How Much Do Painters Cost? [2024]

Painting is one of the most popular and cost-effective ways of giving a wall, room or home a makeover. But how much does house painting cost and how do Aussie painters arrive at their rates?

If you've ever got quotes for how much to paint a house, you've probably asked yourself these questions. Here we look at how professional painters calculate their rates so you can better understand their process and budget for your project.

This guide to how much house painting costs covers:

• How much does it cost to paint a house?
• How much does it cost to paint a house interior?
• How much does it cost to paint a house exterior?
• How much does it cost to paint a roof?
• How do painters calculate their rates?
• How much does DIY painting cost?
• What jobs can a painter do?
• Planning your painting project
• Hiring a painter
• Does my painter need to be licensed?
• Advice from a painter
• Getting quotes from painters

How much does it cost to paint a house?

The average house painting cost in Australia can be anywhere from $2,500 to $20,000 in total. This depends on factors such as the size of your painting job, whether you need interior or exterior painting and what type of surface is being painted.

On average, expect to pay between:

• $2,500 – $3,500 for the interior of a 2 bedroom unit
• $5,500 – $20,000 for exterior painting of a 2 storey home
• $2,800 – $4,500 for roof painting

The cost will be lower if you only need certain rooms or features painted or if you're doing any of the work yourself.

How much does it cost to paint a house interior?

Based on a single undercoat and two finishing coats, the average cost to paint interior of house in Australia is about $20 to $30 per square metre, including the ceiling.

The lower end of this estimate is based on using a single colour with minimal prep and trim work. For a more difficult job that requires multiple colours, gloss architraves and a separate colour for the ceiling trim, a quote might be $30 or more per square metre. Expect to pay even more for special finishes like wallpapering, or to achieve crackle or sponged effects.

• For a 2 bedroom unit with 1 bathroom and a laundry, expect to be quoted in the region of $2,500 – $3,500
• If you only want a few rooms painted, such as 2 bedrooms and the kitchen/dining area, expect to be quoted in the region of $800 – $1500

How much does it cost to paint a house exterior?

For exterior painting of brickwork, expect to be charged anywhere from $15 to $45 per square metre, while timber surfaces could range from $12 to $60 per square metre. Expect to pay:

• $5,500 – $8,000 for a 2 storey, 3 bedroom house
• $10,000 – $20,000 for a 2 storey weatherboard home, depending on the size of the home and the condition of the surfaces

The cost to paint a house exterior includes prep work and repainting all previously painted surfaces.

Read more: What colour should you paint the exterior of your home?

How much does it cost to paint a roof?

When you're getting quotes for how much to paint a house, you might also want to consider the roof. Expect to pay in the region of $2,800 to $4,500 for roof painting, assuming a 3 bedroom home with a metal, tile or terracotta surface.

The existing condition of your roof and whether you need roof repairs like repointing will add to the final roof painting cost.

How do painters calculate their rates?

Quotes for house painting costs are calculated on a per square metre basis. In most cases, this house painting cost estimation includes paints and all other supplies.

However, the per square metre charge can sometimes be deceptive, as it takes into account all of the work that goes into a painting job, some of which are less obvious. 

For the cost to paint house interiors, some factors taken into account include:

• Is there any surface preparation or repairs required?
• Are their architraves and trim?
• How many doors need to be painted?
• How high is the ceiling?

For the exterior house painting cost, some factors taken into account include:

• Is your house on a level block? How easy is access?
• Is it a multi-level house? If scaffolding is needed, the cost of the scaffolding and extra labour will need to be factored into the quote.
• Do exterior fascias require separate treatment?

It is not uncommon to find a wide discrepancy in house painting cost when you get quotes from local painters. An experienced painter will be able to quote more accurately, as they will account for all the prep work required and will likely use better quality paint and materials. They should be able to justify this in a detailed written quote.

If your painter is not able to convince you of their value or to provide a written quote, it's best to continue your search.

How much does DIY painting cost?

House painting might seem like a pretty simple job until you give it a try yourself, as there can be more to it than meets the eye. There are different surfaces, paints and materials to consider, all of which will impact on your final finish. Any painter will tell you that getting surfaces properly prepared for that first coat can be more important than anything else.

The cost of DIY house painting includes more than just paint, as you also need to buy brushes, rollers and other supplies. Expect to pay around:

• House paint costs between $30 – $45 per litre, depending on the finish 
• Painting tools including brushes, rollers, trays, tape, drop cloths and more can come to $400 – $500 overall

You also need to consider the time cost, as painting a whole house can take a few days out of your life.

What jobs can a painter do?

A professional painter can help you get the right finish on all sorts of projects around the home.

If you're hiring a painter for painting or repainting your interiors, they may also be able to help with other interior decorating related jobs. These could include colour consulting, which can make all the difference to the look and feel of your home, or hanging wallpaper, a specialised service that many painters can help with.

Having the outside of your home repainted every five years or so is recommended to keep it in good condition, or more frequently if you live near the coast. Exterior house painters may also be able to paint and maintain timber or fencing, which need the right care and coat of paint or stain to look their best.

If you need roof painting, this is a specialised job that requires experienced roof painters with dedicated equipment and safety protocols. The same applies to larger commercial projects, such as new builds and commercial spaces, where you should consider hiring a painter who specialises in these jobs.

Painters can also help with special finishes and effects for more creative projects, such as spray painting a surface.

Planning your painting project

Whether you want to find out how much to paint a house or just need a small touch up, before you start getting quotes for your painting job, it's worth taking the time to consider a few practical points that will affect your overall house painting cost and the outcome of your project. These include:

• Do you need a colour consultation? This service can give you an idea of what colour scheme might suit the interior or exterior of your home.
• What type of paint to use? Gloss, low sheen and matte each have a unique finish and character, so decide what look you are after and where you will use each type.
• What about all your timber doors, windows, and skirting boards? These all need a dedicated gloss or semi-gloss paint or wood stain, available in oil or water-based versions.
• Do you need any special finishes or effects, such as wallpapering? Not all painters will offer this service.

Read more: How much does an interior decorator cost?

Hiring a painter

When it comes time to hiring a painter, you need to make sure they are right for your job. Some questions to ask them include:

• Are you licensed?
• Are you insured to work in my home?
• How long will my job take?
• Can you provide a written quote?
• Do you have references I can follow up?

Does my painter need to be licensed?

This depends on where you live, as not all states require a licence. Currently, New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia require painters to be licensed.

To obtain a licence, painters must typically hold a recognised qualification, such as Certificate III Painting and Decorating. Painters can obtain this qualification by completing a painting apprenticeship or by having their existing skills assessed to this qualification.

Advice from a painter

What advice would a professional painter give about hiring a professional and getting a fair house painting cost? We asked hipages painter Nathan Waldron, who has over 15 years' experience in the trade, and he advised us not to be too price-driven when getting quotes from painters.

“Preparation is everything for a quality finish. Some people may go for a cheaper quote, but if the preparation is not up to scratch, you are going to see the results after a year or so. You also need to be very careful to match the correct type of paint with the surface.”

Getting quotes from painters

The best way of finding out how much to paint a house is to get quotes from local painters. This will give you a sense of what market rates currently are.

The more information you give them, the more accurate your quote will be. If your painter has a complete picture, the quotes you get are likely to be more realistic and you won't be in for any nasty surprises when they come and inspect your home before giving you a final price.

If you think the house painting cost is too pricey, you could lower the quote by:

• Doing some or all of the preparation work yourself
• Choosing a smaller number of colours and simple finishes
• Getting quotes from at least 3 painters in your area

*Costs and prices in this article are indicative and should only be used as a guide. They also vary locally and are subject to market forces.