Painting your home’s interior and exterior every few years is only one of the many aspects of being a homeowner and keeping your home’s curb appeal. While some homeowners choose to do their residential painting, others prefer the convenience and quality of hiring a professional painting company.
If you’re thinking about hiring a professional contractor to paint your house, you might be wondering how much the project will or should cost and whether it’s worth the money. While many factors influence the cost of painting a house, the information provided in this article can help you get a reasonable estimate.
What Affects the Cost of House Painting?
So you’ve decided to repaint your entire house and have found the perfect professionals for the job. When looking for painting services, you most likely compared estimates and noticed some differences, but why? What factors determine the cost of a specific painting project?
Knowing what is essential and what doesn’t will help you set aside enough money and avoid complications once the painters begin their work.
Condition of the House: The condition of a house and its age and style can have a significant impact on how much it costs to paint it. Whether on the inside or outside, a neglected property can quickly increase the labour hours required for a painting project, which will be reflected in the cost.
Project Size: You must assess the house area where the painters will be working. Are you only employing them for a few rooms? Is it only the interiors or the entire property? One of the factors that will determine how much money you spend is the amount of work required. Of course, the larger the project, the more expensive expert painting services. Also, some portions of the house are more difficult to work on than others; therefore, they will cost more. For example, if your home has six rooms, painting the interior may be more expensive. Consider the angles and alcoves that painters will have to workaround. When calculating the size of a painting project, the size of the room is also taken into account.
Preparations: The quantity of preparatory work necessary is another cost consideration. When estimating the cost of painting, professional painters will consider the required preparations. Surface preparation is needed since it affects the quality of paint coats. Painting companies use various methods to prepare multiple surfaces in the home.
This may not need to be extensive in some instances, especially in modern homes. Walls with many cracks, chipped paint, warping, or mould will necessitate a lot of prep work. You will need to set aside a large budget for such a project.
Paints: Another factor that influences how much you pay for painting services is the quality of the paint. There are several paint brands available in a variety of grades. It is always best to use high-quality paints and primers for long-term durability.
After a short period of exposure, low-quality paints will peel and warp. Always choose the best products, whether you buy them yourself or as part of painting service. Higher-quality paint will be more expensive than lower-quality paint.
What Is the Average Cost of Painting a House in Australia by City?
To give you a rough estimate of the costs involved with painting a house, we consulted painters in three major cities.
| City | Hourly cost | 1BR home cost | 2BR home cost | 3BR home cost | Single storey cost | Double-storey cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne | $55 | $2600 | $3,200 | $3,800 | $8,000 – $20,000 | $20,000+ |
| Sydney | $55 | $2500 | $3000 | $3600 | $15,000 – $20,000 | $25,000 – $35,000 |
| Brisbane | $50 | $2400 | $2900 | $3500 | $7000 – $15,000 | $15,000 |
The prices listed above do not include GST. The hourly rate does not include materials; all other rates do.
These ranges differ depending on the size and condition of the property.
What Is the Cost of Painting the Exterior of a House?
The exterior painting for your property is an excellent way to modernize its appearance. There are several reasons why a house’s exterior should be painted. It could be just cosmetic to boost curb appeal, or it could be critical maintenance to keep your home safe from the elements.
Prices for exterior painting on the house can range from $4,000 to $20,000. A professional painting service would often charge by the square meter, though it’s worth checking for an hourly cost if applicable.
Several factors can influence the cost of painting a house’s exterior, including these.
- Size of Your House: As previously indicated, exterior painters will charge per square meter; hence, the larger your home, the more you may expect to pay for the service.
- Property Condition: If your home is subjected to inclement weather, the paint will likely fade faster. This may necessitate more coats of paint, which will increase the cost.
- Paint Color Choice: The colours you choose can affect the pricing because some shades may require more coats, and if you utilize a variety of colours, you will use more items.
- The Complexity of the Project: The number of details necessary in the paint job might impact the price. Victorian homes, for example, contain a lot of detailing for painters to work with, which is why they cost more.
- Prep Work Required: Because some exteriors may require pressure cleaning or repair work, the prep work needed will affect the painting cost.
- Number of Storeys: Scaffolding may be required for two-story homes, which adds to the cost and takes more time for painters. There are also additional safety measures associated with this.
- Site Access: Access to your home’s exterior may be difficult, or there may be obstructions, both of which will affect the price.
What Is the Cost of Painting the Interior of a House?
The house’s interior is more complicated than its exterior. Because the inside includes rooms, doors, stairways, kitchen cabinets, corridors, ceilings, living room, bedrooms, garage, and even trims and headboards, it can be a little confusing.
These parts will necessitate a range of work, which will add to the budget. On average, painting the interior of a house costs $3,800 for a three-bedroom home in good condition. According to experts, this can vary based on the property’s size, style, age, and other factors.
The cost of painting your interior is determined by a variety of factors, including these.
- Ceiling Height: High ceilings are more difficult to paint and require longer to complete.
- Existing Paint Condition: If your walls have peeling or cracks, these must be fixed before painting can begin.
- The Condition of the Woodwork: If you have wooden panelling, moulding, or doors that need to be repaired, the cost will be affected.
- Changing Colors: If you decide to change the colour of a room, the painters may charge an additional fee because this job may require a primer, an undercoat, and additional coats of paint.
- Paint Quality: Higher grade paints are more expensive on the painter’s end.
- Decorative Features: Expect to pay more if you want decorative glazes or unusual paint effects.
What Are the Possible Extra Costs for Painting a House?
While preparing your property for painting, you may discover more severe problems than just old paint, such as mould or hazardous lead paint. These circumstances necessitate additional work, which adds to the cost of your project. Some of the extra expenses that you may incur are listed below.
Lead Paint Assessment: If your house was built before 1978, it’s a good idea to get it inspected for lead paint both inside and out. In fact, for real estate transactions involving pre-1978 residences, a lead paint examination is sometimes required.
Mould Remediation: When painting the exterior of your home, you’ll most likely be inspecting areas of your property that you don’t usually pay attention to. You might come across an unwelcome surprise: mould. Experts agree that it must be removed immediately and by a skilled mould remediation company if mould is discovered.
Paint Stripping: If the paint on the house is peeling or chipped, the paint may need to be stripped. While stripping the entire home is not necessary, parts can be stripped with a sander, heat gun, or scraper.
Travel and Equipment Fees: Extra equipment may be required if the house has numerous levels or elaborate, difficult-to-reach features. Painters will require additional ladders and scaffolding if the ground outside the home is slanted or uneven. The greater the number of lifts, ladders, scaffolds, and planks required, the higher the equipment cost.
What Are the Tips to Help You Save Money on Painting?
While certain things can cost extra while painting a house, here are some suggestions on how you might save money.
Do the Preparation: Preparing the rooms, which takes a significant amount of time, is essential for the painting process. In many circumstances, a poorly prepared paint job is a waste of time and resources; thus, it is usually critical to rigorously clean and verifies that the surface is in perfect shape before applying paint to it. Although the contractor will almost always need to conduct some professional prep work, if you can undertake some of it ahead of time, you may save money on labour.
- Don’t Delay Repainting Your Home for Too Long: Don’t put off painting until you notice peeling, chalking, or blistering. Repaint every 7-8 years if possible because if the surface is in good shape, you may need one coat instead of two. Even preparing the surface for coating and painting takes extra time and money if the surface is severely damaged. Meanwhile, if your surface is in good shape, you will take less time, saving you money that you can use to purchase new décor pieces rather than providing them to your paint contractor.
- Communicate With Others and Seek Advice: When preparing to renovate your home or company, always ask your friends and family for recommendations on painters. Before deciding on a painting contractor, think about it and get various quotations. This emphasizes the importance of doing your homework.
- Invest in High-Quality Paints: It is always good to purchase high-quality paints because they will cover the wall areas better than low-cost paints. The larger the wall area it covers, the more money you’ll save on gallons of paint. These pricey paints may have a higher initial cost, but they provide excellent value for money.
How Does a New Paint Job Affect the Value to Your Home?
Painting your house will not only cover up faded or worn-down paint but will also improve the aesthetic and appeal of the property. Paint can update, enhance, and accentuate your home’s distinctive architectural aspects, making it more visually appealing. If you’re preparing to sell, the appearance and condition of your home’s exterior are one of the first things guests or potential buyers notice. Moreover, these are the first features noticed and appraised by a home appraiser during a property inspection.
In a competitive market, painting your home will help it stand out. The clean look of fresh, neutral paint can boost the value of your home and make it more desirable to a wide range of buyers. An excellent paint job shows buyers that you care about your house and will be helpful to them in the future. When you make a sale, this can result in a significant ROI.