House painting cost guide
Every home is different, so an honest price starts with the details. Here is what changes the cost of painting a house, and how to get an accurate written quote.
Cost factors
Two houses of the same size can need very different amounts of work. These are the factors that make the biggest difference to a painting quote in Melbourne's northern suburbs.
The number of rooms, the wall and ceiling area, or the length of the exterior is the starting point. Larger areas take more paint and more time.
Preparation is often the biggest variable. Cracked plaster, flaking paint, stains and damaged timber all need fixing before painting, and that work is quoted separately so you can see it.
Walls are quicker than doors, skirting, architraves, window frames, fretwork and decorative trims. A home with a lot of detail takes longer than a plain one of the same size.
Two-storey exteriors, high ceilings, stair voids and steep blocks need extra equipment and safe access, which adds to the time and the quote.
The type of paint, the sheen level and the number of coats all affect the price. Wet areas, high-traffic rooms and exposed exteriors usually need more durable products.
Going from a dark colour to a light one, or covering a strong feature wall, often needs an extra coat or a tinted undercoat.
Weatherboards, eaves and fascias with rot or gaps need repairs and priming before painting. Older homes may also need lead-safe preparation.
Working around a family, furniture and pets, or splitting a job into stages, can change how the work is planned. Exterior work also depends on the weather.
Accurate quotes
A price given without seeing the house is a guess. This is how we get to a firm written quote.
Request a quote onlineTell us the suburb, the rooms or surfaces, and any repairs you know about. A few photos help us understand the job early.
We look at the surfaces in person, check for hidden repairs, and talk through colours and finishes.
You get a written quote that separates preparation, repairs and painting, so you can compare like for like.
If the budget is tight, the work can be staged, for example living areas first and bedrooms later.
Comparing quotes
✓ Exactly which rooms, surfaces and items are included (walls, ceilings, doors, trims, eaves, fences)
✓ The preparation and repairs that will be done before painting
✓ The paint type, sheen and number of coats
✓ How furniture, floors and gardens will be protected
✓ An expected timeframe, and how weather is handled for exterior work
If a quote leaves these out, ask before you compare it with others. The cheapest quote is often the one with the least preparation.
Read more painting FAQsWhere we work
We are based in Epping and quote across the northern suburbs. Each local page covers the homes and jobs we see most in that suburb.
Local pages: Epping · Wollert · South Morang · Mill Park · Lalor · Thomastown · Mernda · Doreen · Bundoora · Craigieburn · Reservoir · Preston · Greensborough. See all northern suburbs we serve.
Cost questions
It depends on the size of the home, how much preparation it needs, the surfaces involved, access and the paint system. Because every house is different, we give a written, itemised quote after a free site visit rather than a price over the phone.
Quotes often differ in how much preparation and repair is included, the number of coats and the quality of paint. Check that quotes cover the same scope before comparing prices.
We include any plaster repairs needed in the same quote, listed separately, so you can see what the repair work involves.
Photos are a great way to start and help us understand the job, but we confirm the final quote after seeing the surfaces in person.
Usually, yes. Higher walls need extra access equipment and more time to work safely, which is included in the quote.
Yes. Many homeowners split a job into stages to suit their budget, for example interior first and exterior later.
Free site visit and quote
Send a few details and some photos and we'll get back to you to arrange a free site visit and a written quote. Prefer to talk or email?
