Exterior Painting Cost Australia
Complete guide to exterior house painting costs across Australia. Compare paint types, preparation methods, and professional painting services for your home.
Exterior Painting Costs at a Glance
Full exterior painting including preparation and labour
Average full house exterior painting project
Traditional weatherboard house painting
Brick exterior painting with primer and sealing
Painted render surface preparation and coating
Roof restoration and protective coating
Detailed Exterior Painting Costs
House Size & Pricing
By Square Metres
- Small House (200-300m²)$8,000 - $15,000
- Medium House (300-400m²)$12,000 - $20,000
- Large House (400-500m²)$16,000 - $25,000
- Extra Large House (500m²+)$20,000 - $35,000
By Number of Bedrooms
- 2 Bedroom House$8,000 - $14,000
- 3 Bedroom House$11,000 - $18,000
- 4 Bedroom House$14,000 - $23,000
- 5+ Bedroom House$18,000 - $30,000
Surface Type Pricing
Common Surfaces
- Weatherboard Siding$30 - $50/m²
- Brick Exterior$35 - $65/m²
- Render/Stucco$25 - $45/m²
- Fibre Cement$28 - $48/m²
Special Surfaces
- Metal Cladding$40 - $70/m²
- Timber Features$45 - $80/m²
- Concrete Block$30 - $55/m²
- Previously Painted$25 - $40/m²
Additional Components
Exterior Features
- Window Frames & Sills$15 - $25/window
- Front & Back Doors$80 - $150/door
- Garage Doors$200 - $400
- Guttering & Downpipes$8 - $15/m
Structural Elements
- Eaves & Soffits$20 - $35/m²
- Fascia Boards$12 - $20/m
- Balcony Railings$25 - $45/m
- Outdoor Decking$15 - $30/m²
Paint Types & Pricing Comparison
- Fast drying water-based formula
- Good UV resistance
- Easy cleanup with water
- Lower VOC emissions
- Suitable for most climates
- Durable oil-based formula
- High gloss finish
- Excellent weather resistance
- Ideal for trim and doors
- Professional appearance
- Advanced polymer technology
- Superior fade resistance
- 15+ year warranty
- Self-cleaning properties
- Maximum durability
Exterior Painting Costs by Australian City
| City | Per m² Rate | Average House Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | $30 - $65 | $12,000 - $30,000 |
| Melbourne | $28 - $60 | $11,000 - $28,000 |
| Brisbane | $25 - $55 | $10,000 - $25,000 |
| Perth | $28 - $58 | $11,000 - $26,000 |
| Adelaide | $25 - $50 | $9,500 - $22,000 |
| Gold Coast | $26 - $55 | $10,500 - $25,000 |
| Canberra | $30 - $65 | $12,500 - $28,000 |
| Darwin | $32 - $70 | $13,000 - $32,000 |
Factors Affecting Exterior Painting Costs
Surface Preparation
- • Minimal prep: Clean surfaces, standard rates
- • Moderate prep: Scraping, filling, 20-30% extra
- • Extensive prep: Lead paint removal, 50-80% extra
- • Power washing: $2-5/m² additional
- • Primer application: $8-15/m² extra
Access & Complexity
- • Single storey: Standard pricing
- • Two storey: 15-25% premium
- • Three+ storey: 30-50% premium
- • Scaffolding required: $15-25/m² extra
- • Complex architecture: 20-40% additional
Paint Quality & Coverage
- • Budget paint: 15-20% below average
- • Standard paint: Standard pricing
- • Premium paint: 20-40% premium
- • Two coats: Standard application
- • Three coats: 30-40% additional labour
Timing & Seasonality
- • Peak season (spring/summer): Standard rates
- • Off-season (winter): 10-20% discounts
- • Urgent jobs: 20-30% surcharge
- • Flexible timing: 5-15% discount
- • Weather delays: May extend timeline
Professional Painting vs DIY
Quality & Expertise
- • Professional surface preparation
- • High-quality paint and tools
- • Even coverage and finish
- • Warranty on workmanship
Time & Convenience
- • Faster completion (7-14 days)
- • No equipment purchase needed
- • Insurance coverage
- • Safety equipment included
Cost: $25-$65/m² all-inclusive
Equipment & Materials
- • Paint: $50-120/L (4-6L per room)
- • Brushes & rollers: $50-150
- • Drop sheets & tape: $30-80
- • Ladder/scaffolding: $100-500 hire
Time Investment
- • Preparation: 2-4 days
- • Painting: 4-8 days
- • Learning curve included
- • Weekend/evening work
Cost: $12-25/m² + significant time
How to Save Money on Exterior Painting
Timing & Scheduling
- • Off-season booking: 10-20% winter discounts
- • Flexible scheduling: Painters prefer filled calendars
- • Group bookings: Coordinate with neighbors
- • Advanced booking: Avoid urgent job premiums
Preparation Work
- • Clean surfaces yourself
- • Remove fixtures and fittings
- • Clear work areas of furniture
- • Patch small holes and cracks
Smart Material Choices
- • Choose mid-range paint quality
- • Bulk purchase paint for consistency
- • Stick to standard color palettes
- • Consider paint and primer combined
Contractor Selection
- • Get 3-5 detailed quotes
- • Check insurance and licensing
- • Read reviews and view portfolios
- • Negotiate payment terms
Australian Painting Standards & Requirements
Industry Standards
- • AS/NZS 2311: Guide to the painting of buildings
- • Surface preparation: Minimum P2-P3 grade
- • Paint thickness: 40-60 microns dry film
- • Weather conditions: 5-35°C, humidity <85%
- • Substrate moisture: <15% before painting
- • Curing time: 7-28 days depending on paint
Professional Requirements
- • Licensed trade contractor registration
- • Public liability insurance ($5M+)
- • Workers compensation coverage
- • OH&S compliance and safety equipment
- • Environmental protection measures
- • Warranty on workmanship (2-7 years)
Why Choose Mates Rates for Exterior Painting?
Licensed Painters
All painting contractors are licensed, insured, and experienced in exterior house painting.
Competitive Quotes
Compare detailed quotes from multiple painters to find the best value for your project.
Quality Assurance
Professional workmanship backed by warranties and our satisfaction guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does exterior house painting take?
A typical single-storey house takes 7-14 days depending on size, preparation requirements, and weather conditions. Two-storey houses generally take 10-21 days. Extensive preparation work or complex architectural features can extend the timeline.
What's the best time of year to paint house exterior?
Spring and autumn offer ideal conditions with mild temperatures and low humidity. Avoid painting in extreme heat, cold, or wet weather. Winter painting is possible but may take longer to cure and costs may be lower due to reduced demand.
How often should I repaint my house exterior?
Quality exterior paint typically lasts 7-15 years depending on climate, surface material, and paint quality. Weatherboard may need repainting every 5-10 years, while brick and render can last 10-15 years. Regular maintenance extends paint life.
Do I need council approval for exterior painting?
Generally no council approval is required for repainting your house in similar colors. However, heritage properties or drastically changing colors in some council areas may require approval. Check with your local council if unsure.
What's included in a professional exterior painting quote?
A comprehensive quote should include surface preparation, primer (if needed), paint materials, labor, equipment hire, and cleanup. Always clarify what's included and excluded, such as additional coats, repairs, or fixture painting.
How do I prepare my house for exterior painting?
Clear the work area, trim vegetation away from walls, remove outdoor furniture, and clean surfaces if possible. Professional painters typically handle major preparation, but DIY prep work can reduce costs by $5-15/m².
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