Painting quote template (Australia)

Two painting quotes for the "same" job can differ by 50% or more because preparation work, paint brand and the number of coats vary so widely between operators. A cheap painting quote almost always means skipped prep — and skipped prep almost always means a paint job that fails inside two summers. Use this template to confirm you are buying preparation and durability, not just hours on a brush.

What is a painting quote template?

A painting quote template is the list of items a written interior or exterior house-painting quote should specify — surface prep, paint brand and product, number of coats, areas itemised in square metres, access and protection, GST and a clear workmanship warranty. It is also the easiest way to compare a premium-spec quote against a cheap one.

When to use this template

Use this template for any interior or exterior house-painting job — single room through to whole-of-house exterior, weatherboard, rendered brick, fibre cement, timber decks and feature walls. The bigger the job, the more critical it is to nail down brand, coverage and warranty up front.

Before you request quotes — get these details ready

The more concrete the detail you can give a painter up front, the faster and more accurate the quotes you receive. Aim to have these details ready before you post the job:

• Whether the job is interior, exterior or both, and the approximate areas in square metres.
• Condition of the existing paint — peeling, flaking, chalking, stained, generally sound — and any specific problem walls or trim.
• Whether the colour is changing significantly (dark to light, light to dark) or staying broadly similar.
• Substrate type — render, brick, timber weatherboard, fibre cement, plasterboard, metal.
• Photos showing the worst areas plus the access (driveway, height of the wall, gates and landscaping).
• Any colour or product preference you already have, including brand and finish (matt, low sheen, semi-gloss).

What your painting quote should include

A complete written painting quote from a reputable Australian painter should contain every one of the line items below. If any are missing, ask for the detail in writing before comparing against another quote:

• Surface preparation in detail — washing or sugar-soaping, sanding, filling, caulking, removing flaking paint, primer/undercoat.
• Paint brand and exact product (e.g. premium acrylic interior or exterior product) with the finish for each surface.
• Number of coats — typically one undercoat plus two top coats on a colour change, two top coats only on a like-for-like refresh over sound existing paint.
• Areas itemised in square metres — walls, ceilings, trim, doors, windows broken out separately.
• Access and protection — drop sheets, masking, scaffolding for high ceilings or two-storey exteriors, protection of furniture and fixtures.
• Workmanship warranty — 5–7 years is typical on premium paint systems, 12–24 months on cheaper jobs.
• GST status clearly stated, plus the painter's ABN, business name and public liability insurance reference.
• Payment terms — a small deposit (around 10%) is normal for larger jobs; stage payments per room or per side of the house are safer than a single payment.

How to compare painting quotes fairly

When one painting quote is dramatically cheaper than another, the difference is almost always in the prep paragraph and the paint product. Line both quotes up on "how many coats, what brand, what product, what prep" before you compare the total — a cheaper quote with one less coat and a budget paint is not the same product as the more expensive quote. Use the painter cost guide for typical Australian pricing ranges, then line up the quotes against this checklist row-by-row before deciding on price.

Common quote mistakes to avoid

• Comparing on headline price without comparing prep, product and coat counts.
• Accepting "two coats" with no undercoat on bare plaster, dark colour changes or stained walls.
• Not asking for the exact paint product, just the brand — premium and budget ranges from the same brand have very different durability.
• Skipping a colour test patch on exterior work — actual on-wall colour rarely matches the chip.
• Paying for the whole job up-front rather than stage-by-stage on a larger interior or exterior.

Red flags before you sign

Any one of the warning signs below is a reason to slow down and seek another quote. Two or more is a reason to walk away — there is always another painter.

• Paint brand not specified, or specified only as "premium" without a product line.
• Very low per-square-metre rates that imply skipped prep.
• No mention of an undercoat where you are changing colour significantly.
• Refusal to put a workmanship warranty length in writing.
• Pressure to pay the full quote up-front, particularly on a larger exterior job.

Questions to ask before choosing a provider

The questions below tend to surface a thoughtful, experienced painter from someone who is winging it. There are no wrong answers, but the willingness to answer them clearly in writing is itself the signal:

• What brand and exact product are you using, and what is the manufacturer warranty?
• How many coats — undercoat plus how many top coats — for each surface?
• How are you preparing the walls, and is filling, sanding and caulking included?
• What workmanship warranty in writing do you offer on the finished job?
• Will the colours be confirmed with an on-wall test patch before the main coats?
• Is scaffolding or high-access included for two-storey or high-ceiling areas?

How TaskerAsker helps you get better painting quotes

TaskerAsker is a free Australian marketplace for home services. Post your painting job once and receive up to three written quotes from local painters. Every provider has their ABN verified before they can quote, their trade licence is surfaced on the profile where the trade is licensed, and reviews are tied to completed jobs only. Post your job free or browse verified painters first, or read the painter cost guide for typical pricing.

Final checklist before you post

Tick each item off before you send a painter job out to quote:

• Written quote with itemised prep, brand, product, coat count and warranty.
• Square-metre breakdown for walls, ceilings, trim, doors and windows.
• Workmanship warranty length in writing.
• Stage payment schedule rather than a single up-front payment.
• Two more comparable quotes before you sign.
• Test patch agreed for colour confirmation on exterior or major colour changes.

Frequently asked questions

How long does an Australian house-painting workmanship warranty last?

Five to seven years is the typical range for premium paint systems applied by a reputable painter; 12–24 months is more common on cheaper jobs or budget products. The exact length should appear in writing on the quote, alongside the manufacturer's paint warranty.

Is one coat ever enough, or should every painting quote include two top coats?

On a like-for-like refresh over sound existing paint in a similar colour, two top coats with no undercoat can be fine. On bare plaster, raw timber, a significant colour change (dark to light or vice-versa), or over stains, you almost always need an undercoat plus two top coats. The quote should state exactly which approach applies to each surface.

What does "surface preparation" actually include?

Washing or sugar-soaping to remove dirt and oil, sanding to give the new paint a key, filling holes and cracks, caulking gaps, removing any flaking or unstable existing paint, and priming where bare substrate is exposed. Prep is usually the single biggest cost driver — cheap quotes almost always skip pieces of it.

How much deposit is reasonable for a painting job?

Around 10% on signing is a fair deposit for larger interior or exterior jobs; small single-room jobs often need no deposit at all. Stage payments tied to rooms (interior) or sides of the house (exterior) are safer than a single up-front lump sum.

Should I supply my own paint to save money?

You can, but most reputable Australian painters will not warrant the workmanship on paint they did not supply — and tradies' wholesale prices on premium ranges are often closer to your retail discount than you would think. Discuss it before quoting and price both options if it matters to you.

Ready to compare quotes? Post your painting job free and receive up to three written quotes from verified Australian painters. You can also browse the painters hub, read the painter cost guide, or browse all quote templates.

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