NZ Painter's Guide to Quoting Exterior Jobs in All Weather Conditions

New Zealand's weather makes exterior painting quotes tricky.

Rain, wind, humidity — they all affect when you can work and how long jobs take.

Here's how to quote exterior jobs that protect your margins regardless of weather.

Understanding NZ Weather Impact on Painting

Temperature Requirements

• Minimum application temp: 10°C (most paints)
• Maximum application temp: 35°C
• Surface temperature matters more than air temperature

Humidity Considerations

• Ideal humidity: 40-70%
• High humidity = slower drying = longer between coats
• Morning dew can delay start times by 2-3 hours

Rain and Moisture

• No painting within 24 hours of rain (exterior)
• Check weather forecast for 48-hour window
• Factor in drying time between coats

Seasonal Pricing Adjustments

Summer (December-February)

• Peak season — highest demand
• Longest working days
• Standard pricing applies
• Book 4-6 weeks ahead

Autumn (March-May)

• Good painting weather early autumn
• Increasing rain risk
• Add 10-15% weather contingency
• Shorter days reduce productivity

Winter (June-August)

• Limited exterior work possible
• Focus on interior jobs
• If quoting exterior: add 20-30% contingency
• Longer project timelines

Spring (September-November)

• Variable weather
• Good demand as homeowners prepare for summer
• Add 15% weather contingency
• Watch for spring storms

Quoting Exterior Prep Work

Prep work is where NZ exterior jobs differ from interior:

Surface Assessment Checklist

• [ ] Existing paint condition (peeling, chalking, cracking)
• [ ] Timber condition (rot, weathering)
• [ ] Mould and mildew presence
• [ ] Previous paint type (oil vs water-based)
• [ ] Surface contamination (salt spray, pollution)

Prep Labour Items

• Water blasting/cleaning: $X per m²
• Mould treatment: $X per m²
• Scraping and sanding: $X per m² (condition-dependent)
• Filling and repairs: Hourly rate
• Priming bare timber: $X per m²
• Caulking gaps and joints: Linear metre rate

Prep Materials

• Mould killer/treatment
• Fillers (exterior grade)
• Primers (appropriate for substrate)
• Caulking
• Sandpaper and abrasives
• Masking materials

Calculating Paint Quantities for NZ Conditions

Coverage Rates (Exterior)

• Smooth weatherboard: 12-14 m²/litre
• Rough-sawn timber: 8-10 m²/litre
• Textured surfaces: 6-8 m²/litre
• Brick/masite: 4-6 m²/litre

Number of Coats

• Bare timber: 1 primer + 2 topcoats
• Previously painted (good condition): 2 topcoats
• Previously painted (poor condition): 1 primer + 2 topcoats
• Colour change (dark to light): 1 tinted primer + 2-3 topcoats

Wastage Allowance

• Standard: 10%
• Complex surfaces: 15%
• Spray application: 20-25%

Weather Contingency Clauses

Include these in every exterior quote:

Timeline Clause

"Completion timeframe is weather-dependent. Exterior painting requires dry conditions with temperatures above 10°C. Delays due to weather are not within our control and do not constitute breach of agreement."

Payment Clause

"Progress payments may be claimed for completed stages regardless of weather delays to subsequent stages."

Rescheduling Clause

"If weather prevents work for more than 5 consecutive working days, we reserve the right to reschedule to the next available slot in our calendar."

Pricing Structure for Exterior Jobs

Option 1: Fixed Price with Contingency

• Calculate base price
• Add weather contingency (10-30% depending on season)
• Present as single fixed price
• Absorb weather risk

Option 2: Day Rate with Estimate

• Quote estimated days
• Charge day rate
• Weather days not charged
• Customer carries weather risk

Option 3: Staged Pricing

• Quote each stage separately
• Prep: Fixed price
• Priming: Fixed price
• Topcoats: Fixed price
• Customer pays per completed stage

Sample Exterior Quote Structure

Project: Exterior Repaint — 3-Bedroom Weatherboard Home

Preparation

• Water blast all surfaces: $450
• Mould treatment (north-facing walls): $180
• Scrape and sand loose paint: $650
• Fill gaps and cracks: $320
• Prime bare timber areas: $280
• **Prep subtotal: $1,880**

Painting

• Apply 2 coats exterior paint to walls: $2,400
• Apply 2 coats to fascias and barges: $480
• Apply 2 coats to window frames: $560
• Apply 2 coats to doors: $240
• **Painting subtotal: $3,680**

Materials

• Paint (Dulux Weathershield, 40L): $1,200
• Primer (10L): $180
• Fillers and sundries: $150
• **Materials subtotal: $1,530**

Weather contingency (15%): $1,063

Total (excl GST): $8,153

GST (15%): $1,223

Total (incl GST): $9,376

Using QuoteOS for NZ Painting Quotes

1. **Enter job details** — Surface types, condition, access
2. **AI calculates quantities** — Based on your rates
3. **Add weather contingency** — Seasonal adjustment
4. **Generate GST-compliant quote** — NZ formatting

Try QuoteOS free → [Painter Quoting Software](/trades/painters)