Expert Painters

How to Compare Painting Quotes in Melbourne: A Line-by-Line Guide

16 Sep

You’ve contacted a few painters near you, and now you have three quotes for the same job with prices thousands of dollars apart. Which one is right?

Painting Quotes in Melbourne

The price alone won’t tell you. To compare painting quotes properly, you need to check what each painter will actually do for that money. This guide shows you how, with a worked example for an exterior repaint.

Why painting quotes vary so much

Two painters can look at the same house and quote very different amounts because they’re pricing different jobs. The biggest differences usually come from:

  • Preparation: washing, scraping, sanding, filling and priming take time, and some quotes include far more of it than others.
  • Products: premium exterior paints cost more than budget ranges, and the number of coats makes a big difference.
  • Scope: one quote may include eaves, gutters, fascias and fences, while another covers only the walls.
  • Access: double-storey homes may need scaffolding or extra safety equipment.
  • Repairs: rotten timber, cracked render and damaged plaster add cost if they’re included.

What a good painting quote should include

Before comparing prices, check that each quote clearly states:

  1. The exact surfaces and rooms being painted
  2. The preparation steps for each surface
  3. The paint brand, product range, sheen and colour
  4. The number of coats, including primer or undercoat
  5. Any repairs included, and how extra repairs will be priced
  6. Access equipment such as scaffolding, if needed
  7. Protection of floors, furniture, gardens and paving
  8. The start date, expected duration and how weather delays are handled
  9. The payment schedule
  10. Clean-up and a final walk-through

If a quote is missing several of these, ask the painter to add them in writing before you compare.

Step by step: comparing quotes side by side

Step 1: Check the scope matches. Make sure every quote covers the same surfaces. If one includes the fence and another doesn’t, you’re not comparing like with like.

Step 2: Compare the preparation. This is where the biggest hidden differences sit. A quote that says “prepare surfaces” without detail tells you very little.

Step 3: Compare the products and coats. One coat of a budget paint and two coats of a premium exterior product are completely different jobs, even if the colour is the same.

Step 4: Look at labour and timing. A very short timeline on a large house can mean corners will be cut.

Step 5: Check the exclusions. Look for phrases like “repairs not included” or “additional charges may apply”, and ask what they could cost.

Step 6: Review the payment terms. A reasonable deposit with the balance paid on completion is safer than paying most of the price upfront.

Example: three quotes for an exterior repaint

Here’s an illustrative example of three quotes for the same single-storey weatherboard home. The figures are examples only, to show how to read quotes, not actual prices.

Quote AQuote BQuote C
Price$5,900$8,700$9,400
WashingNot mentionedIncludedIncluded
Scraping and sanding“Light sand”Full scrape and sandFull scrape and sand
Timber repairsNot includedMinor repairs includedMinor repairs included, extras quoted before work
Primer on bare timberNot mentionedIncludedIncluded
Top coats1 coat2 coats, premium exterior paint2 coats, premium exterior paint
Eaves and fasciasNot includedIncludedIncluded
Timeline3 days6–8 days6–8 days
Payment50% upfrontDeposit, balance on completionDeposit, balance on completion

How to read it: Quote A looks cheapest, but it skips washing and priming, uses one coat, and leaves out the eaves. It’s likely to need repainting much sooner, and the 50% upfront payment adds risk. Quotes B and C cover the same job properly. Quote C costs a little more but explains how extra repairs will be priced, which protects you from surprise costs. Either B or C is a sound choice, while A isn’t really the same job.

Questions to ask when quotes don’t line up

  • “Why is your price higher or lower than the others?”
  • “Exactly what preparation is included?”
  • “Which paint will you use, and how many coats?”
  • “What isn’t included in this price?”
  • “What happens if you find damage once you start?”

A professional painter will answer these clearly and won’t mind being asked.

Red flags in a painting quote

Be cautious if a quote is a single line with a total price, has no product names, asks for most of the money upfront, or is far cheaper than every other quote. It’s also a concern if the painter gave you a price without visiting your home, because an accurate quote needs someone to inspect the surfaces in person.

Planning an exterior repaint?

Exterior painting in Melbourne needs extra attention to preparation and product choice, because paint here has to handle strong UV, heavy rain and, near the bay, salt air. When comparing exterior quotes, pay particular attention to washing, scraping, priming and the number of coats, since those decide how long the finish lasts.

Getting a quote from Expert Painting and Renovation

Expert Painting and Renovation is a family-run, Aussie-local company based in Richmond, with more than 9 years of experience painting Melbourne homes and businesses. When we quote, we visit your property, ask about your vision, and check what your home is built from, so we can recommend the right products for each surface.

We cover house painting, interior painting, exterior painting and commercial painting, plus plastering, rendering and timber repairs. We service suburbs within about 30 km of Richmond; see our service areas. If you’re searching for painters near me, we’re happy to walk you through our quote line by line.

FAQ

How many quotes should I get before choosing a painter?
Two or three quotes is usually enough to understand the fair price range for your job.

Why is one painting quote so much cheaper than the others?
Usually because it includes less preparation, fewer coats, cheaper paint or a smaller scope. Ask the painter to explain exactly what’s included.

Can I ask a painter to change their quote?
Yes. You can ask a painter to adjust the scope, products or number of coats. Just make sure the changes are written into the final quote.

Should I pay a deposit for painting?
A reasonable deposit is common. Avoid paying most of the price before work starts, and pay the final amount only after you’ve inspected the finished job.

Want a clear, detailed painting quote? Contact Expert Painting and Renovation to arrange yours.

Expert Painting & Renovation -Commercial Painting Melbourne

About Expert Painting & Renovation

Expert Painting and Renovation is an Aussie-local, family-run company based in Richmond, Melbourne, with more than 9 years of experience in residential and commercial painting and renovation. Our specialists deliver premium workmanship, timely service and durable finishes designed for Melbourne homes.

Whether you need maintenance advice, a single-room refresh or a full home makeover, our team is just a call away.

📍 Our Service Areas Across Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula, Surf Coast & Phillip Island

Melbourne & Bayside

Phillip Island & Bass Coast

Surf Coast & Bellarine Peninsula

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