Find a trusted painter on the Gold Coast

Sun, salt and mould on Gold Coast walls

Paint on the coast works hard. Strong UV breaks down exterior coatings, so north and west-facing walls fade and chalk well before the sheltered side of the house. Close to the beach, salt settles on every surface, and painting over it shortens the life of the new coat, which is why a proper washdown comes first. Ask what paint system the painter plans to use, how many coats, and whether the product suits a coastal site.

Humidity brings mould. Eaves, bathroom ceilings and shady south walls often grow black spots through the wet season, and paint won’t hold on top of it for long. A good painter kills the mould with a wash, lets the surface dry out and uses a mould-resistant paint where it’s needed.

Render, timber and older homes

Rendered and painted brick is everywhere on the coast, and render cracks over time. Fine cracks need opening up and filling with a flexible filler before painting, or they’ll show straight back through. Timber needs different care: older beach houses, hinterland homes, decks and screens all need scraping, sanding and an oil or stain that can stand up to the weather.

If your home was painted before 1970, the old layers may contain lead. Sanding or scraping it can spread toxic dust, so the painter should test first and use lead-safe methods if it’s there.

In unit blocks, the outside of the building is usually the body corporate’s responsibility. Before you book anyone for a balcony or an external wall, check with the committee or building manager.

Painting licences in Queensland

Queensland requires a QBCC Painting and decorating licence for any painting job over $3,300, labour and materials included, and most full interior or exterior repaints cost more than that. Look the painter up on the QBCC licensee register and confirm it’s current and matches the business on your quote. For other trades, see our Queensland licence checks.

Painting prices on the Gold Coast

Most painters charge around $65–$100 an hour or $550–$850 a day, but quote per job. Repainting one room costs about $400–$1,000, the inside of a three-bedroom home $3,500–$8,000, and a single-storey brick or rendered exterior $4,000–$12,000. Double-storey homes need scaffolding or a lift and often run $8,000–$20,000 outside. A roof repaint is typically $3,000–$8,000.

Winter and early spring are usually the driest months here, which makes them a popular time for outside work. The painter price guide has more examples, all indicative rather than a quote.

Getting matched with a Gold Coast painter

Tell us what you’d like painted and roughly where you are, and we’ll put you in touch with one local painter we’ve vetted for licence, insurance, ABN and reviews. We won’t hand your number to a list of painting companies.

See painters in other cities or other Gold Coast trades, and get a free quote when you’re ready to talk colours.