House Painting FAQs
House Painting FAQs — Everything You Need to Know
Thinking about painting your home but not sure where to start? You’re not alone. Whether it’s your first time hiring a painter or you just want to know what to expect, we’ve put together this comprehensive FAQ to answer the questions we hear most often.
If you don’t find what you’re looking for here, give us a call on (02) 9186 8157 — we’re always happy to chat.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Us & Our Service
Who is House Painting Sutherland Shire?
We’re a family-owned and family-staffed painting business based in Caringbah, NSW. Trading as SC Painting Services PTY LTD (licence #257400C), our team has 30+ years of collective experience painting homes and businesses across Sydney’s south. We’re fully licensed, fully insured, and proud to be a trusted local name in house painting across the Sutherland Shire.
Are you a franchise or a local business?
100% local. We’re not a franchise, a call centre, or a booking platform. When you call us, you speak directly to the people who will paint your home. No middlemen, no subcontractors — just our experienced family team.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes, absolutely. SC Painting Services PTY LTD holds Contractor Licence #257400C. We carry full public liability insurance and our team are covered under workers’ compensation. You have complete peace of mind when we’re working on your property.
What areas do you service?
We cover a large area across Sydney’s south, including the Sutherland Shire (Caringbah, Miranda, Cronulla, Menai and 20+ more suburbs), St George and Inner South (Hurstville, Kogarah, Rockdale and more), Georges River (Penshurst, Peakhurst, Mortdale), South West Sydney (Padstow, Revesby, Panania) and Bankstown. That’s 47 suburbs in total — see our full locations page for the complete list.
Do you do residential and commercial work?
Yes — both! We handle everything from single-bedroom apartments to large commercial buildings and strata complexes. Our team and equipment scale to suit the job. Check out our full range of services to see what we can do for you.
How do I contact you?
Easy! Call us on (02) 9186 8157, email [email protected], or use our online contact form to request a free quote. We typically respond within one business day.
Pricing & Quotes
How much does it cost to paint a house in Sydney?
The cost depends on the size of the home, the number of storeys, the surface condition, and the scope of work (interior, exterior, or both). As a rough guide, interior painting for an average-sized home typically starts from around $3,000–$5,000, while exterior painting can start from $4,000–$8,000+. We always recommend getting a proper quote — every home is different, and we won’t give you a meaningful number without seeing the job first.
Do you offer free quotes?
Yes! Our quotes are always free and completely no-obligation. We’ll visit your property, assess the surfaces, talk through your preferences, and provide a clear, itemised quote. No pressure, no hard sell — just honest advice and a fair price.
How long does it take to get a quote?
We aim to visit within a few days of your enquiry. Once we’ve seen the property, we’ll usually have a written quote to you within 24–48 hours. For larger or more complex jobs, it may take a little longer to prepare an accurate breakdown.
Are your quotes fixed price or hourly?
We work on a fixed-price basis wherever possible. That means you know exactly what you’re paying before we start — no nasty surprises when the invoice arrives. For smaller jobs or touch-ups, we may quote an hourly rate, which we’ll always discuss with you upfront.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept bank transfer, and can discuss payment terms for larger projects. We typically ask for a deposit at the start of the job, with the balance due on completion. We’ll always be transparent about payment terms in the quote.
Preparation & Process
What does the preparation process involve?
Prep is everything in painting — it’s what separates a job that looks great for years from one that starts peeling in months. Our prep typically includes washing and cleaning surfaces, scraping and removing loose paint, filling cracks and holes, sanding, and priming where needed. We also protect your furniture, flooring, and garden with drop cloths and masking tape.
Do I need to move my furniture before you start?
For interior work, we ask that you clear the room of smaller items and fragile objects. We can help move larger furniture to the centre of the room and will cover everything with drop cloths. For exterior work, we’ll protect your garden beds, outdoor furniture, and paved areas ourselves.
How long will the job take?
It depends on the scope. A single room interior typically takes 1–2 days. A full interior repaint of an average-sized home might take 3–5 days. Exterior jobs vary more based on the size of the property, the number of storeys, and the amount of prep work required. We’ll give you a clear timeframe in your quote and keep you updated throughout the job.
Do I need to vacate my home during painting?
For most interior jobs, you don’t need to leave — we work room by room to minimise disruption. For exterior work, you can usually stay home as normal. If we’re using any products that require ventilation (like oil-based paints or primers), we’ll let you know in advance.
What happens after the job is done?
We do a thorough cleanup — our “leave no trace” policy means we pack up all our equipment, remove all masking and drop cloths, and leave your home looking great (and clean!). We’ll also do a walkthrough with you to make sure you’re 100% happy with the finish before we consider the job done.
Paints & Colours
What paint brands do you use?
We use premium Australian paint brands including Dulux, Taubmans, and Haymes — all trusted products that are suitable for our local climate. We’ll recommend the right product for the surface and the job, balancing quality and value. We can also use client-supplied paint if preferred (though we can’t guarantee results in the same way).
Do you provide colour consulting?
Yes — and it’s included at no extra cost! We know colour choices can feel overwhelming, so we’ll happily walk you through the options, bring sample cards, and advise on what works for your home’s style, architecture, and the direction it faces. Making the right colour choice upfront saves a lot of heartache later.
Can I supply my own paint?
Yes, you can. Just let us know when requesting a quote. Please note that if you supply the paint, we can’t warranty the finish in the same way we would with our recommended products. We’ll still do our best work — we just can’t control the quality of the product itself.
How many coats will you apply?
Most jobs get two coats of finish paint — this is standard practice and gives the best durability and coverage. On bare surfaces, or where there’s a significant colour change, we’ll also apply a primer coat first. We never cut corners by going single-coat on a surface that needs more.
Exterior Painting
How often should I repaint the exterior of my house?
Most homes benefit from an exterior repaint every 7–10 years, though this varies depending on the surface type, paint quality, sun exposure, and maintenance. Weatherboard homes may need more frequent attention than brick or rendered surfaces. Signs it’s time to repaint include fading, chalking, peeling, bubbling, or visible cracking. See our exterior painting service for more.
Can you paint in wet weather?
No — exterior painting requires dry conditions. Paint won’t adhere properly to wet or damp surfaces and the result will be poor. We monitor the weather closely and will reschedule if conditions aren’t right. We always build some weather flexibility into our timelines for exterior jobs.
Do you repair cracks and damaged surfaces before painting?
Yes, as part of our prep process. We’ll fill cracks, patch holes, sand rough areas, and prime where needed before any paint goes on. If there’s significant structural damage (like rotting timber or crumbling render) we’ll flag it with you and can recommend suitable trades for the repair work if needed.
Can you paint my roof?
Yes! Roof painting is one of our specialties. A freshly painted roof can dramatically improve curb appeal and also extends the life of the roof material. We use specialist roof paints that bond well to tile and metal surfaces. Contact us for a free roof painting quote.
Interior Painting
What interior painting services do you offer?
We paint walls, ceilings, trims, doors, skirting boards, and feature walls. We can also paint built-in cabinetry, window frames, and feature ceilings. Whether you want a full room refresh or just need the trims touched up, we’ll tailor the job to your needs. See our interior painting service page for details.
Can you match the existing colour exactly?
In many cases, yes. If the paint brand is known, we can often tint a match or order a custom colour. Dulux and other brands have computerised tinting systems that get very close. Older paints can be harder to match due to fading over time — we’ll be honest with you about whether a match is achievable or whether repainting the whole wall/room is a better result.
Do you paint ceilings?
Absolutely — ceilings are an important part of any room refresh. We use specialist ceiling paint (usually flat or low-sheen white) and take care to achieve a smooth, consistent finish. Dirty or stained ceilings can really age a room, and a fresh ceiling coat makes a big difference.
How do I prepare my rooms for interior painting?
We recommend removing small and fragile items, taking down picture frames and wall hangings, and clearing shelves where possible. We’ll move larger furniture to the centre of the room and protect everything with drop cloths. The more cleared the space is, the faster and cleaner we can work.
Commercial & Strata
Do you paint strata and body corporate buildings?
Yes — we have significant experience with strata painting projects across the Sutherland Shire and surrounding areas. We understand the unique requirements of strata work: coordinating with body corporate managers, working around residents, and managing larger-scale logistics. We provide detailed quotes and project timelines suitable for strata committee approval processes.
Can you work around business hours for commercial jobs?
Absolutely. We understand that commercial clients often can’t have painting done during business hours. We offer flexible scheduling — including early mornings, evenings, and weekends — to minimise disruption to your operations. Just let us know your requirements when you get in touch.
Do you provide SWMS and insurance certificates for commercial work?
Yes. We can provide Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS), public liability certificates, and other documentation required for commercial and strata projects. Just ask when requesting your quote and we’ll have the paperwork ready.
After the Job
Do you offer a warranty on your work?
Yes. We stand behind our workmanship and offer a warranty on all our painting work. If you notice any issues with the finish within the warranty period — peeling, flaking, or poor adhesion that’s not caused by external damage — contact us and we’ll come back to fix it. We’re proud of our work and want you to love the result.
How do I maintain my newly painted surfaces?
For interior surfaces, allow at least 2–4 weeks before scrubbing or cleaning walls (even though most modern paints dry to the touch within a few hours). Use a soft, damp cloth for any marks. For exterior surfaces, a light hose-down once or twice a year helps remove dirt and extends the life of the paint. Avoid high-pressure washing on painted surfaces.
What if I'm not happy with the result?
Our number one priority is your satisfaction. Before we pack up and leave, we do a full walkthrough with you. If there’s anything that’s not right, we’ll fix it on the spot. If an issue comes up later, contact us right away — we’ll assess it and make it right. We’ve built our reputation on five-star reviews because we genuinely care about the outcome.
Can I get a touch-up service after the job?
Yes — we keep records of the colours and products used on your home so we can provide accurate touch-ups in the future. Just give us a call and we’ll arrange to come back for any minor touch-up work.
We hope this FAQ has answered your questions! If there’s anything else on your mind, we’re just a phone call away.
No question is too small — we love talking paint.