PAINTER COSTS IN WA

Interior walls (per m²)

$12–$25/m²

2 coats, good condition

Interior full repaint (3br home)

$4,500–$9,000

Walls, ceilings, trims

Exterior repaint (single storey)

$4,000–$10,000

Prep, prime, 2 coats

Exterior repaint (double storey)

$7,000–$18,000

Includes scaffolding

Roof painting (tiles)

$2,500–$6,000

Clean, prime, coat

Deck/timber staining

$15–$35/m²

Strip, sand, 2 coats

Fence painting (per linear m)

$15–$35/lm

Both sides, timber

Feature wall / special finish

+$300–$800

Per wall, premium product

Surface preparation — the most underquoted item

Perth painters consistently identify surface prep as the biggest cause of painting failures and quote disputes. Exterior surfaces in Perth face extreme UV, coastal salt air (particularly within 5km of the coast in suburbs like Cottesloe, Scarborough, City Beach and Hillarys) and thermal expansion from hot summers. Prep should include pressure washing, scraping, sanding, filling, spot priming and a full prime coat on bare surfaces. A quote that skips prep to hit a low price number will result in peeling paint within 2–3 years. Always ask what is included in prep.

Perth's UV and heat

Perth receives more UV radiation than almost any other major city in the world. Exterior paint in direct north or west-facing aspects in Perth typically needs repainting every 8–12 years with quality products, or as few as 5 years with budget paint. The difference in product cost between a premium exterior paint (Dulux Weathershield, Solver Permalite) and a budget line is $50–$80 per 10L — a rounding error on a $7,000 job but it doubles the life of the paint. Always ask which product is being quoted.

Coastal salt air

Properties within 1–2km of the coast in Perth — Fremantle, North Fremantle, Cottesloe, Swanbourne, Scarborough, Trigg, Sorrento — need products specifically formulated for salt-air exposure. Standard exterior paint fails faster in these environments. Ask your painter specifically about their product selection for coastal properties.

Rendered vs brick homes

Painted brick homes are common in older Perth suburbs — Midland, Bassendean, Maylands, South Perth. Rendered homes in newer suburbs — Canning Vale, Harrisdale, Wellard — typically have a smooth, easier-to-paint surface. Brick-painted homes require significantly more time and product due to the porous surface texture. Expect 20–30% higher rates for painted brick vs rendered.

What does your prep process involve — pressure wash, sand, fill, prime?

Which paint product and brand are you quoting? Is it appropriate for coastal/UV exposure?

How many coats are included in the quote?

Do you have public liability insurance? Can I see the certificate?

How do you handle lead paint if found during prep?

Is scaffolding included for double-storey or hard-to-reach areas?

What warranty do you offer on your workmanship?

Will you provide a written scope before starting?