Question 1

How much does a painter charge in Melbourne?

Accepted Answer

Most Melbourne painters offer free quotes upfront, so costs depend on your project size and complexity. Melbourne City Maintenance notes that pricing varies based on home size, surfaces, paint type, and prep work required, with most estimates delivered within 48 hours. Derek & Son Painting Group provides free estimates within 24 hours with competitive pricing. Expect detailed quotes with no hidden costs—The Painters Melbourne explicitly guarantees this. For projects over $10,000, your painter must hold a Victorian Building Authority (VBA) Domestic Builder (Limited) licence for painting work.

Question 2

Do you need a licence to be a painter in Australia?

Accepted Answer

In Victoria, painters need a Domestic Builder (Limited) – Painting licence issued by the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) for residential painting contracts exceeding $10,000. This applies to most interior and exterior house painting jobs. You can verify any painter's registration at vba.vic.gov.au before hiring. Of Melbourne's 38 listed painters, licensing compliance varies, so always ask for their VBA registration number and check it yourself. Unlicensed work on jobs over $10,000 leaves you with no consumer protections if something goes wrong.

Question 3

Is it worth paying for a painter?

Accepted Answer

For most Melbourne homeowners, yes—particularly given local property values and weather conditions. Professional painters handle surface prep, use quality materials suited to Melbourne's climate, and complete jobs faster than DIY attempts. With 84% of Melbourne painters offering interior services and 61% handling exterior work, you've got solid choice. Top-rated providers like SOL Shine (4.9★, 151 reviews) and Melbourne City Maintenance (5.0★, 75 reviews) deliver consistent results. DIY painting often costs more long-term due to mistakes, inferior finishes, and wasted materials.

Question 4

How to tell if a painter is good?

Accepted Answer

Check three things: VBA licence status (mandatory for jobs over $10,000), verified customer reviews, and whether they provide detailed written quotes. Melbourne's top-rated painters like A1 Finish Painting (5.0★, 68 reviews) demonstrate consistency across dozens of jobs. Ask for recent references from similar projects—82% of Melbourne painters have websites showing past work. Avoid painters who refuse written quotes or can't provide their VBA registration number. Good painters clearly explain prep work, paint types, and timelines upfront without pressuring you to sign immediately.

Question 5

Do painters clean walls before painting in Australia?

Accepted Answer

Yes, reputable Melbourne painters include surface preparation in their quotes—it's essential for proper paint adhesion. This typically involves cleaning walls, filling holes, sanding rough spots, and priming as needed. Melbourne City Maintenance specifically mentions prep work in their pricing structure. When getting quotes, confirm exactly what preparation is included. Some painters charge extra for extensive repairs or mould treatment, common in Melbourne's older weatherboard and brick homes. Always get this clarified in writing before work begins to avoid surprise charges later.

Painters in St Kilda, Melbourne

Jimmypainting

Melbourne Painting Specialty

Ag PaiNTing & Plastering Repair SerVICes

Loumana Renovations

AUSCO Painting Pty Ltd

Shane Marshall Painting and Decorating

SR Painting Services

Top Painting

Get Painted Pty Ltd

Dream Homes Painting

Celtic Decor

Toorak Painting

Exuberant Painting

Sohal Painting and Decorating

Nolan's Painting

Frequently Asked Questions

Other Suburbs in Melbourne