How to use the ppf coverage and price estimator
- Measure each panel on the actual vehicle, or take sizes from the film maker’s pattern software, and replace every placeholder dimension.
- Tick which packages include each panel, and pick the package to estimate.
- Enter the roll width, a waste and overlap allowance, and your film cost per linear foot or metre.
- Enter install hours for each package, your labour cost, overhead per job and target margin.
- Review film length, area, job cost and the suggested price.
Worked example
Full front with the placeholder panel sizes, 60 in roll, 15% waste
The ticked panels total 7,520 sq in = 52.22 sq ft; with 15% waste 60.06 sq ft of film. Cutting each piece on its own run needs 222 in, or 255.3 in with waste = 21.28 ft of roll (the perfect-nesting minimum is 12.01 ft). At an example $30 per foot the film costs $638.25; 8 hours × $60 = $480 labour; $75 overhead; cost $1,193.25. At a 45% margin the suggested price is $2,169.55. Panel sizes are placeholders, not real vehicle data.
How it works
Panel area = Σ width × length × quantity (in² ÷ 144 = sq ft, cm² ÷ 10,000 = m²). Film area = panel area × (1 + waste). Each piece is turned so its shorter side runs across the roll when it fits; pieces wider than the roll both ways need ⌈short side ÷ roll width⌉ strips. Film length = Σ run × quantity × (1 + waste). The theoretical minimum is film area ÷ roll width. Cost = length × price per unit length + hours × labour rate + overhead. Price = cost ÷ (1 − margin).
Assumptions
- Panel dimensions must be measured by you or taken from the film maker’s pattern software. The starting sizes are placeholders and are not measurements of any vehicle.
- Roll width, film price, waste allowance, install hours, labour rate, overhead and target margin are your own figures; starting values are examples.
- Film length assumes no nesting of pieces side by side, so it is conservative.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I get accurate panel sizes?
Measure the actual vehicle at each panel’s widest and longest points including wrapped edges, or use the pre-cut pattern software from your film supplier, which lists pattern sizes per model.
Why are there two film lengths?
The main figure cuts each piece on its own run, which is realistic for large panels. The minimum assumes perfect nesting of every piece, which is not achievable in practice. Real usage usually falls between the two.
What waste allowance should I use?
It depends on whether you bulk install or use pre-cut patterns, and on installer experience. Track film used on a few jobs to set your own figure.
Limitations
- Does not optimise nesting of small pieces.
- Does not include removal of old film or paint correction before install.