This guide shows what to provide so quotes can be compared on the same scope.
Surface count matters more than the floor plan label
Two homes with the same bedroom count can have very different painting scopes. A quote may include or exclude ceilings, doors, frames, skirting, wardrobes, feature walls, exterior surfaces and utility rooms. Ask for those items to be listed rather than relying on “whole house” as a description.
Preparation changes the labour
Clean, stable surfaces require a different process from peeling coatings, cracking, dents, water staining or bare substrate. Filling, sanding, spot priming and the treatment of unstable material should be visible in the scope. Active leaks, rotten timber or building defects may need another trade before painting.
Occupied and vacant houses are planned differently
Furniture, floor protection, daily pack-up, room access and the need to keep parts of the home usable can affect sequencing. A vacant property may allow a different work plan, but its surfaces still need the same condition assessment.
Access and exterior exposure
Height, sloping ground, restricted side access, nearby landscaping and the number of exterior elevations influence the work method. Sun, rain and moisture exposure can also mean different preparation on different sides of one house.
How to request a comparable quote
- List the rooms and each surface to be painted.
- State whether the property is occupied, vacant, tenanted or being prepared for sale.
- Describe visible peeling, stains, cracks or damaged timber.
- Include clear photos and note access or parking constraints.
- Ask for preparation, coats, exclusions and optional items to be identified.
Related cost guides
For narrower scopes, see the interior painting cost guide, exterior painting cost guide and three-bedroom house scope guide. Once you have the quotes themselves in front of you, the 2026 Melbourne painting quote guide covers what each one has to state before they can be compared, and what Victorian rules do and do not require for painting-only work.