How much does it cost to paint a house interior?
I'm really sorry, but the answer is, "It depends."
The cost depends on YOUR HOME ...
1. number of rooms
2. size of rooms
3. number and size of hallways and spaces between rooms
4. age and design of the house
5. access and parking
6. condition of walls, ceilings and trim
7. repairs needed (cracks, mould, peeling)
AND the cost depends on WHO YOU HIRE.
1. How well do they prepare (sanding, washing, filling)
2. How well do they protect (masking tape, drop sheets, plastic furniture wraps)
3. How fast/slapdash are they
4. How do they communicate
5. WHO will actually be doing the work
There's more but you get the idea
As a home owner its VITAL to remember that each painter will treat each aspect differently.
Thats why its important to not only get quotes, but to research any painter you talk to BEFORE they supply a quote.
If you just call 3 random painters you will often get 3 wildly different quotes.
The cost depends on YOUR HOME ...
1. number of rooms
2. size of rooms
3. number and size of hallways and spaces between rooms
4. age and design of the house
5. access and parking
6. condition of walls, ceilings and trim
7. repairs needed (cracks, mould, peeling)
AND the cost depends on WHO YOU HIRE.
1. How well do they prepare (sanding, washing, filling)
2. How well do they protect (masking tape, drop sheets, plastic furniture wraps)
3. How fast/slapdash are they
4. How do they communicate
5. WHO will actually be doing the work
There's more but you get the idea
As a home owner its VITAL to remember that each painter will treat each aspect differently.
Thats why its important to not only get quotes, but to research any painter you talk to BEFORE they supply a quote.
If you just call 3 random painters you will often get 3 wildly different quotes.
How can the quotes from different painting companies sometimes be so far apart?
Because the different painting companies plan to do very different work.
A difference of more than 10% indicates different work.
A Quality Painter might spend a week preparing and painting your bedroom. Whereas an Average Painter might rush through in 2 days. Same bedroom, different work.
Whether you use me or not, I don't mind. But please choose another quality painter if you possibly can.
Websites, reviews, and recommendations can guide you here. Also the table below might help ...
Because the different painting companies plan to do very different work.
A difference of more than 10% indicates different work.
A Quality Painter might spend a week preparing and painting your bedroom. Whereas an Average Painter might rush through in 2 days. Same bedroom, different work.
Whether you use me or not, I don't mind. But please choose another quality painter if you possibly can.
Websites, reviews, and recommendations can guide you here. Also the table below might help ...
$ |
$$ |
$$$ |
$$$$ |
DIY PAINTER |
AVERAGE OR BELOW AVERAGE PAINTER |
QUALITY PAINTER |
CHANCER |
If Budget is tight, just do it yourself. You need patience, the right tools, no fear of ladders and LOTS of time. |
OK if you want a cheap and/or fast painting. eg. Rental or prior to selling a house. These guys quote low, then speed through the job. So be ready for below average quality, drips, spills, bad communication, short life span. |
Takes the time to repair, prepare and do a good looking, long lasting paint job. Often a specialist. Great communication, no mess, no stress. Money well spent. |
Booked solid and instead of saying 'no', quotes double the normal price. THEN subs the job out to Mr Below Average painter. Worst of both worlds. Unethical. |
Cheap and slow. |
Cheap and fast. |
You get what you pay for. |
Rip off. |
* My price range is $2000 - $30,000
* Minimum Job Size of $2,000 for first time clients.
* No minimum job size for past clients.
* Minimum Job Size of $2,000 for first time clients.
* No minimum job size for past clients.
*I give a fixed price quote after visiting your home. This is based on total number of rooms, doors, windows etc. and degree of repairs, cracks, mould removal needed (if any).
These price ranges are for work that give you the best in protection, preparation and painting. And the work is carried out by ME. You can decide by looking at my website and meeting me if you feel comfortable handing over your front door key for several weeks.
You WILL find lower cost painters than me. I can guarantee that.
But only you can decide if these cheap guys are trust-worthy.
How to get an interior painting expert to paint YOUR interior walls, ceilings and trim.
Most low prices you will see online (and many that you are quoted) include a SINGLE COAT only to walls, ceilings and trim. This voids all manufacturers warranties (and looks crummy, and doesn't last very long). But, hey, it's fast and cheap! So unfortunately many people fall for this trick.
My quotes always include DOUBLE COATS to ceilings and walls and sometimes even TRIPLE COATS to doors, windows skirting (1 primer and two top coats) if needed.
Why do I do this?
1. Manufacturers will only warranty their products if two coats are applied.
2. Single coats ALWAYS leave tiny pin hole 'misses'.
3. Single coats ALWAYS leave a thinner more transparent line around the wall where the brush has been but roller can't reach. These lines are called 'hat bands' or 'picture frames'.
4. Existing trim (doors, windows, skirting, picture rails) is often painted in oil paint. For modern (and non smelly) water based enamels to stick to the old oil based paint, a really good primer must be applied first.
5. Trim often gets bumped over time. So it needs a two solid top coats OVER the primer, to build up thickness and strength.
In short my method LOOKS BETTER and LASTS LONGER.
Cheap painters
A lot of people get 3 painting quotes and choose the middle cost thinking each quote covers the exact same work and only differs in price. This is not the case. If a quote is any more than 10% cheaper it is for DIFFERENT WORK. That is why you often get such big differences in quoted price.
More on the dangers of cheap quotes here.
A lady I know had one painting quote (that included major crack repairs) for $3,000 and another for the same job for $12,000. Now clearly the two painters were approaching the job VERY differently. (Full disclosure - The lady went with Mr 3K then called me a few months later because the cracks had failed almost immediately. And yes, I was Mr 12k.)
So, the key when establishing your painting cost is to make sure you are comparing exactly the same WORK. Insist on clarification of the tasks and processes that each painter is quoting on. And most importantly insist on knowing and comparing how much TIME will be spent on your project. Then you can make an informed decision.
Other painting costs
LOWEST PRICE!!! - If you are looking for the lowest painting cost (for say, a rental or upcoming house sale), I'm not the man for you. If you are looking for the best experience and workmanship, and realise that costs a little more, we should talk.
SMALL PAINTING JOBS - For anything less than a full room it is best to call a handyman such as Hire a Hubby or Airtasker. They usually charge $50 to $90 an hour.
PAINTING SEVERAL ROOMS - I may be able to give you an over the phone estimate cost. Otherwise a visit is recommended.
CRACKS, MOULD, PEELING PAINT - AS PART OF A PAINTING JOB - Quite variable. I'll need to see, measure, and touch!
INSURANCE QUOTES - $100 (Refundable on completion of work)
MOSMAN PRICES (or Cremorne Prices or North Shore Prices) - We all hate to feel ripped off. And its easy to think that a quote that isn't the lowest is a "Mosman price".
For those new to the area, a Mosman Price is a price far in excess of what it should be. These prices are often quoted by "chancers" who will still do a third rate job but try doubling their usual rates on the off chance you'll say yes. These people give all tradesmen a bad name and we dislike them as much as you do!
The key to separating "Fair" from "Rip Off" is the VALUE you get for the painting cost. My prices are usually a bit higher BUT you get much more for that price. Hopefully this site and the attached reviews will show that.
You WILL find lower cost painters than me. I can guarantee that.
But only you can decide if these cheap guys are trust-worthy.
How to get an interior painting expert to paint YOUR interior walls, ceilings and trim.
Most low prices you will see online (and many that you are quoted) include a SINGLE COAT only to walls, ceilings and trim. This voids all manufacturers warranties (and looks crummy, and doesn't last very long). But, hey, it's fast and cheap! So unfortunately many people fall for this trick.
My quotes always include DOUBLE COATS to ceilings and walls and sometimes even TRIPLE COATS to doors, windows skirting (1 primer and two top coats) if needed.
Why do I do this?
1. Manufacturers will only warranty their products if two coats are applied.
2. Single coats ALWAYS leave tiny pin hole 'misses'.
3. Single coats ALWAYS leave a thinner more transparent line around the wall where the brush has been but roller can't reach. These lines are called 'hat bands' or 'picture frames'.
4. Existing trim (doors, windows, skirting, picture rails) is often painted in oil paint. For modern (and non smelly) water based enamels to stick to the old oil based paint, a really good primer must be applied first.
5. Trim often gets bumped over time. So it needs a two solid top coats OVER the primer, to build up thickness and strength.
In short my method LOOKS BETTER and LASTS LONGER.
Cheap painters
A lot of people get 3 painting quotes and choose the middle cost thinking each quote covers the exact same work and only differs in price. This is not the case. If a quote is any more than 10% cheaper it is for DIFFERENT WORK. That is why you often get such big differences in quoted price.
More on the dangers of cheap quotes here.
A lady I know had one painting quote (that included major crack repairs) for $3,000 and another for the same job for $12,000. Now clearly the two painters were approaching the job VERY differently. (Full disclosure - The lady went with Mr 3K then called me a few months later because the cracks had failed almost immediately. And yes, I was Mr 12k.)
So, the key when establishing your painting cost is to make sure you are comparing exactly the same WORK. Insist on clarification of the tasks and processes that each painter is quoting on. And most importantly insist on knowing and comparing how much TIME will be spent on your project. Then you can make an informed decision.
Other painting costs
LOWEST PRICE!!! - If you are looking for the lowest painting cost (for say, a rental or upcoming house sale), I'm not the man for you. If you are looking for the best experience and workmanship, and realise that costs a little more, we should talk.
SMALL PAINTING JOBS - For anything less than a full room it is best to call a handyman such as Hire a Hubby or Airtasker. They usually charge $50 to $90 an hour.
PAINTING SEVERAL ROOMS - I may be able to give you an over the phone estimate cost. Otherwise a visit is recommended.
CRACKS, MOULD, PEELING PAINT - AS PART OF A PAINTING JOB - Quite variable. I'll need to see, measure, and touch!
INSURANCE QUOTES - $100 (Refundable on completion of work)
MOSMAN PRICES (or Cremorne Prices or North Shore Prices) - We all hate to feel ripped off. And its easy to think that a quote that isn't the lowest is a "Mosman price".
For those new to the area, a Mosman Price is a price far in excess of what it should be. These prices are often quoted by "chancers" who will still do a third rate job but try doubling their usual rates on the off chance you'll say yes. These people give all tradesmen a bad name and we dislike them as much as you do!
The key to separating "Fair" from "Rip Off" is the VALUE you get for the painting cost. My prices are usually a bit higher BUT you get much more for that price. Hopefully this site and the attached reviews will show that.
Painting costs quoted on Oneflare, Service Seeking, HiPages etc.
As part of your search you will no doubt find a lot of painting cost information on ‘Hire a tradie” directories - Oneflare, Service Seeking, HiPages etc.
Take these prices with a grain of salt because:
1. The painters that use these services are PAYING for the leads. They don’t get much repeat work and/or have no real marketing. They are at the lower end of the quality/effort scale. Which is fine if you want a rental painted fast or are selling a house and a long life paint job is not a priority.
2. The Directories are tempting you to use them with sometimes very low painting cost estimates.
3. These “Hire a tradie” directories will give you the BOTTOM end of the cost of painting range.
Take these prices with a grain of salt because:
1. The painters that use these services are PAYING for the leads. They don’t get much repeat work and/or have no real marketing. They are at the lower end of the quality/effort scale. Which is fine if you want a rental painted fast or are selling a house and a long life paint job is not a priority.
2. The Directories are tempting you to use them with sometimes very low painting cost estimates.
3. These “Hire a tradie” directories will give you the BOTTOM end of the cost of painting range.
Cheap painters
A lot of people get 3 painting quotes and choose the middle cost thinking each quote covers the exact same work and only differs in price. This is not the case. If a quote is any more than 10% cheaper it is for DIFFERENT WORK. That is why you often get such big differences in quoted price.
More on the dangers of cheap quotes here.
A lady I know had one painting quote (that included major crack repairs) for $3,000 and another for the same job for $12,000. Now clearly the two painters were approaching the job VERY differently. (Full disclosure - The lady went with Mr 3K then called me a few months later because the cracks had failed almost immediately. And yes, I was Mr 12k.)
So, the key when establishing your painting cost is to make sure you are comparing exactly the same WORK. Insist on clarification of the tasks and processes that each painter is quoting on. And most importantly insist on knowing and comparing how much TIME will be spent on your project. Then you can make an informed decision.
More on the dangers of cheap quotes here.
A lady I know had one painting quote (that included major crack repairs) for $3,000 and another for the same job for $12,000. Now clearly the two painters were approaching the job VERY differently. (Full disclosure - The lady went with Mr 3K then called me a few months later because the cracks had failed almost immediately. And yes, I was Mr 12k.)
So, the key when establishing your painting cost is to make sure you are comparing exactly the same WORK. Insist on clarification of the tasks and processes that each painter is quoting on. And most importantly insist on knowing and comparing how much TIME will be spent on your project. Then you can make an informed decision.
Other painting costs
LOWEST PRICE!!! - If you are looking for the lowest painting cost (for say, a rental or upcoming house sale), I'm not the man for you. If you are looking for the best experience and workmanship, and realise that costs a little more, we should talk.
SMALL PAINTING JOBS - For anything less than a full room it is best to call a handyman such as Hire a Hubby or Airtasker. They usually charge $50 to $90 an hour.
PAINTING SEVERAL ROOMS - I may be able to give you an over the phone estimate cost. Otherwise a visit is recommended.
CRACKS, MOULD, PEELING PAINT - AS PART OF A PAINTING JOB - Quite variable. I'll need to see, measure, and touch!
INSURANCE QUOTES - $100 (Refundable on completion of work)
MOSMAN PRICES (or Cremorne Prices or North Shore Prices) - We all hate to feel ripped off. And its easy to think that a quote that isn't the lowest is a "Mosman price".
For those new to the area, a Mosman Price is a price far in excess of what it should be. These prices are often quoted by "chancers" who will still do a third rate job but try doubling their usual rates on the off chance you'll say yes. These people give all tradesmen a bad name and we dislike them as much as you do!
The key to separating "Fair" from "Rip Off" is the VALUE you get for the painting cost. My prices are usually a bit higher BUT you get much more for that price. Hopefully this site and the attached reviews will show that.
SMALL PAINTING JOBS - For anything less than a full room it is best to call a handyman such as Hire a Hubby or Airtasker. They usually charge $50 to $90 an hour.
PAINTING SEVERAL ROOMS - I may be able to give you an over the phone estimate cost. Otherwise a visit is recommended.
CRACKS, MOULD, PEELING PAINT - AS PART OF A PAINTING JOB - Quite variable. I'll need to see, measure, and touch!
INSURANCE QUOTES - $100 (Refundable on completion of work)
MOSMAN PRICES (or Cremorne Prices or North Shore Prices) - We all hate to feel ripped off. And its easy to think that a quote that isn't the lowest is a "Mosman price".
For those new to the area, a Mosman Price is a price far in excess of what it should be. These prices are often quoted by "chancers" who will still do a third rate job but try doubling their usual rates on the off chance you'll say yes. These people give all tradesmen a bad name and we dislike them as much as you do!
The key to separating "Fair" from "Rip Off" is the VALUE you get for the painting cost. My prices are usually a bit higher BUT you get much more for that price. Hopefully this site and the attached reviews will show that.