How Do House Painters Charge Prices?

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As you plan to give your house a fresh coat of paint, whether it’s an interior house paint job or exterior house paint project, the 1st thought usually will be “what is this going to cost me?”. So even if you are considering DIY house painting to save money or hiring a professional painter like Qpaint, the cost becomes a major factor. 

For DIY house painters, the expenses are typically split into three categories: paint and materials, equipment (such as scaffolding for exterior projects), and time. It’s worth noting that time can be a hidden cost; spending months of weekends painting the exterior of a timber home can turn out to be more costly than anticipated for many.

However, for Brisbane homeowners in search of a dependable Brisbane house painting service, the cost structure can be a bit more complex. Your final quote will rely heavily on three key factors:

  • The current state of the surfaces to be painted influences the preparation level needed.
  • The architectural type and style of the house to be painted.
  • Accessibility to the areas that require painting.

These factors help determine the overall cost, as they influence the amount of time, materials, and equipment needed to deliver a professional-grade painting project. It’s also worth mentioning that all reputable painting companies, including Qpaint, provide a product warranty and a workmanship warranty, ensuring peace of mind alongside a stunning finish.

We list a price guide here and at the end of this blog.

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How Much to Paint a 3 Bedroom Home?

To give you an idea of costs, painting a typical low-set brick veneer 3-bedroom house might range between $4,000 to $6,000. This estimate would depend on various elements such as the condition of the house, preparation needed, accessibility (whether the house is vacant or occupied), and the number of coats required. Every home and every painting project is unique, so this is a guide rather than a fixed price.

How Much Does Painting Weatherboard Cost?

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Understanding the pricing for painting a weatherboard house, especially a standard timber post-war Brisbane home, can be slightly more complex. Typically, costs will range from $9,000 to $13,000, with variations based on the house’s condition, the preparation work required, accessibility, and if there are timber windows that need painting. If the house contains high levels of lead paint that requires particular preparation, additional costs would apply to safely remove and prepare these surfaces.

Will Scaffolding Make the Price Higher?

Brisbane and the Gold Coast abound with two-storey homes, and as such, the need for scaffolding is almost inevitable. This equipment is crucial for ensuring the safety of workers, particularly for inner city homes within a 5 to 7-kilometre radius of Brisbane CBD, where access down the sides of homes can be very limited. The pricing and painting of these homes often require the use of narrow scaffolding to perform the task professionally and safely.

There’s no need for homeowners to supply the scaffolding, as professional painters like our team at Qpaint will arrive with their own. We also know how to install it with minimal disruption. Scaffolding not only enables even paintwork and correct preparation, but its use, despite the short-term inconvenience, is essential for delivering professional and beautiful paintwork.

How Much Does a Queenslander Cost to Paint? 

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In Brisbane or the Gold Coast, typical homes usually have timber exteriors in the ‘Post War or Queenslander’ style. These charming residences often feature timber exterior walls, decks, handrails, and stairs, most likely built on stumps or spanning two stories. Over time, these homes’ exterior surfaces may fade or break down due to exposure to Queensland’s harsh climate, which can lead to peeling and flaking paint. Furthermore, many of these homes built pre-1990 may have been painted with lead-based paint. We love taking on Queenslander homes to paint and have loads of experience in painting these beautiful homes. There are some safety considerations that come with Queenslanders like lead paint.

All reputable and licensed house painters, like Qpaint, are well aware of the potential for lead paint in these homes. It’s standard procedure to conduct a lead test to confirm the presence of lead. The safe preparation and removal of lead paint can be slightly more expensive than preparing homes without lead, but it is an essential step to protect the inhabitants. Lead paint, if mishandled, can be harmful, particularly to young children and expecting mothers. Therefore, it should be treated with care and attention by house painting experts familiar with the correct preparation techniques to avoid exposing occupants to potential hazards. If you have questions about lead paint removal or any other aspect of the painting process, don’t hesitate to contact us at any time.

Will My Paint Choice Affect the Cost? 

With our 45 years of experience painting hundreds of homes, the most important lesson we strive to impart to our clients is this: “what is the cost of not getting your home painted properly?”

Imagine having to repaint your home in just a few years because an inferior paint was used, or because the surfaces were not adequately prepared, and corners were cut by not priming or applying the requisite number of coats. It’s similar to sending your family outside in the middle of winter without a coat or unprotected in the summer sun. You wouldn’t leave your loved ones exposed to harsh conditions, so why leave your most valuable asset – your home – unprotected against Queensland’s extreme weather? The sun, wind, and rain all take a toll, and your paintwork, which is no thicker than a standard A4 piece of paper, is your first line of defence.

If you’re painting your home yourself, it’s critical to follow the paint manufacturer’s specifications. If you’re hiring a professional painting company, ensure they are licensed, insured, industry experts with a wealth of experience and a guarantee for their work. When you’re investing thousands of dollars in a paint job, you want to ensure it’s going to last, which is why it’s crucial to hire reputable painters with years of experience.

So yes your paint colour choice can affect the price because a low-quality cheap paint costs less but costs you in the long run. 

Is DIY cheaper than a Professional Painter? 

A better question to consider might be: “what’s the cost of getting your house painted unprofessionally?” After more than two decades of painting Brisbane homes, we’ve found that most homeowners grapple with three primary concerns when looking to have their house painted:

  • Can I trust these people in my home?
  • Will they do a professional job without overcharging me?
  • What happens if I’m not satisfied with the work?

The distress and memory of a poorly executed paint job or a negative experience can far outlast the initial cost of getting the job done professionally. When choosing a painter, ask for references and to see examples of their previous work. Pay attention to how you feel when they’re in your home to provide a quote. If they behave unprofessionally during the quoting process, it may be indicative of their overall work ethic and the quality of their work. Will they provide a guarantee on their work and offer touch-ups if needed? Don’t hesitate to ask what happens if you’re not happy with the completed job. An experienced, reputable painter will take the time to guide you through the process, ensuring your satisfaction in the end – because they want you to be thrilled with the final result, too!

How Much is it Going to Cost to Paint My House?

It’s important to note that no two homes are the same, nor are they all in the same condition. In Brisbane, we have a diverse array of houses, including:

  • Timber Post War homes
  • Grand old Queenslanders
  • Modern masonry or rendered homes
  • Brick veneer homes
  • Architecturally designed homes

Each of these homes is built on different-sized and sloping blocks, which affects the difficulty and therefore the cost of painting. Yes, there are some consistent variables, but a professional painting contractor will want to visit the home, measure it, and consider factors like current coatings, colours (both existing and new), the level of preparation required, and accessibility to areas to be painted.

When homeowners ask for advice on prices  we ask them to think about a few other crucial questions that can influence the overall experience and ‘true cost’ of getting their house painted:

  • Why are they painting?
  • When was the home last painted?
  • What is the timeframe in which they want the painting completed?
  • What is their budget?

For most people, their home is their most valuable asset, and they should consider these important factors and not focus solely on the price. We have prices listed here for a guide and you do make progress payments, not one lump payment.

What Do House Painters Charge Per Hour?

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One of the most common questions asked of our team over the years is, “What do house painters charge per hour?” It’s a question that’s typically asked by homeowners wanting to figure out ‘how much’ a job is going to cost. It’s a reasonable concern, as we all want to know what we’re getting into financially before starting a house painting project.

But here’s where it gets tricky: pricing a job based solely on the hourly rate can lead to inaccurate estimates and inconsistencies. An hourly rate accounts for several critical factors, including:

  • Expertise and skill level
  • Award hourly rate
  • Superannuation
  • Work cover
  • Insurance
  • Administration
  • Supervision
  • Overheads and margins

If these factors aren’t considered, a house painter might not provide a professional service. In fact, they might need to ‘cut corners’ in preparation, reduce the number of coats, or use inferior paint products to stay afloat.

So, asking “What do house painters charge per hour?” is akin to asking, “how long is a piece of string?”. . . It depends. A safer and more accurate question to ask would be, “how much is a professional, reliable house painting job going to cost?”

Let’s consider this: House painter A charges $50 per hour and takes 5 days (or 40 hours, equating to $2000 in labour) to complete the job. House painter B charges $65 per hour and, thanks to their experience and skill, takes only 3 days (or 24 hours, equating to $1520 in labour) to finish the job. Despite Painter A having a lower hourly rate, Painter B is $440 more cost-effective. Even if Painter B charged $75 per hour, they would still be $200 cheaper than Painter A.

Reputable painters will provide you with an upfront, comprehensive quote so that you understand the price. Should any issues arise, they’ll keep you informed about any necessary price adjustments. At QPaint, we provide realistic quotes at realistic prices.

Price Guide for House Painting Services

Here’s an overview of Qpaints’s pricing for various house painting services, broken down by type of project. Please note, prices can vary depending on the specific conditions of each project.

Internal Painting for Low-Set Home

  • 3 Bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, laundry, cupboards, garage: $6,000.00
  • 4 Bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, laundry, cupboards, garage: $7,000.00

External Painting for Brick House

Gutters, fascia, downpipes/water pipes, doors, frames and windows: $5,000.00

External Painting for Timber House

Gutters, fascia, soffits, weatherboards, windows, doors, frames, and battens: $15,000.00

Internal Painting for Timber House

Ceilings, Walls, Doors, Frames, Windows, Skirtings: $10,000.00

External Painting for Queenslander House

Gutters, fascia, soffits, weatherboards, windows, doors, frames, and battens: $20,000.00

Internal Painting for Queenslander House

Ceilings, Walls, Doors, Frames, Windows, Skirtings: $15,000.00

Internal Unit Painting

  • 1 Bedroom, 1 bathroom, kitchen, lounge/dining area: $2,000.00
  • 2 Bedrooms, 1 bathroom, kitchen, lounge/dining area: $3,000.00
  • 3 Bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, lounge/dining area: $3,500.00

Internal 2 Storey Townhouse Painting

  • 2 Bedrooms, 1 bathroom, kitchen, lounge/dining area, garage: $4,000.00
  • 3 Bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, lounge/dining area, garage: $5,000.00

Garage Floor

  • Single Car Garage Floor, 2 Pac Epoxy Coating – Single Colour: $1,500.00
  • Single Car Garage Floor, 3 Pac Epoxy Coating – Flake Flooring Design: $2,000.00

Decks

Timber Decking, Sand and 2 x Coats Decking Clear Coats: $3,000.00

Roofs

  • Low Set Tile Roof, Primer + 2 x Coats Roof Membrane: $5,000.00
  • Low Set Metal Roof, Primer + 2 x Coats Roof Membrane: $4,000.00

Colour Consultation

FREE with All Accepted Complete Internal or External Painting Jobs

As a Stand Alone Service: $400.00

Please note, QPaint has a minimum charge of $3,000 + GST for each painting project.

Contact us for a quote

By Aimee

Aimee is an accomplished Content Manager at Media Fortress, leading the company's digital content strategy and social media initiatives. With a keen eye for detail and a strong editorial background, I oversee the development, editing, and distribution of high-quality content across multiple digital platforms. I also possess a unique ability to leverage my understanding of diverse social media landscapes to deliver captivating narratives that align with brand identity and drive audience engagement. My dedication and skills have positioned Media Fortress at the forefront of digital communication, consistently elevating their presence in an ever-evolving online space.

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