Pricing guide
What painters charge per hour in Melbourne
An hourly rate is only one part of a painting budget. You also need to know how many people and hours are involved, which materials are included and what work will be completed.
Start with the whole job
An hourly rate alone does not show the cost of a finished job. Preparation, materials, equipment and the time needed all matter. We assess your property and quote one fixed total for the agreed scope.
We do not publish an hourly price list. A rate without an agreed scope, estimated hours, materials and GST treatment cannot tell you the total for your home.
What an hour needs to cover
Painting work includes more than applying the finish. Discuss protection, cleaning, filling, sanding, priming, coating and cleanup. Different surfaces and conditions require different preparation and product systems.
If you are comparing an hourly offer, ask whether the rate is per person or per crew, how hours will be recorded, and whether materials, equipment, travel or other charges are additional.
Why we quote a fixed total
Our quote gives you a written scope of work, clear inclusions and exclusions, and one fixed total for the agreed work. That makes the budget and the work being offered clear before you accept.
Ask how extra work or unexpected conditions will be discussed and agreed in writing. The scope matters as much as the total, whichever pricing method a painter uses.
How much does a painter cost per day?
A day rate depends on the agreed hours, crew size and what the price includes. Multiplying a published hourly figure does not establish a reliable daily price for your job, particularly when the source is an employee wage.
For budgeting, compare the total for the completed scope, including materials and any access equipment, rather than a day rate on its own.
Is hourly or fixed pricing cheaper?
Neither method is automatically cheaper. With hourly work, the final amount depends on the hours and any additional charges. With fixed pricing, check precisely which work is covered and how a change to that scope is handled.
A lower hourly rate can still lead to a higher total. A lower fixed total may cover fewer surfaces. Ask the same scope questions of each painter.
Do you charge for a quote?
Hi Painter offers free quotes. Tell us the suburb, surfaces, condition and preferred timing so we can discuss the work.
Compare the total and the work included
Look for preparation, products, the coating system, protection, cleanup and exclusions in writing. A quote saying only “paint hallway” is harder to compare than a scope identifying its walls, ceiling, doors and trim.
Use our painting cost guide, interior scope comparisons and exterior cost guide to prepare the same questions for every quote.
Get a quote
Get a free quote with a written scope, clear inclusions and exclusions, and one fixed total.
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