What exterior painting involves
An exterior repaint starts with washing, scraping loose paint, sanding, filling and priming bare timber, then two finish coats. Weatherboards, window frames, eaves, fascias, gutters and verandah posts are usually all in scope. Two-storey homes need scaffolding or elevated platforms, which adds cost and setup time.
What exterior painting costs in Hobart
As of September 2026, a published Hobart painting cost guide puts exterior repainting at $3,600 to $9,000 for a single-storey house and $5,400 to $16,200 for a two-storey house, GST included. Preparation, height, the number of colours and the condition of the timber are the main factors behind a quote.
For national context, a national exterior painting cost guide (updated January 2026) gives Australia-wide ranges:
| Australia-wide (national guide, January 2026) | Range |
|---|---|
Per square metre | $15 to $60 |
Small single-storey home | $5,500 to $8,000 |
Typical family home | $8,000 to $15,000 |
Large or complex home | $15,000 or more |
How long an exterior repaint takes
A typical one or two-storey house of up to four bedrooms takes three to four days on average, according to a national house painter cost guide (updated June 2025). A large house can take up to two weeks. In Hobart, rain, dew and wind can stop exterior work for a day or more, so allow for weather days.
Hobart-specific considerations
Weather, heritage rules and older materials all shape exterior work in Hobart. Late summer is usually the most settled time to paint. Heritage-listed homes may need approval for colour changes. Homes built before 1970 are likely to have lead paint that must not be dry sanded or burnt off.
Weather. Bureau of Meteorology averages for Hobart (Ellerslie Road) show February has the fewest days with 1 mm or more of rain (4.9) and October the most (9.4). Afternoon winds are strongest from October to January. See the best time of year to paint in Hobart.
Heritage. For council-listed places and precincts, the Tasmanian Planning Scheme's heritage code exempts repainting a previously painted exterior "in a colour similar to the existing". Places on the Tasmanian Heritage Register need a minor works approval from the Heritage Council even for like-for-like repainting, and a permit for colour changes out of keeping with their character. See our heritage weatherboard guide.
Lead paint. The Lead Alert guide says lead-based "pink primer" was used on exterior weatherboards and red-lead primer on timber window sills well into the 1970s.
Asbestos. The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency says homes built before 1990 can contain asbestos inside and outside, and that high pressure water must not be used on asbestos materials. Ask how the painter will prepare any fibre-cement eaves or cladding.
Preparing for an exterior painter
A little groundwork makes quotes more accurate. Before the painter visits, walk around the house and note soft or rotten timber, cracked render, rusty gutters and hard-to-reach areas. Rotten boards should be replaced by a carpenter before painting, and plants should be trimmed back from the walls.
Questions to ask a painter
Compare quotes on scope, not only price. Ask each painter to describe their preparation in writing and to name the products they will use on each surface. Also ask how they will handle lead paint, access and weather delays, because anything left vague is where cost disputes tend to start.
- What washing, scraping, sanding and priming is included?
- Which products will you use on timber, render and metal?
- How will you test for and contain lead paint?
- Is scaffolding or a platform included in the price?
- Are you licensed and insured? (Check any licence on the CBOS register.)
Exterior painting FAQs
How often should the outside of a house be repainted?
A national exterior cost guide suggests every 5 to 10 years, depending on the paint, the weather and the condition of the surfaces. Peeling, cracking or fading paint is a sign to repaint sooner, and so is bare timber showing through. Regular washing and early touch-ups can help a paint job last longer.
Can exterior painting be done in winter in Hobart?
It can, but the working window is narrower. Bureau of Meteorology averages show Hobart's winter mornings are damp, with 9am humidity of 76 to 79 per cent from May to July, and sunshine hours are short. Expect later starts, earlier finishes and more weather days than a summer job.
Do I need a permit to change my house colour?
Only if the house is heritage listed. A council-listed place can be repainted in a similar colour without a permit, but a new colour may need council approval. A place on the Tasmanian Heritage Register needs Heritage Council approval for any repainting. Check with your council or Heritage Tasmania before choosing colours.
Should unpainted brick be painted?
Usually not on an older home. The Heritage Council advises against painting unpainted brick, stone or clear-finished timber on heritage places, because paint can trap moisture and damage masonry and is hard to remove. On the Tasmanian Heritage Register it needs a permit. Ask the painter about cleaning or repointing instead.
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