If you are planning a painting project in Perth, one of the first questions you will have is how much it is going to cost. Painter rates in Perth vary depending on the type of work, the size of the job, the experience of the painter and whether you need interior or exterior painting. This guide breaks down current Perth painter rates so you know what to expect before you request a quote.
How Much Do Painters Charge Per Hour in Perth?
Most professional painters in Perth charge between $45 and $90 per hour depending on their experience, qualifications and the type of work involved. Here is a general breakdown of hourly rates in the Perth market:
Apprentice or junior painter: $35 to $50 per hour. Suitable for basic prep work and straightforward painting tasks under supervision.
Qualified tradesperson: $55 to $75 per hour. The most common rate for a fully qualified painter on residential jobs. This is what most Perth homeowners pay.
Senior or specialist painter: $75 to $90 per hour. Applicable for complex finishes, heritage work, high-rise or commercial painting requiring additional skills and equipment.
Most painting contractors in Perth quote by job rather than by the hour. This means you will receive a fixed price for the entire project rather than an ongoing hourly rate. Fixed-price quotes are generally better for homeowners as they provide cost certainty regardless of how long the job takes.
Painting Rates Per Room in Perth
If you are painting specific rooms rather than the entire house, here are typical cost ranges for individual rooms in Perth:
Bedroom: $300 to $600 for walls and ceiling including preparation and two coats. Size, ceiling height and condition of walls all affect the price.
Living or dining room: $500 to $900 depending on size. Larger open-plan areas sit toward the higher end of this range.
Kitchen: $400 to $700. Kitchens often require more masking and preparation work around cabinets, splashbacks and appliances.
Bathroom: $300 to $500. Bathrooms are typically smaller but require moisture-resistant paint and more careful masking.
Hallway and entry: $200 to $500 depending on length and ceiling height. Tall ceilings and narrow spaces can make hallways more time-consuming than their size suggests.
These are indicative ranges only. The best way to get an accurate price is to request a free quote with a site visit so the painter can assess your specific walls, condition and finish requirements.
How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Full House in Perth?
For a full interior repaint of a standard Perth home, here are typical price ranges:
2 bedroom home: $1,800 to $3,500
3 bedroom home: $2,500 to $5,000
4 bedroom home: $3,500 to $7,000
Large or 5 bedroom home: $5,000 to $10,000+
For exterior painting, costs are typically:
Single-storey 3 bedroom home: $2,500 to $4,500
Two-storey home: $4,000 to $8,000
Large property with extensive surfaces: $6,000 to $12,000+
These prices include surface preparation, primer where needed and two topcoats of premium paint. They do not include significant structural repairs, which would be quoted separately.
What Affects Painter Rates in Perth?
Several factors influence how much a painter will charge for your project:
Surface condition: Walls with significant cracking, holes, water damage or multiple layers of old paint require more preparation time and therefore cost more. A wall in good condition costs significantly less to paint than one needing extensive repair.
Paint quality: Premium paints like Dulux Wash and Wear or Solver Procoat cost more than budget alternatives but last significantly longer and provide better coverage. Most professional painters include premium paint in their quote — always confirm this.
Access and height: Two-storey homes, high ceilings and difficult-to-access areas require scaffolding or elevated work platforms which add to the cost.
Number of colours: Using multiple colours or changing from a dark colour to a light one requires more coats and careful masking, increasing both time and cost.
After-hours or weekend work: Commercial painting outside business hours or on weekends typically attracts a premium of 15 to 25 percent on standard rates.
Location within Perth: Painters based in the inner suburbs may charge more than those based further out due to higher operating costs, though this varies between contractors.
Painting Rates Per Square Metre in Perth
Some painters quote on a per-square-metre basis rather than per hour or per job. For reference:
Interior walls: $8 to $20 per square metre depending on condition and number of coats.
Exterior walls: $10 to $25 per square metre depending on surface type and access.
Ceilings: $5 to $12 per square metre.
Decks and timber: $15 to $30 per square metre depending on preparation required.
Per-square-metre rates are more common in commercial painting than residential. Most residential painters in Perth prefer to quote by job after a site inspection as it gives a more accurate and fair price for both parties.
How to Get an Accurate Painting Quote in Perth
The most reliable way to know what your painting project will cost is to get a free quote with a site visit. A reputable Perth painter will visit your property, assess the surfaces, discuss your colour preferences and provide a written, itemised quote. This takes the guesswork out of budgeting and protects you from unexpected costs once work begins.
When comparing quotes from multiple painters, make sure each quote includes:
- The scope of work — exactly which rooms and surfaces are included
- Surface preparation — whether filling, sanding and priming are included
- Number of coats — two coats is the professional standard
- Paint brand and grade — premium vs standard makes a significant cost and quality difference
- Site protection and cleanup
- Timeline for completion
A cheaper quote that leaves these items unspecified often results in a lower-quality outcome or unexpected additional charges once work is underway.
Should You Hire a Professional Painter or DIY in Perth?
For small, straightforward jobs like a single feature wall or a garden fence, DIY painting can save money if you are comfortable with the process. However, for most Perth homeowners, hiring a professional painter works out to be better value when you factor in:
Time: A professional can complete in one day what might take a homeowner an entire weekend. For a full house interior, the time saving is substantial.
Equipment: Professional painters carry spray equipment, scaffolding, high-quality rollers and brushes, and commercial drop cloths that produce a noticeably better finish than DIY tools from the hardware store.
Preparation: The most common reason DIY paint jobs fail early is inadequate preparation. Professional painters know exactly what preparation each surface needs for the paint to last.
Finish quality: Crisp edges, even coverage and consistent sheen across large surfaces are difficult to achieve without experience. A professional result adds value to your property in a way that an amateur finish does not.
Get a Free Painting Quote in Perth
Auzz Painting Service provides free, no-obligation quotes for all residential and commercial painting projects across Perth. We visit your property, assess the scope of work and provide a clear, itemised quote with no hidden charges.
With over 20 years of experience, more than 140 five-star Google reviews and a team of fully licensed and insured painters, we are one of Perth’s most trusted painting contractors.
Call us on 0474 157 273, email info@auzzpaintingservice.com.au or fill in our contact form and we will get back to you within one business day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most professional painters in Perth charge between $45 and $90 per hour depending on experience and job type. A qualified tradesperson on a standard residential job typically charges $55 to $75 per hour. Most Perth painters quote by the job rather than by the hour, which gives you a fixed price and cost certainty.
A single bedroom typically costs $300 to $600 to paint including preparation and two coats. A living or dining room ranges from $500 to $900 depending on size. These are indicative prices — the best way to get an accurate cost is a free quote with a site visit.
A full interior repaint for a 3 bedroom Perth home typically costs $2,500 to $5,000. A 4 bedroom home ranges from $3,500 to $7,000. Exterior painting for a standard single-storey 3 bedroom home starts from around $2,500 to $4,500. Costs vary based on surface condition, number of colours and paint quality.
Interior walls typically cost $8 to $20 per square metre and exterior walls $10 to $25 per square metre depending on surface type and condition. Per-square-metre pricing is more common in commercial painting. Most residential painters in Perth prefer to quote by job after a site visit for a more accurate price.
The best way is to request a free quote with a site visit. A professional painter will visit your property, assess the surfaces and provide a written itemised quote. Make sure the quote specifies the scope of work, preparation included, number of coats, paint brand and timeline. Auzz Painting Service provides free quotes across all Perth suburbs — call 0474 157 273 to book.
For most projects yes. Professional painters complete work faster, use better equipment and produce a higher quality finish than most DIY attempts. For a full house interior or exterior, the time saving alone is significant. A professional finish also adds more value to your property than an amateur result.