How much does it cost to paint a 4 Bedroom House in Sydney?
Here's ALL the info...
What's a fair price to paint a 4 bedroom house in Sydney?
How much to paint a house interior Australia?
How much does it cost to paint a house in 2023?
How much does it cost to paint a house interior professionally?
You have a 4 bedroom house and you want to have the interior painted.
What are your options? What are you in for? What will it cost?
I paint 4 bedroom houses most days of the week so I will give you real, no BS, hands-on experience, answers.
Read on...
How much to paint a house interior Australia?
How much does it cost to paint a house in 2023?
How much does it cost to paint a house interior professionally?
You have a 4 bedroom house and you want to have the interior painted.
What are your options? What are you in for? What will it cost?
I paint 4 bedroom houses most days of the week so I will give you real, no BS, hands-on experience, answers.
Read on...
WARNING:
Most online cost estimates/info covers WALL PAINTING ONLY. Wall painting makes up only about 30-40% of a complete interior paint job. Or put another way, those painting prices are about a third of the actual price.
I will include cost estimates and timing for 'WALLS ONLY' and 'WALLS, CEILING & TRIM' - Ceilings, Doors, Windows, Skirting, etc.
Make sure you compare apples with apples.
Most online cost estimates/info covers WALL PAINTING ONLY. Wall painting makes up only about 30-40% of a complete interior paint job. Or put another way, those painting prices are about a third of the actual price.
I will include cost estimates and timing for 'WALLS ONLY' and 'WALLS, CEILING & TRIM' - Ceilings, Doors, Windows, Skirting, etc.
Make sure you compare apples with apples.
Where is your house?
First of all lets narrow down WHERE your soon to be beautifully new painted home actually IS.
The problem with a lot of advice available online is that sweeping statements are made about painting prices as though they are the same world wide. A lot of ‘advice’ is from the USA, who’s labour and material costs are VASTLY different to Australia’s. If the site is not a “.com.au" don’t waste your time.
Next is the city and regional differences within Australia. Would you expect the same labour cost in rural Tasmania as Central Sydney?
MY experience is in house painting in Sydney Australia, so thats what I can tell you about. But just as Sydney’s temperature can differ by 10 degrees from Mosman to The Blue Mountains, so can the cost of labour. (A relative pointed out I could get mechanical work done at half the labour cost by simply driving to Riverston. True but not very helpful when I live on the Lower North Shore).
Are we comparing apples and oranges when it comes to painting costs?
I’ll try not to rant but … it is a fact of life that VERY low quoted prices online are a GREAT way to attract clicks, people, and eventually sales.
As mentioned above most low prices are for wall painting only. Which is fine if thats all you want, but most clients I’ve had want all surfaces painted - walls, ceilings, doors, skirting, windows etc.
So make sure you are getting the right information for your painting situation. I don’t want to use the phrase bait and switch … but I just did.
Does the writer of these painting prices know anything about painting?
A whole lot of home advice ‘content’ is churned out by underpaid interns and folks living overseas. None of whom have ever lifted a paint brush. Their advice is often copied from other underpaid interns who copied from other underpaid interns who …
What you want is advice from a person who:
I’ll be the first to admit theres a whole lot of subjects I don’t know about, but …
I KNOW ABOUT PAINTING 4 BEDROOM HOUSES ON SYDNEY’S LOWER NORTH SHORE.
Heres what I’ve found.
The main factors affecting the price of interior painting are YOUR HOME and YOUR PAINTER.
YOUR HOME
- Size of your home. (How many OTHER rooms are there?)
YOUR PAINTER (covered in depth on this website)
- Adequate preparation. (Sanding, cleaning, filling, repairs, primers, masking, protection etc.)
- Skill at the trade. (Clean, smooth, even, no drips?)
- Are you hiring the Boss, or his 'team', or is he subbing out to backpackers?
First of all lets narrow down WHERE your soon to be beautifully new painted home actually IS.
The problem with a lot of advice available online is that sweeping statements are made about painting prices as though they are the same world wide. A lot of ‘advice’ is from the USA, who’s labour and material costs are VASTLY different to Australia’s. If the site is not a “.com.au" don’t waste your time.
Next is the city and regional differences within Australia. Would you expect the same labour cost in rural Tasmania as Central Sydney?
MY experience is in house painting in Sydney Australia, so thats what I can tell you about. But just as Sydney’s temperature can differ by 10 degrees from Mosman to The Blue Mountains, so can the cost of labour. (A relative pointed out I could get mechanical work done at half the labour cost by simply driving to Riverston. True but not very helpful when I live on the Lower North Shore).
Are we comparing apples and oranges when it comes to painting costs?
I’ll try not to rant but … it is a fact of life that VERY low quoted prices online are a GREAT way to attract clicks, people, and eventually sales.
As mentioned above most low prices are for wall painting only. Which is fine if thats all you want, but most clients I’ve had want all surfaces painted - walls, ceilings, doors, skirting, windows etc.
So make sure you are getting the right information for your painting situation. I don’t want to use the phrase bait and switch … but I just did.
Does the writer of these painting prices know anything about painting?
A whole lot of home advice ‘content’ is churned out by underpaid interns and folks living overseas. None of whom have ever lifted a paint brush. Their advice is often copied from other underpaid interns who copied from other underpaid interns who …
What you want is advice from a person who:
- Paints house interiors all the time.
- Works in your country, city, AND your part of your city.
- Is motivated to tell you the truth, not the opposite.
I’ll be the first to admit theres a whole lot of subjects I don’t know about, but …
I KNOW ABOUT PAINTING 4 BEDROOM HOUSES ON SYDNEY’S LOWER NORTH SHORE.
Heres what I’ve found.
The main factors affecting the price of interior painting are YOUR HOME and YOUR PAINTER.
YOUR HOME
- Size of your home. (How many OTHER rooms are there?)
- Complexity of your home. (Old and detailed or modern and simple?)
- Condition of your home. (Cracks, peeling, mould?)
- Design of your home. (Are we painting windows, doors, skirting, picture rails?)
YOUR PAINTER (covered in depth on this website)
- Adequate preparation. (Sanding, cleaning, filling, repairs, primers, masking, protection etc.)
- Skill at the trade. (Clean, smooth, even, no drips?)
- Are you hiring the Boss, or his 'team', or is he subbing out to backpackers?
The real cost to paint ALL of a 4 bedroom house interior (including all walls, ceilings, doors, windows, skirting etc.) should be $18k - $25k depending on how complex the house is.
(Painting a 4 bedroom house WALLS ONLY should be $6k - $9k)
Anything less could well be a deceptive price OR become some sort of disaster. The most common problem being that the paint will start to FALL OFF almost immediately.
Thats why its essential to do your research. Look at Google reviews. Ask neighbours. Meet a few painters and have a chat.
As a specialist interior house painter here's how I do it:
I always like to meet YOU and have a really good look around YOUR home.
The visit includes:
* Discussing your needs - family, kids, pets, work hours, allergies, access.
* Discussing your timing.
* Discussing your colour and design preferences.
* Any history I need to know about - leaks, renovations, repairs, stains etc.
* Measuring all dimensions, recording every trim detail - door type, window type, skirting boards, picture rails, bay windows, french doors, banisters etc.
Then when I've got all the relevant info I can supply a FIXED, WRITTEN QUOTE. I commit to this quote NOT CHANGING after I start (which so often happens with other painters and trades). Once YOU have agreed a price for me, you know what the price is and that it will stay there!
As a specialist interior house painter here's how I do it:
I always like to meet YOU and have a really good look around YOUR home.
The visit includes:
* Discussing your needs - family, kids, pets, work hours, allergies, access.
* Discussing your timing.
* Discussing your colour and design preferences.
* Any history I need to know about - leaks, renovations, repairs, stains etc.
* Measuring all dimensions, recording every trim detail - door type, window type, skirting boards, picture rails, bay windows, french doors, banisters etc.
Then when I've got all the relevant info I can supply a FIXED, WRITTEN QUOTE. I commit to this quote NOT CHANGING after I start (which so often happens with other painters and trades). Once YOU have agreed a price for me, you know what the price is and that it will stay there!
GET A QUOTE NOW
How long does it take to paint a 4 bedroom house interior?
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Have you ever had a go at painting a house or even just a room? Takes forever doesn’t it? |
Even we professionals (with all the tools, materials and experience) take a long time to paint home interiors.
I measure that time in ‘man-days’ (even though most of my assistants have been women!) So me painting for 5 days is 5 man-days. Me PLUS one assistant painting for 5 days is 10 man days.
How many men do I want?
A big question in choosing a painting company is HOW MANY people will be tromping through your home? I have 2 daughters. Do I want 6 strange men in my home? No. For me ONE PERSON who I know well is a preferable option even if it takes longer.
Walls Only???
Also, when I talk about painting a room or a 4 bedroom house, I’m talking all walls, ceilings, doors and windows. (Many online estimates for cost and time only cover painting walls).
AGE OF YOUR HOME
As I bang on about all over this website, the age of home, and therefore the detail of your home is the HUGE differentiator, as is surface condition.
Pre 1970
Older homes (both units and houses) are usually much more detailed. Think, panel doors, wooden windows, detailed skirting boards, picture rails, higher and moulded ceilings, and sometimes moulded plaster arches in the hallway.
This extra detail takes extra time and costs extra money.
Post 1970
Everything is planer and flatter and therefore easier and faster to prep and paint.
Interestingly, ALL ages of home have about the same amount of general damage that must be properly repaired before painting starts. The problems are different but both old and new units and houses have just as many problems.
I measure that time in ‘man-days’ (even though most of my assistants have been women!) So me painting for 5 days is 5 man-days. Me PLUS one assistant painting for 5 days is 10 man days.
How many men do I want?
A big question in choosing a painting company is HOW MANY people will be tromping through your home? I have 2 daughters. Do I want 6 strange men in my home? No. For me ONE PERSON who I know well is a preferable option even if it takes longer.
Walls Only???
Also, when I talk about painting a room or a 4 bedroom house, I’m talking all walls, ceilings, doors and windows. (Many online estimates for cost and time only cover painting walls).
AGE OF YOUR HOME
As I bang on about all over this website, the age of home, and therefore the detail of your home is the HUGE differentiator, as is surface condition.
Pre 1970
Older homes (both units and houses) are usually much more detailed. Think, panel doors, wooden windows, detailed skirting boards, picture rails, higher and moulded ceilings, and sometimes moulded plaster arches in the hallway.
This extra detail takes extra time and costs extra money.
Post 1970
Everything is planer and flatter and therefore easier and faster to prep and paint.
Interestingly, ALL ages of home have about the same amount of general damage that must be properly repaired before painting starts. The problems are different but both old and new units and houses have just as many problems.
HOW LONG?
So depending on age and condition:
To paint all WALLS, CEILINGS AND TRIM in a 4 Bedroom, 2 bathroom home should take between 30 and 40 man-days.
(Painting interior WALLS ONLY should take 10 to 13 man days).
A good rule of thumb is for every $5000 quoted you SHOULD get about 10 man-days (This figure includes ALL labour, paint, other materials, tools, and GST).
This helps when comparing quotes too.
eg. A $10,000 quote will mean one painter will work on your home for 20 days, while it’s competitive quote of $8000 will mean one painter will work for only 16 days. (Hmmm. I wonder what he will leave out?)
This helps when comparing quotes too.
eg. A $10,000 quote will mean one painter will work on your home for 20 days, while it’s competitive quote of $8000 will mean one painter will work for only 16 days. (Hmmm. I wonder what he will leave out?)
GET A QUOTE NOW
Painting a 4 bedroom house - What about paint smell, paint odour, VOCs?
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You want your 4 bedroom house interior painted but are concerned about the smell.
Thats pretty normal. |
You may also have be concerned about VOCs (Volitile Organic Compounds) and other chemicals and gases that come with drying paint.
Because 4 bedroom houses are pretty big they take a while to complete. So the whole ‘wet paint drying’ experience can seem to go on forever.
Until recently people just had to put up with paint smell, paint odours, or VOC’s if they wanted their home painted. Or they’d move out and wait until the air cleared.
Walls and ceilings have always been painted in ‘fairly’ low odour water based product. But it is still noticeable.
But Trim (woodwork like doors, windows, skirting, picture rails etc.) was traditionally painted in Oil Based Enamel.
This stuff is hard wearing but had a mighty kick when it came to smell. Some home owners still request oil based enamel as it is still the ‘toughest’ paint available. But most would prefer to avoid the smell.
Well, I did some digging and have come up with a paint system that radically reduces paint smell or odour. Each kind of paint - wall, ceiling, primer and enamel are created with much lower odour than previous ‘regular’ paints.
You can find out my Low Smell Painting System by clicking here.
Because 4 bedroom houses are pretty big they take a while to complete. So the whole ‘wet paint drying’ experience can seem to go on forever.
Until recently people just had to put up with paint smell, paint odours, or VOC’s if they wanted their home painted. Or they’d move out and wait until the air cleared.
Walls and ceilings have always been painted in ‘fairly’ low odour water based product. But it is still noticeable.
But Trim (woodwork like doors, windows, skirting, picture rails etc.) was traditionally painted in Oil Based Enamel.
This stuff is hard wearing but had a mighty kick when it came to smell. Some home owners still request oil based enamel as it is still the ‘toughest’ paint available. But most would prefer to avoid the smell.
Well, I did some digging and have come up with a paint system that radically reduces paint smell or odour. Each kind of paint - wall, ceiling, primer and enamel are created with much lower odour than previous ‘regular’ paints.
You can find out my Low Smell Painting System by clicking here.
GET A QUOTE NOW
How do I choose a painter for my 4 bedroom home?
|
When all painters seem the same its very hard to choose.
Heres an easy short cut: 1. Can they do YOUR job well? This is revealed in the number of good reviews they have. 2. Do you like them enough to have around the house for several weeks? This is revealed by meeting your painter in person. |
When you hire a painter to paint your 4 bedroom home, there are really only two things you need to know.
1. Can they do YOUR job well?
You have 4 bedroom home interior to paint. Not a factory. Not a block of units. Not an exterior. Not a driveway. Not a deck. Not an office. Not an empty, carpet free new construction surrounded by mud.
So you want an expert at painting a 4 bedroom home interior.
Not an expert at painting all those other things/places etc.
Unfortunately most painters' websites say they can paint anything and everything. In reality they are probably pretty good at one or two kinds of painting.
The best way to find what you want is to look at Google reviews. There you will see what other clients have experienced and what they liked about a particular painter who painted their 4 bedroom home.
In short, hire a specialist, not a generalist.
2. Do you like them enough to have around the house for several weeks?
Painting a 4 bedroom house takes time. I talk about how much time above. But were talking weeks not days. This person will be inside your home: inside your bedroom!
Do you really want someone who drives you crazy, or hates your dog, or smoke cigars on the job.
Thats why its SO IMPORTANT TO MEET THE PAINTER WHO WILL BE DOING THE PAINTING. Not the company owner. Not a sales rep. Not the lady in the office.
WHO exactly will be the guy in your home? If its a team, who will be the team leader?
I just met a lady who made me swear on a stack of bibles the I was the guy doing the work. Years ago she had liked a company owner who gave a quote. But after awarding the job she never saw him again.
And thats really it. If you can answer those two question, then painting your 4 bedroom home should be a breeze.
1. Can they do YOUR job well?
You have 4 bedroom home interior to paint. Not a factory. Not a block of units. Not an exterior. Not a driveway. Not a deck. Not an office. Not an empty, carpet free new construction surrounded by mud.
So you want an expert at painting a 4 bedroom home interior.
Not an expert at painting all those other things/places etc.
Unfortunately most painters' websites say they can paint anything and everything. In reality they are probably pretty good at one or two kinds of painting.
The best way to find what you want is to look at Google reviews. There you will see what other clients have experienced and what they liked about a particular painter who painted their 4 bedroom home.
In short, hire a specialist, not a generalist.
2. Do you like them enough to have around the house for several weeks?
Painting a 4 bedroom house takes time. I talk about how much time above. But were talking weeks not days. This person will be inside your home: inside your bedroom!
Do you really want someone who drives you crazy, or hates your dog, or smoke cigars on the job.
Thats why its SO IMPORTANT TO MEET THE PAINTER WHO WILL BE DOING THE PAINTING. Not the company owner. Not a sales rep. Not the lady in the office.
WHO exactly will be the guy in your home? If its a team, who will be the team leader?
I just met a lady who made me swear on a stack of bibles the I was the guy doing the work. Years ago she had liked a company owner who gave a quote. But after awarding the job she never saw him again.
And thats really it. If you can answer those two question, then painting your 4 bedroom home should be a breeze.
GET A QUOTE
Which paint colours are best for the walls of my 4 bedroom home?
What colour should I paint the walls of my 4 bedroom home?
Choosing the right paint colour for your walls can seem daunting. But it doesn’t have to be. Most people want a light neutral colour that doesn’t ‘take over’.
Despite the thousands of choices available, Neutrals can be divided into 2 camps: Very light grey (VLG) and Cream.
Very light grey (VLG)
The most famous VLG is Dulux ‘Lexicon quarter’. It’s so light my wife still insists it’s just … white. ‘Lexicon’ full strength is a definite grey.
Lexicon quarter is a quarter of that strength and so often looks white but has the coolness of grey.
This slight coolness helps with more modern 4 bedroom homes (that usually have lots of windows) by preventing some glare from all that light.
If you decide to go VLG my advice is stick with Lexicon Quarter. There are thousands of others but the difference is minimal.
Side note: A client of mine had a colourist/interior designer specify 3 different types of VLG in one area of her home. When I’d finished the job it was impossible to tell them apart! And there were 3 cans of left over paint whose particular wall the client had to remember for future touch ups.
Another advantage with Lexicon Quarter is, if you need a touch up or repair having a popular and well known paint colour makes life so much easier.
Lexicon Quarter is good for all ages of house but is probably best for more modern homes.
Cream
Cream or off white is at the warmer end of the two choice wall spectrum. Again there are thousands of options. These options range from very yellow to almost white.
Personally I find the very strong yellow creams a bit old fashioned. Some are so intense they remind me of the houses of heavy smokers. Not something you really want.
My favourite cream is Dulux ‘Natural White’. It’s cream but a very light cream. As a result you get warmth plus a modern feel.
Natural White is good for any house but really helps brighten older 4 bedroom homes that sometimes get a bit dark especially in the central hall areas. The creaminess is traditional but the lightness reflects more light back.
Can I add strong colour with feature walls in my 4 bedroom home?
YES! Feature walls are a great way to add colour to a room without drowning in that colour. They are a great way to let kids and teenagers have a bit of individuality and expression without going mad.
Feature walls can make each room unique without losing visual cohesion of the overall colour scheme. You can use strong even dark colours on one wall as a contrast to the other 3 light coloured walls. There are even textures that can be added.
And when you (or your teenager) tires of the strong colour it’s an easy fix to paint out just that wall.
What colour should I paint the CEILING of my 4 bedroom home?
Dulux Vivid White - Flat
Vivid white has no other tints. It’s just pure white. Painting the ceiling this colour reflects more light down into the room. It also helps very light wall colours stand out.
There used to be a fashion for painting the ceilings in a lighter version of the wall colour, usually that heavy cream I mentioned earlier.
Another idea is to paint both the ceiling and walls the exact same colour. Some people like these approaches but personally I don’t.
What colour should I paint the TRIM of my 4 bedroom home?
Trim is everything made of wood: doors, windows, skirting, picture rails.
As with ceilings my colour preference with trim is Vivid White, but in semi gloss or full gloss.
I just think trim looks smarter and cleaner when it’s plain white. And in older room homes, the larger skirting and picture rails make a great frame for the wall colour.
Also Trim is often subject to more knocks and general wear and tear than other surfaces. So sticking to vivid white makes touch ups super easy.
ps. Colour is very personal. These are just my opinions. If you want me to paint your interiors all purple, I'll happily do that for you!
Choosing the right paint colour for your walls can seem daunting. But it doesn’t have to be. Most people want a light neutral colour that doesn’t ‘take over’.
Despite the thousands of choices available, Neutrals can be divided into 2 camps: Very light grey (VLG) and Cream.
Very light grey (VLG)
The most famous VLG is Dulux ‘Lexicon quarter’. It’s so light my wife still insists it’s just … white. ‘Lexicon’ full strength is a definite grey.
Lexicon quarter is a quarter of that strength and so often looks white but has the coolness of grey.
This slight coolness helps with more modern 4 bedroom homes (that usually have lots of windows) by preventing some glare from all that light.
If you decide to go VLG my advice is stick with Lexicon Quarter. There are thousands of others but the difference is minimal.
Side note: A client of mine had a colourist/interior designer specify 3 different types of VLG in one area of her home. When I’d finished the job it was impossible to tell them apart! And there were 3 cans of left over paint whose particular wall the client had to remember for future touch ups.
Another advantage with Lexicon Quarter is, if you need a touch up or repair having a popular and well known paint colour makes life so much easier.
Lexicon Quarter is good for all ages of house but is probably best for more modern homes.
Cream
Cream or off white is at the warmer end of the two choice wall spectrum. Again there are thousands of options. These options range from very yellow to almost white.
Personally I find the very strong yellow creams a bit old fashioned. Some are so intense they remind me of the houses of heavy smokers. Not something you really want.
My favourite cream is Dulux ‘Natural White’. It’s cream but a very light cream. As a result you get warmth plus a modern feel.
Natural White is good for any house but really helps brighten older 4 bedroom homes that sometimes get a bit dark especially in the central hall areas. The creaminess is traditional but the lightness reflects more light back.
Can I add strong colour with feature walls in my 4 bedroom home?
YES! Feature walls are a great way to add colour to a room without drowning in that colour. They are a great way to let kids and teenagers have a bit of individuality and expression without going mad.
Feature walls can make each room unique without losing visual cohesion of the overall colour scheme. You can use strong even dark colours on one wall as a contrast to the other 3 light coloured walls. There are even textures that can be added.
And when you (or your teenager) tires of the strong colour it’s an easy fix to paint out just that wall.
What colour should I paint the CEILING of my 4 bedroom home?
Dulux Vivid White - Flat
Vivid white has no other tints. It’s just pure white. Painting the ceiling this colour reflects more light down into the room. It also helps very light wall colours stand out.
There used to be a fashion for painting the ceilings in a lighter version of the wall colour, usually that heavy cream I mentioned earlier.
Another idea is to paint both the ceiling and walls the exact same colour. Some people like these approaches but personally I don’t.
What colour should I paint the TRIM of my 4 bedroom home?
Trim is everything made of wood: doors, windows, skirting, picture rails.
As with ceilings my colour preference with trim is Vivid White, but in semi gloss or full gloss.
I just think trim looks smarter and cleaner when it’s plain white. And in older room homes, the larger skirting and picture rails make a great frame for the wall colour.
Also Trim is often subject to more knocks and general wear and tear than other surfaces. So sticking to vivid white makes touch ups super easy.
ps. Colour is very personal. These are just my opinions. If you want me to paint your interiors all purple, I'll happily do that for you!
Super short colour plan for a 4 bedroom house ...
Ceilings - Vivid White - Flat
Trim - Vivid White - Semi gloss or Full Gloss
Walls - cool VLG eg. 'Lexicon Quarter' OR warm light cream eg. 'Natural White'
And for a splash of individuality
Feature walls - ANYTHING!!! (One wall per room max)
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