How much does it cost to paint the exterior of a 3-bedroom house in Sydney?
Updated 2026-10-22 · Prices are published third-party estimates, cited below.
2026 Sydney price ranges, side by side
No single price is "right": every published guide uses different assumptions. Here's what four 2026 Sydney/NSW sources say for a single-storey, 3-bedroom house exterior:
| Source (2026) | Single-storey 3-bed exterior | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PaintersHub | $3,500 – $7,500 | Labour, two coats, standard prep. Double-storey 4-bed: $7,000–$14,000. |
| Sydney Elite Painters | $5,500 – $8,000 | Brick veneer cottage $4,200–$7,000; small weatherboard $7,000–$12,000. |
| Leadkit | $6,250 – $10,500 inc GST | "Medium single-storey brick". Weatherboard $8,100–$13,700. Built from a painters' quoting calculator. |
| The Quote Yard | $5,000 – $12,000 | Walls, eaves, fascias, gutters, window frames, sills and doors. |
These are third-party published estimates, not our price list. Your actual price comes from the painter's written, itemised quote after they inspect the house.
A worked example
Leadkit estimates a typical 3-bedroom Sydney family home has about 190 m² of exterior wall area and uses a base rate of about $35/m² for brick or render (including undercoat and two top coats):
- 190 m² × $35 = about $6,650 for walls on a rendered home in fair condition
- Weatherboard adds roughly 30% for scraping, sanding and spot-priming: about $8,600
- Typical flat-priced extras quoted in the same guide: gutters & fascia ~$660, eaves ~$550, garage door ~$385 (inc GST)
A face-brick interwar or post-war bungalow (common in Bexley, Earlwood, Rockdale and Kingsgrove) often only needs eaves, fascias, gutters, windows and doors painted, because face brick isn't painted. That can bring the total well under the ranges above.
At the other end, a Victorian terrace or Federation home in Marrickville, Petersham, Stanmore, Summer Hill or Haberfield usually costs more: lead-safe preparation, fretwork and lacework, multiple trim colours and tight access all add time. Sydney Elite Painters' 2026 guide puts Victorian/period home exteriors at around $12,000–$20,000+, and PaintersHub notes inner-city suburbs often attract a slight premium for terraces, parking and access.
What pushes the price up
- Surface type. Weatherboard and old timber need far more prep than render or fibre cement.
- Condition. Peeling, cracked render, rotten timber or chalky builder-grade paint mean more scraping, filling and priming.
- Height and access. Double-storey walls need scaffolding or an elevated work platform; guides put scaffolding at roughly $800–$3,500 on its own.
- Lead paint. Lead paint was used in most homes built before 1970 – which covers much of the Inner West and St George – so older layers under newer coats may contain lead. It must not be dry-sanded or burnt off without controls (see the NSW LeadSmart renovating guide).
- Asbestos cement (fibro). Many pre-1990 homes and extensions across Sydney have fibro sheeting (eaves linings, rear additions, sheds). It can be painted, but should not be sanded or blasted hard (see SafeWork NSW).
- Paint tier and colour. Premium exterior systems cost more but usually last longer; dark colours can need extra coats.
How long will it last?
As a rough guide, a well-prepared exterior repaint in Sydney lasts about 8–12 years on render and masonry and 5–10 years on timber weatherboard. West- and north-facing walls fade first in western Sydney's summer sun.
How to compare exterior painting quotes
- Get at least three itemised quotes listing surfaces, prep, primer, number of coats and the exact paint product.
- Check what's excluded: gutters, downpipes, eaves, fences, garage door, pergola, roof.
- Over $5,000? The painter needs a NSW contractor licence, and you need a written, signed contract. Look up the licence number on the NSW Government licence check.
- The maximum deposit is 10% of the contract price under NSW law.
- Ask about public liability insurance and the written workmanship warranty.
- Ask how they'll handle lead paint or fibro if your house is older.
Want a real number for your house? Get a free, itemised quote
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to paint the outside of a 3-bedroom house in Sydney?
Published 2026 Sydney guides range from about $3,500–$7,500 (PaintersHub) to $5,000–$12,000 (The Quote Yard) for a single-storey 3-bedroom home. Leadkit's rate data puts a medium single-storey brick exterior at $6,250–$10,500 inc GST.
What is the cost per square metre for exterior painting in Sydney?
Guides quote roughly $15–$45/m² for brick and $20–$60/m² for weatherboard (Sydney Elite Painters), and around $35/m² for brick or render rising to about $45/m² for weatherboard (Leadkit).
Is a double-storey house much more expensive?
Usually yes. A second storey adds wall area plus scaffolding or a work platform. 2026 guides put double-storey exteriors at around $7,000–$14,000 (PaintersHub) to $12,000–$19,500 including scaffold (Leadkit).
Does the painter need a licence for an exterior repaint?
Yes, if the job is worth more than $5,000 including labour, materials and GST, the painter needs a NSW contractor licence and must give you a written contract. The maximum deposit is 10%.
Why are my quotes so different?
Quotes vary mainly on preparation (how much scraping, filling and priming is included), the paint product and number of coats, access equipment, and whether gutters, fascias, eaves, fences and doors are included. Ask for an itemised quote so you can compare like for like.