Question 1

How much does house painting cost in Brisbane?

Accepted Answer

A full interior repaint of a 3-bedroom home is typically $8,000 to $14,000. A full exterior repaint of a standard Queenslander typically starts around $12,000. Roof painting starts around $2,500 and body corporate work varies widely by scope.

Question 2

How much does exterior house painting cost in Brisbane?

Accepted Answer

A single-storey Queenslander exterior repaint typically costs $12,000 to $18,000. Two-storey homes and elevated blocks with heavy fretwork sit between $18,000 and $28,000. Full render homes are usually cheaper per square metre than weatherboard.

Question 3

How much does interior painting cost per room?

Accepted Answer

A single bedroom repaint (walls + ceiling + trim) in Brisbane typically costs $650 to $1,200. Larger open living spaces run $1,800 to $3,500. Kitchen and bathroom repaints are quoted separately due to prep complexity.

Question 4

How much does roof painting cost in Brisbane?

Accepted Answer

Roof painting alone typically costs $2,500 to $6,500 for a standard home. Full roof restoration (including repointing, tile replacement and rust treatment) costs $4,500 to $12,500.

Question 5

How much does commercial painting cost in Brisbane?

Accepted Answer

Commercial painting is quoted by scope not fixed price. Small office repaints start around $5,000. Larger fit-outs and industrial jobs range $15,000 to $250,000+. All commercial work is priced per project after site inspection.

Question 6

What is included in a painting quote?

Accepted Answer

A proper quote includes: full site inspection, scope of works, paint products specified, prep detail, number of coats, colour selection, cleanup, warranty terms, GST, payment schedule, and a fixed price. Insist on all of these in writing.

Question 7

Do painters charge by the hour or the job?

Accepted Answer

Almost always by the job with a fixed-price written quote. Hourly rates ($55 to $90 per painter per hour) are used only for small tasks like touch-ups or minor repairs.

Question 8

Are quotes free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Reputable Brisbane painters including Tier 1 Painting offer free onsite inspections and written quotes with no obligation.

Question 9

Why are painting quotes so different from each other?

Accepted Answer

Different paint brands, different coat counts, different prep depth, and different labour rates. A very cheap quote usually skips prep or uses fewer coats. Compare quotes line-by-line, not just the total price.

Question 10

Can I pay in instalments?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Progress payments aligned with stages of the work are standard. Typical schedule: 10% deposit, 40% at start, 40% at halfway, 10% on completion.

Question 11

Do painters charge GST?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Any legitimate Australian painting business with turnover above $75,000 is registered for GST and must charge it. GST is included in the fixed-price quote.

Question 12

What is the cheapest way to paint my house?

Accepted Answer

Book prep-heavy exterior work in the dry season (April to October), combine interior and exterior in one job, choose standard trade colours (not custom mixes), and hire once — cheap paint jobs almost always need redoing sooner.

Question 13

How long does interior painting take?

Accepted Answer

A 3-bedroom Brisbane interior repaint typically takes 4 to 7 working days. Full character homes with VJ boards and detailed trim run 8 to 12 days. We give you a written program with your quote.

Question 14

How long does exterior painting take?

Accepted Answer

A standard single-storey Queenslander exterior takes 8 to 14 working days including prep. Two-storey homes and complex facades run 15 to 25 working days. Weather can extend timelines.

Question 15

How long does roof painting take?

Accepted Answer

2 to 4 days for painting only. Full roof restoration takes 4 to 8 days. Weather is the biggest variable — dry conditions are essential.

Question 16

How long does commercial painting take?

Accepted Answer

Small office repaints 3 to 10 days. Medium commercial fit-outs 2 to 4 weeks. Body corporate common areas across multiple floors 4 to 12 weeks. Timelines are staged around business operations.

Question 17

Can you work weekends or after hours?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We regularly run overnight and weekend crews for commercial and body corporate work where business-hours access is not possible. Residential work is usually weekdays.

Question 18

What is the lead time to book a painter in Brisbane?

Accepted Answer

Currently 2 to 4 weeks for standard residential work. Urgent insurance or strata jobs we can often prioritise. Dry-season exterior work (April to October) books out faster — quote early.

Question 19

When is the best time of year to paint in Brisbane?

Accepted Answer

Interior anytime. Exterior best April to October when humidity is lower and rain is less likely. Painting in the wet season is possible but progress is slower and paint takes longer to cure.

Question 20

Do I need to move out during interior painting?

Accepted Answer

No. We work room-by-room using low-VOC low-odour paints so you can stay in the home. Bedrooms are typically painted during the day and ready to sleep in that night.

Question 21

Can painting be done in stages?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We often stage interior and exterior work across separate visits, or do one floor at a time in commercial buildings. Staging can help budget release and minimise disruption.

Question 22

What happens if it rains during exterior painting?

Accepted Answer

We stop work until surfaces are fully dry (usually 24 hours after rain stops). Any progress-day loss extends the schedule but not the fixed-price quote.

Question 23

What paint brands do you use?

Accepted Answer

Primarily Dulux, Taubmans and Wattyl for their Australian formulation and manufacturer warranties. Specific products depend on the substrate — Weathershield for exteriors, Wash & Wear for interiors, AcraTex for render, Aquanamel for trim.

Question 24

What paint is best for Queensland weather?

Accepted Answer

For exterior weatherboard and render, Dulux Weathershield or Wattyl Solagard — both UV rated and formulated for Australian conditions. For metal (roofs, gutters, fascias) Dulux Metalshield or Colorbond-matched systems.

Question 25

How long does exterior paint last in Brisbane?

Accepted Answer

8 to 12 years on inland homes with a two-coat premium system properly prepped. Bayside and riverside homes 6 to 10 years due to salt exposure. A wash-down every 12 months extends the life of the coating.

Question 26

How long does interior paint last?

Accepted Answer

10 to 15 years on living areas. Kitchens, bathrooms and hallways with heavy traffic often need refresh at 7 to 10 years. Washable premium finishes extend this significantly.

Question 27

What is low-VOC paint and why does it matter?

Accepted Answer

Low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paint releases fewer solvent fumes during drying. Better for indoor air quality, safer for children and pets, and legally required in many contexts. All our residential work uses low-VOC products by default.

Question 28

How many coats of paint do you apply?

Accepted Answer

Two topcoats over a primer or undercoat as standard. Colour changes to a much darker or lighter tone often need a tinted undercoat plus two topcoats. Feature walls may get an extra coat for depth.

Question 29

What is the difference between low sheen, matt and gloss?

Accepted Answer

Matt hides wall imperfections but is less washable — good for ceilings and low-traffic areas. Low sheen is the standard for walls in living areas — mostly washable, hides most imperfections. Semi-gloss and gloss for trim, doors and wet areas.

Question 30

Do you use lead-free paint?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All modern Australian paints are lead-free. Lead paint is a concern only when removing paint from pre-1970 homes — we test and use safe removal methods where relevant.

Question 31

What is the warranty on the paint?

Accepted Answer

Paint manufacturer warranties on premium systems run 10 to 15 years. Our workmanship warranty is 5 to 10 years depending on the job. Both are provided in writing.

Question 32

What preparation is done before painting?

Accepted Answer

Exterior: pressure clean, sugar-soap, scrape failing paint, fill cracks, sand, prime bare surfaces, caulk gaps. Interior: sand walls, fill holes, sugar-soap, undercoat bare patches, mask trim and floors.

Question 33

Do you fill holes and cracks?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All hairline cracks in interior walls, nail holes, and dents up to 20mm are filled and sanded as part of standard prep. Structural cracks and larger repairs are itemised separately.

Question 34

Do you sand between coats?

Accepted Answer

On trim, doors, and gloss finishes yes — 240 grit sand between coats gives the smoothest finish. On walls, sanding is done before the first coat and touch-up sanding only where needed between coats.

Question 35

Do you prime bare surfaces?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Any bare timber, plaster, render or metal exposed during prep gets primed with the correct primer for that substrate before topcoats go on. This is what makes the paint last.

Question 36

What if there is rot in my weatherboards?

Accepted Answer

Minor rot and split boards we repair with wood-hardener, epoxy filler, or board replacement as part of standard exterior prep. Major structural rot we refer to a licensed carpenter first.

Question 37

Will you protect my furniture and floors?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Furniture is covered with plastic and drop-sheets. Floors are protected with canvas drop-sheets. Belongings can be moved to the middle of the room and covered, or moved out on request.

Question 38

Do you clean up at the end of each day?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Site is left broom-clean at the end of every day. Paint scraps, masking and drop-sheets are stored tidily so you can use the space.

Question 39

What happens on the final walk-through?

Accepted Answer

We walk every room with you at the end of the job, note any touch-ups, complete them on the spot or the next day, and only send the final invoice once you are satisfied.

Question 40

Do painters need a QBCC licence in Queensland?

Accepted Answer

Yes for any painting work valued over $3,300 (including labour and materials). Always verify a painter's QBCC licence before signing a contract. Ours is available on request.

Question 41

Do you have public liability insurance?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We carry $20 million public liability insurance. Certificates of currency are provided on request before we start any job.

Question 42

Are your painters covered by workers compensation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All employed painters are covered under our WorkCover policy. Subcontractors provide their own certificates before starting.

Question 43

What warranty do you provide?

Accepted Answer

A written workmanship warranty of 5 to 10 years depending on the job type, plus the paint manufacturer warranty of up to 15 years on premium exterior systems. Both are provided in writing with the invoice.

Question 44

What happens if the paint fails inside the warranty period?

Accepted Answer

Contact us. We inspect, identify the cause, and repair at no cost if it is a workmanship or product defect. We do not walk away from our work.

Question 45

What is not covered by the warranty?

Accepted Answer

Damage from storms, hail, impacts, moisture ingress from building defects, and normal wear in wet areas. Colour fade in ultra-dark colours is limited by the paint manufacturer warranty terms.

Question 46

Are you a Master Painters member?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Tier 1 Painting is a member of Master Painters Australia, requiring proof of workmanship standards, insurance, and adherence to a code of ethics.

Question 47

How often should strata buildings be repainted?

Accepted Answer

Every 8 to 12 years for the main exterior system, with maintenance recoats on high-exposure elevations at 5 to 7 years. Common areas (corridors, lobbies) 7 to 10 years depending on traffic.

Question 48

How much does body corporate painting cost?

Accepted Answer

Highly scope-dependent. Small townhouse complexes $30,000 to $80,000. Medium apartment buildings $80,000 to $250,000. Large highrise or heritage properties $250,000+.

Question 49

Can you present at a committee meeting?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We attend committee meetings and AGMs to present colour schemes, scope, staging and pricing. Documentation is provided in advance for members who cannot attend.

Question 50

How is the work paid for?

Accepted Answer

Usually from the sinking fund. Staged progress claims are standard. Payment terms and retention amounts are agreed with the strata manager before start.

Question 51

Do you work around residents?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Staged access, advance notice on affected zones, after-hours work in high-sensitivity areas, and daily communication with the building manager. We treat resident amenity as a priority.

Question 52

Can you handle heritage-listed strata buildings?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We have experience with heritage-overlay properties in New Farm, Paddington and Fortitude Valley. We work with heritage colour palettes and traditional prep methods where required.

Question 53

Do you offer a colour consultation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Free with any quote. We bring sample pots to your home so you can see colours in Brisbane light before we start. For premium jobs we can arrange a professional colour consultant.

Question 54

What colours are popular in Brisbane right now?

Accepted Answer

Warm neutrals like Dulux Natural White, Antique White USA and Whisper White dominate interior walls. Exteriors favour Monument, Basalt and Colorbond Woodland Grey. See our blog for a full colour trend rundown.

Question 55

Can I change the colour after you have started?

Accepted Answer

Yes if caught early. Colour changes during job set-up are usually free. Once painting has started, a change adds paint and labour cost — we itemise it before proceeding.

Question 56

Should I match my neighbours?

Accepted Answer

Coordinate not match. Homes on Brisbane character streets look best when colour schemes complement rather than clash with the streetscape. Heritage overlays sometimes require council colour approval.

Question 57

What is a testing pot and do I need one?

Accepted Answer

A small sample pot (usually 250ml) for testing on your actual walls. Highly recommended before choosing a final colour — Brisbane light shifts strongly through the day and can make swatches look wrong.

Question 58

Do painters move furniture?

Accepted Answer

Yes. As part of interior repainting we move furniture to the centre of the room, cover it, and return it after painting. Very heavy items (pianos, wardrobes) we discuss on inspection.

Question 59

Do painters remove wallpaper?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Wallpaper removal is a common prep step before repainting. Priced separately as it varies wildly by wall condition and wallpaper type.

Question 60

Do you paint garage doors?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Colorbond garage doors, timber roller doors and steel tilt doors all covered. Doors are usually removed, sprayed offsite, and reinstalled for the best finish.

Question 61

Do you paint fences and gates?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Timber, Colorbond and metal fences. See our fence painting service page for typical pricing.

Question 62

Do you do deck staining?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Deck staining, oiling and painting. See our deck staining costs page for detailed pricing.

Question 63

Do you offer epoxy floor coatings?

Accepted Answer

Yes for garages, workshops and commercial floors. See our epoxy floor coatings service page.

Question 64

Do you paint interior of cabinetry and kitchens?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Kitchen cabinet respraying, built-in wardrobe repainting and joinery all part of our service. Doors are often removed and sprayed for a factory-smooth finish.

Brisbane Painting FAQs

Cost & Quoting

Timeframes & Scheduling

Paint Products & Quality

Preparation & Process

Licensing, Insurance & Warranty

Strata & Body Corporate

Colour & Design

Service Scope

Maintenance & Longevity

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