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How much does an interior painter cost? | 2024 cost guide

9th Feb '24 • By Jared Jeffery

Painting the inside of your home can be the perfect way to transform its appearance while adding value to your property.

It allows you to refresh your space with a new design scheme, or create a more unified look between each room of the house. Here is an estimate of the costs of hiring an interior painter in 2024.

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Overview

  • What is the average cost of interior house painting?
  • Interior painting job costs 
  • What changes the cost of painting my home’s interior?
  • Interior painting cost alterations
  • Painting supplies needed for interior painting 
  • Charges for additional interior painting work
  • What should I ask my interior painter?
  • Interior painting FAQs

hand-holding-paintbrush

What is the average cost of interior house painting?

The typical price range for painting an interior house or room ranges from $$970 to $2,800. 

Australian professional interior painters typically will charge you per square metre, and this will be about $15 – $40 per square metre. This price should include a single undercoat and two finish coats. 

If your job requires minimal prep/trim work and only one colour, then you will be closer to $15 per square metre. Comparatively, using multiple colours, having high ceilings, and requiring extensive prep work may put you closer to $40 per square metre. 

Interior Painting Job Costs 

  • Two-bedroom and kitchen/living area: $800 – $1,500 
  • Two-bedroom unit, one bathroom and laundry: $2,500 – $3,500 
  • Three-bedroom house, two bathrooms, kitchen, and laundry: $4,500 – $6,000

Cost to Paint a Bedroom 

A standard 3 x 3.6 metre room will cost between $300 and $750 to paint, bearing in mind that you will need around 10 litres of paint and a can of primer to get the best results. Cost factors include paint products used, area covered, time needed, and colour schemes. 

Cost to Paint a Bathroom 

Bathrooms are typically smaller in size, meaning they cost less! You can expect to typically pay between $150 to $350 to paint your bathroom at the average bathroom size of 6.5 square metres. As a general rule, you will spend $2 to $6 more per 5 litres for high or semi-gloss paints over matte or eggshell finishes. The benefit is that these paints are much more durable and easier to maintain. 

Cost to Paint a Living Room or Hallway 

As we move into painting the living room or hallway, the area increases, and so does the price. You will pay anywhere between $900 to $2,000 depending on the specific square metres of the area you want to be painted. The price will increase if you opt for two colours for an accent wall or if you have high ceilings. 

Cost to Paint the Kitchen

On average, painting your kitchen’s walls will be almost 50% less than most other rooms due to the cabinetry. Expect to pay around $1,000 for your kitchen.

Interior Paint Cost Per Square Metre

Generally, painting the interior of your house will cost $15 – $40 per square metre in Australia. 

ladder-and-paint-roller-next-to-wall

What changes the cost of painting my home’s interior?

There are a few variables that can alter the cost of painting your home’s interior. Reputable painters will include all the following considerations when providing your quote. We recommend selecting a painter with the most detailed quote as opposed to the most competitive quote. 

Interior Painting Cost Alterations

Surface Area to Be Painted  

It goes without saying that the more area you have to cover, the more it is going to cost. With any quote, consider if this is for your total area to be painted. 

Paint Product Used 

The kind of paint you choose can affect the price of your interior paint job, as some brands or types of paint are significantly more expensive than others. Generally, it is advised to use a more expensive paint as the quality of the finish is better and will last longer than cheaper paint in most cases.

Interior Painting Preparation Work Required 

Consider the current condition of the interior area you want to be painted — will it require a lot of stripping back and prep? If so, expect to pay more for it. 

Decorative Plaster Ceilings 

Naturally, if you have decorative plaster ceilings, you can understand why this would require more precision, time and overall painting costs. 

Ceiling Height 

The height of your ceiling affects whether the interior painter will need special equipment (such as a ladder or extended paint brush) and extra time to complete your interior paintwork. 

Colours 

If you are combining more than one paint colour, this may be a slightly more difficult or lengthy process. 

paint-cans-on-tiles

Painting Supplies Needed for Interior Painting 

A factor in the professional interior painter's quote is supplies — one way to bring down the price potentially is by providing the tools, or you might just like to have them in case you decide to undertake a DIY project. 

Painting Supply Costs

  • Brushes for intricate and large surfaces: $3 – $20 per brush
  • Tape to protect trim/ceilings: $3 – $10 
  • Drop cloth to protect floors/furniture: $5 – $30 
  • Tray for holding paint: $2 – $5 
  • Rollers for large surfaces: $10 – $100 
  • Ladder for high areas: $20 — $100
  • Painting kits if you want a bundle deal: $10 – $20

Charges for Additional Interior Painting Work

Bear in mind that prep time and ceiling heights may alter this. Interior painting is a popular way to revamp your home’s look. It is also one of the more affordable methods of increasing your home’s appeal and value. If any updates or repairs are necessary, you can expect to pay additional fees per square metre. A lot of professionals will offer to include this as a package rate for you. 

What should I ask my interior painter?

Prior to hiring an interior painter, you should ask the following questions to ensure you receive the best possible service: 

  • Do you have a licence? ​
  • Do you have training and qualifications? 
  • What experience do you have?
  • May I see examples of your previous jobs?
  • Do you provide written quotes?
  • Do you have the required insurance to do this job?
  • What is included/excluded in your service? 

When getting quotes from interior painters via Service.com.au, you should first ask the above questions. Consider whether the mentioned alterations of cost are included to avoid any unexpected fees down the line.  

Get free quotes in minutes.

Get quotes from our qualified and licensed tradies Australia-wide.

Interior Painting FAQs 

How much does an interior painter cost per square metre? 

Australian painters generally charge $15 – $40 per square metre to paint the interior of a home. 

How much does it cost to paint a three-bedroom house interior?

For the typical service (single undercoat, two finishing coats), you can expect to pay $15 – $40 per square metre (including ceiling). In general, a three-bedroom house will be approximately $5,000 – $7,000 to paint; however, most painters will want to inspect the job prior to quoting. 

Further Reading

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