Find a painter you can trust

When to call a painter

Paint does two jobs. It makes the place look good, and it protects what’s underneath from weather, moisture and wear. So you call a painter both when you want a fresh look and when the old coat is starting to give up.

Inside, it might be a single room that needs a refresh, a feature wall to add some character, or a whole-house repaint when you move in or get ready to sell. Tired ceilings, scuffed doors and yellowed trim all come up nicely with a coat from someone who knows how to cut in.

Outside is where good painting really earns its keep. Sun, rain and salt air are brutal on Aussie homes, and once the exterior paint cracks or flakes, the surface underneath starts to cop it. If you’re seeing peeling, chalky render or bare patches, it’s time. The same goes for a faded or rusty roof, which a painter can respray to buy you years. If the roof itself needs repairs first, a roofer is the one to call.

What to check before you hire

Start with licensing, but know that it varies. Painting isn’t regulated the same way everywhere. Queensland, NSW, WA and South Australia license house painting once a job passes a set value (South Australia at any value), while Victoria and the ACT leave painting unlicensed on its own. Our licence checks page has the lookup for each state, and you can read more about how tradie licences work in our guide.

After that, look for:

• Public liability insurance, so your home and furniture are covered if something gets damaged or splattered.
• A clear answer on prep. Ask how they patch, sand and undercoat. A good painter will happily talk you through it.
• The paint they use and how many coats are in the price. Two coats of a quality paint outlasts one thin coat every time.
• Drop-sheets, masking and a proper clean-up at the end.
• An ABN, a written quote and real reviews from local jobs.

The honest truth is that almost anyone can roll paint onto a wall. The skill is in everything before that, and in the neat lines, even coverage and tidy finish that you only notice when they’re missing.

What it costs

Most painters charge around $65–$100 an hour, or $550–$850 a day per painter, but they usually give you a fixed price for the whole job once they’ve seen how much prep it needs.

As a guide for common jobs:

• Paint a feature wall: around $150–$400
• Repaint a single room: around $400–$1,000
• Repaint a three-bedroom home, inside: around $3,500–$8,000
• Paint a house exterior: around $4,000–$12,000

Exteriors and roofs cost more because of access, weather and the sheer amount of surface. Weatherboard, a second storey and heavy prep push any job toward the top of the range. That prep is exactly why two quotes for the “same” job can look different, so make sure you’re comparing like for like.

These are a guide, not a quote. Our painter cost guide has more jobs and how each city compares, then get a free quote for your actual place.

How needatradie matches you

We’re not a directory, and we won’t flog your details to five businesses who then ring you all week. You tell us what you need painted, and we match you with one local painter whose licence (where required), insurance, ABN and reviews we’ve already checked.

One good painter. Not five sales calls. Want to read up first? Have a browse through our guides. When you’re ready, get a free quote and we’ll line you up with a local who’ll prep it right and leave it looking sharp.