A successful repaint is easier to plan when the scope, preparation and working conditions are understood before painting begins.
Two defined scopes, two different estimates
Both examples use two bedrooms, one bathroom, one living/dining area, one kitchen and one hallway in a vacant property. These illustrative estimates use the same current rates as our online tool.
Walls-only scope
Walls in all six selected areas. Ceilings, skirtings, doors, frames, windows and robes are not selected.
$3,300 including GST$3,000 excluding GST · $300 GST
Walls, ceilings and trims
Walls, ceilings and skirtings in all six areas, plus 7 internal doors with frames, 6 window frames/reveals and 2 robes.
$7,233 including GST$6,575 excluding GST · $658 GST
Standard preparation for the selected surfaces is assumed. Significant repairs, unusual heights, access and coating requirements need confirmation. These are examples, not quotations for a particular property.
Calculate my own rooms and surfaces →Start with scope, not the size of the floor plan
Two three-bedroom homes can require very different amounts of painting. One may need only walls; the other may include ceilings, cornices, skirting boards, doors, frames, windows, robes and a staircase. A useful estimate identifies the surfaces before applying a price.
- Walls only
- Walls and ceilings
- Full rooms including trims
- Doors, frames, windows and robes
- Staircases and detailed joinery
What changes an interior painting estimate
The largest differences usually come from preparation, the number of detailed surfaces, property access and how the home will be occupied. Colour changes, stains, failed previous repairs and damaged plaster can also change the final specification after review.
- Surface condition and preparation
- Ceiling height and access
- Number of colours and coating changes
- Furniture handling and protection
- Wet-area or specialist coating requirements
Why walls-only and complete-room prices differ
Walls are only one part of an interior. Ceilings require separate protection and application; skirting boards, doors and frames add detailed preparation and cutting-in; windows and robes add more edges, hardware and access. Compare quotations only when the listed surfaces match.
Vacant and occupied homes are different projects
A vacant home generally allows continuous access. An occupied property requires additional staging, furniture movement, protection and clean access between rooms. Colourway's estimator records whether the property is vacant, temporarily unoccupied or lived in during the work so that difference is visible rather than hidden.
Preparation determines more than the finish
Filling, sanding, gap sealing, stabilising old coatings and spot priming all take place before the decorative coats. Photographs and a short scope review help identify normal preparation; substantial plaster failure, water damage or specialist repairs must be confirmed separately.
How to compare Melbourne painting quotations
Compare the documented scope rather than the total alone. A strong quotation identifies the rooms, surfaces, preparation, coating system, number of coats where applicable, protection, access assumptions, exclusions and warranty.
- Are the same surfaces included?
- Is preparation described?
- Are products and finishes identified?
- Are access and protection allowed for?
- Are exclusions and warranty written clearly?
From online estimate to fixed quotation
Use the online result as a planning estimate. Colourway then reviews the selected scope and any condition or access details before issuing the final fixed-price quotation. Exterior, commercial and strata projects begin with an on-site assessment because they cannot be priced reliably from room selections.
See why exterior projects begin on siteUse the calculator for selections, not an inspection
Check that the rooms and surfaces you select match what you intend to paint. Tell the team about access, occupancy and known defects when reviewing the result. The calculator does not inspect the substrate or reserve a start date. Exterior, commercial and strata work follows the site-assessment route rather than this room-based interior calculation.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to paint a house interior in Melbourne?
There is no reliable single figure without defining the scope. Room count, selected surfaces, preparation, doors, windows, robes, access and property status all change the result. Colourway's online estimator calculates the selected residential interior rather than applying one generic floor-area rate.
Can I calculate walls only?
Yes. Rooms can be configured around the selected surfaces, including walls, ceilings and skirting boards, with doors, frames, windows, robes and other details added separately.
Does the online result include preparation?
The estimate assumes the selected standard preparation options. Significant plaster failure, water damage, unstable coatings, specialist repairs or access requirements are confirmed before the final quotation.
Why does living in the property affect the estimate?
Painting around furniture or people requires protection, staging and daily access planning. Choose the property setup that applies during painting. Your estimate total already includes the corresponding allowance and GST; it is not added again afterwards.
Can exterior painting be calculated online?
No. Height, access, exposure, coating failure and repairs vary too widely. Colourway assesses exterior projects on site before preparing the fixed quotation.
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.