The cost of roof painting in Australia starts from $20 per square metre and depending on the complexity of the work, the price can go up to $40 per square metre. Painting a whole roof costs between $2,000 to $12,000 based on the roof size.
Want to Know What Roof Painting Will Cost You in 2025? Let’s Break Down The Real Figures
Roof painting typically ranges from $2,000 to $6,000, depending on roof size, type, and condition. This includes cleaning, minor repairs, and two coats of quality paint.
Roof painting not only protects your roof from harsh Australian weather, UV rays, and moisture but also revitalises your home’s appearance and boosts property value. Whether you're considering a full roof repaint or exploring fresh colour options, understanding the costs involved can help you plan better.
The roof painting cost in Australia generally ranges from $15 to $30 per square metre, influenced by factors like roof size, condition, location, and material type, such as Colorbond, terracotta, or concrete tiles. For example, a standard 150-square-metre roof will likely cost between $2,250 and $4,500.
If you're comparing it with other services, keep in mind that the paint cost per m2 varies depending on the type and quality of paint, the preparation required, and the complexity of the job. For commercial properties, the commercial painting price per square metre can differ significantly due to scale and access considerations.
A quality roofing paint can dramatically extend the lifespan of your roof, acting as a barrier against the elements while giving your home a refreshed, modern look. It’s a smart, cost-effective alternative to full roof replacement.
Short Tips:
Investing in premium paint can increase the lifespan of your roof and reduce long-term maintenance costs.
You must ensure proper surface preparation and repairs before painting to enhance adhesion and durability.
You should schedule roof painting during mild weather conditions to achieve optimal results and avoid delays.
What to Consider Before Hiring a Roof Painter?
When hiring a roof painter, it's crucial to consider several factors to ensure you get the best value and quality for your project.
Start by assessing the size of the job – larger roofs or complex projects may require additional time, materials, and expertise.
Accessibility is another important factor; if your roof is difficult to reach, the painter may need special equipment, impacting both cost and time.
Next, make sure to check the qualifications and reputation of the painter. A qualified and experienced tradie will not only provide professional results but also offer peace of mind.
Lastly, consider how the tradie engages with potential clients. A positive and communicative approach will ensure a smoother, stress-free experience. Keep these factors in mind when hiring a roof painter to achieve the best possible outcome for your home.
Professionals Painting Roof
How Much Does Roof Painting Cost? Average Prices and Hourly Rates
Roof painting costs in Australia vary based on several factors like labour rates, climate conditions, and material requirements. Here's a general overview of the cost ranges:
Low-end roof painting hourly rates: $25 to $35 per hour
Medium-end roof painting hourly rates: $35 to $50 per hour
High-end roof painting hourly rates: $50+ per hour
These rates depend on the complexity of the project and the level of expertise required. Additionally, roof painting costs generally range from $18 to $40 per square metre, influenced by factors such as roof size, material, and location.
By understanding these cost ranges, you can better plan your roof painting project and budget accordingly.
City
Minimum Cost (per square metre)
Sydney
$25 - $40
Melbourne
$20 - $35
Brisbane
$18 - $30
Perth
$20 - $35
Adelaide
$18 - $30
Canberra
$20 - $35
Hobart
$22 - $37
Darwin
$20 - $33
Average Cost Of Roof Painting Nationwide
Type Of House And Their Roof Painting Costs:
Depending on the size of the house, the experts provide a quote for roof painting. The costs of roof painting for various houses are:
Type of house
Cost of roof painting
Small house roof
$2,000 to $4,000
Medium house roof
$5,000 to $10,000
Large house roof
$5,000 to $12,000
The prices given above are estimates and might also vary depending on the roof painting company or painters you choose.
A professional holding a paint sprayer, closely painting a roof
Additional Costs for High-Rise Buildings
When painting the roof of a high-rise building, several additional costs come into play due to the increased complexity and risk.
Scaffolding and Safety Equipment: Painting high-rise buildings requires extensive scaffolding, safety harnesses, and other specialised safety equipment. This can add $1,000 to $5,000 to the overall cost, depending on the height and structure of the building.
Specialised Labour Costs: The labour required for high-rise roof painting is typically more expensive because it demands workers with specialised skills and experience in working at heights. Expect to pay 20-30% more in labour costs compared to standard roof painting jobs.
Access Solutions: Reaching all areas of a high-rise roof may necessitate the use of cherry pickers, abseiling equipment, or other specialised access solutions. These can add anywhere from $500 to $2,000 to the project cost.
Insurance and Permits: Additional insurance coverage and permits are often required for high-rise work to ensure safety and compliance with regulations. These administrative costs can range from $500 to $1,500.
Thus, the added complexities of painting a high-rise building's roof can increase the total cost by $2,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on the specific requirements of the project.
Roof Spray Paint Cost:
Roof sprays are an alternative to roof paints. These are thicker when compared to roof paints and provide a tough coating that prevents the roof from getting damaged by harmful rays. On the other hand, roof paint is thinner and might require double coating to prevent the roof from any kind of damage.
The cost of roof spray paint varies depending on the type of house. The average cost of painting a standard house can range between $1,000 to $4,000, depending on various factors. Commercial buildings may have higher costs due to their large sizes, which could go up to $10,000 or higher as well.
Roof Painting Costs Based On Type Of Roof:
There are various types of roofs, and the cost of roof painting varies from roof to roof. The most commonly used roof materials in Australia are concrete and colourbond roofs. The cost of painting a concrete roof is somewhere around $700 to $2,600.
The cost of sealants and acrylic paints varies depending on the quality you choose for painting your roof. The cost for painting a Colorbond roof charged by local roof painters is around $700 to $1,800, which includes both cleaning and painting your roof.
Roof Type
Painting Options
Average Cost (per square foot)
Asphalt Shingles
Acrylic Paint, Elastomeric Coating
$1.00 - $3.00
Metal Roof
Acrylic Paint, Silicone Coating
$1.50 - $4.50
Tile Roof
Acrylic Paint, Roof Glaze
$2.00 - $5.00
Slate Roof
Specialised Slate Paint
$2.50 - $6.00
Wood Shingles/Shakes
Stain, Oil-based Paint
$1.50 - $4.00
Asphalt Shingles: These are generally less expensive to paint because they are straightforward to work with and require standard acrylic or elastomeric coatings. The cheapest roof painting is available for this material.
Metal Roofs: Metal roofs may need rust treatment and specialised silicone coatings, which can increase the overall expense. Metal roofs are smoother and require less paint, making them generally less expensive to paint than concrete tiles.
Tile Roofs: Tile roofs often need roof glaze or high-quality acrylic paints, contributing to higher costs than other roofing materials due to the materials and techniques required. Terracotta tiles require specialised paints, potentially increasing the painting cost compared to concrete tiles, which are more versatile and easier to paint with standard roof paints.
Slate Roofs: Slate roofs require specialised slate paints that are designed to adhere to the natural stone and provide long-lasting protection. This is one of the roofing materials that costs more to paint.
Wood Shingles/Shakes: Painting or staining wood shingles involves using stain or oil-based paints to protect the wood, which can add to the cost, especially if multiple coats are necessary. However, this is cheaper than most roof painting works.
Thus, the type of roof material impacts the painting cost due to the need for specific preparation, types of paint, and potential additional treatments required for each material.
Professional painting a roof from the top
Painting Bottles Cost By Volume
Bottle Volume
Average Cost (AUD)
250 mL
$8 - $15
500 mL
$15 - $25
1 Litre
$25 - $45
2 Litres
$45 - $80
4 Litres
$80 - $150
10 Litres
$150 - $300
These costs are based on average market rates and can vary depending on the brand, type of paint (e.g., acrylic, enamel, oil-based), and the specific retailer.
Details on Paint Quality and Lifespan for Australian Roofs
Paint Type
Cost (per litre)
Lifespan
Standard Acrylic Paint
$15 - $25
8 - 10 years
Premium Acrylic Paint
$30 - $45
12 - 15 years
Elastomeric Paint
$20 - $40
10 - 15 years
Silicone Coating
$40 - $60
15 - 20 years
Bitumen Paint
$10 - $20
5 - 8 years
Polyurethane Paint
$35 - $55
12 - 18 years
Roof Glaze
$25 - $35
8 - 12 years
These costs and lifespans can vary based on factors such as the quality of the paint, the specific brand, and the environmental conditions where the roof is located.
Factors Affecting The Price Of Roof Painting
The height and length of the roof: The size of the roof plays a major role in determining the cost of roof painting. In case the roof is larger and more in length, the cost of painting it will also increase. The more the area of the roof, the more paint will be required, and also the labour charges will increase accordingly. In order for the roof to be larger in size, it might also require multiple access points.
Materials used while painting the roof: There are various high-quality materials that are used while painting your roof, such as the paintbrush and rollers, which will increase the overall cost of painting the roof. All these add up and increase the overall cost of roof painting services.
Amount of paint required for painting the roof: The amount of paint required for the roof also affects the cost of painting. For this, it is important to measure the surface area of the roof, and for this, you can measure the length and width of each section of the roof. The more the surface of the roof, the more paint you will need for painting, which will eventually increase the cost of roof painting.
Type of paints you use for your roof: There are various types of paints available in the market these days that are used for painting the roof. Each type of paint has different costs. The most commonly used paints for painting roofs in Australia are acrylic and enamel paints. Acrylic paints are water-based and are generally used for roofs that are in good condition. Enamel paints are oil-based paints that are used for roofs that are in poor condition, with a lot of rust and damage.
Access to your roof: Sometimes, accessing the roof is the most difficult issue that is faced by the painters, for which they might charge you more money. For example, the roofs of multi-storey buildings are harder to access, which will require advanced equipment and more labour as well. This will eventually increase the cost of painting your roof.
Condition of the roof: The condition of your roof will also impact the cost of painting and roof restoration. In case the roof is damaged excessively, the cost will increase eventually. In this case, the previous roof casing and painting might also need to be removed and repaired before you paint it, which will require more labour work as well.
Roof painter painting from the top of a black tile roof
What Is The Value that Roof Painting Adds To Your House?
Increasing the lifespan of the roofs and protection: Many harmful rays can affect the quality of the roof, especially when it is not protected. A fresh coat of paint will protect the roof from these rays and reduce potential future repair costs.
Increases the resale value of your house: Repainting your house roof and maintaining it regularly will surely help increase its resale value.
Enhances the look of your house: Roof painting also enhances the look of your house that giving an appealing look to your house.
Energy efficient: There are roof paints that reflect and help bounce back the sunlight. These types of roofs help in cutting down the electricity charges of the air conditioners.
What Are The Steps Associated With Roof Painting?
Cleaning: The first step before roof painting is cleaning the roof. This will help in removing all the dirt and debris that can affect the painting process. Cleaning is generally done by pressure washing, scraping or chemical washing.
Repairing: Before you start painting the house, you have to repair the roof cracks that can cause leaks and also if there are any other damages caused. This generally involves fixing flashes, patching holes and fixing missing tiles in the roof.
Painting: Once you have repaired the roof, it is time for you to paint it. You can use high-quality paints that protect the roof from getting damaged and enhance its overall look.
Conclusion
Roof painting is a necessary step in case your roof is losing its colour. There are various options in the paints you can choose for your roofs. Roof painting helps in protecting your roof from harmful UV rays and also helps in increasing the value of your house.
The cost of roof painting varies depending on various factors such as the size and type of the roof. While considering roof painting, it is important to get quotes from various service providers and check their reviews so that you can get the best roof painting services at reasonable prices.
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.
In Australia, you should consider painting your roof every 10-15 years. This timeframe can vary depending on factors such as the type of roofing material, the quality of the paint used, and the environmental conditions in your area. Regular maintenance and inspections can help determine the optimal time for repainting.
A professionally painted roof in Australia can last between 10 to 15 years. The longevity of the paint job depends on the quality of the paint, proper surface preparation, and the local climate. High-quality paints and coatings can extend the lifespan, providing better protection against UV rays and harsh weather conditions.
Roof painting is a cost-effective way to extend the life of your roof and enhance its appearance. However, if your roof is severely damaged, leaking, or has structural issues, a roof replacement might be necessary. Assess the condition of your roof with a professional to decide whether painting or replacement is the best option.
Not every roof requires painting. Roofs made of materials like terracotta tiles or natural slate might not need painting and can instead benefit from regular cleaning and maintenance. However, roofs made of materials such as metal, concrete tiles, or older shingles often benefit from periodic painting to maintain their appearance and protective properties.
While it's possible to paint a roof without professional expertise, it's generally not recommended. Roof painting involves working at heights and requires knowledge of proper surface preparation, paint application techniques, and safety measures. Hiring a professional ensures a high-quality finish and adherence to safety standards.
The time required to paint a roof depends on the size and complexity of the roof, as well as the weather conditions. On average, painting a medium-sized roof (about 150 square metres) can take 2-4 days, including preparation, cleaning, priming, and applying multiple coats of paint. Larger or more complex roofs may take longer to complete.