Painting & decorating takeoff software
In short
Painting takeoff means net paintable area: wall area (room perimeter × height, minus doors and windows), ceiling area, and linear trim (skirting, architrave), then multiply by coats and divide by coverage for paint quantities. Solid Takeoff gives you perimeters, areas and counts on the PDF — free to start.
Decorating is area work with a twist: you price the surface, but you buy paint by how far a litre goes across the number of coats. So the takeoff produces areas and lengths, and a quick calc turns them into litres.
The accuracy lives in the deductions (openings), the coats, and the coverage rate for each product.
What you measure in a painting & decorating takeoff
| Item | Unit | How you take it off |
|---|---|---|
| Wall area (net) | m² | Perimeter × ceiling height, less door and window openings. |
| Ceiling area | m² | Trace the room area from the plan. |
| Skirting / architrave | m | Perimeter for skirting; count and measure architrave per opening. |
| Doors & windows | nr | Count for gloss/finishing work and opening deductions. |
| Paint quantity | litres | Area × coats ÷ coverage (m² per litre from the data sheet). |
Net area, not gross
The number that matters is paintable area. Take room perimeter × ceiling height for the walls, then deduct doors and large windows — Solid Takeoff's area/perimeter measurements make this quick, and you can measure openings as deductions so they're visible.
For ceilings, trace the room area directly. Keep walls and ceilings in separate conditions since they're often different products (and prices).
Turn area into litres
Paint is bought by coverage: litres = area × number of coats ÷ coverage rate. A typical emulsion covers ~10–14 m²/litre per coat, but always use the product data sheet — primers and heavily-textured surfaces cover far less.
Don't forget the linear finishing work: skirting and architrave in metres, and door/window counts for gloss. These carry their own coats and coverage.
Estimator's tips
- •Wall area = perimeter × height − openings; measure the openings as deductions.
- •Separate conditions for walls, ceilings and woodwork — different products and coats.
- •Litres = area × coats ÷ coverage; take coverage from the data sheet, not a rule of thumb.
- •Primer/mist coats and dark-to-light changes add coats — build them in.
- •Count doors and windows for gloss work and to size the opening deductions.
Frequently asked questions
How do I do a painting takeoff from a plan?
Measure net wall area (perimeter × height less openings) and ceiling area, plus linear skirting/architrave and door/window counts, then convert to paint with area × coats ÷ coverage. Solid Takeoff provides the perimeters, areas and counts.
How do I calculate paint quantities?
Litres = paintable area × number of coats ÷ the product's coverage (m² per litre from the data sheet). Emulsion is often ~10–14 m²/litre per coat, but primers and textured surfaces cover less.
Do I deduct doors and windows?
Yes — paint the net area. Deduct door and large window openings from the wall area (measure them as deductions so they're auditable), and count them for gloss/finishing.
Is there free painting takeoff software?
Yes — Solid Takeoff's free plan measures areas, perimeters and counts with export (watermarked on free); do the coats × coverage step from the totals.
Try it on your own plan — free
Open a PDF and measure in your browser. No card, no install, no CAD. Free plan forever.