How much does it cost to paint the exterior of a house in Australia?

Article: Mina Phillips

Repainting your home exterior is a great way to refresh your home and improve its street appeal - however for a long-lasting result, it needs to be done right. To find out what costs are involved in a high-quality exterior paint job, keep reading.

What costs are involved?

Experienced professional painters usually charge upwards of $40 p/h. With that in mind, the timeline of your painting project will vary depending on the state of the exterior of your house. Cleaning and preparing your home exterior usually takes around two days - longer if repairs are required, if you live in a large house or if certain areas are difficult to access. From there, the painting will take at least three days, depending on the size of your home, and the weather. 
On top of labour costs, you will need to factor in the cost of the primer and paint you select, the costs of any required repairs and potentially the equipment required to clean the house exterior in the first place. 
Renovation specialist Paul Cree recently painted the exterior of a Melbourne weatherboard home for $19,000. This price included a few minor repairs which are typical when painting house exteriors; such as replacing a few weatherboards, rotten fascias and updating the colour scheme. 
"There would be less work for a painted brick house, or if it is just windows and timber that require replacing", notes Paul.
He also advises that, when painting a house exterior, there are a few safety and cost considerations to be mindful of.
"Caution should always be given to the presence of asbestos in the eaves if replacing rotten fascias as part of the work, as this can be an added expense. Similarly, some houses have the power supply to the house through the fascia. Replacing that fascia, if rotten, requires the disconnection and reconnection of the power which can result in significant additional charges."
All costs included, a full exterior paint, carried out by a professional, might fall within the range of *$15,000 - $20,000+ 

What should I look for in a good painter?

When seeking out a painter, opt for experience and quality over a low price - a painter who knows what he/she is doing will ensure your surface is properly prepared and that the final result is of a high quality. Depending on the state you live in, you should check that your painter is licensed and insured to work on your property. Check their references so you have an idea of their quality of service, and request a fixed-quote before any work begins. 

What steps should be taken in preparing for exterior painting?

Before any painting work begins, your home exterior will need to be prepped. This will likely include water blasting your house and then scraping off the original paint - as some paints may be lead-based, it’s best to consult a professional who understands how to remove this safely. Next, the surface will need to be sanded down before primer is applied. Before moving on to painting, it’s important to fill in any gaps or holes that might create an uneven finish. Keep in mind that every house is different, and yours may require more or less prep work than another.   
"The finish is largely determined by the preparation", adds Paul. "This might include: replacing all damaged/rotten timber as well as sanding and preparing the surfaces to a high standard.  A high-quality paint will also help with a long-lasting quality finish."

How often should I be re-painting my house exterior?

The frequency in which you will need to re-paint your home will depend on the climate and environment your home is located in, the cladding and the quality of its last paint job. If the paint will be under harsh summer, winter or coastal conditions, chances are it will need to be re-done around every 7 years or less. However, if you live in a more mild climate, you might not need to re-paint for another 15-20 years.   

Will painting my home add to its value?

According to www.openagent.com.au, painting your home can add $25,000 - $50,000+ to your home’s value - depending on its original value. However, for a valuation accurate to your property, Refresh recommends consulting your local real estate agent. 

How Refresh can help

If you’re not feeling too confident in your painting project, Refresh can help. We can provide you with colour options and introduce you to a colour consultant if you require one. Once you have made a decision, we’ll carry out high-quality preparation and painting work - providing you with a home exterior that looks stunning for years to come. Get in touch to find out more.

Looking for inspiration?

Check out these Refreshed home exteriors  

*Costs are rough estimates and are subject to change. For a fixed-quote accurate to your specific project, please consult your local Refresh Renovations specialist. All Refresh Renovations franchises are independently owned and operated.

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