If you're weighing up a repaint, the first question is almost always the same: how much does house painting cost? In Sydney in 2026, a single room might run a few hundred dollars, while a full exterior on a large home can reach five figures. The honest answer is that it depends on the size of the job, the state of the surfaces and the quality of the finish you want — but this guide gives you real ranges to work with, and, just as importantly, explains what that money actually buys.
Key Insights:
- Typical Sydney ranges (2026): A single interior room runs roughly $400–$1,000, a full three-bedroom interior around $3,500–$8,000, and a whole-house exterior anywhere from $4,000 to $20,000+ depending on size and storeys.
- Per square metre: Expect around $15–$35/m² for interior work and $20–$45/m² for exterior, for a quality job that includes proper preparation, primer and two coats.
- Price follows quality: The cheapest quote is rarely the cheapest job — a finish that needs redoing in three years costs far more than one that lasts eight.
- The real value is beyond the paint: Kerb appeal, a lift in resale value and how a home feels to live in every day are what a professional finish genuinely delivers.
How much does house painting cost in Sydney?
As a general guide, most Sydney homeowners can expect the following ranges in 2026. These reflect quality workmanship — thorough prep, the right primer and two coats of a good-grade paint — rather than a quick single-coat cover-up.
|
Project |
Typical Sydney range (2026) |
|
Single interior room |
$400 – $1,000 |
|
Three-bedroom house interior |
$3,500 – $8,000 |
|
Whole-house exterior (single storey) |
$4,000 – $10,000 |
|
Whole-house exterior (double storey / weatherboard) |
$8,000 – $20,000+ |
|
Interior, per square metre |
$15 – $35 /m² |
|
Exterior, per square metre |
$20 – $45 /m² |
A quick word of caution on numbers like these: no online guide can price your specific home, because so much comes down to surface condition, access and detail. Treat these as a sensible starting point for budgeting, then get an onsite quote for a figure you can actually plan around.
Interior painting cost
Interior work is generally the more affordable of the two. A straightforward bedroom with sound walls sits at the lower end, while larger living areas, high ceilings, feature walls or heavy colour changes push toward the top. Kitchens and bathrooms can also cost a little more per room because they need moisture-resistant finishes and careful cutting-in around tiles and fittings. You can see the full scope of what's involved on Decor8's interior painting page.
Exterior painting cost
Exterior painting costs more per square metre because there's simply more to it — pressure washing, scraping, sanding, filling, priming bare timber and often working at height. Rendered homes tend to sit at the lower end, while weatherboard and double-storey homes cost more thanks to the extra prep and access. It's worth doing well: exterior paint is your home's weather barrier, and cutting corners here is the fastest route to peeling and repainting. Decor8's exterior painting page covers the process in detail.
What you're really paying for
It's easy to think of painting as a cost. In reality, a good paint job is one of the highest-return things you can do to a home — and the return isn't only financial.
Fresh, well-chosen paint is the single biggest change you can make to how a home looks from the street. First impressions matter, whether you're welcoming guests or preparing to sell, and a crisp, considered exterior signals a home that's been cared for. Inside, colour changes how light moves through a room, how warm a space feels and how calm it is to live in. The right palette can make a modest room feel larger and a cold room feel like somewhere you want to linger.
There's a resale angle too. Painting is consistently one of the most cost-effective improvements before a sale, precisely because it transforms perception for a relatively small outlay compared to a renovation. Buyers respond to homes that feel move-in ready, and paint is what delivers that feeling.
And then there's the part that doesn't show up in a quote at all: the pleasure of a home that simply feels right. That's often where a personalised colour consultation earns its keep — matching tones to your light, your furnishings and the mood you want, rather than guessing from a swatch under fluorescent shop lighting.
Why the cheapest quote is rarely the cheapest job
Here's the maths that matters. A budget paint job that needs redoing in three years costs you twice within a decade. A quality job that lasts eight or more costs once. Cheap quotes almost always save money in the one place you can't see and can't afford to skip: preparation.
Preparation is the difference between paint that bonds and paint that lifts. Washing, sanding, filling, caulking and priming are unglamorous, time-consuming and completely invisible once the topcoat goes on — which is exactly why corner-cutters skip them. It's also the most common reason a paint job starts peeling far sooner than it should. When you compare quotes, you're not really comparing prices; you're comparing how much prep, how many coats and what grade of paint each one includes.
What affects the price of your painting job
Several things move a quote up or down, and understanding them helps you compare fairly:
- Size and surface area — more square metres, more paint and labour.
- Condition and prep required — sound walls are quick; cracked, flaking or previously poorly-painted surfaces need far more work.
- Interior vs exterior — exterior carries extra prep, access and weather considerations.
- Number of coats and colour change — going from a dark colour to a light one, or covering strong stains, can mean an extra coat.
- Height and access — stairwells, high ceilings and two-storey exteriors need scaffolding or extra care.
- Detail and finish — ornate trim, feature walls and heritage detailing take time.
- Paint quality — premium paints cost more upfront and last significantly longer.
Sydney-specific considerations
Where your home is shapes both the cost and the longevity of the job. Across the Hills District and Western Sydney, intense summer heat and strong UV are hard on exterior paint, so quality UV-resistant products and proper priming are worth the small premium — they're what stops sun-facing walls fading and chalking within a few years. In the cooler, damper Blue Mountains, moisture and mould are the bigger challenge, calling for moisture-resistant systems and careful surface treatment. In both cases, matching the paint system to the local conditions is what turns a good-looking finish into a long-lasting one.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How much does it cost to paint a 3-bedroom house?
A: As a general guide in Sydney, a three-bedroom interior typically ranges from $3,500 to $8,000, depending on room sizes, ceiling heights, wall condition and how many colours are involved. An exterior on the same home varies more widely with surface type and storeys.
Q: How much does it cost to paint a room?
A: Most single interior rooms fall between $400 and $1,000. Smaller bedrooms with sound walls sit at the lower end; larger living areas, high ceilings or significant prep push toward the top.
Q: What is the cost of painting per square metre?
A: In Sydney, quality interior painting is roughly $15–$35 per square metre and exterior around $20–$45 per square metre, including preparation, primer and two coats. Poor surface condition or difficult access increases this.
Q: Why are painting quotes so different from each other?
A: The gap usually comes down to what's included — the amount of preparation, the number of coats and the grade of paint. A higher quote often reflects work that makes the finish last years longer, so it's worth comparing inclusions rather than headline prices.
Q: Does the time of year affect cost?
A: Not the price directly, but timing affects scheduling. Exterior work suits Sydney's mild spring and autumn, and those periods book out, so planning ahead gives you more flexibility.
Every home is different, and the only way to know exactly what yours will cost is to have someone look at it properly. Decor8 provides free onsite quotes across the Hills District, Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains, with an honest breakdown of what's included and why. When you're ready, you can request a free onsite quote or call John on 0404 842 708 for a straightforward chat about your project.