How Much Does It Cost to Paint a House?

Average House Painting Service Cost: $1500 to $8000

The price to paint a house varies according to its location, size, and condition. A 1,500–2,500 square foot property will typically pay between $2,500 and $7,500 for exterior house painting. The average cost of interior painting is between $3,000 and $4,000. Premium paints and intricate craftsmanship may come with a higher price tag.

How Much Does It Cost to Paint a House?
02 Jan, 2024 / Painters / Written by ServiceTasker Team / 956 Views / Last Updated 01 Dec, 2024





Costs of Painting a House- Detailed Insights into Interior and Exterior Painting Expenses, Factors, and Budgeting Tips


Painting your house can give it a new, refreshing, and enchanting appearance. Whether you’re looking to refresh your space or want to enhance the overall look of your home, you can add magic to it by painting its exterior, interior, roof, walls, etc.

When it comes to painting a house, there is always one question that comes to everyone's mind: How much does it cost to paint a house? The average cost for painting a house in Australia ranges anywhere between $2,500 to $20,000 depending on the size of the house, type of service and the labour cost. If you're also looking to paint your house, whether it’s exterior or interior, you must be aware of the costs.



If you have a good understanding of the costs involved in painting a house, you can prepare a realistic budget to ensure everything stays within your financial limits.

If you have no idea of the cost of painting a house in Australia, you can go through this and learn the cost involved in painting a house in Australia. Additionally, consider hiring the best house painters nearby for professional advice and accurate painting and decoration in homes.




Key Tips:



  • One of the cost-effective ways of making your house look as good as it formerly looked is painting.

  • If you're painting your house in preparation for selling, seek advice from experts who understand current buyer trends.

  • Choose environmentally friendly, low-VOC paints for a healthier new home. These paints are available in a variety of colours and finishes.

  • For additional guidance, check out our 5 essential questions to ask before hiring a house painter to avoid any dispute.





Different Aspects And Cost For A House Painting Jobs in Australia


The average cost for painting a house in Australia ranges anywhere between $2,500 to $20,000 depending on the size of the house, type of service and the labour cost.



  • For a two-bedroom interior, the painting cost will be around $2,500 to $3,500.

  • Painting for the exterior of a 2-storey home will cost around $5,500 to $20,000.

  • To get your roof painted, you will have to pay around $2,800 to $4,500.


Average House Painting Cost In Australian States





























































State/Territory Interior Painting Cost per Square Metre Exterior Painting Cost per Square Metre Total Average Cost For House Painting
New South Wales $25 - $40 $30 - $45 $2,800 to $10,000
Victoria $22 - $37 $28 - $43 $2,500 to $9,500
Queensland $20 - $35 $25 - $40 $2,500 to $9,000
South Australia $18 - $33 $24 - $38 $2,400 to $8,500
Western Australia $22 - $36 $28 - $42 $2,500 to $9,000
Tasmania $20 - $32 $25 - $38 $2,300 to $8,000
Australian Capital Territory $25 - $38 $30 - $42 $2,700 to $9,000
Northern Territory $23 - $35 $28 - $40 $2,500 to $9,000

As there are many things like labour rates, property size, and material prices, state-by-state variations exist in the average cost of painting a house in Australia.


Sydney has more expensive labour than other regional cities. Overall costs are slightly lower than in NSW, however, Melbourne has higher pricing than regional locations. Perth’s costs are comparable to Queensland's, however, they are greater than those in regional places.



Interior House Painting Total Cost


On average, the cost of interior painting in Australia is around $20 to $30 per square metre which also includes the ceiling. Below are some of the average quotes you will get for painting the interior of your house:



  • If you are looking to get interior painting done for a 2 bedroom unit including 1 bathroom and a laundry, it will cost somewhere between $2,500 to $3,500.

  • If you want only a few rooms painted such as 2 bedrooms, a kitchen and the dining area, you need to pay around $800 to $1,500.


Exterior House Painting Total Cost


The average cost for exterior house painting can be anywhere between $15 to $45 per square metre. When it comes to timber surfaces, it can range from $12 to $60 per square metre. The average quotes for exterior house paintings are:



  • For a 2 or a 3-storey house, the average cost for painting a house will be around $5,500 to $8,000.

  • It will cost $10,000 to $20,000 for a weatherboard house which might again depend on the size of the house and the condition of the surfaces.


Roof Painting Costs


It is an important thing for you to consider your roof while getting quotes for painting your house. You can expect the cost of painting a roof anywhere between $2,800 to $4,500 depending on the area to be covered. This price is an estimate for a 3-bedroom house with metal, tile or terracotta surface.



Cost to Paint a Bedroom


The initial phase of a home improvement project often involves painting the bedroom, and for a standard 3x3.5 metre room, the estimated cost ranges from $300 to $750. This estimate takes into account the need for approximately 10 litres of paint and a can of primer to achieve optimal results.



Cost to Paint a Bathroom


When it comes to painting a bathroom, which is typically smaller, the cost is relatively lower. For an average bathroom size of 6.5 square metres, one can anticipate spending between $150 and $350.

It's worth noting that higher or semi-gloss paint varieties tend to be more expensive per litre compared to matte or eggshell finishes, although the former offer increased durability and easier maintenance.



Cost to Paint a Living Room Or Hallway


Moving on to the living room or hallway, the cost escalates as the area to be painted increases. Depending on the specific size of the space and potential additional factors such as accent walls or high ceilings, the expense can range from $900 to $2,000.



Cost to Paint a Kitchen


As for the kitchen, painting the walls is comparatively more cost-effective, primarily due to the presence of cabinetry. The average cost for painting kitchen walls is around $1,000, with a pricing range of $100 to $200 per linear metre.



DIY Home Painting Costs Estimation


The house painting job looks easy until we try it on our own. Depending on the surfaces, the materials and paints will differ due to which the cost of painting also differs. For DIY painting you will not only need paint but also require brushes, rollers, tapes, drop clothes and many other things.



  • House paints generally cost around $30 to $50 per litre depending on the quality.

  • It will roughly cost you around $400 to $500 overall depending on the quality and quantity of the materials you choose for painting.

  • Time cost is an important thing in DIY. You have to dedicate a few days to get the painting done.





Cost Comparison: DIY House Painting Vs. Professional Services


There are differences in pricing between the two options, although painting your home yourself can be far less expensive than hiring a professional. The main expenses associated with DIY house painting are materials: paint, brushes, drop clothes, rollers, painter’s tape, and maybe scaffolding or ladders.

These supplies could cost a total of $200 to $600 for a typical-sized home, depending on the material quality and project’s size. Furthermore, painting a room yourself takes a lot of time and physical labour, and the results can vary depending on your skill level.


Professional painting services, on the other hand, have labour and material costs that might be significantly higher. When labour, overhead and premium materials are taken into account, professional services usually cost between $1,500 to $4,000 for a home of the same size.

Hiring experts has several benefits such as better results, less physical labour on your behalf, and quicker completion. Professionals also offer a piece of mind against further accidents in addition to being insured and giving warranties.


In the end, the decision is based on your desired quality, budget, and available time. Hiring a professional painter costs more but provides experience and convenience while DIY painting is less expensive but requires more work.





What Are The Key Factors That Affect The Cost Of Painting A House?


When planning to paint your house, several factors can increase the cost of painting a house. Knowing these can help you create a proper budget and avoid unexpected expenses. Here are the key factors and how you can manage them:



  • Size Of Your House: The bigger your house is, the more you have to pay for painting. More surface area means more paint is required to paint the house. And this raises the cost. Generally, costs are calculated per square meter in Australia.

  • Type And Brand Of The Paint: The type and brand of the paint you choose will naturally impact the cost. Higher-quality paint costs you more due to its better finishes, enchanting appearance, and longer lifespan. There are specialty paints available on the market, such as eco-friendly or weather-resistant ones, which can also increase the price.

  • Number Of Coats: There are some colours and finishes that require multiple coats or extra treatment to look their best. If you want to get the desired result, you have to do it for the appearance of your home. It means more paint, more time, and more money to paint the house.

  • Condition Of The Surface: If your surface or walls are in bad condition, with cracks, peeling paint, or dirt, they’ll require more preparation work. The surface should be clean and prepared before painting it. Preparation work includes cleaning, sanding, filling cracks, and applying a primer; all these tasks add to the cost.

  • Time: Bigger or larger houses generally take longer as compared to smaller ones. If you have a larger house and you want to paint its exterior as well as interior, it will cost you more because of more time and labour. If the ceiling of your house is high, special equipment and more time are required to complete the painting job.

  • Additional Materials: Some areas in the house are hard-to-reach; in that case, they might need extra materials and equipment, such as scaffolding and ladders, to paint the hard-to-reach areas.





Factors That Home Painters Consider To Determine Costs


House painters typically assess costs based on square metre measurements, factoring in variables such as paint colour choices and necessary supplies. It's important to note that the painting area's intricacies can sometimes lead to cost variations.

Therefore, painters meticulously consider all aspects of the painting project to arrive at a finalized estimate.



If it is interiors, a painter calculates the painting cost depending upon the following aspects:



  • Will there be any repairs to be done or surface preparation?

  • Do you do trimming and have any architraves?

  • How many doors are to be painted?

  • How high is your ceiling from the floor?


If it is exteriors, a painter calculates the painting cost depending upon the following aspects:



  • Is your building on a level block and what about its access?

  • If it's a multi-level home, then how much do painters charge for a scaffolding job and labour work with a quote?

  • Does exterior painting need different treatments?





Things To Consider While Getting A FREE House Painting Quote


There are various things you can do to get the best quote for painting your house from professionals. The most important thing you need to do is first contact the local painters and try to get as many quotes as possible to get an estimated price.


To get an accurate price, you have to mention all the details and explain everything to the painters so that they can provide you with the right price with details.


Ways To Lower The Quotes:



  • You can do some or most of the preparation work by yourself which will decrease the cost.

  • Choosing smaller colours and simple finishes will also help in decreasing the overall cost of painting.

  • Make sure to get the quotes for painting from at least 3 painters in your area so that you can get the right price.





Smart Tips to Save Money and Maximise Value on Your House Painting Project



  • Do Some Prep Work Yourself: If you’re handy, you can do some preparation work yourself to save money. The tasks you can easily do are cleaning the surfaces, filling minor cracks, and sanding. By doing so, you can reduce the overall cost of the painting job.

  • Paint During The Off-Season: If possible, hire painters during the off-peak season. They may offer better rates and discounts during their lower season, which is usually in the winter. By scheduling your painting project during this time, you can save an extra amount of money on this job.

  • Choose Quality Over Price: It might seem cheaper and more affordable to choose the option of lower-quality paint. But if you invest in higher-quality paint, it will help you save money in the long run. Higher-quality paint requires fewer coats, offers better finishes, and has a longer lifespan.





Conclusion


Painting your house can significantly enhance its appearance and value. By understanding the costs and hiring professional painters, you ensure a high-quality finish, save time, and avoid potential pitfalls. Whether you're painting for personal enjoyment or to sell your home, careful planning and investment in quality can yield lasting benefits and satisfaction.





Costs of various services and materials in this cost guide should be taken as estimates. These depend on location, preference and demands in the market.

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