Resources for NZ Painting Businesses
Running a painting business involves more than the work itself. Quoting, scheduling, invoicing, compliance, and accounting all take time. This page collects tools and resources that FindPainters painters have found useful, covering the operational side of running a residential painting business in New Zealand.
FindPainters app
FP LeadFlow — Your FindPainters Lead App
FP LeadFlow is FindPainters' own app for painters in the network. Install it on your phone as a PWA and manage all your FindPainters leads and performance stats in one place.
What FP LeadFlow does
Lead inbox
See new leads as they arrive with job type, location, and contact details.
Job pipeline
Track every lead from first contact through to quoted, won, or lost.
Status updates
Update job status and add notes directly from your phone.
Performance stats
Leads received, jobs won, win rate, pipeline value, and ROI at a glance.
Job management and quoting
Automate The Trades
Getting quotes out fast and keeping jobs organised after the lead arrives is one of the biggest workflow challenges for growing painting businesses.
Automate The Trades
FindPainters partner — 50% off first 3 monthsQuoting, job management, contractor coordination, and invoicing for NZ painting businesses. NZ painter rates pre-loaded. An AI assistant that builds quotes from a conversation. Xero integration throughout.
Pricing: From $99/month for quoting only. $199/month for full job and contractor management. 14-day free trial, no credit card required.
FindPainters receives a referral fee if you sign up through the link above.
Accounting
Xero
Most NZ painting businesses use Xero for accounting. It handles GST returns, invoicing, bank reconciliation, and connects with job management tools including ATT. If you are not already using accounting software, Xero is the standard starting point for a trade business in New Zealand.
Xero — Cloud accounting for NZ businesses
Handles GST filing directly to IRD, bank feeds, invoicing, and payroll. Connects with ATT and most other trade job management tools. Plans from around $35/month.
Industry associations
Master Painters New Zealand
Joining a professional industry association provides access to certification, insurance guidance, and credibility signals that help you win more residential work. Homeowners increasingly check for trade association membership before hiring.
Master Painters New Zealand
NZ's primary painting industry association. Membership provides training, certification, industry representation, and a member directory homeowners use to find vetted painters.
Health and safety
Working at height
Painting work frequently involves working at height, which is subject to specific legal requirements under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. Understanding your obligations protects your business and your team.
WorkSafe NZ — Working at height
Official guidance covering scaffolding requirements, edge protection, ladder use, and PCBU obligations for painting contractors.
IRD and business setup
Tax and GST for painters
If you are setting up a painting business or managing GST and tax obligations as a sole trader or company, these IRD resources cover the essentials.
IRD — Starting a business
Registering for GST, income tax for sole traders and companies, employer obligations, and using myIR. GST registration is compulsory once turnover exceeds $60,000 in a 12-month period.
IRD — GST for businesses
GST filing, payment dates, and how to claim GST on business expenses including materials, tools, and vehicle costs.
FindPainters painter guides