How Much Does It Cost to Paint a House in Sydney in 2025?

When you’re looking into home improvement, one of the first questions is: what are the painting costs for a house in Sydney? Whether you’re planning an interior refresh or an exterior makeover, being informed about typical pricing and the factors that affect it will help you budget wisely and hire confidently.

Typical Interior Painting Costs in Sydney

Interior painting in Sydney homes generally ranges between A$60 to A$100 per square metre for standard finishes and average home size. For example, for a 200 m² interior surface you might expect a ballpark of A$12,000 to A$20,000, depending on rooms, trim, windows and doors.
Additional cost drivers include:

• surface preparation (patching, sanding)

• trim and doors inclusion

• ceiling height and layout complexity

• quality of paints and finishes used.
  Thus, when requesting quotes, make sure the scope clearly states walls, ceilings, doors, skirting, windows etc.

Exterior Painting Costs & What Affects Them

For exterior painting of houses in Sydney, the painting costs vary widely: recent data indicates projects can start from around A$3,500 for smaller homes and go up to A$10,000–20,000 or more for larger or complex exteriors.
Key influences include:

• Access & height — multi-storey or steep sites may need scaffolding

• Surface type & condition — timber, brick, render all differ in prep work

• Weather exposure — Sydney’s climate means durability matters

• Trim, gutters, fencing — all add to cost if included.
  Therefore, exterior jobs often incur more variability and higher risk of unexpected costs if the surface is in poor condition or hard to access.

House Size, Scope & Extras That Shift The Price

Whether interior or exterior, the size of your property and the scope of work significantly affect painting costs.

• A smaller single-storey home with straightforward surfaces will cost markedly less than a heritage property with ornate detail. For example, painting all surfaces of a 4-bedroom house interior can cost A$18,000-25,000 for competent work.

• Extras such as feature walls, multiple colour schemes, high ceilings, extensive trim or bespoke finishes will raise costs.

• Surface prep: if walls require repairs, mould treatment, or peeling paint removal, expect higher charges.

• Paint quality: premium or specialised coatings increase material cost and labour time.

Tips to Manage & Compare Painting Quotes

• Ask for a full breakdown: list what surfaces are included (walls, ceilings, doors, skirtings) and materials/paint brand.

• Check for surface prep details: poor preparation can lead to shorter-lived finishes despite higher upfront cost.

• Verify access and site conditions: tricky access often means extra cost that may be overlooked.

• Look at painter’s track record: reviews, past photos, warranties all matter.

• Understand exclusions: trim, doors, windows may be quoted separately and inflate the final cost.
  Matching quotes on the same scope ensures you compare apples with apples.

Why Professional Painting Adds Value

While DIY might seem cheaper, professional painting offers a better result and longer lifespan — key for Sydney’s market. A well-executed paint job increases durability and enhances value.
In heritage or higher-end homes, where detail is important, the right painter with experience can save you money in the long term by avoiding future repainting or patching.

Summary & Next Steps

In summary:

• Interior painting cost in Sydney: about A$60-100/m² for standard jobs.

• Exterior painting cost: ranges from a few thousand to tens of thousands depending on size, complexity and access.

• Always check the full scope, surface condition and paint quality.
  For precise pricing, get a fixed written quote from a qualified painter based on your specific house.

If you’d like help with your painting project in Sydney, feel free to contact Home Extension and Renovation. We’ll inspect your home, discuss your needs and prepare a detailed quotation to suit your budget and timeline.