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How to Price a Painting Job in Australia
Pricing a painting job is one of the keys to making a real profit as a painter in Australia. Whether you're a fly-by-night operator or a seasoned pro looking to up your game & increase your earnings, getting this right is crucial.
Most of us painters have a tendency to focus almost exclusively on how much paint is going to cost when we're working out a quote. But the truth is that all too often it's the extra hours on the labour end & the costs of prep work & overheads that really eat into our profits.
When you're putting a painting quote together, it's all about getting it right - covering all your costs, squeezing in a reasonable profit margin and still keeping your prices competitive in the market. This guide's here to walk you through exactly how the pros price painting jobs in Australia.
Painting Job Pricing Calculator
Use this calculator to estimate a painting job price based on materials, paint, labour, overheads and profit margin.
Why Accurate Pricing Matters
A well-priced painting quote should achieve three objectives:
- Cover all labour and material costs
- Generate a healthy profit margin
- Win the project without undercutting yourself
Pricing too low may secure work but can quickly damage your business profitability. Pricing too high without demonstrating value may result in losing the job to competitors.
The goal is not to be the cheapest painter. The goal is to be the most profitable painter while delivering quality workmanship.
Step 1: Conduct a Proper Site Inspection
Before preparing a quote, inspect the project thoroughly.
Things to assess include:
Surface Condition
- Existing paint condition
- Peeling or flaking paint
- Water damage
- Mould contamination
- Cracks and holes
- Timber deterioration
Access Requirements
- Two-storey areas
- High ceilings
- Scaffolding requirements
- Scissor lifts
- Restricted access zones
Occupancy
- Vacant property
- Occupied residence
- Commercial operation during business hours
- School or healthcare environments
Additional Requirements
- Furniture moving
- Protection and masking
- Special finishes
- Lead paint removal
- Heritage requirements
2. Calculate Material Costs
The type of paint and materials you use will directly impact your pricing. Calculate the following:
- Paint Quantity: Estimate how much paint will be required based on the surface area. A typical gallon covers 350-400 square feet per coat.
- Other Materials: Include costs for brushes, rollers, drop cloths, masking tape, primer, etc.
Item | Example |
Paint | Dulux, Haymes, Wattyl |
Primer | Undercoats and sealers |
Fillers | Gap fillers and patch compounds |
Sandpaper | Various grits |
Masking Tape | Surface protection |
Plastic Sheeting | Dust and overspray protection |
Rollers & Sleeves | Consumables |
Brushes | Cutting-in and detail work |
Cleaning Materials | Solvents and detergents |
Always allow a small contingency for additional materials.
A common mistake is quoting only for paint while forgetting the many consumables used during the project.
Step 3: Calculate Paint Quantities
Paint coverage varies depending on:
- Surface texture
- Porosity
- Number of coats
- Product specifications
As a general guide:
Paint Type | Approximate Coverage |
Acrylic Wall Paint | 12-16 m²/L |
Ceiling Paint | 10-14 m²/L |
Primer | 8-12 m²/L |
Exterior Paint | 8-14 m²/L |
Example
Project area:
- Walls = 180m²
- Two coats required
Total coverage required:
- 180m² × 2 coats = 360m²
Paint required:
- 360 ÷ 14m²/L = 25.7 litres
Allow additional paint for wastage and touch-ups.
Step 4: Estimate Labour Hours
Labour is typically the largest cost in a painting project.
Professional painters should estimate labour based on productivity rather than guessing.
Typical Productivity Rates
Task | Average Productivity |
Interior Walls | 10-15m²/hr |
Ceilings | 8-12m²/hr |
Doors | 1-2 per hour |
Skirting Boards | 15-25lm/hr |
Exterior Walls | 4-8m²/hr |
Surface Preparation | 30-50% of painting time |
Example
Project:
- 200m² wall area
- Productivity = 12m²/hr
Painting hours:
- 200 ÷ 12 = 16.7 hours
Preparation allowance:
- 16.7 × 40% = 6.7 hours
Total labour:
- 23.4 hours
Round up to 24 hours.
Step 5: Calculate Labour Cost
Labour cost is calculated using your charge-out rate.
Labour Cost Formula
Labour Cost = Hours × Hourly Rate
Example:
- 24 hours × $65/hr
- Labour Cost = $1,560
Your hourly rate should cover:
- Wages
- Superannuation
- Workers compensation
- Insurance
- Vehicle costs
- Administration
Many painters mistakenly use their wage rate instead of their charge-out rate.
6. Add Overheads to find pricing the painting job
Every painting business has overhead expenses.
Common overheads include:
- Public liability insurance
- Vehicle expenses
- Fuel
- Accounting
- Software subscriptions
- Marketing
- Phones
- Office administration
- Equipment maintenance
Step 7: Apply Your Profit Margin
Profit is not the same as wages.
Profit is what remains after all business expenses are covered.
A healthy profit margin allows you to:
- Replace equipment
- Invest in growth
- Handle unexpected costs
- Build a sustainable business
Typical margins:
Business Type | Target Margin |
Small Residential Painter | 15-25% |
Established Contractor | 20-30% |
Specialist Painting Contractor | 25-40% |
For this example we will use a 20% margin.
Painting Job Pricing Formula
The simplest formula is:
Total Cost =
Materials + Paint + Labour + Overheads
Final Selling Price =
Total Cost × 1.20
Typical Painting Rates in Australia
Every project is different, but as a general guide:
Pricing Method | Typical Range |
Hourly Rate | $50-$90/hr |
Day Rate | $300-$800/day |
Interior Repaint | $60-$100/m² |
Exterior Repaint | $40-$80/m² |
These figures vary depending on location, project complexity, and specification.
10 Common Painting Quote Mistakes
- Forgetting preparation work
- Underestimating labour hours
- Not charging for travel
- Ignoring overheads
- Forgetting GST
- Underestimating paint quantities
- Not charging for furniture moving
- Missing access costs
- Failing to allow for touch-ups
- Competing only on price
FAQs
Conclusion of painting job pricing
Successful painters don't win every painting contract that comes their way. What they do win are the ones that are a good fit for them and pay a fair price.
A top-class painting quote should get all the basics right : how much it'll cost for materials, paint, time and labour, plus the overheads & profit. If you use a methodical pricing system & keep a close eye on actual project costs then you'll be raking it in, getting the right clients and building a rock solid painting business.
Keep in mind - the lowest quote isn't always the most profitable quote - and often it's going to lose you money in the long run.
