Builder quoting app.
Quotes in under 30 seconds
Describe the build or upload a plan, and the AI breaks it down by trade with materials, labour and margin in NZD at current New Zealand rates, with 15% GST already in the total.
Plans from A$29/mo · 7-day free trial, no credit card
What to put on the quote
- Removing an internal wall is exempt from building consent only if it is not load-bearing, not bracing, not a firewall, not part of a specified system and not masonrySource: Building Act 2004 Schedule 1 cl 11
- Altering primary structure, such as a load-bearing wall, is restricted building work: done or supervised by a Licensed Building Practitioner, who gives a Record of Work on completion of consented workSource: Building (Definition of Restricted Building Work) Order 2011 cl 5; Building Act 2004 ss84, 88
- Residential building work of NZ$30,000 or more (incl GST) needs a written, dated contract, plus the prescribed disclosure statement and checklist given firstSource: Building Act 2004 ss362D, 362F; Building (Residential Consumer Rights and Remedies) Regulations 2014 reg 4
- Implied warranties apply to all residential building work, written or oral, and defects notified within 12 months of completion must be remedied within a reasonable timeSource: Building Act 2004 ss362H–362I, 362Q
- Your GST number, with 15% GST shown; for jobs over NZ$200 the GST number is required on the taxable supply informationSource: IRD, taxable supply information and GST rate (ird.govt.nz)
Typical rates
Estimates to sanity-check your own pricing, not quotes.
| Item | Range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Builder / LBP labour, per hour | NZ$81–$114 national average (Auckland NZ$90–$130, Invercargill NZ$70–$100); labour only, ex GST | TradieTools NZ 2026 rates (directory estimate) |
| Builder labour, per hour (cross-check) | NZ$65–$110 plus GST | Unicorns NZ builder cost guide, 2026 (directory estimate) |
| Builder labour by region | Auckland NZ$80–$125+ · Wellington NZ$75–$115 · Christchurch NZ$70–$105 · Queenstown NZ$85–$130 | Made 4 Tradies builder hourly rate 2026 (estimate; GST not stated) |
| Non-load-bearing partition removal | NZ$1,500–$4,000 | Add Value Renovations, Auckland, Jun 2026 (one business's estimate; GST not stated) |
| Load-bearing wall with timber or LVL beam, including consent | NZ$8,000–$18,000 | Add Value Renovations, Auckland, Jun 2026 (one business's estimate; GST not stated) |
| Load-bearing wall with steel beam or two-storey load | NZ$15,000–$30,000+ | Add Value Renovations, Auckland, Jun 2026 (one business's estimate; GST not stated) |
What's the best quoting app for builders in New Zealand?
Insta Quotes is an AI quoting app for New Zealand and Australian builders that turns a job description into an itemised, GST-ready quote in under 30 seconds; plans start at $29 AUD a month, billed in AUD even in New Zealand. A sample Insta Quotes builder quote itemises the job into consent, structure, deck, joinery, weathertight and labour lines.
How much does Insta Quotes cost for a builder in New Zealand?
Insta Quotes plans are billed in AUD: Tier 1 $29 AUD, Tier 2 $59 AUD and Tier 3 $99 AUD a month. New accounts start with a free 7-day trial, capped at 7 quotes in total rather than per month, with no credit card required, so builders in New Zealand can quote before paying.
How much should a builder charge per hour in New Zealand?
Builder / LBP labour, per hour in New Zealand: NZ$81–$114 national average (Auckland NZ$90–$130, Invercargill NZ$70–$100); labour only, ex GST (source: TradieTools NZ 2026 rates (directory estimate)). Rates vary by city and experience, so in Insta Quotes you set your own hourly rate and every quote is priced from it.
Is there a building quote template for New Zealand?
Yes. Our New Zealand builders quote template guide walks through the layout, from trade-by-trade lines to exclusions. In Insta Quotes the AI fills it in from a description of the build, priced in NZD with 15% GST as its own line and your GST number in the header, and every plan exports it as a PDF or Word document.
How do I write a builder's quote?
Group the work by stage or trade, give each line its materials and labour, then add 15% GST separately. Put payment terms in the notes, list exclusions such as consent fees if you're not covering them, and set an expiry date. Insta Quotes drafts that structure from a one-line description, so you check numbers rather than type them.
Can I quote a building job from plans?
Yes, on Tier 2 and Tier 3. Upload a PDF plan or scope and the AI drafts a line-item quote grouped by trade; check every quantity against the plan before you send it. Tier 1 quotes from a typed description. Your hourly rate and materials markup apply either way.
Where does my LBP number go on a quote?
In the Notes & Payment Terms box on each quote. Insta Quotes prints your business name, contact details and GST number in the header automatically; your licence number and class go in the notes so the client sees them before accepting. On Tier 2 and Tier 3, saved templates spare you retyping common line items.
Can I invoice a building job in progress stages?
Yes, on Tier 2 and Tier 3. When the client accepts, convert the quote into an invoice without retyping, then split it into percentage stages and bill each one as the work is done, in NZD with 15% GST. On Tier 1 the accepted quote converts into a single invoice.