The Ultimate Guide To Interior House Painting in Perth

Written by Stephen Cochrane 

Updated 10 July 2024 by Stephen Cochrane

How much does it cost to paint a three bedroom house in Perth? It seems like a reasonable question. However, working out the cost of painting a house in Perth can be a complex task. Every interior house painting project is unique and there are a lot of factors that go into the cost analysis.

Just like not all 3BR homes are the same, the quote to paint them isn’t one size fits all either. But we understand that when you’re trying to plan a renovation or house painting refresh, budgeting is essential. You need to know what things cost.

So we’ve created this house painting guide to answer a range of common questions. You’ll have a better understanding of what’s involved in residential house painting and get a rough idea of the costs involved. With this information, you’ll be able to make the right decision for painting your house.

In this article, we’ll cover:

• Interior House Painting Costs – Perth Painters vs DIY
  • Professional Painter Quotes
  • DIY House Painting Costs
• What’s Involved with DIY Interior House Painting
  • Supplies You’ll Need
  • Factoring in Time and Technical Skill
• The Hidden Costs of DIY Interior House Painting
• Step By Step DIY Interior House Painting
• How To Choose a Painter For Your House
  • Tips For Finding a Quality Painter
  • Questions To Ask a Painter Before Making Your Decision
  • Comparing Painting Quotes

It’s time to brush up on all things house painting in Perth!

Interior House Painting Costs – Perth Painters vs DIY

There are two options for painting your home. You can do it yourself or hire professional residential painters. The costs vary for each option.

Professional Painter Quotes

Painting the interior of a home in Perth can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $35,000. Many painting companies charge an hourly rate plus materials. Others will offer a day rate. Ask your chosen painter how they prepare their quotes to understand exactly what’s included.

When preparing painting quotes, Perth painters consider the following points: 

• House Size: the sq ft of a property will determine how big the job is, how long it will take, and how much paint will be required.
• Paints + Materials: the type and quality of paint plus the volume needed are all factored into a painting quote.
• Labour: the scope and complexity of the job will impact the time it will take to complete. This may involve prep time including moving/covering furniture and the use of additional equipment like scaffolding.
• Interior vs Exterior: is the job for home interior painting, exterior house painting or both?

DIY House Painting Costs

Just like professional painting quotes, DIY painting costs vary depending on the size of your home, the type and quality of paint you use, and more.

However, let’s use a three-bedroom house with two bathrooms, kitchen and laundry as an example. Hipages reports professional painter quotes range from $4,500 – $6,000. Prices at the lower end are typically for less complex jobs. e.g. single paint colour, no trim work, minimal preparation for painting.

When you paint the interior of your home yourself, you’ll only pay for paint and equipment. Eliminating the labour costs of hiring a professional painter could save you $2,000 or more.

However, a word of caution. DIY might seem like a great way to keep costs down when rejuvenating your home, but is the cost to paint the house interior yourself worth it in the long term?

What’s Involved with DIY Interior House Painting?

Before you pick up a paintbrush, you should consider all the associated costs of DIY painting – including some unexpected ones you may not have bargained for.

Supplies You’ll Need

Here’s a comprehensive list of all the prep and painting equipment you’ll need to ensure you’re not rushing back to the paint shop in the middle of the job! 

Paint Brushes and Rollers 

• Cutting in brush – how well you cut in (paint the edges) of a wall can make or break your paint job. So get a good quality cutting in brush, 2-3 inches in width.
• Small shallow container or paint tray – holds paint for cutting in (much easier than trying to carry a roller tray).
• Roller – you’ll be using a roller to paint most of your wall so don’t skimp on quality here. Cheap rollers break down quickly and won’t give a lovely smooth result. Note: different roller covers are required for different finishes so ensure you’re getting the right roller for your needs.
• Roller tray – holds the paint and allows you to load up the roller with an appropriate amount of paint.
• Painter’s pole/roller pole – if you’re painting high walls, this will give you extended reach and usually removes the need for ladders or scaffolding.

Paint

Here’s where most of your budget will be spent – and it’s possible to save money by choosing the cheapest paint. However, if you value a precision finish that offers excellent longevity, then always purchase the highest quality paint your budget will allow for.

If you’re painting the whole house, you’ll need more than one type of paint. Remember that painting a bathroom (and other wet areas like kitchens and laundries) requires a different kind of paint than the one you’ll use for lounge rooms and bedroom painting.

Is your home a new build? Keep in mind that new house painting jobs typically mean you’ll be applying paint to newly plastered walls. Budget for 20% more paint than usual when painting plasterboard that’s bare.

An online paint calculator can help you determine how much paint you’ll need.

Factoring in Time and Technical Skill

Celebrity interior designers and DIYers make painting look easy, but the truth is: it’s not. It’s hard work, and you need to consider if you’re physically able to tackle the job. Professional house painters are trained in safety standards and carry insurance for accidents. 

Time is money, and painting takes time. On average, you can expect it to take about 5.5 hours to paint a room. Whether you’re able to devote that time in one block or over several weeks is up to you. What is your time worth? Weigh up the value of your time compared to the cost of paying a professional.

Nothing beats the feeling of DIY done well. But if life is already busy with work and family commitments, you may just decide that handing over the job to professional Perth painters is the best investment you can make.

The Hidden Costs of DIY Interior House Painting

When you compare a professional painting quote with an estimated cost for doing it yourself, chances are you’ll notice a dollar discrepancy in the thousands.

But what costs are you ignoring or underestimating?

Quality Painting Tools You Only Use Once

DIY painting requires lots of tools. From hand sanders to foam rollers, trays, brushes, ladders and more, if these are things you don’t have lying around in your garage, the costs quickly add up.

Yes, there are budget options – and that’s fine if you’re happy with a budget finish. However, if you want a high-quality finish, you’ll need high-quality tools. If this DIY is a one-off, or you prematurely abandon the project because you never want to see a paintbrush again (it happens!), then you’ve just dropped a small fortune on expensive tools that you no longer need. 

Professional house painters have their own tools – and they’re usually state-of-the-art to ensure an impeccable finish every time.

Your Precious Time

Inexperienced DIYers often underestimate the time it takes to paint house interiors. If you’ve never painted before, you’re likely to paint more slowly and find the work more challenging than the DIY painting tutorial video made it look! A job you thought would take a couple of days can easily blow out over weeks (and even months), especially if you’re fitting it around work and family commitments.

Skilled Perth house painters utilise their industry expertise and experience to get the job done quickly and efficiently.

Painting Mistakes

Learning a new skill takes time – and you’re bound to make mistakes along the way. How comfortable are you with learning on the job when the job involves paintwork that you’ll be looking at for years to come? If you make a mistake – one that you don’t know how to fix – the choice is to live with it or call in the professionals.

But paint drips on tapware and patchy paint distribution aren’t the only things that can go wrong. There are worse painting disasters that can befall even the most enthusiastic DIYer. Think paint that won’t adhere properly, an entire tin of Dulux Vintage Beige upended on your gorgeous timber floorboards, and ladder accidents that lay you out.

Professional house painters don’t make newbie mistakes. And in the event that anything does go wrong, they’re fully insured.

A Quality Finish – Guaranteed

Painting is a skilled trade and much harder than it looks to achieve a flawless finish. But the true value of a high-quality paint finish is often learned the hard way – usually by the DIYer who has to stare at their own handiwork for a decade.

So if a flawless finish is a non-negotiable for you, opt for Perth painting companies who guarantee the quality of their work.

Step By Step DIY Interior House Painting

So you want to give DIY house painting a go! Let’s make sure you’re well prepared and know how to avoid all those newbie mistakes that detract from the finished result.

Step 1: Calculate how much paint you need

It’s crucial to purchase the right amount of paint. To do this, you’ll need to calculate the square footage of the areas to be painted, in addition to considering a range of other factors.  

• Start by determining where you want to paint. Are you working in a single room, or are you painting a whole house interior? 
• Use a measuring tape to check the length of the walls you will be painting from end to end. This is the perimeter of your surface area. 
• Now measure the height of your walls, stretching all the way from the floor to the ceiling.
• Multiply the wall length by the height. This is the surface area to be painted and provides a general estimate of square footage. 
• 1 litre of paint is typically enough to cover 6 to 6.5 square metres of space. Divide your total estimated surface area by 6.5 to calculate how many litres of paint you will need.  The coverage can vary depending on paint brands, so check the tin.
• Next, consider your surface type. Rough, porous and unpainted surfaces require approximately 20% more paint. If you’re repainting over a light colour, you may need fewer coats, while a dark surface may require more. 
• Remember, you need enough paint to cover your surface area more than once, often accommodating up to 3 or 4 coats. You’ll also need a little paint left over for retouching in the future.  
• Confused? Try this paint calculator.

Step 2: Choose paint colours and finish

Colour is a very personal thing and getting it wrong can be an expensive exercise. Colour trends are tempting to follow but neutral paint colours offer timeless appeal. No matter what you decide, always use high-quality paint. And remember that the paint colours you choose can impact the cost, too.

A satin paint finish is a popular choice for walls in high-traffic areas as it is durable and can handle frequent cleaning.

In wet rooms such as kitchens, bathrooms and laundries, a semi-gloss paint finish offers excellent durability in humid conditions, is easy to clean, and offers good mildew resistance.

For painting ceilings, matte/flat paint is ideal as it needs fewer coats to hide imperfections.

Step 3: Prep surfaces for painting

This is probably the most important part of the job if a professional standard finish is what you are after. But it is also the step DIYers usually skimp on.

• Use gap filler to patch and repair holes and dings in the surface and then use a hand sander to smooth.
• Wash down the walls with a sugar soap solution to remove all dirt, dust and grime. A sponge mop makes the job quick and easy. If mould is present, use a cleaning agent designed to kill mould spores. If you’re painting kitchen cabinets, you may need a degreaser solution to remove years of built-up cooking oil residue.
• Finally, cover your floors with drop sheets (cloth drop sheets are best) and tape up all window and door frames, light switches and power outlets. Use a special painter’s tape for this job to ensure that when it’s peeled off, you don’t accidentally take paint with it.

Step 4: Always use a quality primer BEFORE painting

Use a good quality primer a shade or two lighter than your final wall colour. The primer will both seal the new surface and allow the final paint colour to adhere to the wall better.

Step 5: It’s time to paint!

Are you ready to bring your home interiors to life with a fresh coat of paint? Here are our top interior house painting tips to achieve a professional result.

• Start at the top, beginning with ceilings and cornices so that if any paint drips down, it won’t be dripping on the final wall colour
• Paint one wall at a time to avoid painting over an area that has already started to dry (this avoids any obvious overlapping).
• Always apply at least two proper coats. Darker colours might need three coats to ensure an even colour is achieved.
• Use good quality paint, brushes and rollers – cheap brushes drop hairs everywhere, cheap rollers don’t give an even finish, and cheap paint will not stand the test of time.
• Don’t rush! Painting an entire house is a big job so give yourself plenty of time.

Step 6: Know when to call in the house painting experts

Interior house painting is a huge undertaking. It’s a fiddly job with a lot of steps.  It’s physically challenging – and can prove challenging to relationships, too! 

It’s also hard to get it right. So if you’re making mistakes, and they’re showing, it might be time to call in professional Perth house painters. 

Here are the tell-tale signs it’s time to hand the job off:

• You HATE the paint colour. If it doesn’t look anything like you thought it would, STOP! Don’t waste another drop of paint. Talk to us about what you can do to fix it.
• There’s tape and mess everywhere… and it’s gathering dust.  It’s OK.  Painting is a massive job and plenty of DIYers find it drags on for much longer than they estimated.
• You’ve made some bad rookie errors… and they’re already annoying you. Imagine how you’ll feel looking at them for the next 10 years? Professional interior painting is an investment in seeing your dream space come to life!
• Painting is painful – literally. Every professional Perth painter will tell you that neck and shoulder injuries happen when you don’t follow the best health and safety practices.
• Cracks are starting to appear… possibly in your paintwork and definitely in your relationship! DIY home renos will take a toll on even the most loved-up couples. Ditch the stress and call in the pros.

Need professional painters in Perth?

How To Choose a Painter For Your House

Okay, so you’ve decided against DIY (or you’ve tried and failed). Now you need to hire a professional. How do you know which Perth painter is the best choice for the job?

Like anything else, not all Perth painters are created equal. Technical skill, industry expertise, proven experience and professionalism are all crucial qualities – but not all painters can deliver them.

Tips For Finding a Quality Painter

1. Perth residents can start with the Master Painters Association (08 9471 6662). Ask for three recommendations in your area. Alternatively, search for Dulux Accredited Painters in Perth.
2. Call the recommended painters and interview them over the phone. If they don’t sound helpful, approachable or knowledgeable, strike them off the list.
3. Happy with one or more painters? Arrange a time for each to provide an on-site estimate. This is essential for them to quote accurately.

Questions To Ask a Painter Before Making Your Decision

• Can you provide referrals from at least two past customers? If possible, request contact numbers.
• How long will the job take and how many tradies will be in attendance?
• Can you provide your registration and insurance details?
• What brand of paint will you be using?
• How many coats of paint does my quote include? How many coats does the paint manufacturer recommend?
• How do you minimise disruption and will you clean up after yourself?
• How will you dispose of trade waste throughout the project?
• What bathroom arrangements will your team require?
• Is this quote “all-inclusive” or could there be additional charges? What for?
• How do you bill the job and what are your preferred payment arrangements?
• Do you offer a guarantee of work? If so, what are the terms?

Comparing Painting Quotes

When considering quotes from interior painters and decorators in Perth, what does it mean when one quote differs from another for the same job? You want a residential painter who fits your budget and delivers the quality finish you’re after. But the cheapest quote rarely offers the best value.

Here are some reasons for quote discrepancies.

Quality of Materials

A tradie is only as good as their tools and the quality of the product they’re using. While some painting companies will quote low to get your business, this may mean using cheap paint, completing the minimum coats, and providing a finish with subpar longevity.

On the other hand, using high-quality paint, the right tools, and preparation for the job means high-quality professional results you will love. AJ Cochrane & Sons are accredited Dulux Painters, so you can be confident of a beautiful finish that will remain long after we have left.

Experience and Expertise

A Perth painter who has recently completed their apprenticeship may give you a quote that is significantly cheaper than the one provided by seasoned Master Painters. It’s up to you to decide whether the extensive experience, industry expertise and advanced technical skills are worth paying a higher price for.

And remember, it’s not only outstanding workmanship on offer. When you choose a Perth painting company with decades of industry experience and a stellar reputation, you can be confident that the project will be managed with the utmost professionalism, running smoothly from beginning to end.

Level of Service

How much prep will you be expected to do before the painters arrive? Is it up to you to remove pictures, plaster holes and blemishes? Are you expected to have all the furniture removed or draped? And who cleans up at the end? It’s worth asking what’s included in your quote to avoid disappointment later.

Full-service residential painting offers the ultimate convenience to busy homeowners. From thoroughly preparing rooms and surfaces prior to painting to minimising disruption to you and your family, leaving a clean and tidy workplace at the end of each day, and removing all trade waste at the completion of the job, every detail has been considered.

Final Thoughts

We’ve been painting Perth for four generations and we absolutely love what we do. However, residential painting is a skilled trade and without the proper training, it’s the kind of DIY project that can go horribly wrong.

If you’re keen to give it a crack and the final finish isn’t hugely important to you, brush swipes, paint splatter and all, then we hope this guide has given you the info you need to tackle this project with confidence. We wish you happy painting!

However, if you’re dreaming of a flawless finish and a fast turnaround, then DIY house painting is probably not for you. Chat with our friendly team to discuss your vision and we’ll help you achieve it – stress-free!

Discover why we’re the house painters Perth homeowners have relied on for generations! Get in touch with the team at AJ Cochrane & Sons for a competitive quote.