tile size and layout
Large-format tiles need flatter substrates and more careful handling. Patterns and feature walls add cutting and time.
03
Cabinetry detail
Handleless doors, integrated appliances and custom storage add to cabinetry cost. Stone benchtops with complex cut-outs add more.
04
Number of wet areas
Every bathroom adds a full set of fixtures, tiling, waterproofing and accessories.
Where finishes estimates go wrong
Finishes estimates usually go wrong through optimistic PC sums. A PC sum that does not reflect the client's taste leads to variations and disputes. We base PC sums on quantities so they can be checked against realistic selections.
Accessories and small items are another gap: toilet roll holders, towel rails, robe hooks, shower niches and mirror fixings. Each is small, but they add up across several bathrooms.
Lead times are a hidden cost too. Imported tiles, tapware and stone can take weeks to arrive, and a late selection can hold up the whole job. While we do not manage procurement, our selections register shows which items are still undecided, so you can chase decisions early and keep the programme on track. Long lead times can also force substitutions late in the job, which change cost. We flag long-lead items in the selections register where the specification names an imported product, so the client can decide early.
FAQ
Finishes Estimating questions
Do you include cabinetry?
Yes. Cabinetry is measured by lineal metre or unit, with benchtops and cut-outs.
Can you work with PC sums?
Yes. Where selections are not made, we include PC sums with quantities so they can be compared with actual selections later.
Do you measure wall tiling?
Yes, by area and tile type, with trims and grout.
Can you estimate a kitchen and bathroom renovation?
Yes. We measure removals, new finishes and fixtures for renovations.
Do you count tapware and accessories?
Yes. Every fixture and accessory is counted by room.
Related services
- Flooring Estimating
Floor finish quantities by room and material, with roll and plank layouts, trims, underlay and subfloor preparation.
- Painting Estimating
Paintable surface areas by substrate, system and coat count, with doors, trims and features measured for labour and litres.
- Waterproofing Estimating
Membrane and tanking quantities for wet areas, decks, basements and roofs, with upstands, outlets and junction details counted.
- Plumbing Estimating
Plumbing and drainage quantities from fixture counts to pipe runs, with hot water systems, valves and fittings measured.
Get a quote
Send your plans for a finishes estimate
Upload your drawings and we will reply with a fixed fee and turnaround before any work starts. No obligation.
- — PDF, DWG and ZIP accepted
- — Fees in NZD, excluding GST
- — Prefer email? Use the link in the footer