How Much Does Exterior Painting Cost?
Exterior painting costs in Australia range from $4,000 for a small single-storey home to $20,000+ for a large two-storey with extensive prep. Key cost drivers: size, number of storeys, surface type, prep required, and number of colours.
Pro tip: Quotes should specify: how many coats, what brand/product, prep included, and whether scaffolding is included. Never compare just the bottom line.
Asbestos Check First
If your home was built before 1990 and has fibro cladding, get an asbestos test before any surface preparation. Sanding, scraping, or pressure washing asbestos-containing materials releases fibres that are a serious health hazard. Only a licensed asbestos removalist can safely remove or encapsulate asbestos materials.
⚠️ Watch out: Pressure washing or sanding fibro without asbestos testing is illegal and dangerous. Test first, always.
Surface Preparation is Everything
- 1 Pressure wash the entire exterior — remove all dirt, mould, and chalking
- 2 Allow 2-3 days to fully dry before any paint application
- 3 Sand, scrape, and fill all cracks, bubbles, and failed areas
- 4 Apply rust primer to any exposed metal
- 5 Apply timber primer to any bare wood
- 6 Apply sealer to bare render or masonry surfaces
Choosing the Right Paint
- 1 Weatherboard/fibro: Dulux Weathershield or Taubmans All Weather — high elasticity to bridge hairline cracks
- 2 Brick: Haymes Brickshield or Solver Brick & Paver — breathable, allows moisture to escape
- 3 Render/concrete: acrylic-based exterior paint with good UV resistance
- 4 Colorbond/steel: specific metal primers required before topcoat
Weather Considerations in Australia
Never paint in direct summer sun (especially Queensland and WA) — paint dries too fast, leaving marks and brush strokes. Never paint if rain is forecast within 4 hours. Ideal conditions: overcast, 15–25°C, low humidity. Spring and autumn are ideal in most Australian states.
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