Protecting your equipment, structural steel, and infrastructure is a long-term endeavour. One of your best tools? Protective coating services. However, one of the first questions we are always asked is, “How much does a protective coating cost?” Fair enough, too. As a business owner, you want to know what’s coming out of your pocket and why.
The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all price for protective coatings in New Zealand, and anyone who says differently is likely trying to sell you something. Pricing varies from job to job, depending on several key factors, which we will outline below.
1. What Are You Coating?
In this case, size matters, and so does the substrate material that we are working with. Steel, aluminium, and concrete (as well as other substrates) all have their own preparation and application requirements that can vary in terms of time or equipment needed.
Larger and more intricate items, such as complex machinery or large beams with multiple angles, will likely require more time and product to prepare and coat properly. As a general rule of thumb? The more complex the geometry, the longer the job.
2. Surface Preparation
Surface preparation is a must-have when it comes to protective coating services, so when you’re asking, “How much does protective coating cost?”, what you’re asking is how much both protective coating and appropriate surface preparation cost.
This piece of work can be up to 30-50% of your total project cost. Why? Because a coating is only as good as the surface it sticks to. Abrasive blasting is our go-to method of choice, which is excellent at preparing a variety of surfaces to take new coats. Your cost can shift slightly depending on which abrasive blasting material we have to use, which can include:
- Garnet
- Steel grit
- Sand
- Vapour
We generally recommend investing in great surface preparation rather than trying to skip this step as a way to save money. The better your surface, the longer your coating will last, and the more money you’ll save in the long run.
3. The Type of Coating System
There are a variety of different coating formulations or ‘systems’ you’ll have to choose from, although it’s usually best to leave the selection to your blasting and coating specialist. Each system has its own performance specifications, application methods, and drying times to account for, all of which can have a slight impact on labour and material costs.
This is particularly true for speciality coatings, such as those used for marine environments, which often require a vessel to be dry-docked before application and can take a little longer to cure.
4. Quantity and Repetition
If you have a large batch of items or a swathe of machinery that will need the same coating, you are in luck. Preparing and coating multiple items using the same process can be a way to reduce the cost of protective coating services, but only if you’re working with a company that offers bulk discounts. The time savings are also massive, as you don’t have to rotate your team off-site to allow safe room for the blasting and coating multiple times over.
Don’t take this as gospel, though. Each company’s approach is unique, so make sure to reach out for a quote with the full details of your scope of work to get the most accurate financial picture.
5. Compliance and Certification
Finally, you might need your project to meet a specific industry standard or specification. When asking, “how much does protective coating cost?”, it’s important to loop this into your estimates, as the quality assurance and inspections can bring some additional costs with them.
Protective coating services for NZTA or food-grade environments have much tighter tolerances than you might see in a workshop or marine facility, and it takes a bit more admin to get those regulatory requirements in line.
Let’s Talk Ballpark Figures:
While every job is different, the graph below represents our rough estimates across various industry verticals to give you a general idea of what to expect.
| Service Type | Approx. Cost (NZD) |
| Abrasive blasting (per m²) | $22.50 – $60+ |
| Basic epoxy coating (per m²) | $28 – $90+ |
| High-performance coatings (per m²) | $80 – $150+ |
| On-site work (day rate) | $1,000 – $2,500+ |
You’ll likely pay a day rate for the on-site team, and then pay equipment or material costs on top of that to find the full figure. Remember to take this with a grain of salt. These figures are indicative only; all companies vary, and the best way to obtain an accurate price is to contact us so we can provide a tailored quote.
So, how much does protective coating cost? As you can see, there isn’t a quick answer. Protective coating services are as variable as the industries they serve, so while it’s tempting to focus solely on upfront costs, it pays to look at the bigger picture.
Weighing your options? Talk to Hamilton Blast & Paint.
After years of providing protective coating services to businesses in and around the Hamilton area, our team is ready to point you in the right direction.
Get in touch with us for a free consultation and a clear, detailed quote on your surface preparation and coating today.