Production rates — the 8-step speed system
Every paintable surface has a speed — how many m² per hour a painter can cover it. Surfacely starts every surface on one of 8 speed steps covering everything from intricate heritage work to high-volume new-build work. Each step has a single locale-appropriate rate in m²/hr that you control — and when none of the eight fits a surface, tap Slower or Faster on that surface to set its own rate. The eight steps are starting points, not a limit; a rate you set is stored on that surface alone.
The 8 steps
- Intricate — heritage mouldings, fine cutting in
- Detailed — panels, multi-sided elements, lots of cutting in
- Careful — average complexity, some cutting in
- Steady — standard repaint, good conditions (typical default)
- Efficient — open areas, minimal cutting in
- Open — large surfaces with good access
- Rapid — repetitive surfaces, typical for spray
- High-volume — empty new-build shells, typical for new-build spray
How to set your rates
In Pricing & rates → Advanced pricing → How fast your crew paints, you'll see 8 rate boxes in m²/hr. The defaults are sensible starting points for your locale, but calibrate them to your crew — a fast team paints faster, a meticulous team moves slower, and the right rate is yours, not the industry average.
Step IS the rate
There's no hidden multiplier, no "difficulty factor". The step you pick is the rate used. This is deliberate — it means you always know exactly what rate is being used and why.
Why it matters: under-estimating hours is the number-one way painters lose money. The 8-step system makes you think concretely about how this particular surface, in this particular condition, will actually work — no more defaulting to "average" and losing a day.
After your first 3 jobs with Surfacely, review the actual hours vs quoted hours. If you're consistently over, your rates are too optimistic. If you're consistently under, you're leaving money on the table. Adjust the 8 numbers and every future quote gets more accurate.