A full house repaint in Melbourne costs $8,000–$35,000 in 2026. That range is wide because no two homes are the same, a 2-bedroom apartment interior is a different job to a 4-bedroom weatherboard inside and out. This guide breaks the price into hard numbers: tables by home size, room type, surface type, and a clear breakdown of the seven factors that move your quote up or down. Every figure here is based on real project data from Modernize Solutions, a Melbourne painting company operating since 1987 with over 1,000 completed residential projects across 74 Melbourne suburbs.
How much does it cost to paint a house in Melbourne in 2026?
The median Melbourne homeowner spends $12,000–$20,000 on a full house repaint (interior or exterior, not both). A 3-bedroom single-storey home costs $18,000–$30,000 for a combined interior and exterior repaint with premium Dulux paint and full preparation.
| Home Size | Interior Only | Exterior Only | Full Interior + Exterior |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-bedroom unit / apartment | $4,500–$8,000 | N/A (body corporate) | $4,500–$8,000 |
| 3-bedroom single-storey | $8,000–$15,000 | $12,000–$20,000 | $18,000–$30,000 |
| 4-bedroom single-storey | $12,000–$20,000 | $15,000–$25,000 | $25,000–$40,000 |
| 3-bedroom two-storey | $12,000–$18,000 | $18,000–$30,000 | $28,000–$45,000 |
| 4-bedroom two-storey | $15,000–$25,000 | $22,000–$35,000 | $35,000–$55,000 |
Prices assume standard 2.4m ceilings, walls in fair to good condition, and two coats throughout. Two-storey homes include scaffolding. Weatherboard exteriors sit at the higher end; brick veneer trim-only exteriors sit at the lower end.
How much does it cost to paint each room in a Melbourne home?
A standard bedroom repaint costs $650–$950 in Melbourne including walls, ceiling, and trim. Below is every room broken out individually, useful if you are painting specific rooms rather than the whole house.
| Room | Walls Only | Walls + Ceiling | Full (Walls, Ceiling, Trim) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small bedroom (~12 sqm) | $350–$500 | $500–$700 | $600–$850 |
| Standard bedroom (~15 sqm) | $400–$600 | $600–$850 | $650–$950 |
| Master bedroom (~20 sqm) | $500–$750 | $700–$1,000 | $800–$1,200 |
| Living room (~25 sqm) | $600–$900 | $800–$1,200 | $1,000–$1,500 |
| Open-plan living/dining (~40 sqm) | $900–$1,400 | $1,200–$1,800 | $1,500–$2,200 |
| Kitchen (walls only, around cabinetry) | $400–$700 | $550–$900 | $650–$1,100 |
| Bathroom (walls, moisture-grade paint) | $400–$650 | $550–$800 | $650–$950 |
| Hallway (standard length) | $350–$600 | $500–$800 | $600–$950 |
| Laundry | $300–$450 | $400–$600 | $500–$750 |
| Ceiling only (per room, standard) | , | $200–$400 | , |
All prices include surface preparation, two coats of Dulux Wash & Wear (or Dulux kitchen and bathroom formulations for wet areas), and masking/protection. For a deeper breakdown, see our full cost to paint a room in Melbourne guide.
How does surface and cladding type affect painting costs in Melbourne?
Weatherboard exteriors cost 50–100% more than brick veneer trim due to the preparation intensity. The surface you are painting is one of the single biggest price drivers, a weatherboard home at $45–$80/sqm requires scraping, sanding, and spot-priming every board, while rendered walls at $30–$55/sqm need far less preparation.
| Surface / Cladding | Cost per sqm | Typical Total (Single-Storey) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weatherboard (exterior) | $45–$80 | $12,000–$20,000 | Heavy scraping, sanding, priming; most labour-intensive |
| Rendered walls (exterior) | $30–$55 | $8,000–$15,000 | Crack filling and sealing required; less prep than weatherboard |
| Brick veneer trim only (exterior) | $25–$45 | $4,000–$8,000 | Fascias, eaves, windows, doors only, no full wall painting |
| Cement sheet / Hardiplank (exterior) | $35–$60 | $9,000–$16,000 | Less prep than weatherboard; joints need sealing |
| Interior plasterboard (good condition) | $20–$40 | $8,000–$15,000 (full interior) | Standard, minimal prep if walls are sound |
| Interior plasterboard (damaged/patched) | $35–$60 | $12,000–$22,000 (full interior) | Extensive filling, sanding, spot-priming before painting |
| Timber fence (per lineal metre) | $25–$50/lm | $1,500–$4,000 | Stain or paint; condition and height dependent |
| Timber deck (per sqm) | $30–$55/sqm | $1,200–$3,500 | Sanding, staining or oiling; condition dependent |
For a full guide on exterior surfaces and their specific requirements in Melbourne’s climate, read our complete guide to exterior painting in Melbourne.
Is it cheaper to paint the interior or exterior of a house in Melbourne?
Interior painting averages $20–$60/sqm; exterior averages $30–$80/sqm. The gap comes down to access requirements, preparation intensity, and weather-grade coatings. For a 3-bedroom home, interior runs $8,000–$15,000 while exterior runs $12,000–$20,000.
| Factor | Interior | Exterior |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per sqm | $20–$60 | $30–$80 |
| 3-bed home total | $8,000–$15,000 | $12,000–$20,000 |
| Paint product | Dulux Wash & Wear | Dulux Weathershield |
| Prep time (% of total) | 30–40% | 50–70% |
| Scaffolding | Rarely needed | $2,000–$5,000 for two-storey |
| Weather delays | None | 1–3 days per project (Melbourne average) |
| Coats required | 2 (standard) | 2–3 (depending on exposure) |
| Warranty (Modernize Solutions) | Written workmanship guarantee | Written workmanship guarantee |
Exterior painting costs more per square metre but covers less paintable surface area than a full interior. For a 3-bedroom home, a combined project with Modernize Solutions runs $18,000–$30,000, painting both at once saves on mobilisation costs compared to doing them separately.
Read our detailed interior vs exterior painting comparison for more on deciding which to prioritise.
What is included in a Melbourne house painting quote, and what costs extra?
A professional quote should cover preparation, paint, labour, and clean-up as standard. At Modernize Solutions, every quote includes surface preparation, two coats of premium Dulux paint, masking, furniture protection, clean-up, $20M public liability insurance, and a written workmanship guarantee, any issue with our work is fixed at no cost. Items like colour changes, lead paint removal, and wallpaper stripping sit outside standard scope.
| Item | Included as Standard | Costs Extra |
|---|---|---|
| Surface preparation (fill, sand, spot-prime) | Yes | , |
| Two coats of premium Dulux paint | Yes | , |
| Masking and floor/furniture protection | Yes | , |
| Moving light furniture | Yes | , |
| Final clean-up and touch-ups | Yes | , |
| Written fixed-price quote | Yes | , |
| $20M public liability insurance | Yes | , |
| Written workmanship guarantee | Yes | , |
| Colour change (dark to light, extra coat) | , | $150–$400 per room |
| Lead paint testing and removal | , | $500–$3,000+ depending on extent |
| Wallpaper removal | , | $300–$800 per room |
| Timber rot repair (exterior) | , | $200–$1,500+ depending on extent |
| Scaffolding (two-storey exterior) | , | $2,000–$5,000 (included in exterior quotes) |
| Plaster repairs (large holes, water damage) | , | $200–$1,000+ per area |
| Feature / accent walls (complex designs) | , | Quoted per wall |
| Specialty finishes (limewash, texture) | , | Quoted per project |
Under Australian Consumer Law, enforced by the ACCC, painting services come with automatic guarantees that the work will be carried out with due care and skill, be fit for purpose, and be completed within a reasonable time. Consumer Affairs Victoria recommends always getting written quotes that clearly state scope, materials, timeline, and warranty terms before work begins.
What are the 7 factors that determine house painting costs in Melbourne?
Home size, surface condition, cladding type, storeys, paint quality, colour changes, and seasonality are the seven variables that determine every Melbourne house painting quote. These factors explain why your neighbour’s quote was different to yours, even if your houses look similar.
How does home size and number of rooms affect painting costs?
A 2-bedroom unit costs $4,500–$8,000 for interior painting; a 4-bedroom two-storey costs $15,000–$25,000. Home size is the single biggest factor. More rooms means more linear metres of cutting-in, more trim, more ceilings, and more days on site.
How does surface condition change the price of a paint job?
Walls in poor condition can double the preparation time. A home with sound plasterboard and no cracks sits at the low end of the range. A home with water damage, peeling paint, extensive patching, or surfaces that have not been painted in 20 years can push preparation to 60–70% of total project time.
Surface preparation is the single biggest variable in labour cost.
How does cladding type affect exterior painting costs in Melbourne?
Weatherboard costs $45–$80/sqm; rendered walls cost $30–$55/sqm. See the surface type table above. The cladding type determines the preparation method, the number of coats, and the primer system.
Weatherboard homes require scraping, sanding, and spot-priming every board, a process that can take two to three times longer than painting a rendered surface.
How much more does it cost to paint a two-storey house in Melbourne?
Two-storey homes cost 40–60% more than single-storey for exterior work. Scaffolding adds $2,000–$5,000 to the project. Work at height is slower, requires additional safety equipment, and increases the number of painter-hours per square metre.
Internal two-storey homes with high void ceilings or stairwells also require elevated access.
How does paint quality affect the cost of painting a house?
Premium paint costs $70–$120 per 10L; builder-grade costs $30–$50 per 10L. The difference over a full house is $1,500–$3,000 in materials alone. More importantly, premium products like Dulux Wash & Wear and Dulux Weathershield deliver better coverage (fewer coats), superior durability (longer between repaints), and better washability.
At Modernize Solutions, we use exclusively Dulux premium products on every project, it is not an optional upgrade. The Housing Industry Association recommends specifying paint brand and product in every contract.
How much extra does a colour change add to painting costs?
Going from dark walls to a light colour adds $150–$400 per room. Dark base colours require an additional primer coat or high-opacity undercoat to prevent bleed-through. This adds both material and labour time.
If you are keeping the same colour family or going darker, standard two-coat coverage applies.
Does the time of year affect house painting prices in Melbourne?
Peak season (October–March) can add 5–15% to quotes due to demand. Melbourne painters are busiest in spring and summer, particularly for exterior work. Booking during autumn and winter, when exterior work is weather-dependent, can secure better availability and occasionally better pricing for interior projects.
Plan ahead: most reputable Melbourne painters are booked 3–6 weeks in advance during peak periods.
Key takeaway: The difference between a $12,000 quote and a $25,000 quote for the same home usually comes down to surface condition, scope inclusions, and paint quality, not overcharging. At Modernize Solutions, every quote is itemised so you can see exactly where the cost sits.
How does Modernize Solutions price painting projects in Melbourne?
Modernize Solutions uses fixed-price written quotes with itemised scope, 100% in-house painters, and exclusively Dulux premium products on every project. The company has operated across Melbourne since 1987, more than three decades under continuous family ownership, now led by a second-generation painter who personally oversees every project.
Fixed-price written quotes. Every Modernize Solutions quote is a fixed price with an itemised scope. No hourly rates, no surprise additions. The price you are quoted is the price you pay.
100% in-house painters. Zero subcontracting. Every painter on your project is a direct employee of Modernize Solutions, carrying the same insurance coverage and quality standards. This eliminates the cost variability and quality inconsistency that comes with subcontractor models.
Dulux premium products exclusively. Every project uses Dulux Wash & Wear for interior walls, Dulux Weathershield for exterior surfaces, and Dulux Aquanamel for trim. No substitutions, no builder-grade products.
$20M public liability insurance. Full coverage for every project, verified and current. This is non-negotiable for any painter working on your home, Consumer Affairs Victoria recommends confirming insurance before any work begins.
Written workmanship guarantee. Covers defects in application, adhesion, and finish, any issue with our work is fixed at no cost. This sits on top of the manufacturer’s product warranty from Dulux.
4.8-star Google rating from 154 verified reviews. Consistent quality across 1,000+ completed residential projects in 74 Melbourne suburbs.
For a detailed look at how our quoting process works, see how to get a painting quote in Melbourne.
How should you compare painting quotes in Melbourne?
The cheapest quote is rarely the cheapest outcome. Quote comparison in Melbourne requires checking scope, not just price. A $10,000 quote that excludes ceilings, uses one coat of builder-grade paint, and offers no warranty will cost you more in the long run than a $16,000 quote that covers everything.
Here is what to verify:
- Scope match. Are all quotes covering the same rooms, surfaces, and areas? Does one include ceilings and another exclude them?
- Paint specification. Is the paint brand and product named? A quote using “2 coats of quality paint” without naming the product is a red flag. Insist on seeing Dulux, or equivalent tier, named specifically.
- Preparation inclusions. Does the quote include surface preparation, filling, sanding, priming? Or is preparation “as required” (which often means minimal)?
- Insurance and warranty. Ask for a certificate of currency for public liability insurance. Confirm the warranty is written, not verbal. The Master Painters Association recommends a minimum 2-year warranty for residential work.
- Number of coats. Two coats is the industry standard for a professional finish. One coat is a maintenance touch-up, not a repaint.
- Payment terms. A deposit of 10–20% is normal. Avoid any painter requesting full payment upfront, this is a significant consumer protection risk under Australian Consumer Law.
For a step-by-step guide, see how to get a painting quote in Melbourne.
What are the most common mistakes homeowners make when hiring a painter in Melbourne?
Choosing a painter based on price alone is the single most costly mistake Melbourne homeowners make. The difference between a paint job that lasts 3 years and one that lasts 10–15 years comes down to preparation, products, and the painter’s process. Here are the most common mistakes to avoid:
- Accepting a quote with no itemised scope. A lump-sum price with no breakdown of surfaces, paint products, number of coats, or preparation steps makes it impossible to compare quotes fairly, and gives the painter room to cut corners without you knowing.
- Skipping insurance and warranty checks. Hiring an uninsured painter exposes you to full liability for any property damage or worker injury on your site. Always request a certificate of currency for public liability insurance before work begins.
- Choosing the cheapest quote without understanding why it is cheaper. A quote that is 30–40% below others is almost always missing scope, fewer coats, no ceilings, minimal preparation, or builder-grade paint that will fade or peel within 2–3 years.
- Not confirming paint brand and product. “Premium paint” or “quality paint” on a quote means nothing. Insist on specific product names (e.g., Dulux Wash & Wear, Dulux Weathershield) so you know exactly what is going on your walls.
- Paying more than 20% upfront. A deposit of 10–20% is standard industry practice. Any painter requesting 50% or full payment before starting work is a significant risk, Consumer Affairs Victoria warns against large upfront payments for home services.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to paint a 3-bedroom house in Melbourne in 2026?
A full interior repaint for a standard 3-bedroom home costs $8,000–$15,000. An exterior-only repaint adds $12,000–$20,000 for weatherboard or $4,000–$8,000 for brick veneer trim. Combined interior and exterior, budget $18,000–$30,000. These figures include full preparation, two coats of premium Dulux paint, and labour.
What is the average cost per square metre for house painting in Melbourne?
Interior painting costs $20–$60 per square metre and exterior painting costs $30–$80 per square metre in 2026. The range reflects surface condition, access difficulty, number of coats, and paint quality.
Why do painting quotes vary so much between companies in Melbourne?
Scope differences. A low quote may exclude ceilings, trim, preparation, or use builder-grade paint. A comprehensive quote includes full preparation, premium products, two coats throughout, and a written warranty. Always request an itemised breakdown so you are comparing identical work.
Is it cheaper to paint interior or exterior in Melbourne?
Interior painting is cheaper per square metre ($20–$60 vs $30–$80), but total project cost depends on home size and surface type. A full interior for a 3-bedroom home runs $8,000–$15,000. A weatherboard exterior on the same home runs $12,000–$20,000.
What should be included in a Melbourne house painting quote?
Surface preparation, number of coats, paint brand and product, areas included (walls, ceilings, trim, doors), protection of floors and furniture, clean-up, insurance coverage, warranty terms, and payment schedule. If a quote is a single dollar figure with no breakdown, treat it with caution. See our guide to painting quotes for a full checklist.
Get a fixed-price quote for your Melbourne home
Every home is different, and the only way to get an accurate price is a proper on-site assessment. Modernize Solutions provides free, no-obligation fixed-price quotes for homes across Melbourne. Our second-generation painter personally inspects every property and provides a written, itemised scope before any work begins.
Modernize Solutions, Melbourne’s trusted painting company since 1987. 4.8 stars from 154 verified Google reviews. 1,000+ completed residential projects. $20M public liability. Written workmanship guarantee. 100% in-house painters using exclusively Dulux premium products.
- Phone: 0451 040 396
- Email: admin@modernizesolutions.com.au
- Free quote: Request a quote online
Read more: House painting cost Melbourne | Cost to paint a room | Complete guide to exterior painting | How to get a painting quote
Citations
- [1] Consumer Affairs Victoria, Getting quotes for building and renovating: https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing/building-and-renovating/plan-and-manage-your-building-project/getting-quotes
- [2] Standards Australia, AS/NZS 2311:2017 Guide to the Painting of Buildings: https://store.standards.org.au/product/as-nzs-2311-2017
- [3] Dulux Australia, Wash&Wear Interior Paint Range: https://www.dulux.com.au/paint/wash-and-wear/
- [4] Dulux Australia, Weathershield Exterior Paint Range: https://www.dulux.com.au/paint/weathershield/
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