How to Quote Painting a House in Australia

What a good painting quote covers

A painting quote is more than a rate per square metre. Before you price anything, walk the house and list every part of the job so nothing gets absorbed into a round number:

• Surface preparation — washing, sanding, filling, scraping and any mould treatment. This is where quotes bleed.
• Primer or undercoat — needed on bare timber, new plasterboard, patched repairs and big colour changes.
• Paint coats — usually two topcoats; say so, and name the brand, colour and finish for each area.
• Masking and protection — covering floors, windows, fixtures and gardens.
• Access equipment — ladders for single storey, scaffolding for two storeys and up.
• Clean-up and rubbish — empty tins, soiled drop sheets and a tidy site at the end.

Interior vs exterior costs in 2026

Interior and exterior work sit at different rates because the exterior fights prep, height and weather. Use these 2026 figures as a starting point, then adjust for the condition of the surfaces you actually saw:

Exterior work carries the higher rate for a reason: more prep, more access gear, and the weather can cost you days. Anything two storeys or over needs scaffolding costed as its own line, not blended into the rate.

Working out paint quantities

Getting the paint volumes right keeps you off the last-minute Bunnings run. A litre of good paint covers roughly 12–16 m² per coat, so measure the surfaces and work back from there.

• A standard three-bedroom interior needs about 40–60 litres for walls across two coats.
• Ceilings add another 15–25 litres on top.
• Add 10% for touch-ups, waste and the odd extra coat over a strong colour.
• Darker or patchy existing colours can need a third coat — check before you assume two.

Surface prep — where quotes bleed

Prep is the single most underquoted part of any paint job, because you can't see it in a photo — only on site. Inspect every surface and price the work each one needs:

• Peeling or flaking paint — scraping back and sanding, sometimes over a big area.
• Cracks and holes — filling and sanding flush before any paint goes on.
• Mould or mildew — treated and killed first, or it grows straight back through the new coat.
• Bare timber and new surfaces — primed or sealed so the topcoat holds.
• Quote prep as a visible line so the customer sees the value, not just a number.

Common mistakes that eat your margin

1. Quoting off photos. You can't judge prep, access or surface condition from a phone photo. Always price after an in-person inspection.
2. Underquoting the prep. Sanding, filling and mould treatment eat hours. Walk every room and elevation and cost the prep before the paint.
3. Forgetting access equipment. Two-storey exteriors, high stairwells and steep gables need scaffolding or specialised access. Price it as its own line.
4. Not stating the number of coats. Never assume the customer knows two coats is standard. Spell it out so a 'why does it look patchy' argument can't start.
5. Leaving exclusions unsaid. Note what's out — wallpaper removal, moving heavy furniture, major plaster repairs — so a variation isn't a dispute.

Pro tips for a painting quote that holds

• Inspect every surface in person before you put a number on it.
• Specify paint brand, colour code and finish (matt, low sheen, semi-gloss or gloss) for each area.
• Split the quote into prep, paint supply and labour so the value is obvious.
• Cost access separately for anything two storeys and over.
• Pull current paint prices the day you quote — they climb with every supplier price rise.
• Send a clean, itemised PDF the same day you visit; the fast quote often wins the job.

Frequently asked questions