Gypsum board and framing
see drywall estimating Drywall estimating →
Division 09, Finishes
Finishing Estimating Services for Interior & Exterior Finishes
Finishes are the part of the building everyone sees and the part that changes most often. The finish schedule gets revised, selections are "to be determined," and one room can have five different products on its walls, floor, and ceiling. Pricing them one trade at a time makes it easy to miss a room or a finish code.
Our finishing estimating services price the complete finishes package (walls, ceilings, floors, paint, wall coverings, tile, and specialty finishes) organized by room and finish code so it matches the way the designer specified it.
Division 09Room-by-room finishes
Excel + PDFWith marked-up drawings
ZIP-code pricedLocal material and labor rates
24 to 48 hoursTypical turnaround
Priced From the Finish Schedule, Room by Room
Interior designers and architects usually specify finishes with a code system: a room's floor is CPT-1, its base RB-2, its walls PT-3 with WC-1 on one wall, and its ceiling ACT-1. We:
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01
Read the finish schedule and legend
Read the finish schedule and legend
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02
Measure each room's floor, wall, and ceiling areas and perimeter
Measure each room's floor, wall, and ceiling areas and perimeter
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03
Assign quantities to each finish code
Assign quantities to each finish code
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04
Total by product, so every material can be priced and bought
Total by product, so every material can be priced and bought
This catches rooms missing from the schedule, codes with no specification, and finishes that appear on plans but not in the legend.
Finishes Covered
Flooring
carpet, resilient, tile, wood, resinous Flooring estimating →
Painting and coatings
Millwork and casework
Trim and finish carpentry
Ceilings, wall coverings, wall tile, and specialty finishes
below
Ceilings, Wall Coverings & Specialty Finishes
Acoustical ceilings
grid and tile by type, with perimeter trim, hangers, and seismic requirements where applicable
Specialty ceilings
wood, metal, and linear ceiling systems
Wall coverings
vinyl and fabric wall coverings, priced by linear yard or roll with pattern repeat
Wall tile
showers, restrooms, and backsplashes, with setting materials
Acoustic wall panels
fabric-wrapped and wood panels
Wall protection
corner guards, crash rails, and impact-resistant panels
FRP panels
in kitchens and back-of-house areas
Exterior Finishes
- Stucco and plaster systems
- Exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS)
- Exterior paint and coatings
- Stone and tile veneers
Siding and metal panels are covered in our thermal and moisture protection estimates. Thermal and moisture protection →
Allowances for Undecided Selections
Many projects go to bid before every finish is selected. When the schedule says "TBD" or the owner hasn't chosen a tile, we carry an allowance (a stated amount per square foot or per item) and list it separately. When the selection is made, the allowance can be replaced with real pricing. This keeps your bid honest without guessing at a product.
Protection, Cleaning & Punch
Finishes go in last and get damaged first. Estimates should account for:
- Floor protection after installation
- Protection of finished millwork and doors
- Final cleaning
- Punch list repairs and touch-up
These are often carried in the GC's general conditions; we note where they're included.
Who Uses Finishing Estimating
- General contractors pricing finishes packages
- Interior construction and tenant improvement contractors
- Remodelers and custom home builders
- Developers and owners comparing finish levels Budget estimating →
Checklist
What to Send
- Finish plans, finish schedule, and legend
- Reflected ceiling plans
- Interior elevations
- Division 09 specifications
- Selections or allowance amounts, if known
Send Your Files
Upload the drawings through our quote form, share a Google Drive or plan-room link, or email them. Large sets travel best as a shared folder.
Upload Your Plans →Or email info@primeestimation.com.
Excel + PDFWith marked-up drawings
Deliverables
What You Receive
- Quantities by finish code and room
- Totals by product
- Allowance schedule for undecided finishes
- Discrepancy list (missing rooms, undefined codes)
- Labor and material pricing
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What does finishing estimating include?
Interior finishes (drywall, flooring, paint, ceilings, wall coverings, tile, and specialty finishes) and exterior finishes such as stucco or EIFS, priced as one package.
Can you price finishes that haven't been selected yet?
Yes, as allowances you can adjust when selections are made. Single-trade takeoffs typically run $250 to $600.
Do you price by room?
Yes. Quantities follow the finish schedule room by room and are totaled by product. Single-trade takeoffs typically run $250 to $600.
Can I get just one finish trade?
Yes. See our drywall, flooring, and painting pages.
Ready to Get Started?
Price Every Room and Every Finish Code
Send your finish plans and schedule. We'll quote the estimate and delivery date.