One of the most common questions we get at Orbit Painting Melbourne is "how much will it cost?" It's a fair question — and one that deserves a straight answer rather than a vague "it depends." This guide gives you real numbers for South East Melbourne homes, along with the factors that move the price up or down.
Typical Costs for Interior Painting in Melbourne (2026)
For a standard interior repaint of a 3–4 bedroom home in SE Melbourne, expect to pay in the range of $3,500–$8,000. That range is wide because prep requirements and room count vary significantly. Here's how it typically breaks down:
- Single bedroom: $400–$700
- Open-plan living and dining: $900–$1,500
- Full 3-bedroom interior (walls only): $3,500–$5,500
- Full 3-bedroom interior including ceilings, trim and doors: $5,000–$8,000
These figures assume a standard repaint with minimal patching. If there are significant repairs — cracks, water damage, or old textured ceilings — add 15–25% for preparation work.
Exterior Painting Costs in South East Melbourne
Exterior painting is generally more expensive than interior, primarily because of the additional preparation required — pressure washing, sanding, filling, and priming. For SE Melbourne homes:
- Single-storey weatherboard (basic): $4,000–$6,500
- Single-storey weatherboard (full prep + prime): $5,500–$8,000
- Double-storey home: $7,000–$14,000
- Brick render repaint: $3,000–$6,000
- Decks and fences (per linear metre): $25–$55/m
What Affects the Price the Most?
In our experience painting homes across Caulfield, Oakleigh, Cheltenham, and Dandenong, these are the factors that move the price significantly:
- Surface condition — walls that need filling, sanding, or priming add time and cost
- Ceiling height — anything above 2.7m requires more time and scaffolding
- Number of colours — feature walls and multi-tone schemes add time
- Paint grade — premium Dulux Wash & Wear costs more than builder-grade but lasts far longer
- Access — hard-to-reach eaves or second-storey work adds to external jobs
- Lead paint — older homes (pre-1970) may require lead-safe preparation procedures
How to Make Sure Your Quote Is Accurate
The only reliable way to get an accurate price is an on-site assessment. Be cautious of painters who quote over the phone without seeing your property — prices can blow out significantly when the actual prep work is discovered on the day.
A good painting quote should be written, itemised, and fixed-price. It should specify the prep work included, the paint brand and grade, the number of coats, and any exclusions. If a quote doesn't include these details, ask for them — or get a second opinion.
Is It Worth Getting Multiple Quotes?
Yes — but compare like for like. A quote that is $2,000 cheaper than others may exclude proper preparation, use low-grade paint, or plan to apply a single thin coat. When evaluating quotes, ask each painter what prep work is included, what paint they are using, and how many coats are in the price.
At Orbit Painting Melbourne, we provide free, detailed, itemised quotes for homes across South East Melbourne — returned within 24 hours of our site visit. Call us on +61 3 4427 9403 or chat with Mick to get started.