How Much Will Your Perth Painting Project Cost?

Yes, we provide free quotes for residential and commercial painting projects. The process involves assessing your property and discussing your goals for the spaces to be painted. We offer expert advice on how to achieve those goals and provide a detailed written quote for the proposed work. 

Yes, many professional painters will request a deposit to secure the booking, but this is up to the individual painting company or contractor. However, by law, tradespeople in WA cannot request a deposit of more than 6.5% on works valued at $7,500 -$500,000. And for painting quotes under $7,500, you should never pay more than a 10% deposit. 

House painting costs depend on many factors, so to get an accurate painting quote, a thorough assessment of the property is necessary. However, according to hipages, you can expect to pay between $60 – $100 per square metre to have the interior of your home professionally painted in 2026. Exterior painting can range from $40 – $70 per square metre.

The average 3BR house in Perth is 175sqm. If we apply the cost ranges above, interior painting can cost between $10,500 – $17,500, and for exterior painting, budget for between $7,000 – $12,250.

Always request a fully itemised written quote. A vague painting estimate that doesn’t include a detailed breakdown of everything that’s included can lead to poor results or add-on costs that you haven’t budgeted for.

Your painting quote should include:

• Scope: This should include everything that will be painted as part of the quote – specific rooms, hallways, doors, trims, ceilings, patio, etc. If there are any exclusions, these should be clearly noted, too. 
• Prep Work: This is all the surface preparation work included in your quote, like cleaning, mould removal, patching, sanding and priming. It should list primer products to be used and the number of coats to be applied. Plans for protecting furniture and floors should also be noted.
• Paint:  All paint products should be listed by brand, type, finish, and the number of coats to be applied.
• Materials + Equipment: Rollers, brushes, painters’ tape, drop sheets, etc., should be included in your quote, as should any additional equipment required. e.g. scaffolding, safety gear.
• Timeline: Your quote should clearly state the project’s proposed start and end dates, and how weather delays will be handled.
• Labour: This is the number of painters on the project and the expected number of hours on site. Any after-hours or weekend work should be noted.
• Clean Up + Rubbish Disposal: This should outline how the painters will handle daily site clean-up, as well as waste removal and final clean-up when the project is complete. 
• Warranty + Insurance: Dulux Accredited painters provide a 5-year workmanship warranty. By law, painters in WA must hold Public Liability and Workers Compensation insurance.
• Payment Terms: Clear instructions for how and when to make payments should be included, typically an initial deposit of 5 – 10% and a schedule for the remaining balance. 

A painting quote that’s 30% lower than others could be a sign that the painter is cutting corners (especially with surface preparation), using inferior paint products, or working without a license.  Saving money on professional painting shouldn’t come at the expense of a quality, long-lasting finish, so check your quote carefully to see exactly what you’re paying for.

Yes! Professional painters know that the quality of their work is impacted by the quality of paint they use – and that’s why we always use the highest quality Dulux paints. Even the most skilled painter cannot overcome all the limitations of inferior paint products – and we certainly can’t make them more durable. If your painting quote doesn’t specify paint brands to be used, ask. Not only does cheap paint compromise the final finish and long-term durability of the paintwork, but it may also contain harmful chemicals that put you and your loved ones at risk.   

Handling certain prep work yourself could mean lower labour costs, but check with your painter first. Things you can do to get your home ready for interior painting include: 

• dusting and wiping down surfaces, and patching minor damage
• moving furniture to the middle of the room or clearing the space entirely
• taping drop sheets on the floors and covering furniture to protect from paint splatter
• removing wall decor, covers on light switches and electrical outlets, and ceiling light fixtures
• removing blinds, curtains and other window treatments

Yes. We don’t advise skimping on quality paint – in fact, high-quality paint saves you money by looking great for longer – but if cost is a concern, consider simplifying your colour palette. Transitioning between multiple colours requires additional labour, which means the job takes longer. You’ll also require more paint, but ironically, be more likely to have leftover paint once the job is complete. 

Keeping the colour palette simple and the accent colours to a minimum is not only the most cost-effective option but tends to look more elegant and cohesive. 

Successfully transitioning from dark to light paint costs more because it takes longer and requires more materials. Beginning with a high-quality primer prevents the darker colour from bleeding through. Then, extra coats of the new, lighter paint colour are needed to ensure proper coverage.

Yes. Painting renovations can add value to your home and boost the final sale price – and we can help you maximise your return on investment. We’ll assess your home and provide expert advice on how to use your painting budget to enhance the appeal of your home and attract more buyers. Based on your home, we may recommend exterior painting only, or a simple paint refresh in the main living spaces. Our customised solutions can help you make the most of your painting spend. 

Commercial painting quotes vary depending on the scope of the project and can be priced in different ways. Some commercial painters charge by the hour, with hourly rates from $65 – $140 per painter. Alternatively, commercial painting projects can be priced per square metre. According to hipages in 2026, commercial interior painting can range from $60 – $100 per square metre but can be higher for specialised or after-hours work. 

Commercial exterior painting ranges from $70 – 100 per square metre and potentially more depending on the complexity of the project and if works need to be completed outside of regular hours. 

The most significant factors that impact commercial painting costs include:

• Project scope – the bigger the commercial or industrial premises, the more materials, tradespeople and time required to complete the job.
• Site access + equipment – painting the façade of multi-storey buildings requires additional access and safety equipment. e.g. scaffolding, elevated work platforms, fall arrest harnesses.   
• Surface preparation – proper prep is crucial for any commercial painting project but can be particularly time-consuming for exterior painting jobs, especially if the building façade is in poor condition. Getting the surfaces ready for painting may require pressure washing, extensive scraping and sanding, patching holes and cracks, mould and mildew remediation, and applying high-quality primer. Never cut corners on surface prep. It’s crucial to achieve an immaculate finish and provides optimal durability against the harsh Perth environment. 
• Work schedule – commercial painting often needs to be scheduled outside of regular working hours to avoid business disruption. Expect to pay more for after-hours and weekend work.
• Paint types – commercial buildings often require specialised, heavy-duty coatings to protect against harsh weather, chemical pollutants, water ingress, mould, and graffiti.

A comprehensive written quote that clearly states what will be covered in the project is critical to avoid unexpected costs. Your commercial painting quote should include a detailed breakdown of: 

• project scope – everything that will be painted and any exclusions
• preparation work – a detailed list of all surface prep tasks to be undertaken. e.g. pressure wash, sanding, caulking, primer, etc.  
• paint products and other materials –  paint brand, type and number of coatings to be applied, plus rollers, brushes, painters’ tape, drop sheets, etc.
• specialised equipment – this includes scaffolding, safety gear, pressure washing machine, etc.
• project timeline – proposed start and end dates, and inclement weather contingencies 
• Labour – number of painters on the project, expected number of hours on site, including after-hours or weekend work. 
• site management – daily site clean-up, waste disposal, permits, quality assurance and safety checks, project liaison, etc. 
• warranties + insurance – workmanship and manufacturer guarantees,  proof of Public Liability and Workers Compensation insurance.
• company info + licenses – contact name, phone numbers, WA painters registration, ABN 
• payment terms – initial deposit and payment schedule for the remaining balance. 

A written quote that provides vague details instead of itemised cost breakdowns leaves you open to misinterpretations of what’s included and the potential for mid-project budget blowouts. If prep work isn’t mentioned or lacks specific detail, always ask for clarification. 

The contractor should include proof that they hold a WA painters’ registration and mandatory insurances. Always verify that the credentials are current. Using an unlicensed painter can leave you legally liable for accidents or property damage. To check if a painting company is licensed and registered to work in Western Australia, complete an online search here.