If you’ve ever stood in your living room, paint chips in hand, wondering, “How much would it actually cost to repaint this place?” – you’re not alone.
Painting a 3-bedroom home is one of the simplest ways to transform your space, boost property value, and freshen things up. But the price? It depends on much more than just how many walls you have.
In this guide, we’ll unpack what really influences the cost, what a professional quote should include, and how to make sure you’re getting genuine value for your money.
The Short Answer: It Depends (But We’ll Help You Narrow It Down)
There’s no universal price tag for painting a 3-bedroom home in Australia – and anyone who tells you otherwise is guessing.
The total investment depends on things like:
- Whether you’re painting interior, exterior, or both
- The size and layout of your home
- How much prep or repair work is needed
- The quality and finish of the paint you choose
- Accessibility and height (for example, single vs double storey)
Think of it like renovating a kitchen: the materials, design choices, and level of detail make all the difference. Painting is the same, and the result should suit your home, not someone else’s quote.
What Actually Affects the Cost?
There are a few major factors that determine what your final painting quote will look like — here’s how they stack up.
1. Preparation & Repairs
A smooth, long-lasting finish starts long before the first coat goes on.
Walls that need patching, sanding, or priming will naturally take more time and materials. If your home has water damage, cracks, or old paint flaking away, a painter will need to repair and seal those areas first to make the new paint stick properly.
It’s like trying to ice a cake. If the base isn’t smooth, the result never looks right.
2. Height & Access
Ceiling height, stairwells, and tricky exterior areas can influence both time and safety requirements. For example, a single-storey home is usually quicker to complete than a double-storey house with hard-to-reach sections or narrow side access.
Professional painters factor this in because access equipment (like scaffolding or platforms) and extra safety checks may be needed, especially in Sydney’s older terraces or coastal properties.
3. Colours, Coats & Finishes
Each colour and finish comes with its own personality and workload.
- Using multiple colours means more masking, cutting in, and clean-up.
- Higher-sheen paints often need extra care to apply smoothly.
- Premium paints tend to last longer, resist fading, and wash clean more easily.
Choosing quality paints like Dulux Wash&Wear or Taubmans Endure may cost more upfront, but they often save you time and maintenance later.
4. Surface Type & Home Style
Different materials behave differently under a brush or roller.
- Brick or render might require sealing.
- Weatherboard or timber often needs sanding and priming.
- Gyprock typically needs a smooth undercoat.
Sydney’s diverse homes, from Federation cottages to modern apartments, each bring their own quirks, which influence the preparation and paint systems required.
5. Location & Labour Market
Painting prices naturally vary from region to region. In Sydney, factors like traffic access, property density, and parking availability can affect timing and logistics.
Experienced local painters plan for those details, ensuring your project runs efficiently and safely — without shortcuts.
Real-World Examples From Sydney Homes
To give you a sense of what influences real painting projects, here are a few examples from our team’s experience.
Inner West Apartment Refresh
A light interior repaint with two bedrooms and a living area needed minimal prep. We completed it mid-week so the owner could move tenants in on schedule. Smooth, clean, and stress-free.
Family Brick Home in the Hills District
This homeowner wanted both interior and exterior done before putting it on the market for sale. With a few minor cracks to fix and a full colour update, the project took just over a week, ready for open-home day right on time.
Coastal Weatherboard Cottage
This Northern Beaches home needed extra UV protection and a fresh white coastal finish. The prep involved sanding and sealing weathered boards, a perfect example of how location and materials impact time and scope.
Each home is different, but what’s consistent is our process: careful prep, premium materials, and a clean, respectful team that finishes on time.
DIY vs Professional Painting: What You Should Know
Plenty of homeowners start with good intentions and a roller in hand. And for small touch-ups, DIY can absolutely work. But when it comes to a full 3-bedroom house, there’s more to consider.
DIY Painting
Pros: You’ll save on labour, and it can be satisfying to do yourself.
Cons: It’s physically demanding, takes much longer than expected, and mistakes (like drips, patchy coats, or poor prep) can be costly to fix later.
Professional Painting
Pros: Flawless finish, insured and safety-compliant work, and no weekend-long clean-up. Professionals also use the right tools for high or awkward areas.
Cons: You’ll pay for the skill and efficiency — but you’re also buying peace of mind and longevity.
In our experience, the “cheap DIY weekend project” often ends up costing more in both time and frustration than hiring a professional from the start.
What a Clear, Professional Quote Should Include
If you’re comparing quotes, transparency is key. A good painting quote should clearly outline what’s covered, so you can compare apples with apples.
Look for details like:
- A clear breakdown of rooms or areas
- Preparation work (patching, sanding, undercoating)
- Paint brand, colour count, and finish type
- Inclusion of trims, doors, and ceilings
- Clean-up and waste removal
- Project duration and start date
- Insurance and warranty information
At Advanced Painting, every quote includes materials, prep, and clean-up with no hidden surprises halfway through the job. We also back all work with a 5-year workmanship warranty for complete peace of mind.
If a quote seems unusually low, double-check what’s missing. Prep work or second coats are often where corners get cut.
Sydney-Specific Factors to Keep in Mind
Painting homes in Sydney comes with its own set of challenges (and opportunities).
- Access & Parking: Narrow laneways and shared driveways can affect setup times.
- Strata or Apartment Rules: Many complexes have noise or work-hour restrictions.
- Coastal Conditions: Sea air and high UV exposure require specialist primers and weather-resistant paints.
- Heritage Homes: Council colour guidelines and surface preservation rules can influence paint type and finish.
A local team like ours knows how to navigate these nuances — saving you time, paperwork, and potential headaches.
FAQs: Painting a 3-Bedroom Home in Australia
How long does a 3-bedroom house take to paint?
Most projects are completed within a week, depending on the home’s size, surface condition, and whether it’s interior, exterior, or both.
What’s included in a typical painting service?
Preparation, patching, sanding, priming, two top coats, trims, and full clean-up. Some painters also include minor plaster or timber repairs.
Can I stay in the house while it’s being painted?
Yes, most homeowners do. Professional painters work methodically, room by room and use low-odour paints for minimal disruption.
What’s the best paint for living areas or bedrooms?
Low-VOC, washable paints like Dulux Wash&Wear or Taubmans Endure are excellent for family homes as they are durable, easy to clean, and long-lasting.
Do I need to move my furniture?
We take care of protecting and covering floors and furniture. Just move smaller or fragile items out of the way.
How do I get the most accurate quote?
Provide your painter with clear details, including photos, wall measurements, or a quick walk-through, if possible. The more information you share, the more precise your quote will be.
Conclusion
Painting your home is one of those upgrades that feels instantly rewarding. The kind that changes how your space looks and how it feels to live in. But behind every smooth finish is careful prep, experience, and quality materials.
At Advanced Painting, we believe great work starts with honesty. We don’t hand out one-size-fits-all prices; we take the time to understand your home, your goals, and your timeline — then deliver a clean, lasting finish you’ll love coming home to.
