Surface
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersAuckland, New Zealand
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
Surface firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Surface
- Legal name
- Surface
- Website
- https://surface.nz
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Surface industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Architectural Finishes Services
- NAICS
- Painting and Wall Covering Contractors (238320), Building Finishing Contractors (2383), Other Building Finishing Contractors (23839)
- SIC
- Coating, Engraving & Allied Services (3470)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Texture, Skim Coating & Decorative Finishes (Popcorn Removal, Knockdown, Venetian) (HSAPAHAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Surface Preparation & Paint Removal (Sanding, Stripping, Lead-Safe) (HSAPAHAG), Industrial & Commercial Painting/Coatings/Surface Treatment (IMAIAAAK), Interior Wall Surface Prep for Paint (Skim Coating, Sanding, Leveling) (HSAGACAJ)
Keywords
Where Surface is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Auckland
- HQ country
- New Zealand
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Surface business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Architectural Finishes Services: Surface generates revenue through professional services for architectural finishes, including artisan decorative plaster, interior and exterior painting, plastering, and stopping services. All services are subject to separate contracts or written agreements. Project pricing is confirmed in writing after consultation and formal quote, varying based on project complexity and scope.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Project-based professional services with custom quotes |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
Surface product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Surface is a New Zealand-based multi-disciplinary architectural finishes company that provides artisan decorative finishes, plastering, painting, wall and ceiling linings, and full commercial fit-out services. The company operates a Super-Sub integrated delivery model that bundles multiple specialist trades under a single contract, serving premium residential and commercial projects nationwide.
Product overview
Surface is a multi-disciplinary premium architectural finishes company offering five interconnected service lines: Artisan Finishes (hand-applied decorative plaster including Venetian and microcement), Painting (interior/exterior), Plaster (stopping and plastering), Linings (wall/ceiling systems), and Super-Sub (integrated multi-trade delivery). They also provide Commercial Fit-Outs as a comprehensive interior delivery service. The Super-Sub model serves as an umbrella offering that combines multiple services under one contract, while the individual services can be engaged separately. Their specialty lies in high-end decorative finishes for residential, commercial, and hospitality projects across New Zealand.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Artisan Finishes Decorative and specialty artisan finishes for premium residential and commercial architectural projects, delivered by certified specialists in recognised finish systems.
- Painting Interior and exterior painting services for residential and commercial projects, delivered as part of standalone scopes or integrated packages.
- Plaster Decorative and traditional plastering services for architectural projects, executed by certified plasterers trained in leading finish systems.
- Linings Wall and ceiling lining installation services for residential and commercial projects, offered as a standalone trade or as part of an integrated scope.
- Super-Sub Integrated Delivery Integrated delivery model that consolidates multiple specialist trades (plaster, painting, linings, and fit-outs) under a single contract, providing one point of accountability for builders and developers.
- Commercial Fit-Outs End-to-end commercial interior fit-out services combining architectural finishes, linings, and specialist trades to deliver completed commercial interiors for property developers and tenants.
Quantifiable outcome
- Projects have earned industry recognition and a collection of coveted awards in New Zealand
Companies that use Surface
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Surface technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Surface partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Architects and Designers (General)coreSurface collaborates with New Zealand's leading architects, designers, and construction professionals. These partnerships are fundamental to the company's business model, working together from early planning through to final finish delivery. The company also offers early engagement for material and specification advice.
- Savory ConstructioncoreGeneral contractor on the AON Building Lobby refurbishment project in Auckland. Surface delivered the full decorating package including specialist finishes.
- Warren and MahoneycoreArchitecture firm partner on the AON Building Lobby refurbishment. Collaborated on transforming the prominent space into a sophisticated and welcoming destination in Auckland's CBD.
- Studio 11:11coreArchitecture/design studio partner on the PH Digital warehouse transformation project, working to create a sophisticated, high-energy workspace.
- CASAcoreDesign firm partner on the PH Digital project, contributing to the transformation of the warehouse into a sophisticated workspace.
- Studio John Irving ArchitectscoreArchitecture firm partner on the Te Arai Links luxury golf club facility project. Designed the cottages and villas integrated into the rural estate setting.
- Wonder GroupcoreDesign partner on the Mode Studio wellness sanctuary project, delivering the full decorating package including specialist finishes.
- Mibo BakeryminorClient partner on the Mibo Wynyard Quarter waterfront hospitality venue. Surface delivered painting scope including Resene FX Paint Effects Medium lime-washed finish.
- Warren and MahoneycoreArchitecture firm partner on the Aurecon office fit-out project, working on innovative workplace design with natural timber elements and cultural storytelling.
- Wonder GroupcoreDesign partner on the Motion Sickness creative studio project, transforming the Grey Lynn space into a modern creative hub.
- CASAcoreDesign firm partner on the Motion Sickness project, contributing to the transformation of the Grey Lynn space into a contemporary collaborative workplace.
- AmbiteccoreBrand certification partner for artisan decorative finishes. Surface is trained and certified in Ambitec products including Ambitec Suave finish.
- RockcotecoreBrand certification partner for decorative plaster systems. Surface is trained and certified in Rockcote products including Rockcote Otsumigaki, Rockcote Cerano, and other specialist plaster finishes.
- Nova ColorcoreBrand certification partner for artisan decorative finishes. Surface is trained and certified in Nova Color product line.
- ResenecorePaint brand partner for specialist paint finishes including Resene Paint FX, Resene stains, and lime-washed finishes used across multiple projects.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Surface competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Armourcoat: International specialist in decorative plaster, polished plaster, sculptural surfaces and architectural finishes. Closely comparable specialty plaster capability including Venetian-style and microcement systems, serving architects and developers on premium commercial and luxury residential projects globally.
- Farrow & Ball: Premium decorative paint and wallpaper brand specializing in artisan finishes for high-end residential and boutique commercial interiors. Comparable premium positioning, architect/designer-led go-to-market, and emphasis on craftsmanship and distinctive surface effects.
- Keim: German specialist in mineral silicate paints and architectural surface finishes with strong presence in heritage, premium residential and architectural projects. Comparable specialty architectural coatings portfolio and specification-driven sales through architects and designers.
- Porter's Paints: Australian premium decorative paint and specialty finishes specialist offering lime washes, textured finishes and artisan effects. Directly comparable premium decorative finishes positioning across the Tasman, with overlapping customer base of architects, designers and luxury residential/commercial clients.
Broad incumbents
- Sto: Global manufacturer of exterior and interior architectural coatings, renders and plaster systems. Comparable architectural surface finishes category but as a broad multinational supplier rather than a specialist applicator/contractor.
- Unispace: Global commercial interior fit-out and design firm with strong ANZ presence. Comparable commercial fit-out delivery model and enterprise client base, but at much larger scale and with integrated design-build capability rather than specialist artisan finishing.
- Dulux: Largest paint and coatings brand in NZ with a broad architectural and trade product portfolio. Comparable end-market (architects, builders, commercial fit-outs) but at vastly larger scale and broader product scope, serving as an incumbent the specialist contractor market competes against for premium specification.
Regional players
- Shape: Australian commercial fit-out contractor delivering interior construction and refurbishment across offices and retail. Comparable commercial interior fit-out capability and enterprise customer profile, but operating primarily in the Australian market and with broader trade scope rather than artisan finishing specialization.
Others
- Rockcote: Manufacturer of decorative plaster systems including Otsumigaki and Cerano finishes used by Surface. Comparable specialty plaster product portfolio across Australia and NZ, but operates as a materials supplier and training partner rather than a direct finishing contractor.
- Resene: New Zealand's leading paint manufacturer and a key brand partner of Surface (uses Resene FX Paint Effects). Comparable premium decorative positioning and NZ market presence, but operates as a product supplier and specification brand rather than an applicator/contractor peer.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Surface social profiles
Digital presenceSurface compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Surface financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Surface leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Surface funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Surface M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Surface
What does Surface do?
Surface is a New Zealand-based multi-disciplinary architectural finishes company that provides artisan decorative finishes, plastering, painting, wall and ceiling linings, and full commercial fit-out services. The company operates a Super-Sub integrated delivery model that bundles multiple specialist trades under a single contract, serving premium residential and commercial projects nationwide.
Is Surface a public or private company?
Surface is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Surface founded?
Surface was founded in 2019. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Surface based?
Surface is headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.
How does Surface make money?
One revenue line is on record: architectural Finishes Services.
Who are Surface's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Armourcoat, Farrow & Ball, Keim and Porter's Paints. Broad incumbents are Sto, Unispace and Dulux. Shape is listed as a regional player. Others are Rockcote and Resene.
Does Surface have an API?
No public API is recorded for Surface.
What industry is Surface in?
Surface's product category is Architectural Finishes Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSAPAHAF, Texture, Skim Coating & Decorative Finishes (Popcorn Removal, Knockdown, Venetian), with a secondary code of HSAPAHAG, Surface Preparation & Paint Removal (Sanding, Stripping, Lead-Safe). Its NAICS code is 238320 and its SIC code is 3470.