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Top 10 Best Painting Contractor Estimating Software of 2026

Explore top painting contractor estimating software to streamline your workflow. Compare features & find the best fit for your business.

Sarah Mitchell

Sarah Mitchell

Feb 11, 2026

10 tools comparedExpert reviewed
Independent evaluation · Unbiased commentary · Updated regularly
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For painting contractors, efficient, accurate estimating is critical to profitability and project success, with tools that tailor to unique needs like surface area calculations and material pricing. This guide highlights the top 10 solutions, from mobile-optimized platforms to enterprise-level systems, designed to streamline estimating, takeoffs, and proposals.

Quick Overview

  1. 1#1: PaintScout - Provides fast, mobile-friendly estimating and professional proposals tailored specifically for painting contractors.
  2. 2#2: Estimator360 - Delivers accurate, digital estimating software designed for painting and coatings contractors with preloaded material databases.
  3. 3#3: PlanSwift - Enables digital takeoff and estimating from blueprints, ideal for calculating painting surface areas and costs.
  4. 4#4: Bluebeam Revu - Offers PDF-based takeoff and estimating tools for precise measurements and quantity takeoffs in painting projects.
  5. 5#5: Jobber - Streamlines job estimating, scheduling, and invoicing for painting contractors and other home service businesses.
  6. 6#6: Housecall Pro - Manages field service operations including quick estimating and quoting for painting and similar trades.
  7. 7#7: Stack - Provides cloud-based takeoff and estimating with AI assistance for construction projects including painting.
  8. 8#8: ServiceTitan - Powers enterprise-level estimating, dispatching, and CRM for high-volume painting contractor operations.
  9. 9#9: ProEst - Automates construction cost estimating with databases adaptable for painting labor and material pricing.
  10. 10#10: Buildertrend - Integrates project estimating, budgeting, and management features suitable for painting subcontractors.

Tools were chosen based on relevance to painting tasks, precision in measurements, ease of use, and value, balancing robust features with accessibility to suit contractors from small businesses to high-volume operations.

Comparison Table

For painting contractors looking to enhance their estimating workflows, choosing the right software is critical. This comparison table features popular tools such as PaintScout, Estimator360, PlanSwift, Bluebeam Revu, Jobber, and more. Readers will gain insights into key differences in features, usability, and cost to identify the best fit for their unique business needs.

1PaintScout logo9.7/10

Provides fast, mobile-friendly estimating and professional proposals tailored specifically for painting contractors.

Features
9.8/10
Ease
9.5/10
Value
9.4/10

Delivers accurate, digital estimating software designed for painting and coatings contractors with preloaded material databases.

Features
9.4/10
Ease
8.8/10
Value
8.6/10
3PlanSwift logo8.6/10

Enables digital takeoff and estimating from blueprints, ideal for calculating painting surface areas and costs.

Features
9.2/10
Ease
7.4/10
Value
8.1/10

Offers PDF-based takeoff and estimating tools for precise measurements and quantity takeoffs in painting projects.

Features
9.1/10
Ease
7.4/10
Value
7.8/10
5Jobber logo7.8/10

Streamlines job estimating, scheduling, and invoicing for painting contractors and other home service businesses.

Features
7.5/10
Ease
8.7/10
Value
7.9/10

Manages field service operations including quick estimating and quoting for painting and similar trades.

Features
7.2/10
Ease
8.5/10
Value
7.0/10
7Stack logo7.2/10

Provides cloud-based takeoff and estimating with AI assistance for construction projects including painting.

Features
7.5/10
Ease
8.0/10
Value
6.8/10

Powers enterprise-level estimating, dispatching, and CRM for high-volume painting contractor operations.

Features
8.5/10
Ease
6.5/10
Value
7.0/10
9ProEst logo8.1/10

Automates construction cost estimating with databases adaptable for painting labor and material pricing.

Features
8.5/10
Ease
7.4/10
Value
7.7/10
10Buildertrend logo7.2/10

Integrates project estimating, budgeting, and management features suitable for painting subcontractors.

Features
7.5/10
Ease
6.8/10
Value
6.5/10
1
PaintScout logo

PaintScout

specialized

Provides fast, mobile-friendly estimating and professional proposals tailored specifically for painting contractors.

Overall Rating9.7/10
Features
9.8/10
Ease of Use
9.5/10
Value
9.4/10
Standout Feature

Paint-specific takeoff engine with real-time pricing from major brands for pinpoint accuracy

PaintScout is a specialized estimating and management software tailored for painting contractors, enabling quick creation of professional proposals with accurate material takeoffs, labor calculations, and paint-specific pricing databases. It streamlines the entire workflow from initial bid to job completion, including scheduling, change orders, and invoicing. The platform's mobile app ensures on-site accessibility, making it ideal for field teams.

Pros

  • Ultra-fast estimating with automated takeoffs and vast paint database
  • Professional, customizable proposals that impress clients
  • Comprehensive job management including scheduling and payments

Cons

  • Higher starting price may deter solo contractors
  • Slight learning curve for advanced customizations
  • Limited third-party integrations compared to general construction software

Best For

Mid-sized painting companies seeking an all-in-one tool to generate precise estimates and manage projects efficiently.

Pricing

Starts at $149/user/month (billed annually) with a 14-day free trial; higher tiers for teams.

Visit PaintScoutpaintscout.com
2
Estimator360 logo

Estimator360

specialized

Delivers accurate, digital estimating software designed for painting and coatings contractors with preloaded material databases.

Overall Rating9.1/10
Features
9.4/10
Ease of Use
8.8/10
Value
8.6/10
Standout Feature

Pre-built painting assemblies that automatically calculate coverage, waste, coats, and labor based on surface types and conditions

Estimator360 is a cloud-based estimating software tailored specifically for painting contractors, enabling digital takeoffs from PDFs and blueprints, automatic paint quantity calculations, and generation of professional bids. It includes industry-specific assemblies for walls, ceilings, trim, and exteriors, along with labor and material cost databases that update regularly. The platform also offers project management tools, QuickBooks integration, and a mobile app for on-site adjustments, streamlining the entire estimating-to-invoicing workflow.

Pros

  • Highly specialized painting assemblies and calculators for accurate material and labor estimates
  • Intuitive digital takeoff tools with PDF import and auto-measurement
  • Seamless QuickBooks integration and mobile app for field use

Cons

  • Pricing can be steep for solo contractors
  • Limited advanced reporting customization
  • Occasional learning curve for complex multi-story projects

Best For

Mid-sized painting contractors seeking specialized, efficient estimating tools with strong industry-specific automation.

Pricing

Starts at $99/user/month for Basic plan, $199/user/month for Pro (includes advanced features), with custom Enterprise pricing.

Visit Estimator360estimator360.com
3
PlanSwift logo

PlanSwift

specialized

Enables digital takeoff and estimating from blueprints, ideal for calculating painting surface areas and costs.

Overall Rating8.6/10
Features
9.2/10
Ease of Use
7.4/10
Value
8.1/10
Standout Feature

Point-and-click digital takeoff that automatically calculates square footage, perimeters, and volumes with drag-and-drop assemblies

PlanSwift is a robust digital takeoff and estimating software designed for construction professionals, including painting contractors, enabling precise measurements of areas and lengths directly from PDF plans, blueprints, and CAD files. It allows users to build custom assemblies for painting jobs, calculating material needs like paint gallons based on coverage rates, labor hours, and associated costs. The software generates detailed bids, reports, and integrates with accounting tools like QuickBooks for seamless workflows.

Pros

  • Exceptionally accurate digital takeoff tools for measuring walls, ceilings, and trim from plans
  • Customizable assemblies tailored for painting estimates including paint quantities and labor
  • Strong reporting and QuickBooks integration for professional bid generation

Cons

  • Steep learning curve requires significant training time
  • Desktop-only (Windows), lacking mobile or cloud access
  • High upfront cost with ongoing maintenance fees

Best For

Mid-to-large painting contractors who frequently work with digital blueprints and need precise, scalable estimating for complex jobs.

Pricing

One-time license starting at $1,595 for standard edition, plus optional annual support around $300–$500.

Visit PlanSwiftplanswift.com
4
Bluebeam Revu logo

Bluebeam Revu

specialized

Offers PDF-based takeoff and estimating tools for precise measurements and quantity takeoffs in painting projects.

Overall Rating8.2/10
Features
9.1/10
Ease of Use
7.4/10
Value
7.8/10
Standout Feature

Dynamic measurement tools with automatic scaling, layering, and real-time quantity summaries for precise paint area calculations

Bluebeam Revu is a powerful PDF editor and markup tool designed for construction professionals, enabling painting contractors to perform precise digital takeoffs, area measurements, and quantity extractions from blueprints. It supports custom toolsets for painting-specific annotations like surface types and layers, with seamless export to Excel for cost estimating. While excelling in pre-estimate documentation and measurement accuracy, it lacks native pricing databases or full job management features typical of dedicated estimating software.

Pros

  • Exceptional accuracy in digital measurements and area takeoffs from PDFs
  • Customizable toolsets and symbols tailored for painting workflows
  • Seamless integration with Excel via Quantity Link for quick estimating exports

Cons

  • Steep learning curve for advanced takeoff and scripting features
  • No built-in material/labor cost databases or painting-specific pricing tools
  • Higher cost may not justify for small contractors without heavy PDF usage

Best For

Mid-sized painting contractors who rely on digital blueprints for detailed takeoffs and integrate with external spreadsheets for full estimates.

Pricing

Annual subscriptions from $239/user (Essentials) to $549/user (Complete); perpetual licenses available starting at $349.

5
Jobber logo

Jobber

other

Streamlines job estimating, scheduling, and invoicing for painting contractors and other home service businesses.

Overall Rating7.8/10
Features
7.5/10
Ease of Use
8.7/10
Value
7.9/10
Standout Feature

Client Hub for self-service quote approvals, signatures, and payments without needing additional tools

Jobber is an all-in-one field service management software tailored for small to medium-sized home service businesses, including painting contractors, offering tools for quoting, scheduling, invoicing, and client management. It enables painting contractors to create professional estimates with customizable templates, track jobs from quote to completion, and handle payments seamlessly. While versatile for general operations, its estimating features are more basic compared to specialized painting software, focusing on quick quoting rather than detailed takeoffs or material calculations.

Pros

  • Intuitive interface with mobile app for on-site estimating and job management
  • Seamless workflow from quote to invoice and payment collection
  • Strong customer hub for client approvals and communication

Cons

  • Limited advanced estimating tools like automated paint calculations or digital takeoffs
  • Pricing scales quickly for teams with multiple users
  • Reporting lacks depth for complex project cost analysis

Best For

Small painting contractors or solo operators seeking an easy-to-use, all-in-one platform for basic estimating integrated with daily business operations.

Pricing

Starts at $69/month (Core plan, 1 user) up to $349+/month (Plus plan for teams); annual discounts available, free trial offered.

Visit Jobbergetjobber.com
6
Housecall Pro logo

Housecall Pro

other

Manages field service operations including quick estimating and quoting for painting and similar trades.

Overall Rating7.8/10
Features
7.2/10
Ease of Use
8.5/10
Value
7.0/10
Standout Feature

Real-time GPS dispatching that links directly to estimates for seamless job assignment and tracking

Housecall Pro is a comprehensive field service management software tailored for home service businesses like painting contractors, providing tools for scheduling, dispatching, invoicing, and estimating. It enables users to create customizable estimates on mobile devices with line items, photos, measurements, and digital signatures, which can be sent instantly via text or email. The platform integrates estimating seamlessly with job management and payments, though it lacks specialized painting-specific calculators for paint coverage or material takeoffs.

Pros

  • All-in-one platform combining estimating with scheduling, invoicing, and payments
  • Mobile-first design for on-site estimate creation with photos and signatures
  • Strong integrations including QuickBooks for easy accounting sync

Cons

  • No built-in painting-specific tools like automated square footage or paint quantity calculators
  • Pricing scales quickly with users, less ideal for solo painters focused only on estimating
  • Advanced features have a moderate learning curve

Best For

Painting contractors seeking a full business management suite with solid general estimating capabilities rather than niche takeoff software.

Pricing

Starts at $65/month (Essentials, 1 user), up to $229+/month (Max plan) billed annually; additional users $25-$65/month each.

Visit Housecall Prohousecallpro.com
7
Stack logo

Stack

specialized

Provides cloud-based takeoff and estimating with AI assistance for construction projects including painting.

Overall Rating7.2/10
Features
7.5/10
Ease of Use
8.0/10
Value
6.8/10
Standout Feature

Patented StackAI for instant, accurate detection and measurement of walls, ceilings, and surfaces from uploaded plans or photos

Stack (stackct.com) is a cloud-based takeoff and estimating software primarily designed for construction trades like roofing and siding, using AI to automate measurements from PDFs, images, and site photos. For painting contractors, it excels in calculating surface areas, linear footage for trim, and volumes needed for paint quantity estimates. While customizable assemblies allow adaptation for painting bids, it lacks deep specialization in paint-specific materials or labor databases compared to niche tools.

Pros

  • AI-driven automated takeoffs for quick area and linear measurements essential for painting estimates
  • Cloud collaboration and mobile app for on-site verification
  • Customizable assemblies and integrations with QuickBooks for bidding workflows

Cons

  • No built-in painting material libraries or pre-configured paint calculators
  • Pricing is steep for smaller painting operations without heavy takeoff needs
  • Steeper learning curve for non-roofing users adapting to painting workflows

Best For

Mid-sized painting contractors managing complex residential or commercial projects that require precise digital takeoffs from plans.

Pricing

Starts at $149/user/month for Pro plan; scales to $299+ for Business/Enterprise with advanced AI and unlimited projects.

Visit Stackstackct.com
8
ServiceTitan logo

ServiceTitan

enterprise

Powers enterprise-level estimating, dispatching, and CRM for high-volume painting contractor operations.

Overall Rating7.8/10
Features
8.5/10
Ease of Use
6.5/10
Value
7.0/10
Standout Feature

Real-time profitability tracking tied directly to estimates, allowing instant adjustments for optimal margins

ServiceTitan is an enterprise-grade field service management platform that provides painting contractors with robust estimating, quoting, and job costing tools through its customizable pricebook system. It enables quick creation of detailed estimates based on flat rates, labor, materials, and room-specific pricing, integrating seamlessly with scheduling, dispatching, and invoicing. While powerful for scaling operations, it's more of a full-business suite than a standalone estimating tool, helping contractors track profitability in real-time.

Pros

  • Comprehensive all-in-one platform integrating estimating with CRM, scheduling, and payments
  • Dynamic pricebook for accurate, customizable painting estimates with material and labor breakdowns
  • Real-time job costing and profitability insights to optimize bids

Cons

  • Expensive pricing model unsuitable for small painting crews
  • Steep learning curve and lengthy onboarding process
  • Lacks advanced painting-specific features like digital takeoffs or 3D visualizations found in niche tools

Best For

Mid-to-large painting contractors needing end-to-end business management with reliable estimating capabilities.

Pricing

Custom enterprise pricing starts at ~$265/user/month (minimum 5-10 users), plus setup fees and add-ons; quotes required.

Visit ServiceTitanservicetitan.com
9
ProEst logo

ProEst

enterprise

Automates construction cost estimating with databases adaptable for painting labor and material pricing.

Overall Rating8.1/10
Features
8.5/10
Ease of Use
7.4/10
Value
7.7/10
Standout Feature

Visual Item Database with over 21,000 pre-loaded construction items, easily customizable for painting materials and labor rates

ProEst is a cloud-based construction estimating software designed for accurate digital takeoffs, detailed cost estimating, and bid management, adaptable for painting contractors through customizable assemblies for paint, labor, and surface prep. It features a visual database of over 21,000 items, formula-based estimating, and integrations with accounting systems like QuickBooks. While powerful for commercial projects, it requires setup for painting-specific workflows like linear footage or square coverage calculations.

Pros

  • Robust digital takeoff tools with precise quantity calculations for painting surfaces
  • Extensive customizable cost database and pre-built assemblies speeding up estimates
  • Seamless integrations with project management and accounting software

Cons

  • Steep learning curve for non-construction experts tailoring it to painting
  • Higher cost may not suit small residential painting firms
  • Lacks niche painting-specific templates compared to specialized tools

Best For

Mid-sized painting contractors managing commercial projects who need scalable, enterprise-grade estimating with takeoff capabilities.

Pricing

Quote-based pricing, typically starting at $5,000-$10,000 annually depending on users and modules; no public tiers.

Visit ProEstproest.com
10
Buildertrend logo

Buildertrend

enterprise

Integrates project estimating, budgeting, and management features suitable for painting subcontractors.

Overall Rating7.2/10
Features
7.5/10
Ease of Use
6.8/10
Value
6.5/10
Standout Feature

Seamless integration of estimates directly into dynamic project schedules and change order tracking

Buildertrend is a comprehensive construction management platform that includes robust estimating tools tailored for contractors, including painting professionals, allowing for detailed takeoffs, cost databases, and customizable assemblies. It integrates estimating seamlessly with scheduling, invoicing, and client portals, enabling end-to-end project management. While versatile for general construction, its estimating features require customization for painting-specific needs like surface area calculations and paint quantity predictions.

Pros

  • All-in-one platform integrating estimating with scheduling and invoicing
  • Cloud-based takeoff tools with real-time collaboration
  • Strong mobile app for on-site estimate adjustments

Cons

  • Steep learning curve for non-general contractors
  • Higher pricing not ideal for small painting crews
  • Lacks built-in painting-specific calculators like automated paint volume estimators

Best For

Painting contractors managing multiple projects who need integrated project management alongside estimating.

Pricing

Starts at $99/month for basic solo plans, $299+/month for teams, with custom enterprise pricing.

Visit Buildertrendbuildertrend.com

Conclusion

After examining the top 10 painting contractor estimating tools, PaintScout emerges as the clear leader, providing fast, mobile-friendly estimating and tailored professional proposals that directly meet the needs of painting contractors. Estimator360 follows with accurate, preloaded material databases, while PlanSwift excels at digital takeoff and surface area calculations, ensuring detailed cost projections. Each tool has unique strengths, but the right choice depends on priorities, with all offering robust solutions to streamline estimating workflows.

PaintScout logo
Our Top Pick
PaintScout

Don’t miss out on PaintScout—start using its intuitive, contractor-focused features today to simplify estimating, create polished proposals, and boost your efficiency in a competitive market.