Short answer: in 2026, a full interior repaint of a 4-bedroom house in Brisbane typically costs between $6,500 and $12,000. A full exterior repaint usually lands between $12,000 and $25,000 depending on the material, height and condition of your home. Below we break down exactly what moves the price — so you can compare quotes like a pro.
Typical painting costs in Brisbane (2026)
| Job | Typical range | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Single room (walls only) | $800 – $1,800 | 1–2 days |
| Interior — 4-bedroom house | $6,500 – $12,000 | ~1.5 weeks |
| Exterior — single storey | $12,000 – $18,000 | 1–2 weeks |
| Exterior — two storey / Queenslander | $18,000 – $25,000+ | 2–3 weeks |
| Roof — wash, seal & repaint | $3,500 – $7,000 | 3–5 days |
What changes the price?
1. Surface condition
Prep is 60% of a quality paint job. Cracked plaster, flaky old paint, water stains or mould all need to be fixed before a single coat goes on. A well-maintained home sits at the bottom of the range; a neglected one climbs fast.
2. Interior vs exterior
Exterior work costs more because of access (ladders, scaffolding for two-storey homes), weather-grade paints, and more intensive prep — Brisbane sun and storms are brutal on coatings.
3. Ceilings, trims and doors
“Walls only” is the cheapest version of an interior repaint. Adding ceilings, skirting boards, architraves, doors and window frames can add 30–50% — but it's what makes the result look genuinely new.
4. Paint quality
Premium trade paints cost more per litre but cover better, last years longer and wash cleaner. We usually supply materials at trade pricing — you get better paint for less than retail.
5. Height and access
Two-storey homes and classic Queenslanders on stumps need extra equipment and time. That's the single biggest reason two similar-sized homes can get very different quotes.
How long does it take?
From our own projects: a full repaint of a 4-bedroom house takes about 1.5 weeks. A single room is usually done in 1–2 days. Weather can stretch exterior timelines — a good painter builds that into the schedule rather than rushing between showers.
The cheap-quote trap
If one quote comes in dramatically lower than the rest, one of three things is usually true: the prep is being skipped, the paint is bargain-grade, or the “painter” isn't licensed and insured. Any of the three costs you more within two years.
What to check before you sign:
- A written scope of work — exactly which surfaces, how many coats, which products
- QBCC licence — ask for the number, check it online
- Insurance — public liability should be stated in writing
- Warranty — quality painters back their workmanship (we back ours for 12 months)
- Reviews with names and suburbs — not anonymous star ratings
Get an exact number for your home
Ranges are useful; a real quote is better. We'll visit for a chat (or quote from photos for straightforward jobs), and you'll get a detailed written quote with a full scope of work — free, no obligation, within 12 hours.