Thinking about painting your home? One of the biggest decisions you'll face is whether to DIY or hire professional painters. This guide provides an honest comparison to help you decide.
Cost Comparison
DIY Painting Costs
For a typical 3-bedroom house interior:
- Paint: $400-$800 (quality paint)
- Equipment: $200-$400 (rollers, brushes, trays, tape, drop sheets)
- Filler & sandpaper: $50-$100
- Total: $650-$1,300
Professional Painting Costs
For the same 3-bedroom house interior:
- Professional service: $3,000-$6,000
- Includes: Labour, paint, equipment, preparation, cleanup
The Hidden Costs of DIY
DIY painting often costs more than expected due to:
- Wasted paint: Inexperienced painters use more paint
- Buying wrong products: Mistakes at the hardware store
- Equipment you'll use once: Ladders, scaffolding, spray guns
- Fixing mistakes: Buying more paint to cover errors
- Your time: What's your weekend worth?
Quality Comparison
Professional Results
- Flawless, even coverage
- Clean, sharp edges and cut-lines
- Proper surface preparation
- Professional-grade products
- Lasts 7-10+ years
Typical DIY Results
- Visible brush marks and roller lines
- Paint bleeds and uneven edges
- Missed spots and thin coverage
- Drips and runs
- May need repainting sooner
Time Investment
DIY Timeline
A 3-bedroom house might take a DIY painter:
- Multiple weekends (4-8 total)
- Several evenings after work
- Learning curve adds time
- Living with furniture moved for weeks
Professional Timeline
- 3-5 working days
- Minimal disruption to your life
- Your weekends stay free
When DIY Makes Sense
Consider DIY painting if:
- You're painting a single small room
- You have painting experience
- Budget is extremely tight
- You enjoy the process and have time
- The surfaces are in good condition
When to Hire Professionals
Hire professional house painters when:
- Painting the whole house or multiple rooms
- High ceilings or difficult access
- Exterior painting (safety and quality)
- Surfaces need significant preparation
- You want a guaranteed quality finish
- Your time is valuable
- Selling your home (first impressions matter)
The Real Value of Professional Painters
Beyond just painting, professionals provide:
- Expertise: Knowing which products to use where
- Preparation: The key to a lasting finish
- Efficiency: The right tools and techniques
- Insurance: Protection if something goes wrong
- Warranty: Confidence in the workmanship
- Colour advice: Help choosing the right colours
Making Your Decision
Ask yourself:
- How much is my time worth?
- Do I want to spend weekends painting?
- How important is a perfect finish?
- Am I confident I can achieve professional results?
- What's the true total cost when I factor in my time?
Get a Free Professional Quote
Before deciding on DIY, find out what professional painting actually costs. You might be surprised!
Get a Free Quote Call 0451 040 396