The useful answer is not a single hourly rate or square-metre figure. Melbourne painting prices change with the surfaces included, their condition, access, protection, coating system and whether the property is vacant or occupied. This guide explains how a professional painter builds a quotation so homeowners can compare like with like and avoid surprises after work begins.
Why there is no single Melbourne painting rate
A rate cannot describe the work unless the scope behind it is also defined. Two homes with the same floor area may differ in ceiling height, number of doors and windows, plaster condition, detailed timberwork, colours, access and occupancy. Those differences change the labour and materials far more than the postcode alone.
- Rooms and surfaces included
- Condition and preparation required
- Ceiling height and physical access
- Number of colours and coating types
- Vacant, unoccupied or lived-in conditions
How painters commonly calculate a quotation
Some painters use an hourly or daily rate for small or uncertain work. Others use room, surface-area or production-rate calculations before presenting a fixed project total. The calculation method matters less than the final written scope: it should identify what will be painted, the preparation allowance, products, protection, exclusions and applicable GST.
- Hourly or daily rates for open-ended work
- Room-based pricing for defined interiors
- Surface-area allowances for larger repetitive areas
- Fixed project quotations for a confirmed scope
Interior painting prices begin with the selected surfaces
Walls-only painting is a different project from repainting complete rooms. Ceilings and cornices need separate protection and application. Doors, frames, windows, skirting boards, robes and staircase components add detailed sanding, filling, cutting-in and coating. List each surface before comparing totals.
- Ceilings and cornices
- Walls
- Doors and door frames
- Windows, reveals and architraves
- Skirting boards, robes and detailed timberwork
Exterior painting requires an on-site assessment
Exterior quotations depend on height, access, exposure and the condition of existing coatings. Weatherboards, render, masonry, metal and exterior timber need different preparation and coating systems. Scaffolding, elevated work platforms, difficult boundaries, vegetation and neighbouring property protection can materially change the safe method and price.
- Building height and safe access
- Peeling or unstable existing coatings
- Timber deterioration and failed joints
- Washing, scraping, sanding and priming
- Protection of roofs, paving, gardens and adjoining property
Preparation is often the biggest difference between quotes
The decorative coats are only part of a durable repaint. Filling, sanding, gap sealing, stabilising old coatings and spot priming require time before colour is applied. A lower quotation may allow for less preparation, while another may include defects and repairs that were never listed in the cheaper scope. Ask each painter to document the preparation they have actually allowed for.
Vacant and occupied homes are priced differently
A vacant property usually provides continuous access and clear work areas. An occupied home requires furniture handling, staged rooms, additional protection and daily access planning. Colourway records whether a property is vacant, temporarily unoccupied or lived in during the project so the working conditions are reflected openly in the estimate.
Paint products and finishes affect the specification
A professional quote should name the intended products or clearly describe the coating system. Ceilings, washable living-area walls, bathrooms, timber trims and exteriors have different performance requirements. Colour changes, strong colours, stains and bare or repaired substrates may also require primers or additional coats after assessment.
Understand product selection and preparationHow to compare Melbourne painters fairly
Place the quotations side by side and compare the written scope before the totals. Check that the same rooms, surfaces, preparation and products are included. Confirm protection, access assumptions, exclusions, GST, payment terms, insurance and workmanship warranty. If one price is significantly different, the scope usually explains why.
- Matching rooms and surfaces
- Written preparation allowance
- Named products and finishes
- Protection, access and clean-up
- Clear exclusions and warranty
Warning signs in a very cheap painting quote
A low total is not automatically poor value, but vague wording increases risk. Be cautious when the quote does not identify preparation, included surfaces, products, exclusions or who is responsible for access and protection. Confirm current public liability insurance and ask how variations will be approved before any additional work begins.
Get a useful starting estimate before arranging a visit
For residential interiors, Colourway's online estimator calculates the rooms and surfaces selected instead of applying one generic house price. The result is an initial planning estimate. A short scope review then confirms the selections and any condition details before a final quotation is issued. Exterior, commercial and strata projects begin with an on-site assessment.
Calculate an interior painting estimate by roomFrequently asked questions
How much do painters charge in Melbourne?
There is no reliable single Melbourne rate without defining the work. Painters may calculate by time, room, surface area or project, but the total changes with the surfaces, preparation, access, products and property conditions. A fixed written quotation for a confirmed scope is usually the clearest comparison.
Do painters charge by the hour or by the job?
Both methods are used. Hourly or daily pricing can suit small or uncertain work, while a fixed project quotation is generally easier to budget for once the painter has confirmed the complete scope and site conditions.
Why are painting quotes for the same house so different?
The quotations may include different surfaces, preparation, coating systems, access equipment or protection. Compare each written inclusion and exclusion rather than assuming every painter has priced the same work.
Is paint included in a professional painting quote?
It should be stated clearly. A complete quotation normally identifies whether labour, paint and standard preparation are included, names or describes the coating system, and lists work or repairs outside the price.
Does an occupied house cost more to paint?
It can require more labour because furniture, protection, room sequencing and safe daily access must be managed. A vacant property generally provides clearer and more continuous work areas.
Can Colourway provide an instant painting quote?
Colourway's online tool provides an initial room-by-room estimate for residential interiors. The selected scope and relevant condition details are reviewed before a final quotation. Exterior, commercial and strata painting requires an on-site assessment.
Planning your Colourway project
For residential interiors, our online tool gives you an initial estimate from the rooms and surfaces selected. Exterior, commercial and strata work is assessed on site so access, preparation and the correct coating system can be confirmed before fixed pricing.