Painter & Decorator in Auburn

Many painter-decorators do both — wallpaper hanging, feature walls, and removal — but it's a distinct skill, so ask for wallpaper-specific references. Wallpaper removal before painting is usually quoted separately since old paper can come off in minutes or take days depending on how it was applied. Never let anyone paint over wallpaper without discussing it; it's occasionally fine, usually a mistake.

Good ones do — prep is most of the job. Standard prep includes filling small cracks and holes, sanding, caulking gaps, and spot-priming. What's usually excluded: major plaster repairs, water-damage remediation, and wallpaper removal, which are quoted separately. Ask the quote to state the prep level explicitly; 'paint over as-is' versus 'fill, sand, and prime' can be half the price difference between two quotes.

In writing: which rooms and surfaces (walls, ceilings, woodwork), prep level, number of coats, paint brand and line (and who supplies it), protection of floors and furniture, cleanup and waste disposal, timeline, total price with tax status, and payment terms. For exteriors, add access equipment (ladders vs scaffold) and weather-delay terms. Missing detail is where disputes start.

Not always — this is the biggest source of quote confusion. Some painters quote labour-only with you supplying paint; others include mid-range trade paint and itemise upgrades. Materials typically add 15-25% to a labour-only price. Always ask: is paint included, what brand and line, and how many coats? Two quotes can differ mostly because one includes premium paint and the other assumes you buy it.

Exterior paint needs dry surfaces and temperatures roughly between 10-30C (50-85F) without rain for 24 hours after application, so the local dry season or settled summer months are ideal. Painters' calendars fill in peak season — booking exterior work a month or two ahead gets better pricing and scheduling. Interiors are painted year-round and some painters discount interior work in their off-season.

Depends on state and job size: in QLD any painting job over $3,300 requires a QBCC-licensed painter; in NSW residential painting over $5,000 requires a NSW Fair Trading licence. Check the licence number on the state register — unlicensed work at those values voids consumer protections and often insurance.

Licensed painters typically charge $50-$100 per hour, with interior work at roughly $15-$45 per square metre. A standard room runs $300-$900, a full 3-bed interior $3,000-$8,000, and exterior repaints $4,000-$12,000 depending on cladding, height, and prep.