How Much Does It Cost to Paint a House? | 2026 Cost Guide

• Average cost to paint a house

• External house painting

• Internal house painting

• Cost to paint a single room

• Cost to paint a roof

• What should I take into consideration before hiring a house painter?

• Painting in preparation to sell

• DIY painting

• Tips to get an accurate house painting quote

Average Cost to Paint a House

The house painting cost in Australia varies depending on the size of your property, the condition of the surfaces, and whether you are tackling interior painting or exterior painting.

Average Cost to Paint a House Based on Storeys

• Small 1-Storey House
  100 square metres: $2,500 - $6,000

• 2-Storey House
  250 square metres: $6,750 - $12,500

• 3-4-Storey House
  400 square metres: $10,000 - $19,000

External house painting

Exterior painting is usually priced per square metre at around $15 to $45. A large house exterior such as a 4-bedroom property can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000. The final painting cost depends on whether the exterior is brick, timber, or weatherboard, as well as how much preparation work is needed.

Paint quality also plays a role. Premium exterior paints last longer and protect better against weather conditions, but they increase the overall painting project cost.

Internal house painting

Australian interior painters typically charge between $20 and $45 per square metre. This usually covers one undercoat and two top coats. For a 230 square metre home, the total interior painting cost will be between $4,000 and $11,000.

An interior painting job with higher ceilings, detailed trims, or multiple colour choices will cost more. Hiring experienced interior painters ensures your interior walls are finished evenly and to a professional standard.

For the full room-by-room breakdown, read our guide to how much it costs to paint a room.

Cost to paint a single room

One room is usually $200 to $2,200: around $350 to $800 for a bedroom and $200 to $400 for a bathroom, with a living room or hallway at $1,000 to $2,200. For the full room-by-room table and what moves each price, see our guide to how much it costs to paint a room.

Cost to Paint a Roof

You can expect to pay anywhere between $2,000 to $10,000 to paint your property's roof. Subjective to the products you use, the experience of the painter and the size of your roof. To read more on this, then read our cost guide: "How Much Does a Roof Painter Cost?"

What should I take into consideration before hiring a house painter?

• Size of the job

• Accessibility to your property

• Qualifications of the painter

• Reputation of the painter

Hiring a house painter should not be a split-second decision. As with any purchase, you want to consider the reputability of the company, their experience with this service, how long they have been in the business to ensure you receive a premium service.

Detailed breakdown of the house painting process

Inspection and planning

The first step is to walk through the property and inspect for issues like flaking paint, peeling paint, or old paint that needs to be stripped back. This is also when you decide on your colour scheme and paint finish. For example, matte finishes work well in bedrooms, while semi-gloss is better for kitchens and bathrooms.

Surface preparation

Good results always begin with proper surface preparation. This may include sanding, patching cracks, filling holes, and cleaning walls. Exterior jobs might also involve pressure washing, especially if you are painting over a tile roof or weatherboard surface. Neglecting prep work means you will need more paint later and risk a patchy finish.

Priming and base coats

Once surfaces are ready, primer is applied. This seals the walls, helps cover stains, and ensures that the paint finish adheres evenly. Applying a base coat also evens out differences in colour, particularly when using multiple colours or transitioning from dark walls to lighter shades.

Main coats of paint

Most three bedroom house projects require at least two coats. More coats may be needed if the walls were heavily marked or if the new shade is drastically different from the old one. For rooms with high ceilings or large wall areas, the painter may need extra time and equipment, which can influence how much it costs overall.

Detailing and trims

After walls and ceilings are painted, trims, doors, and window frames are completed. This step is especially important when the design includes multiple colours or feature walls, as sharp lines and clean edges make a huge difference to the end result.

Clean-up and final inspection

Once the painting is complete, drop sheets are removed, surfaces are cleaned, and the painter inspects the work with you. Any final touch-ups are made to ensure a professional paint finish that will last.

Painting in Preparation to Sell

Are you preparing your house for the market? Our top tip - ask a real estate agent for advice. Why? Because they have their finger on the pulse when it comes to current buyer trends. Keep in mind that some buyers will renovate once they buy, so do not over-sell on the paintwork. Focus on your kitchen and bathroom's paintwork, offering the rest of the house as somewhat of a clean slate for prospective buyers.

DIY Painting

Can I paint my house myself? Painting may seem like an easy DIY project anyone can take on, but the reality is that it is a skill that is best left to the experts, particularly when it comes to painting a house. DIY painting projects are great if you are redoing one room in the house, however, for bigger jobs we always recommend bringing in professionals.

If you'd still prefer to paint your house yourself, you will need the following items:

• Paint

• Paint brushes and rollers

• Roller tray

• Ladder

• Primer

• Stirrer (usually comes free with paint, but double check)

• Tape measure

• Pouring spout

• Painter's tape (to protect trim)

• Hole filler

• Cloths to protect the floor

• Sponge

DIY Painting Time Breakdown

• Preparation work: 80 minutes

• Ceilings and trim: 140 minutes

• Roll out walls: 80 minutes

• Cleanup and touchups: 30 minutes

• Total time per room: 5.5 hours

DIY painting vs hiring a professional

A DIY paint job may save money upfront, but DIY painting costs can climb if you need to buy equipment and extra paint. The average DIY painting kit includes brushes, rollers, trays, primer, ladders and protective cloths.

For larger house painting projects, the interior house painting specialist is usually the smarter option. They deliver better results, work more efficiently, and know how to prepare surfaces properly for a successful painting project. Exterior painting costs are affected similarly. It's worth having the peace of mind of a professional painter for the larger jobs.

Tips to Get an Accurate House Painting Price

Get Multiple House Painting Quotes

To receive the most accurate house painting quote, we recommend taking quotes from multiple painters to ensure you get a standard price range. Then, you can assess the best fit for the job.

Ask About Accessibility to the Site

To avoid any unexpected added costs to paint your house, ensure you have easy access for tradies and their equipment.

Check Your House Paint products

High-quality house paint products are always the best option for the best long-term finishes, so do your homework to ensure you know what paint products will be best for the job. Factor in things like house location, weather, and other natural occurrences.

Look for Quality

Always choose quality over a cheap price, as it may come back to bite you if you end up with poor-quality results. Usually, price is a reflection of the quality workmanship you will receive.

How to Hire a House Painter

Hiring the right painter is crucial to the outcome of your job. Take note of qualifications, experience, references, and guarantees.

Final thoughts

So, how much does house painting cost in 2026? Depending on the size of your home, the materials used and the complexity of the painting project, expect to spend anywhere between a few thousand and nearly twenty thousand dollars.

Whether you want interior painting for a fresh new look, exterior painting for added protection, or a complete house painting project before selling, investing in a high-quality paint job will add value and comfort to your home.

Further Reading

How long does it take to paint a room?

A single room can take anywhere from 5.5 to 10 hours to paint, depending on the experience of the painter. If you are undertaking a DIY paint job, it can take up to three hours longer than a professional.

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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.