=== MethodGrid Maler-Kostenrechner ===
Contributors: methodgrid
Tags: cost calculator, painting, estimate, contractor, shortcode
Requires at least: 6.5
Requires PHP: 8.1
Tested up to: 7.1
Stable tag: 1.0.0
License: GPLv2 or later
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

A privacy-friendly price-range calculator for German painting businesses, with configurable rates, accent color and contact CTA.

== Description ==

MethodGrid Maler-Kostenrechner is a focused estimate calculator for German painting businesses that want a simple alternative to a generic form or calculator builder.

Site operators enter their own rates, add a note explaining the price basis, choose an accent color, configure a contact link, and place the calculator with the shortcode `[malerpreis_rechner]`.

Visitors can enter wall and ceiling area, select the condition of the surfaces, add wallpaper removal and door painting, and receive a non-binding price range.

Key characteristics:

* Preconfigured workflow for standard interior painting estimates.
* The business enters its own pricing parameters; bundled numbers are demo values only.
* Demo values are blocked from public display until the operator explicitly confirms the settings.
* Optional room-dimension helper for estimating wall and ceiling area.
* Configurable minimum order value, estimate range and rounding.
* Configurable contact button and accent color.
* Calculation runs locally in the visitor's browser.
* No lead form, tracking, cookies, external APIs, external fonts or visitor-data storage in version 1.0.0.

MethodGrid Maler-Kostenrechner is currently designed for German-language painting businesses and uses EUR for estimates.

The result is an estimate, not a binding quotation. The site operator is responsible for entering appropriate business-specific prices and wording.

== Installation ==

1. Install and activate the plugin.
2. Open **Settings > MethodGrid Maler-Kostenrechner**.
3. Replace the demo values with your own business calculation.
4. Add a price-basis note that accurately describes your estimate, for example whether material and VAT are included.
5. Add a valid contact link and adjust the button label if needed.
6. Choose an accent color that fits your website.
7. Confirm the price release when saving.
8. Add `[malerpreis_rechner]` to a page or post.

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= Are the default prices market recommendations? =

No. They are demo values only. The public calculator remains locked until the site operator explicitly confirms the stored settings.

= Is the result a binding quotation? =

No. The frontend labels the result as a non-binding estimate. The business can also add its own price-basis note below the result.

= Does the plugin collect leads or personal visitor data? =

No. Version 1.0.0 has no lead form and does not store personal visitor data. The configured contact button only links to an existing contact page, email address or phone number.

= Does the plugin use cookies, tracking or external services? =

No. The plugin code does not set cookies, use browser local/session storage, load external fonts, send analytics, or call external APIs.

= Can I change the calculator colors? =

Yes. You can choose one accent color in the settings. The plugin derives matching hover, selection, button-text and focus colors automatically.

= Can I use several calculators on the same page? =

Yes. Multiple shortcode instances are scoped independently.

= What happens if JavaScript is disabled? =

The calculator does not calculate prices and displays a message explaining that JavaScript is required.

== Privacy ==

Version 1.0.0 stores only administrator-configured plugin settings in the WordPress options table. The plugin itself does not store personal visitor data, set cookies, use local/session storage, or send external requests.

The contact button is a normal link configured by the site operator. When a visitor follows that link, the privacy behavior of the destination page, email client or phone application is outside this plugin's control.

== Support ==

For support after publication, use the plugin's WordPress.org support forum. Please include your WordPress version, PHP version, active theme, and steps to reproduce the issue.

== Changelog ==

= 1.0.0 =

* First public release for the WordPress.org Plugin Directory.
* Focused interior-painting estimate workflow with configurable business rates.
* Price-release gate prevents demo values from being published accidentally.
* Minimum-order, estimate-range and rounding controls.
* Room-dimension helper, surface-condition options, wallpaper removal and door painting.
* Configurable contact CTA and accent color.
* Local browser-side calculation with no tracking, external APIs, cookies or visitor-data storage.
* Input validation, fail-closed configuration handling, scoped CSS, keyboard/focus improvements and multiple-shortcode support.

Older pre-release changes are documented in `changelog.txt`.
