Office Painting Before Move-In or Lease Handover in Melbourne

Decide whether you are preparing to move in or preparing to leave

A move-in repaint is usually planned around the workplace you want to occupy: the retained fit-out, room use, selected colours and the date furniture or staff arrive. A lease-handover repaint starts with the agreement and the landlord or agent’s written requirements. State which situation applies when requesting quotations so the painter does not build the scope around the wrong outcome.

Read the lease requirement before asking a painter to interpret it

The Victorian Small Business Commission explains that a make-good clause specifies the condition in which premises must be left and recommends clarifying the practical requirements with the landlord or agent. A painter can assess and quote defined painting work, but should not be asked to decide the legal meaning of the lease. Obtain written direction about the required areas, colours and condition before finalising the scope.

Separate painting from the rest of the fit-out or make-good work

Partitions, signage, flooring, data points, fixtures, plaster repairs and cleaning can affect painted surfaces but are not automatically painting work. Record who removes each item, who makes the surface ready and when the painter receives access. If an item is uncertain, list it as an assumption or exclusion instead of hiding it inside a general allowance.

• Name every office, meeting room, reception area, corridor and amenity included
• List walls, ceilings, doors, frames, skirting and other surfaces separately
• Identify removed signage, partitions, fixtures and penetrations that may leave repairs
• Record work by other trades and who is responsible for the final paint-ready condition

Arrange an early walkthrough and keep decisions in writing

The Victorian Small Business Commission recommends an early inspection before lease end and written records of agreed work. For either move-in or handover, inspect while there is time to resolve unclear areas. Use the condition report, available photographs and current site condition as evidence for the discussion, then issue the same confirmed brief to each quoting contractor.

Plan access and the trade sequence before promising a handover date

Confirm loading, keys, lift bookings, inductions, security, permitted work hours and the site contact. Establish when furniture, joinery, electrical work, flooring and cleaning occur in relation to painting. A requested completion date is not a confirmed programme until the scope, access, product requirements and preceding work are agreed. Where employees may be affected, WorkSafe Victoria says employers must consult about relevant workplace changes and risks.

Compare office painting quotations on the same written scope

Check that each quotation covers the same rooms, surfaces, preparation, repairs, protection, access windows, coating systems, exclusions and handover checks. A proposal can appear cheaper or faster because it leaves out repairs, after-hours access or part of the premises. Ask for unclear assumptions to be written down before choosing.

Define what completion evidence you need

Nominate the person who will inspect the painting and the person authorised to accept changes. Record outstanding items, final colours and products, retained touch-up paint where supplied, access returns and any documents required by the building or landlord. A painter’s completion check confirms the agreed painting scope; it does not certify unrelated lease, fit-out or building obligations.

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.