How Much Does It Cost to Paint a House in Brisbane
Your guide to premium house painting costs in Brisbane — what to budget, what drives the price, and why the right painter makes all the difference.
Wondering what it really costs to repaint your home in Brisbane? You're not alone. It's one of the most common questions we hear, and the honest answer is: it depends. But that doesn't mean you have to go in blind.
Understanding what drives the cost to repaint a house gives you the knowledge to budget properly, compare quotes confidently, and avoid being caught off guard.
This guide breaks down the real numbers behind house painting in Brisbane at the premium end of the market, what influences pricing, and how to ensure you're getting genuine value for your investment.
What's the Average Cost to Paint a House in Brisbane?
For homeowners seeking a premium finish in Brisbane, the cost to paint a house typically falls somewhere between $8,000 and $35,000+, with the range reflecting everything from a high-end interior refresh to a full exterior repaint on a large two-storey home with complex detailing.
Here's a rough breakdown by scope:
- Interior painting (single storey, 3–4 bedrooms): $8,000 – $14,000
- Exterior painting (single storey): $9,000 – $16,000
- Full house repaint (interior + exterior, single storey): $18,000 – $28,000
- Full house repaint (double storey): $25,000 – $40,000+
It's important to understand that these figures reflect a premium service: experienced tradespeople, top-tier paint products, meticulous surface preparation, and a standout finish. This level of investment ensures the job is done right, delivering results you'll be proud of for years to come.
So, what goes into these costs?
Let's look more closely at the main factors that drive the price of premium home painting.
1. Size and Complexity of the Home
The most obvious factor is simply how much surface area needs to be painted. A well-maintained single-storey home in Wynnum is going to cost noticeably less than a sprawling two-storey Queenslander in Paddington with wrap-around verandahs, decorative timber fretwork, and multiple levels of scaffolding to manage.
At this level, painters are prepared to handle complexity. Ornate detailing, heritage features, and architecturally significant homes require painters with the skill and patience to deliver high-quality work, and that expertise is reflected in the price.
2. The Condition of the Existing Surfaces
Surface preparation is where quality painting jobs are won or lost, and it's also where a significant portion of the cost lives. If your home hasn't been painted in a decade or more, chances are the existing paintwork is peeling, cracking, or chalking. Before a single brush stroke of fresh colour goes on, that surface needs to be thoroughly cleaned, sanded, filled, caulked, primed, and in some cases carefully stripped back.
Skipping thorough preparation results in a paint job that fails prematurely. Premium painters dedicate significant time to prep work, and this is accurately reflected in their quotes.
3. Paint Quality and Number of Coats
At the premium end, there are no compromises on materials. Top-tier exterior paints — products like Dulux Weathershield Maximum or Haymes Ultra Premium — cost significantly more per litre than mid-range alternatives, but they're engineered to withstand Queensland's UV intensity, humidity, and extreme temperature swings, with finishes and longevity that cheaper products simply can't match.
Premium interior work typically uses low-VOC, high-durability paints that deliver exceptional colour depth, a flawless sheen, and surfaces that clean easily and hold up to daily use.
Most premium jobs specify a minimum of two full coats, with three coats applied where the colour change, surface porosity, or finish standard demands it. Paint materials alone on a full premium repaint can run from $3,000 to well over $6,000, depending on the scope and specification.
4. Interior vs Exterior Work
Interior and exterior painting are different disciplines with different cost structures. Exterior work at a premium level involves comprehensive prep, pressure washing, professional-grade scaffolding, and a paint system tailored to the home's orientation, exposure, and architectural style. If you're in Brisbane's bayside or northside suburbs, where salt air and afternoon storms are a constant feature, the exterior of your home needs a premium paint system to match. You can read more about this in our guide to exterior painting in Brisbane's climate.
Premium interior painting is about far more than covering walls. It's about flawless finish quality, precise colour accuracy, seamless edges, and the kind of meticulous detail work on trims, architraves, skirtings, doors, and ceilings that elevate a home's interior from freshly painted to genuinely beautiful. For full details on what's involved, explore our approach to interior painting for Brisbane homes.
5. Access, Site Conditions, and Project Management
Premium painting projects are managed professionally from start to finish. Homes requiring scaffolding, elevated work platforms, or careful protection of landscaping, pools, and outdoor entertaining areas receive meticulous care and organisation reflecting the job's calibre. Steep blocks, tight site access, or complex rooflines aren't problems to rush — they're challenges managed properly and transparently built into the quote.
What Does a Premium Quote Actually Include?
When you receive a professional home painting quote at this level, it should clearly outline:
- Full surface preparation — pressure washing, sanding, gap filling, caulking, full priming system
- Specific paint products by brand and product line, with the number of coats per surface
- Labour costs are clearly itemised by scope.
- Scaffolding or access equipment as required
- A realistic timeframe that reflects a quality pace, not a rushed one
- A workmanship warranty that gives you genuine peace of mind
If a quote is missing these elements or is much cheaper than others, question why. Lower-priced quotes often hide costs in rushed prep, fewer coats, cheaper paint, or inexperienced crews.
Is It Worth Getting Multiple Quotes?
Yes — but the goal isn't to find the lowest price. It's about finding the best value: experienced tradespeople, premium materials, clear communication, and a finish that lasts and looks exceptional. At the premium end of the market, you're not shopping for the lowest number. You're selecting a painter you trust to do justice to your home.
A thorough on-site assessment signals the right level of attention to detail. Quotes made without a property visit aren't suitable for premium jobs.
How to Get an Accurate Home Painting Quote in Brisbane
The most reliable way to understand the cost of your specific project is a professional on-site assessment. Surfaces, access, colour direction, and the condition of existing paintwork all shape the final figure, and no online estimate can substitute for experienced eyes on the job.
For a complete overview of what premium residential painting involves — from the initial consultation through to the final inspection — our residential painting services in Brisbane page walks through our full process and what you can expect at every stage.
A Final Word on Cost vs Value
At the premium end of house painting, cost and value are not in conflict—they're aligned. A meticulously executed repaint doesn't just refresh your home's appearance; it also illustrates the true value of premium painting. It protects the underlying structure, enhances the property's market value, and delivers a finish with lasting visual impact. Factoring in the years of performance and durability a premium paint system provides, the investment becomes about lasting value, not just the initial outlay.
If you're ready to move from wondering about the cost to getting a clear number for your home, reach out for a no-obligation consultation. We'll assess the scope properly, be completely transparent about what's involved, and give you a premium quote that reflects exactly what your home deserves.
