Buildxact for Painting? There Is a Better Fit
Buildxact is built for builders; Kastrion is built for painters. A category clarification, not a feature war. No measurable search volume behind this page (audit note).
Buildxact is built for builders and full construction takeoff. Kastrion is built for painters: square metres, coats, prep and spread rates, priced on site. If painting is your business rather than one trade among many, that focus is the difference.
Who Buildxact is really for
Buildxact suits builders and renovators doing broad construction estimating, supplier purchasing and job costing. If that is your work, it is a strong fit and this page is not aimed at you.
Where painters hit friction in builder tools
Painting pricing is about surfaces, not bills of materials: how many square metres of wall and ceiling, how many coats, how much prep, and the spread rate of each product. A builder tool can be bent to do it; a painting tool does it natively.
Pricing comparison (as published)
| Item | Buildxact AU | Kastrion |
|---|---|---|
| Entry plan | Foundation $199/mo monthly · $169/mo annual (ex GST where applicable) | Free estimator + device records |
| Upper plans | Pro ~$399/mo monthly · ~$339/mo annual · Master $599/mo · $509/mo annual | QLD hosted-proposal pilot, $0 monthly |
| Users | Unlimited users on base plans | Single-device free path today |
| Core strength | Builder takeoff, POs, schedules, invoicing | Painter m² / coats / prep estimating |
Pro dollar amounts are not as prominently surfaced as Foundation/Master on Buildxact’s public page; the ~$399 / ~$339 figures match third-party listings that align with Buildxact’s stated 15% annual discount. Always confirm on Buildxact before you buy.
Try the painting-specific calculator
See how painting pricing works when the tool is built for it:
Frequently asked questions
Does Buildxact work for painters?
Buildxact can be used for painting, but it is built for builders and renovators: digital takeoffs, supplier integration, purchase orders and construction workflows. A painting-specific tool treats m², coats and prep as first-class inputs.
How much does Buildxact cost?
On Buildxact’s Australian pricing page (July 2026), Foundation is $199/mo monthly or $169/mo billed annually, and Master is $599/mo monthly or $509/mo annually (ex GST where applicable). Pro sits between them; industry listings that match Buildxact’s 15% annual discount show Pro at $399/mo monthly or about $339/mo annually ($4,070/yr). Confirm live figures before you buy — plans change.
What is the best estimating software for painters?
For painting specifically, the best fit prices by surface, square metres, coats, prep and spread rates rather than generic construction line items. Kastrion is built around that.