Painting your home is one of the most effective ways to enhance its appearance, boost its value, and protect it from the elements. However, the costs associated with painting—inside or out—can quickly add up, especially if you opt for professional services.
The good news is that you don’t have to break the bank to achieve a great result. With a bit of planning, strategic decision-making, and possibly some DIY work, you can significantly reduce the cost of your painting project without sacrificing quality.
This guide offers practical tips and strategies to help you save on house painting costs while ensuring a professional finish.
Let’s get straight to the point
Painting your house can be expensive, but you can save money without compromising quality by getting multiple quotes, handling prep work, and sticking to low-maintenance colours. Opting for DIY on some tasks, using high-quality paint, and properly maintaining your home’s exterior can also cut long-term costs.
Strategic decisions like reusing paint colours and reducing the areas to be painted help reduce expenses. While DIY can save thousands, professional painting can significantly boost your home’s value, making it a smart investment for resale. Consider financing if the upfront cost is high.
Tips To Save On House Painting Costs
The costliest aspect of painting your home is often the labour involved. Reducing a professional painter’s time on the job can lead to substantial savings.
However, many other ways exist to reduce costs without sacrificing quality. Here are some effective tips for keeping your painting expenses down.
1. Get Multiple Quotes From Painters
Before settling on a painter, always get several quotes to compare prices and services. Ask friends and family for recommendations, or look for licensed and insured painters in your area through reputable websites.
When comparing quotes, ensure you have a clear understanding of the following:
- The time needed for preparation and painting
- The number of coats to be applied
- The type of paint products being used
- The cost of any additional coats
Multiple quotes allow you to get the best deal while ensuring the job meets your quality expectations.
2. Put The Agreement In Writing
Once you’ve chosen a painter, ensure the agreement is formalised with a written contract. The contract should include key details such as the scope of the work, how many coats will be applied, the type of paint used, and how long each step will take.
Having everything laid out helps ensure both parties stick to the plan.
3. Do Some Of The Work Yourself
Another great way to save money is by doing parts of the job yourself. While a professional painter handles the main tasks, you can cut costs by preparing the area or assisting with simple tasks.
Some ways you can help include:
- Trimming shrubs and moving outdoor furniture for exterior painting
- Cleaning and preparing the area to be painted, such as dusting walls or moving indoor furniture
- Removing covers from outlets, light switches, and doorknobs
- Patching, sanding, or scraping walls to get them ready for painting if you’re confident in your skills
By doing these small jobs yourself, you will reduce the time the painter spends on preparation, which will lower your overall costs.
4. Don’t Wait Too Long To Repaint
Regular maintenance is key to keeping repainting costs low. If you wait until the paint is peeling or chipping, the cost to repair and repaint the surfaces will be much higher due to the additional preparation time required.
Instead, repaint before serious damage occurs. For example, 10 hours spent priming can save you from 40 hours of labour to repair damage and prepare the surface later.
5. Reduce The Scope Of The Job
Another way to cut costs is to reduce the areas you plan to paint. You may decide not to repaint less visible spaces such as closets, ceilings, or the backs of cupboards.
Focusing on the most visible areas can save on paint and labour costs.
6. Choose Paint Colours Strategically
The colour you choose can significantly impact the number of coats required. In some cases, sticking to the same colour as the existing paint can allow you to apply just one coat instead of two, saving both time and paint.
Bright and bold colours often require additional coats to get full coverage, so avoid them unless necessary. When using strong colours like red or yellow, choose high-quality paint to reduce the number of coats needed.
Darker colours fade faster than lighter ones, meaning you’ll need to repaint sooner.
DIY Vs. Professional House Painting: Which Is More Cost-Effective?
Painting the exterior of your home yourself could cost between AUD 800 and AUD 1,600, plus about AUD 500 for supplies such as brushes, tarps, and ladders. In contrast, hiring a professional to paint the same area could cost approximately AUD 12,000, especially for larger homes or high-quality designer paints.
If you’re comfortable working from a ladder and have experience with DIY projects, painting your home yourself could save you thousands. However, the stress and potential for mistakes may outweigh the savings if the project is large or requires extensive prep work.
Financing Options For House Painting
If the cost of painting your home is high, you might consider financing options such as:
- Personal loans: Flexible and can be used for various home improvement projects.
- Home equity loans can be useful if you undertake multiple renovations, including painting.
Before taking out a loan, weigh your ability to repay the amount and consider the interest rates to determine if financing is the right option.
Is Painting Your House A Good Investment?
Professional house painting can boost your property’s value significantly. If your home is worth AUD 800,000, a professional paint job could increase its resale value by AUD 40,000 to AUD 80,000, or approximately 5-10%.
This is especially true if the paint job enhances curb appeal and makes your home stand out to potential buyers. Maintaining a well-painted home is one of the best ways to increase marketability.
Buyers are drawn to homes that appear clean, fresh and well-maintained. A high-quality paint job can be a worthwhile investment that improves your home’s appearance and helps it sell faster and for a higher price.
Conclusion
Painting your home, whether inside or outside, can be expensive, but there are ways to cut costs without sacrificing quality. Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, the above strategies will help you achieve a high-quality paint job while keeping expenses down.
By being strategic with your colour choices, preparation, and materials, you can enjoy the look of a freshly painted home without breaking the bank.
FAQs
What Are Some Cost-Saving Tips For House Painting?
Save on painting costs by doing prep work yourself, choosing high-quality paint to reduce coats, buying paint during sales, and reusing supplies like rollers and brushes.
Is It Cheaper To Paint The House Yourself Or Hire Professionals?
DIY painting is generally cheaper as you save on labour costs. However, professionals can save time and ensure a flawless finish, which may reduce the need for corrections later.
How Can I Minimise Paint Waste To Save Money?
Accurately measure the area to be painted and calculate the amount of paint needed. Store leftover paint properly for touch-ups instead of discarding it.
Are There Affordable Alternatives To Repainting An Entire House?
Consider touch-ups, accent walls, or repainting only high-traffic areas instead of the whole house. These options can refresh the look without a full-scale project.
How Can I Save On Labour Costs When Hiring A Painter?
Prepare the space by moving furniture, cleaning walls, and patching small holes yourself. This reduces the time professionals spend on preparation and lowers their fees.
