Quick answer: House painting in Melbourne typically costs $300 to $900 per room for interiors and $3,500 to $12,000 for a full exterior repaint on a standard home. The biggest variables are surface preparation, paint quality, and access requirements. Read on for a full room-by-room breakdown.
If you are planning to repaint your home and trying to figure out what it will realistically cost, you are not alone. House painting costs in Melbourne vary widely depending on the size of the job, the condition of your walls, and the quality of paint used. A quick search will give you figures ranging from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands, which is not particularly helpful when you are trying to budget.
This guide is built on real pricing from painting jobs across Melbourne’s eastern and inner suburbs. We cover interior costs room by room, exterior costs by home type, and every factor that will push a quote up or down. There is also a step-by-step section on how to get an accurate quote so you are comparing apples with apples.
House Painting Prices in Melbourne at a Glance
The table below gives you a starting point. These are honest estimates for professional painting in Melbourne as of 2026, including standard surface preparation. Jobs with significant damage, difficult access, or premium paint will sit at the higher end.
| Job Type | Estimated Cost Range | Typical Timeframe | Notes |
| Single room interior | $300 to $700 | Half to one day | Includes ceiling, walls, one coat of paint |
| Full house interior (3 bed) | $4,500 to $9,000 | 4 to 7 days | Excludes trims and doors unless specified |
| Full house interior (4 bed) | $6,500 to $12,000 | 6 to 10 days | Price rises with ceiling height and cornices |
| Feature wall only | $150 to $450 | 2 to 4 hours | Single wall, one to two colours |
| Ceiling only (per room) | $150 to $350 | 2 to 4 hours | Prep and two coats |
| Exterior single-storey | $3,500 to $7,000 | 3 to 6 days | Includes prep and two coats |
| Exterior double-storey | $6,500 to $14,000 | 6 to 10 days | Scaffolding may be required |
| Exterior render repaint | $4,000 to $10,000 | 4 to 8 days | Depends on render condition |
| Doors and trims (full house) | $800 to $2,000 | 1 to 3 days | Often added to a full repaint job |
These figures assume a professional painter, standard preparation (light sanding, filling small holes, one coat of primer where needed), and two coats of mid-range paint. They do not include repairs to damaged plaster, mould treatment, or extensive patching.
Interior House Painting Costs in Melbourne
Interior painting is the most common job for Melbourne homeowners and the most variable in price. A painter quoting a bedroom repaint is pricing the ceiling height, wall condition, number of coats, whether doors and trims are included, and the paint quality you have chosen. Each of those factors moves the final number.
Cost per room in Melbourne
Here is a realistic breakdown by room type for a standard Melbourne home. These prices are per room, per coat specification, for professional labour and materials combined.
| Room | Size (approx) | Estimated Cost | What is typically included |
| Small bedroom | 9 to 12 sqm | $300 to $550 | Ceiling, walls, light prep, two coats |
| Standard bedroom | 12 to 16 sqm | $450 to $750 | Ceiling, walls, light prep, two coats |
| Master bedroom | 16 to 22 sqm | $600 to $950 | Ceiling, walls, prep, two coats |
| Living room | 20 to 35 sqm | $700 to $1,400 | Open plan may be priced differently |
| Kitchen | 8 to 15 sqm | $350 to $650 | Extra prep near stove and splashback areas |
| Bathroom | 4 to 8 sqm | $300 to $600 | Moisture-resistant paint, extra ventilation time |
| Hallway and stairwell | Variable | $400 to $900 | Access difficulty adds cost |
What pushes interior painting costs up
A few things consistently add to the final quote when a painter walks through your Melbourne home.
- Wall condition: Walls with cracks, holes, peeling paint, or water stains require extra preparation. Patching, sanding, and priming takes time, and painters charge accordingly. A wall in poor condition can double the preparation cost compared to a clean surface.
- Ceiling height: Standard ceilings in Melbourne homes run 2.4 to 2.7 metres. Victorian and Edwardian homes often have ceilings of 3 metres or more, which requires extra equipment and adds time to every room.
- Number of coats: Two coats is the standard. Going from a dark colour to a light one, or painting over a stained surface, may require three coats. Each coat adds labour and material cost.
- Paint quality: Budget paints from Bunnings cost around $30 to $60 per four-litre tin. Premium paints from Dulux, Haymes, or Taubmans cost $70 to $120 per tin. A quality paint goes further, covers better, and lasts years longer. Most professional painters recommend spending more on paint and less on repainting in five years.
- Cornices and trims: Detailed cornices, skirting boards, window frames, and architraves all take time. If you want these painted to a high finish, expect to add $800 to $2,000 to a full house interior job.
Additional Read: The Ultimate Guide to Interior House Painting in Melbourne
Is it cheaper to paint rooms yourself in Melbourne?
It can be, but the savings are smaller than most people expect. A DIY interior paint job for a standard bedroom might cost $150 to $300 in materials if you already own equipment. A professional painter quotes $450 to $750 for the same room. The difference is the time, the finish quality, and the preparation work. Professional painters move faster, cut cleaner edges, and fix wall defects as they go. For a rental property or a quick refresh before selling, DIY can make sense. For a whole-house repaint, the cost of your time and the risk of an uneven finish usually tips the decision toward hiring.
If you want to understand what is involved in an interior job before getting quotes, our interior house painting guide for Melbourne homeowners covers preparation, paint selection, and what to expect on the day in detail.
Exterior House Painting Costs in Melbourne
Exterior painting in Melbourne is a bigger job than interior work in almost every case. The preparation is more involved, the conditions are more demanding, and access to upper storeys adds cost. That said, a well-executed exterior repaint can transform a home and add real value, particularly in suburbs where presentation matters.
Single-storey vs double-storey exterior costs
The biggest single factor in exterior painting cost is height. A single-storey Melbourne home can usually be painted from ladders. A double-storey home often requires scaffolding or elevated work platforms, which adds $600 to $2,000 to the job depending on the size and configuration of the home.
| Home Type | Estimated Exterior Cost | Typical Duration |
| Single-storey weatherboard | $3,500 to $6,000 | 3 to 5 days |
| Single-storey brick/render | $4,000 to $7,500 | 4 to 6 days |
| Double-storey weatherboard | $7,000 to $12,000 | 6 to 9 days |
| Double-storey render home | $8,000 to $14,000 | 7 to 11 days |
| Period home with detail (verandas, fascia, etc.) | $9,000 to $16,000+ | 8 to 14 days |
Surface type and its effect on exterior costs
The material your home is built from changes both the preparation required and the paint products used.
- Weatherboard: Requires thorough sanding or high-pressure cleaning, checking for rot, and often a coat of primer. Paint soaks into timber, so coverage rates are lower and you may need more material.
- Render: Hairline cracks are common in Melbourne homes with cement render. These need to be filled and primed before painting. If the render is deteriorating, repair costs are separate and should be quoted specifically. Our team regularly handles
- Brick: Unpainted brick is rarely painted, but previously painted brick needs careful preparation to avoid peeling. Brick is porous and drinks paint, meaning two coats are usually the minimum.
- Hardiplank and fibre cement: Common in Melbourne’s newer builds. Takes paint well and requires less preparation than timber, which usually keeps costs at the lower end of the range.
Melbourne seasons and exterior painting timing
Exterior paint needs to be applied in dry conditions within a specific temperature range, ideally between 10 and 35 degrees Celsius. Melbourne’s weather makes scheduling important. Summer works well for most exteriors but high heat can cause paint to dry too fast and bubble. The shoulder seasons of spring and autumn are generally best. Winter exterior painting is possible during dry spells but adds risk, and most painters will not paint in temperatures below 10 degrees or on days with forecast rain.
Booking ahead in spring and autumn means your preferred painter may already be committed. If your timeline is flexible, asking for a shoulder-season start date will often get you a slightly better price and more attention on the job.
What Affects Your Painting Quote in Melbourne
Two painters quoting the same job in Melbourne can come back with prices $2,000 or more apart. Some of that difference is profit margin. Most of it is what they are including in the quote. These are the variables that move the number.
Surface preparation
Preparation is the most important part of any painting job and the most commonly cut-short by cheap quotes. A painter who quotes low is often quoting minimal prep: a wipe down and straight to painting. A painter who quotes accurately is including sanding, filling, priming, and treating any problem areas. Skipping prep is how paint peels within two years. When comparing quotes, ask specifically what surface preparation is included in writing.
Number of colours and coats
Every additional colour adds time. A house with one exterior colour is simpler to paint than one with a trim colour, a fascia colour, and a feature colour on the front door. Each changeover means cleaning brushes, masking edges, and waiting for drying time. Quotes often assume one or two colours. If you are considering a multicolour scheme, flag it upfront.
Access and scaffolding
Scaffolding for a double-storey home costs $600 to $2,000 and is usually sourced by the painter and included in their quote. If your home has a steeply pitched roof, a difficult site, or requires working near power lines, access costs can be higher. Ask whether scaffolding is included or quoted separately.
Paint brand and quality
A professional painter will often offer a choice of paint grade. Mid-range products like Dulux Wash and Wear or Taubmans Endure are the standard for most Melbourne interior jobs. For exteriors, Dulux Weathershield and Haymes Solashield are reliable choices that carry 10 to 15 year warranties when applied correctly. Premium paints cost more upfront and last longer. Budget products may save $200 on a quote but need repainting years earlier.
How to Get an Accurate House Painting Quote in Melbourne
Getting three quotes is standard advice, but three quotes are only useful if they are covering the same scope of work. Here is how to make sure you are comparing accurately.
- Step 1: Walk through every surface you want painted. Write it down. Ceiling, walls, doors, trims, cornices, skirting boards. Do not leave it to the painter to assume.
- Step 2: Note any existing damage. Cracks, holes, peeling paint, water stains, and mould patches all need to be disclosed. A painter who does not see damage at quote time will either charge extra when they encounter it or skip the repair.
- Step 3: Specify the number of coats. Ask each painter what number of coats their quote includes and what preparation is included before painting begins.
- Step 4: Ask about the paint products. Request the brand and product name in writing. This allows you to look up the product warranty and compare paint quality between quotes.
- Step 5: Get written quotes. A verbal estimate over the phone is not a quote. A written, itemised quote protects both you and the painter and removes ambiguity about what was agreed.
Before you start collecting quotes, it is worth reading about the common mistakes Melbourne homeowners make when hiring painters so you know what to watch for during the process.
House Painting Costs Across Melbourne’s Eastern and Inner Suburbs
Pricing for painting services in Melbourne is broadly consistent across the metro area. A painter quoting in Camberwell, Ivanhoe, South Melbourne, or East Melbourne will apply similar day rates and material costs. Where prices vary is in travel and logistics: painters who are based in a suburb will usually be more competitive on local jobs because they are not charging for long travel times.
NN Brush Masters works across Melbourne’s eastern and inner suburbs and provides free, itemised quotes with no obligation. Our quoting process covers every surface, specifies the paint products by name, and includes all preparation work so you know exactly what you are getting.
We regularly quote and complete painting jobs in Camberwell, Ivanhoe, South Melbourne, East Melbourne, and West Melbourne. If you are in one of these areas, view our painting services across Melbourne for more information on what we cover.
| Suburb | Interior (3-bed house) | Exterior single-storey | Notes |
| Camberwell | $5,500 to $10,000 | $5,000 to $9,500 | Many period homes with high ceilings and detailed cornices |
| Ivanhoe | $5,000 to $9,500 | $4,500 to $8,500 | Mix of weatherboard and brick homes |
| South Melbourne | $5,500 to $10,000 | $5,000 to $10,000 | Terrace homes with render are common |
| East Melbourne | $5,500 to $10,500 | $5,500 to $10,000 | High ceilings and ornate period detail |
| West Melbourne | $4,500 to $9,000 | $4,000 to $8,000 | Mix of older and newer construction |
Frequently Asked Questions: House Painting Costs in Melbourne
1. How much does it cost to paint a 3-bedroom house in Melbourne?
Interior painting for a standard three-bedroom Melbourne home typically costs between $4,500 and $9,000, depending on ceiling heights, wall condition, and whether trims and doors are included. Homes with high ceilings, detailed cornices, or walls in poor condition will sit toward the upper end of that range.
2. How much does exterior painting cost in Melbourne?
Exterior painting for a single-storey Melbourne home costs $3,500 to $7,000 on average. A double-storey home costs $6,500 to $14,000, with scaffolding often required. Render homes may cost more due to the additional preparation needed for cracked or porous render surfaces.
3. Is it cheaper to paint a house yourself or hire a painter?
DIY interior painting saves on labour but requires time, equipment, and skill to achieve a clean result. For a single room, DIY can save $200 to $400. For a full house repaint, the time investment is significant and the risk of an uneven finish is higher. Most homeowners find professional painting better value for whole-house jobs.
4. How much do painters charge per hour in Melbourne?
Most Melbourne painters do not quote by the hour for full jobs. For smaller tasks or hourly work, rates range from $50 to $85 per hour per painter, with a minimum call-out of two to three hours. Full jobs are almost always quoted as a fixed price for the scope of work.
5. How do I get a painting quote in Melbourne?
Contact a painter directly or through a quote platform, describe your job in writing, and request an on-site inspection before the painter provides a written quote. Avoid quotes provided sight unseen over the phone. A written, itemised quote is the only reliable basis for comparing painters.
6. Does painting a house add value in Melbourne?
A fresh interior or exterior repaint consistently adds value in Melbourne’s property market, particularly before a sale. Real estate agents frequently recommend repainting as one of the highest return-on-investment improvements you can make before listing. The exact value uplift depends on the current condition of the home and local market conditions.
7. What is the cheapest way to get a house painted in Melbourne?
The cheapest approach is to reduce the scope: paint only high-traffic or high-visibility rooms, do the preparation work yourself (cleaning walls, removing fixtures), and choose a mid-range paint product rather than premium. Booking during quieter months, typically June to August for exteriors, may also attract slightly lower pricing from painters with more availability.
Get a Free House Painting Quote in Melbourne
NN Brush Masters provides free, written, itemised quotes for interior and exterior painting across Melbourne. We work across Camberwell, Ivanhoe, South Melbourne, East Melbourne, West Melbourne, and the surrounding suburbs. Every quote includes a full scope of work, the paint products by name, and all preparation steps so there are no surprises when the job starts.
| Ready to get a realistic quote for your Melbourne home? Contact NN Brush Masters today for a free on-site assessment. No obligation, no pushy sales. Just an honest price for a quality job. |
