Updated October 2026. Indicative ranges from current published Australian pricing guides; regional NSW generally sits below Sydney. Surface condition decides more than any table can — quotes after a walkthrough are the real number.
Painting quotes stretch further than almost any trade because “paint the house” can mean one bedroom or a full weatherboard exterior with three colours and a storey of scaffolding. On the coast there’s an extra wrinkle: salt and UV work on south- and east-facing exterior surfaces noticeably faster, so exposed Illawarra homes repaint more often than the national averages assume.
Indicative ranges
| Job | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Interior painting | $20 – $40 per m² | Standard prep + undercoat + two coats; textured finishes higher |
| Single room repaint | $250 – $1,000 | Size, ceiling height, trim and repairs move it |
| Full 3-bed interior | $4,500 – $9,000 | Walls, ceilings, trims; empty homes cost less than furnished |
| Exterior (single-storey 3-bed) | $5,000 – $12,000 | $30 – $80 per m² depending on surface and access |
| Full interior + exterior | $9,000 – $20,000+ | Two-storey and weatherboard push the top end |
What moves the price
- Prep, prep, prep. 60–70% of a quality paint job is preparation. Flaking weatherboards in Austinmer or chalky render in Warilla need washing, sanding, priming and repairs before colour ever appears — cheap quotes usually skip exactly this.
- Height and access. Two-storey exteriors need scaffolding or towers; steep coastal blocks complicate everything.
- Surface type. Weatherboard takes longer than render; render needs different sealers; previously dark colours need extra coats to cover.
- Paint quality. Premium exterior paint costs more per litre and is worth it near the coast — ask what’s specified, not just the colour.
The rules worth knowing
Painting work over $5,000 (labour + materials) requires a licence in NSW — check it free on the Fair Trading register. For pre-1970 homes, lead paint is a real possibility: disturbing it has safety rules, and a professional painter will test rather than dry-sand blindly. See how we verify businesses.
Frequently asked questions
How often does a coastal exterior need repainting?
Inland rules of thumb say ~10 years; exposed coastal faces here often want attention at 6–8. Washing salt off exterior surfaces yearly genuinely extends the life of the job.
Why do painting quotes vary so much?
Prep and coats. One quote washes, sands, primes and applies two top coats of premium paint; another “freshens up” with one coat over dirt. Itemised scope — prep steps, number of coats, paint brand/line — makes quotes comparable.
Is winter a bad time to paint?
Interiors, no — it’s often cheaper, painters are quieter. Exteriors need dry surfaces and reasonable temperatures; the Illawarra’s mild winters usually leave plenty of paintable days, but allow schedule flexibility.
Browse Illawarra painters, or see all cost guides.