Painting a double-storey home is not simply twice the work of a single-storey. Access changes everything: how the crew reaches the surfaces, how long it takes, what equipment is needed and what it costs.
Here is what to expect if your home has a second storey.
Why height changes the job
At ground level a painter moves along a wall quickly. At six metres, every movement involves repositioning ladders or scaffold, carrying materials up, and working within safety requirements. Productivity drops sharply, and that is the main reason double-storey exteriors cost more per square metre than single-storey.
Working at height is also regulated. For a job like this you should expect your painter to have appropriate safety systems and a Safe Work Method Statement.
Access options
| Method | When it suits | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Extension ladders | Small areas, gables, spot repairs | Slowest for large elevations |
| Mobile scaffold towers | Flat ground, moderate areas | Repositioned frequently |
| Full scaffold | Large elevations, heavy prep | Safest and fastest to work from, adds hire cost |
| Elevated work platform | Tall or awkward access, limited time | Needs clear ground access |
| Rope access | Unusual or very restricted sites | Specialist, less common on homes |
Scaffold often looks like an expensive line item, but on a large or heavily weathered elevation it can shorten the job enough to pay for itself and gives a better result, because the crew can work properly rather than stretching from a ladder.
What affects your quote
- Total wall area and number of storeys
- Access equipment required and how long it is hired
- Ground conditions. Steep blocks, garden beds, decks and pools all complicate setup
- Side access width. Narrow inner-Melbourne blocks limit what can be brought in
- Surface condition at height, which is often worse because it is rarely maintained
- Detail. Gables, dormer windows, multi-pane frames and decorative timber all slow work
The parts nobody sees until the scaffold goes up
Upper-storey surfaces are the least inspected part of any house. Once access is in place it is common to find rotten window sills, split weatherboards, rusted fixings, cracked render and failed sealant around windows.
This is worth planning for. Ask your painter how extra repairs will be priced before work starts, so surprises are handled at an agreed rate rather than negotiated mid-job.
Do it all at once
If scaffold or an elevated platform is going up anyway, it is far cheaper to do every high-level task in the same visit. That usually means:
- Walls and gables
- Eaves, fascias and barge boards
- Gutters and downpipes
- Upper window frames and sills
- Any timber repairs or re-sealing
Going back later for a forgotten element means paying for access twice.
Timeframes
A double-storey exterior typically runs one and a half to three weeks, compared with five to eight days for a similar single-storey home. Weather has a bigger impact too, because setting up and pulling down access around rain days costs time.
Safety questions worth asking
- What access method will you use, and is it included in the quote?
- Do you have public liability insurance and a Safe Work Method Statement?
- How long will scaffold be on site, and does that affect my driveway or garden?
- Who is responsible if a neighbour’s property is affected?
Talk to your local team
Expert Painting and Renovation is a family-run, Aussie-local company based in Richmond, with more than 9 years of experience. We assess access as part of quoting so the price reflects the real job rather than being revised once we arrive.
See our exterior painting service, our house painting services in Melbourne, or our guide to house painters near me.
FAQ
Why does double-storey painting cost more per square metre?
Because access slows the work and adds equipment. The painting itself is the same; reaching it is not.
Is scaffold always necessary?
No. It depends on the elevation size, ground conditions and how much preparation is needed.
Will scaffold damage my garden or driveway?
A competent crew protects surfaces and plans placement. Discuss it before setup.
Can I just get the upper level done?
You can, though matching the finish to older paint below rarely looks seamless.
Related guides
Got a double-storey home? Contact Expert Painting and Renovation for an accurate quote.
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.
- Ceiling crack repairs
- Sagging ceiling restoration
- Water‑damaged ceiling repairs
- Cornice replacement
- Full plastering services
- Interior & exterior painting
- Weatherboard restoration
- Deck & timber maintenance
- Roof painting
- Rendering & texture coating
- Commercial Painting
- Plastering Services
- House Painting
Whether you need maintenance advice, a single-room refresh or a full home makeover, our team is just a call away.
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