How much does exterior house painting cost in Perth?

Perth's sun is hard on paint. Strong UV, hot summers and salty air near the coast all wear an exterior finish down over time, and once paint starts chalking, peeling or cracking, the surface underneath is exposed. Repainting the outside of your home protects it and lifts its street appeal, but there's no single price for the job.

This guide covers what drives the cost of exterior painting in Perth, how to brief painters so their quotes line up, and the checks worth doing before you hire.

Why there's no single Perth price

Painters price each job on what they see. The size and height of the home, what it's made of, the state of the existing paint and the products you choose all change the number. A single-storey brick-and-tile home with only trims and eaves to paint is a very different job to a two-storey rendered home that needs every wall done. The most reliable way to get a real figure is to ask two or three painters to quote on the same written scope.

What affects the price

Surfaces and materials

Rendered walls, weatherboard, fibre cement, painted brick and metal all need different preparation and products. Many Perth homes are face brick, where the painting is often limited to eaves, fascias, gutters, window frames, doors and any rendered sections. Ask each painter to list exactly which surfaces are included.

Condition and preparation

Preparation is usually the biggest part of an exterior job. That can include pressure washing, scraping loose paint, filling and sealing cracks in render, treating rust on metal, sanding timber and applying primer or sealer. A home with flaking or chalky paint takes longer to get right than one that just needs a fresh coat.

Height and access

Second storeys, steep blocks and tight side setbacks may need scaffolding, mobile platforms or extra ladder work. Access equipment adds time and cost, so ask whether it's included in the quote.

Paint system and coats

Exterior paints are made to handle sun and weather, and premium ranges may last longer. A big colour change or bare surfaces may need an extra coat or a primer. Ask which brand, product range and number of coats each quote allows for, and whether the paint maker's specifications will be followed.

Coastal and older homes

Homes close to the coast may have more corrosion on metal trims, gutters and fixings, which needs treating before painting. Older homes may have lead-based paint under newer layers. The Australian Government's Lead Alert six step guide to painting your home explains how to assess and manage the risk. If your home is older, ask painters how they'll test for lead and contain paint debris outdoors.

Check your painter is registered in WA

Western Australia is one of the places where painters themselves are regulated. According to the WA Government's painters' registration information, painters carrying out painting work valued over $1,000 within the Building Services Board's area of jurisdiction generally need to be registered. The jurisdiction covers prescribed areas of the state, so check the official maps if you're outside the metro area.

You can check a painter's registration with the Building and Energy licence and registration search, which also links to the register of painters. Make sure the name, registration number and licence type all match the business you're dealing with.

Building and Energy's information for registered painters and decorators says registered painters must show a sign on site with their name, registration number and phone number. It also says work should follow the relevant Australian Standard or the paint manufacturer's specifications. Rules can change, so check the official pages for your job.

It's also worth checking the business's ABN on ABN Lookup, and reading Consumer Protection WA's tips on hiring tradespeople.

How to brief painters for comparable quotes

Give every painter the same information:

• which surfaces you want painted (walls, eaves, fascias, gutters, doors, window frames, fences, pergolas)
• what the home is made of and how many storeys it has
• photos of any peeling, cracking, rust or stains
• the colours you're thinking of, and whether it's a big change
• any preferred paint brand or range
• access details such as side gates, pets, pools or steep areas
• your timing

Ask for each quote in writing, with preparation steps, the paint products, number of coats, access equipment, clean-up and GST spelled out. If one quote is much lower than the others, compare the scope line by line. It may leave out preparation or coats the others include.

Timing the job around Perth weather

Paint needs the right conditions to cure properly. Very hot surfaces, strong wind, rain or heavy dew can all affect the finish. Painters will often work around the weather and start on shaded sides of the house first. Talk to them about the best time of year for your job and leave some room in your schedule for weather delays.

Ways to keep the cost down

• Fix the cause first. Get leaks, rising damp or rusting gutters sorted before painting so the problem doesn't come back through the new finish.
• Clear the area. Trim plants away from walls and move outdoor furniture, pots and bins so painters can get straight to work.
• Bundle the work. Adding fences, a pergola or a front door in the same booking is often more efficient than separate visits.
• Keep colours simple. Fewer colours and similar shades to what's there now can mean fewer coats.

During and after the job

Agree on start dates, working hours and how windows, paths and gardens will be protected. Walk around the home with the painter at the end in good light and point out any touch-ups before final payment. Keep a record of the colours and products used for future maintenance.

Ready to compare local painters? Browse painters in Perth or start at our painters page.

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Frequently asked questions

This guide is general information only, not legal or financial advice. Rules change, so check the official sources linked above for your state.