Quick Overview
- 1#1: PaintScout - Provides fast, professional painting estimates, proposals, and scheduling tailored specifically for painting contractors.
- 2#2: Stack - Offers lightning-fast digital takeoffs and estimating with pre-built painting templates for accurate job costing.
- 3#3: Jobber - Streamlines estimating, scheduling, invoicing, and payments for painting and home service businesses.
- 4#4: Housecall Pro - Delivers mobile estimating, dispatching, and invoicing tools optimized for field service pros including painters.
- 5#5: PlanSwift - Enables precise digital plan takeoffs and automated estimating assemblies for painting projects.
- 6#6: Bluebeam Revu - Facilitates PDF-based takeoffs, measurements, and collaborative estimating for construction including painting.
- 7#7: Buildertrend - Manages comprehensive construction estimating, budgeting, and project tracking suitable for painting jobs.
- 8#8: ServiceTitan - Powers enterprise-level estimating, dispatching, and profitability tracking for large painting companies.
- 9#9: Procore - Provides cloud-based estimating and bidding tools integrated with full construction project management.
- 10#10: Sage Estimating - Offers robust, database-driven estimating software for detailed construction cost analysis including painting.
Tools were evaluated based on features like precise takeoffs, customizable templates, integration capabilities, and user experience, ensuring they balance functionality with accessibility for small to large painting businesses.
Comparison Table
Painting estimating software streamlines project planning, from material quantities to cost projections, aiding contractors in boosting efficiency and precision. This comparison table examines key features, usability, and industry fit for tools like PaintScout, Stack, Jobber, Housecall Pro, PlanSwift, and more, helping readers identify the best option for their business needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PaintScout Provides fast, professional painting estimates, proposals, and scheduling tailored specifically for painting contractors. | specialized | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 2 | Stack Offers lightning-fast digital takeoffs and estimating with pre-built painting templates for accurate job costing. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 3 | Jobber Streamlines estimating, scheduling, invoicing, and payments for painting and home service businesses. | other | 8.2/10 | 7.9/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 4 | Housecall Pro Delivers mobile estimating, dispatching, and invoicing tools optimized for field service pros including painters. | other | 8.1/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.6/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 5 | PlanSwift Enables precise digital plan takeoffs and automated estimating assemblies for painting projects. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | Bluebeam Revu Facilitates PDF-based takeoffs, measurements, and collaborative estimating for construction including painting. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.3/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 7 | Buildertrend Manages comprehensive construction estimating, budgeting, and project tracking suitable for painting jobs. | enterprise | 7.6/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.5/10 | 6.8/10 |
| 8 | ServiceTitan Powers enterprise-level estimating, dispatching, and profitability tracking for large painting companies. | enterprise | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.7/10 | 6.4/10 |
| 9 | Procore Provides cloud-based estimating and bidding tools integrated with full construction project management. | enterprise | 7.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 6.5/10 | 6.7/10 |
| 10 | Sage Estimating Offers robust, database-driven estimating software for detailed construction cost analysis including painting. | enterprise | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 6.2/10 | 6.9/10 |
Provides fast, professional painting estimates, proposals, and scheduling tailored specifically for painting contractors.
Offers lightning-fast digital takeoffs and estimating with pre-built painting templates for accurate job costing.
Streamlines estimating, scheduling, invoicing, and payments for painting and home service businesses.
Delivers mobile estimating, dispatching, and invoicing tools optimized for field service pros including painters.
Enables precise digital plan takeoffs and automated estimating assemblies for painting projects.
Facilitates PDF-based takeoffs, measurements, and collaborative estimating for construction including painting.
Manages comprehensive construction estimating, budgeting, and project tracking suitable for painting jobs.
Powers enterprise-level estimating, dispatching, and profitability tracking for large painting companies.
Provides cloud-based estimating and bidding tools integrated with full construction project management.
Offers robust, database-driven estimating software for detailed construction cost analysis including painting.
PaintScout
specializedProvides fast, professional painting estimates, proposals, and scheduling tailored specifically for painting contractors.
Interactive client proposals with room-by-room visuals, pricing breakdowns, and one-click approvals
PaintScout is a cloud-based estimating software tailored specifically for painting contractors, enabling users to create professional, accurate bids in minutes using room-by-room takeoffs and automated calculations for paint, materials, and labor. It generates interactive, branded proposals that clients can view, approve, or modify online via a client portal. Beyond estimating, it offers job management, scheduling, invoicing, and QuickBooks integration to streamline the entire project workflow from bid to completion.
Pros
- Industry-specific tools like precise paint calculators and room-by-room estimating save significant time
- Interactive client proposals boost win rates with digital approvals and change requests
- Seamless mobile app and integrations with QuickBooks/Xero for on-the-go management
Cons
- Limited customization for non-painting trades
- Steeper pricing for solo painters compared to general tools
- Occasional glitches in mobile photo uploads reported by users
Best For
Painting contractors and estimators seeking a specialized, all-in-one platform to produce winning bids and manage jobs efficiently.
Pricing
Starts at $39/user/month (Basic), $79/user/month (Pro), with custom Enterprise plans; 14-day free trial available.
Stack
specializedOffers lightning-fast digital takeoffs and estimating with pre-built painting templates for accurate job costing.
Keyboard-only takeoff workflow that enables estimators to measure painting surfaces 5-10x faster than traditional methods
Stack (stackct.com) is a cloud-based takeoff and estimating platform designed for construction professionals, including painting contractors, enabling rapid digital measurements from PDFs, images, and CAD files. It supports precise area, linear, and count takeoffs essential for calculating paint quantities, labor, and materials on walls, ceilings, and trim. The software streamlines bid creation with customizable assemblies, real-time collaboration, and integrations with tools like QuickBooks and Procore.
Pros
- Lightning-fast keyboard-driven takeoffs for quick painting quantity calculations
- Robust customizable estimating assemblies tailored to painting scopes
- Seamless cloud collaboration and mobile access for field teams
Cons
- Steep initial learning curve for keyboard shortcuts and advanced workflows
- Pricing may be high for small painting businesses with few projects
- Fewer pre-built painting-specific templates compared to niche tools
Best For
Mid-sized painting contractors managing multiple projects who prioritize speed and team collaboration in estimating.
Pricing
Annual plans start at $2,499 for Essentials (1 user), $3,999 for Pro (unlimited users), with Enterprise custom pricing.
Jobber
otherStreamlines estimating, scheduling, invoicing, and payments for painting and home service businesses.
One-click conversion of estimates to scheduled jobs with automated client follow-ups
Jobber is a comprehensive field service management platform tailored for small businesses like painting contractors, enabling quick creation of professional estimates with customizable templates, line items for labor, materials, and markups. It integrates estimating seamlessly with scheduling, invoicing, and client communication, allowing painters to generate quotes on-site via mobile app and convert them directly to jobs. While not exclusively painting-focused, it supports accurate cost tracking and automates workflows to reduce manual errors in the estimating process.
Pros
- Intuitive quote builder with templates, photos, and e-signatures for professional painting estimates
- Seamless integration of estimates into scheduling, invoicing, and payments
- Strong mobile app for on-site estimating and job management
Cons
- Lacks advanced painting-specific tools like automated square footage paint calculators or color matching integrations
- Higher pricing tiers required for full features like unlimited users and advanced reporting
- Customization for complex multi-phase painting projects can feel limited
Best For
Small to medium painting businesses seeking an all-in-one solution for estimating alongside full operations management.
Pricing
Starts at $49/month (Lite, annual billing) for basic quoting; Core ($119/month), Connect ($219/month), and Grow ($349/month) for advanced features.
Housecall Pro
otherDelivers mobile estimating, dispatching, and invoicing tools optimized for field service pros including painters.
One-click conversion of approved estimates into scheduled jobs with automated dispatching and GPS tracking
Housecall Pro is a comprehensive field service management platform that includes estimating tools tailored for painting contractors and other home service pros. It enables quick creation of professional estimates using customizable templates, pricing books, and line-item details, with options for photos and signatures. The software stands out by integrating estimates directly into scheduling, dispatching, invoicing, and payments, streamlining the entire job workflow from quote to cash.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile app for on-site estimate creation and customer approvals
- Seamless integration with scheduling, invoicing, and QuickBooks
- Customizable pricing books and templates for accurate painting job quotes
Cons
- Lacks specialized painting calculators for square footage, paint quantities, or wall measurements
- Pricing can be steep for businesses only needing estimating without full-suite features
- Advanced customization requires time to set up effectively
Best For
Painting contractors seeking an all-in-one platform that combines estimating with scheduling, dispatching, and billing for small to mid-sized teams.
Pricing
Starts at $49/user/month (Basic, billed annually) up to $229/user/month (Max); includes free trial.
PlanSwift
specializedEnables precise digital plan takeoffs and automated estimating assemblies for painting projects.
Point-and-click takeoff tools that allow instant area, length, and volume measurements directly from imported PDF blueprints
PlanSwift is a robust digital takeoff and estimating software tailored for construction trades, including painting, enabling users to import PDF or scanned plans and perform precise point-and-click measurements of areas, lengths, and counts. For painting estimators, it calculates square footage for walls, ceilings, doors, and trim, while supporting custom assemblies to apply paint coverage rates, labor, and material costs. It integrates with Excel and accounting tools for streamlined bid generation and job costing.
Pros
- Extremely fast and accurate digital takeoffs from PDF plans
- Customizable assemblies for painting-specific calculations like coverage and coats
- Strong integrations with Excel, QuickBooks, and other estimating tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve, especially for non-technical users
- Lacks built-in painting databases for paints, primers, or brand-specific data
- High upfront one-time cost without a free tier
Best For
Mid-to-large painting contractors who perform detailed takeoffs from digital blueprints and need customizable estimating assemblies.
Pricing
One-time license starting at $1,595 per user, plus optional annual maintenance fee of about $319.
Bluebeam Revu
specializedFacilitates PDF-based takeoffs, measurements, and collaborative estimating for construction including painting.
Dynamic scaling and multi-measurement tools that automatically adjust to PDF zoom and handle complex, irregular surfaces with high accuracy
Bluebeam Revu is a powerful PDF-based markup and takeoff software tailored for the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, allowing users to measure quantities directly from digital blueprints. For painting estimating, it provides precise area, length, and volume measurements for walls, ceilings, and surfaces, with customizable markups and exportable quantity data to spreadsheets. While versatile for general construction takeoffs, it requires manual setup for painting-specific calculations like multi-coat adjustments or waste factors.
Pros
- Highly accurate measurement tools calibrated to PDF scale for precise surface area takeoffs
- Customizable quantity columns and assemblies for painting-specific calculations
- Seamless integration with Excel via Quantity Link for dynamic estimating reports
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners due to extensive feature set
- Lacks built-in painting-specific features like automated coat calculators or labor rate libraries
- Higher cost compared to dedicated estimating tools
Best For
Painting contractors and estimators who primarily work with digital blueprints and need robust takeoff capabilities integrated into broader AEC workflows.
Pricing
Subscription starts at $240/user/year (Basics), $360 (Core), $600 (Complete); perpetual licenses from $349-$899 one-time per user.
Buildertrend
enterpriseManages comprehensive construction estimating, budgeting, and project tracking suitable for painting jobs.
Automatic conversion of approved estimates into job setups with real-time cost tracking and change order management
Buildertrend is a comprehensive construction management platform with robust estimating tools that painting contractors can use for creating detailed bids, including digital takeoffs, assemblies, and cost tracking for materials like paint and labor. It integrates estimating seamlessly with scheduling, project management, invoicing, and client portals, making it suitable for end-to-end project oversight. While versatile for general construction, it requires customization for painting-specific workflows such as surface prep and multi-coat calculations.
Pros
- Strong integration of estimates with full project management and client communication
- Customizable templates and assemblies for painting takeoffs and costing
- Mobile app for on-site estimate adjustments and approvals
Cons
- Not specialized for painting, lacking pre-built formulas for coats or coverage rates
- Steep pricing and learning curve for small painting crews
- Overfeatured for users needing only estimating without full PM suite
Best For
Painting contractors managing multiple projects who want estimating integrated with scheduling, invoicing, and client portals.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing starting at $99/month for solo users, $299+/month for teams with unlimited projects, plus per-user fees.
ServiceTitan
enterprisePowers enterprise-level estimating, dispatching, and profitability tracking for large painting companies.
Real-time Profit Margin Calculator that dynamically adjusts estimates to meet target profitability
ServiceTitan is a comprehensive field service management platform that includes estimating capabilities for painting contractors, allowing for quick quote generation, job costing, and material/labor calculations. It integrates estimating with scheduling, dispatching, invoicing, and real-time profitability tracking, making it more than just an estimating tool. While versatile for service businesses, its painting-specific features rely on customizable templates rather than specialized takeoff tools.
Pros
- Robust integration of estimating with full business operations
- Real-time job costing and profitability analytics
- Mobile app for on-site estimate adjustments and approvals
Cons
- High cost not justified for estimating-only needs
- Steep learning curve and extensive setup required
- Lacks painting-specific tools like automated area takeoffs
Best For
Mid-to-large painting companies seeking an all-in-one platform for operations beyond just estimating.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically starting at $265+ per user/month with annual contracts and minimum user requirements.
Procore
enterpriseProvides cloud-based estimating and bidding tools integrated with full construction project management.
Seamless end-to-end integration linking estimates directly to job costing, change orders, and real-time project financials
Procore is a robust cloud-based construction management platform that includes estimating tools for creating detailed bids and cost projections, suitable for painting contractors handling takeoffs, material lists, and labor calculations. It integrates estimating with broader project management features like scheduling, budgeting, and collaboration. While versatile for general construction, it requires customization for painting-specific needs such as paint quantity calculators.
Pros
- Comprehensive integration with project management, RFIs, and financial tracking
- Cloud-based with strong mobile app for on-site estimating adjustments
- Extensive library of assemblies and historical data for accurate bids
Cons
- Not specialized for painting with no built-in paint-specific calculators or templates
- Steep learning curve and complex interface for new users
- Expensive pricing model unsuitable for small painting firms
Best For
Mid-to-large painting contractors needing an all-in-one platform that combines estimating with full project management.
Pricing
Quote-based enterprise pricing, typically $500-$800 per user per month depending on modules and company size.
Sage Estimating
enterpriseOffers robust, database-driven estimating software for detailed construction cost analysis including painting.
Visual Assembler with thousands of industry-standard painting assemblies and real-time cost updates from trusted sources
Sage Estimating is a comprehensive construction management software suite designed for accurate cost estimation across various trades, including painting, through digital takeoffs, customizable assemblies, and real-time pricing data. For painting contractors, it supports detailed breakdowns of surface preparation, material calculations for paints and coatings, labor rates, and equipment costs. It excels in handling complex, multi-trade bids and integrates with Sage accounting tools for seamless project lifecycle management.
Pros
- Extensive pre-built assemblies and national cost databases tailored for painting tasks like priming and multi-coat applications
- Powerful digital takeoff from PDFs and CAD files for precise square footage calculations
- Seamless integration with Sage 300 accounting for end-to-end workflow
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex interface requiring extensive training
- High cost structure better suited for enterprise users than small painting firms
- Less intuitive for painting-specific workflows without customization
Best For
Mid-to-large painting contractors managing complex commercial projects that need robust integration with construction accounting systems.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically $5,000–$15,000 annually per user depending on modules, with additional fees for training and cloud hosting.
Conclusion
Among the top painting estimating tools, the top three shine with distinct strengths: PaintScout leads with its focus on contractor-specific estimating, proposals, and scheduling; Stack impresses with rapid digital takeoffs and pre-built painting templates; and Jobber streamlines end-to-end operations from estimating to payments. Ultimately, PaintScout stands as the top choice, offering a specialized mix of speed and professionalism tailored for painting work. That said, Stack and Jobber are excellent alternatives, with Stack excelling in cost accuracy and Jobber fitting well for businesses needing a unified workflow for estimating and customer management.
Don’t wait—elevate your estimating process with PaintScout, the top-ranked tool, and experience the efficiency it brings to your contracting business.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison