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It can help unify the appearance of your indoor and outdoor spaces and improve the overall curb appeal, therefore increasing the value of your property. Typically a very big and potentially complex job, this is one task that most homeowners are glad to outsource.
If you’re ready to give the outside of your home a refresh, here's an idea of what to expect costwise for exterior house painting in 2024.
Exterior painting can range from $3,000 to $35,000, depending on several factors which we will look at in more detail below. Typically, Australian painters charge by the square metre with adjustments to the cost made based on the surface being painted.
For instance, you might pay between $15 to $45 per square metre for painting a brickwork exterior and between $12 to $60 per square metre for timber.
While these prices are the general industry standard, most exterior painters will request to inspect your house’s exterior in person before providing a quote.
The simple answer is that it depends. The style of your home, the kind of painter you hire, the condition your home is in and more will all be factored into the final price.
As discussed above, painters generally charge per square metre, so using this as a guide some estimations for exterior painting prices are as follows:
| House Type/Material | Average Cost per Square Metre (AUD) | Total Cost (for 100m² Surface Area) |
|---|---|---|
|
Brick (One-Storey) |
$30 - $50 |
$3,000 - $5,000 |
|
Brick (Two-Storey) |
$40 - $60 |
$4,000 - $6,000 |
|
Weatherboard (One-Storey) |
$35 - $55 |
$3,500 - $5,500 |
|
Weatherboard (Two-Storey) |
$45 - $70 |
$4,500 - $7,000 |
|
Rendered (One-Storey) |
$35 - $60 |
$3,500 - $6,000 |
|
Rendered (Two-Storey) |
$45 - $75 |
$4,500 - $7,500 |
To put this into context, an exterior house painting quote may be as follows:
As already outlined, exterior painters will charge per square metre, therefore, the more square metres your home is, the more you can expect to be charged.
The type of home exterior you have will affect the price, for example, brick walls require primers and topcoats, which may cost more.
The paint colours you choose can alter the price as some shades may require more coats leading to more products being used. Likewise, if you use more than one colour or opt for speciality paints such as those with a gloss or textured finish costs will also increase.
Paint can cost between $50 to $100 per litre or more and incur additional labour charges of $5 to $15 per m² for textured or high-gloss finishes that are harder to work with.
The amount of detail required in the paint job can significantly affect the cost. For example, Victorian homes have an extensive amount of detailed trim for painters to work with. This requires more time and more attention to detail, adding anywhere from $500 to $1,500 on top of base costs.
The amount of prep work required will alter the painting cost, as some exteriors may require pressure cleaning or repair work before painting can begin and to ensure a great result. This can add an estimated $500 to $1,500 (varies by condition) to your quote.
Taller or two-storey homes may require scaffolding which is an additional cost to consider and may also take up more time for painters. There are also added safety requirements that come with this. Expect an additional $500 to $2,000 to be added to your quote in these cases.
Access challenges to your house’s exterior may be a problem and require scaffolding or other safety measures or movement of items close to the home. Where your home is more difficult to work on you may incur an added charge of between $200 to $1,000.
No matter how well you plan or how detailed an exterior paint quote may be, it's always wise to plan for surprises. Even the most experienced painters may not be able to anticipate where additional work may be required until they begin the job.
Likewise, you may elect to invest in additional services such as patching or superior paint products for greater longevity. Here’s a rough guide of what to expect so you can avoid any budget challenges:
| Additional Service | Cost Impact | Details |
|---|---|---|
|
Paint Stripping |
$5 - $10 per m² ($500 - $1,000 total) |
Needed for peeling paint or where too many layers of old paint exist (common on heritage homes) |
|
Lead Paint Removal/Remediation |
$50 - $100 per m² |
This may involve stripping lead paint and disposing of it safely or properly sealing it before painting |
|
Repairs and Patching |
$300 - $2,500+ |
For repairing damaged surfaces before painting |
|
Priming |
$2 - $5 per m² ($200 - $500 total) |
Required for new or untreated surfaces |
|
Premium Paint |
$60 - $100+ per litre ($1,000 - $3,000 total) |
High-quality, long-lasting paint for tough conditions |
|
Clean-Up and Disposal |
$100 - $500 |
For disposing of any excessive or unexpected waste and cleaning up after the job |
In order to get the most accurate quote, we recommend being extremely detailed in your description and allowing the painter to inspect your property.
Key elements to include in your description include:
It's worth keeping in mind that smaller jobs may not always be quoted as low as you’d expect. Your painter must still account for travel, set up, labour and materials and ensure they can cover these costs.
Prior to hiring a painter, you should ask the following questions to ensure you receive the best possible service.
When it comes to finding an exterior house painter, we have you covered with our directory listings and quote comparisons. Find a trusted and experienced house painter today at Service.com.au.
All the costs quoted were sourced at the time this article was written. They are to be used as an AUD cost guide and may vary locally, and are subject to market changes.
