There’s nothing like a fresh lick of paint to breathe new life into your home. And while painting is usually cheaper than renovating, the final result can be just as dramatic – especially with the right colours, technique and creative flair.
DIY can be a great if you’re on a tight budget and know your way around a drop sheet, but if you’re serious about quality or your job is on the tricky side (ceilings, exteriors and unique architecture), a professional house painter could be well worth the investment.
Hiring a professional house painter saves you time and effort, and gives you some peace of mind with a quality finish guarantee.
Whether you’re keen to update your home before putting it on the market or just think your living room needs a refresh, here are some key factors to consider when choosing a painter to hire, and some recommendations for Wollongong’s best professionals.
What makes a great house painter?
If you’ve ever given DIY painting a go, chances are you’ll know that getting the job right isn’t as easy as it looks. Many DIY-ers end up spending more time, money and energy than they originally planned for, and end up with less than optimal results regardless.
Here are a few qualities you should see when choosing a professional, to make sure you get a quality finish on your newly painted home.
- Years of experience. Painters with years of experience have seen it all. They know how to identify household damages like rot and mould. They know when to use a brush instead of a roller, and how many coats of paint it will take to get your home looking its best.
- Proper preparation. This is a particularly important question for exterior painting jobs. Good preparation (thorough cleaning, sanding, filling gaps and undercoating) is the secret to a long-lasting paint job that looks great.
- Time consideration. Rushed painters may apply a second coat of paint when the first is not yet dry. Check they follow the minimum drying time for your chosen paint when asking for an estimate of how long the entire job will take.
- Brand options. Many professional painters have a preferred paint brand, but they should be equally happy to work with products you’ve researched. If you decide to use the paint supplied by the painter, do your research to make sure it is a high quality product.
- Post-job services. From small splatterings of paint to any dust that gets kicked up in the process, there’s bound to be a bit of a mess at the end of a day of painting. Hiring a professional painter shouldn’t mean extra clean-up for you, so make sure to check what they can do to mitigate this for you, such as drop-sheets, furniture covering, and thorough post-job cleaning services.
The best house painters in Wollongong
Region Illawarra’s editorial team has compiled a comprehensive list of the most recommended businesses according to you.
To be listed in our Best in Wollongong series, each business needs to have maintained a minimum average of 4/5 stars on Google and Facebook, and have plenty of positive reviews.
Optimum Painting and Decorating
With a range of paint, wallpaper and special finishes to choose from and a five year warranty on all work, Optimum Painting and Decorating is an old hand in the painting game.
Anthony has extensive experience in residential and commercial painting. He also offers colour consultations, wallpaper installation, coverings and special finishes, and textural and protective coatings.
Optimum Painting and Decorating is trade certified, insured and fully licensed, operating across Wollongong, Kiama and Shellharbour.
Maintain Painting
Maintain Painting offers professional, fully licensed and insured interior and exterior residential painting.
Brad, Angie and Paul are the professionals behind this trusted family business.
The team's commitment to quality has earned them plenty of positive reviews like this one, from Anna and Chris:
"The Maintain team are the friendliest, most down to earth, professional and reliable tradies we have ever dealt with! Highly highly recommended!"
Maintain Painting work throughout the Illawarra, servicing Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, and surrounding South Coast regions of NSW.
Illawarra House Painters
A local Wollongong business with over a quarter-century of experience, Illawarra House Painters provides quality interior and exterior painting, decorating, and texture coating for residential or commercial properties.
Using only the finest Taubmans and Dulux paints, the team is known for their eye for detail and genuine, friendly nature that attracts reviews like this one, from Aimee:
"Daniel did an excellent job painting the interior of my home. He was professional and courteous throughout the entire process, and the quality of his work was exceptional."
If you’re looking for more information on tradesmen in Wollongong, you might also like our articles on the best plumbers, best electricians, best solar panel installers, best landscapers and best air conditioning installers Wollongong has to offer.
Your experience with house painters in Wollongong
Thanks to our commenters who have provided insightful feedback. If you believe we have got it wrong, please let us know.
Do you have experience with any of the Wollongong house painters listed above? If so, share your feedback in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know when it is time to repaint my home?
You should repaint your house when there is visible wear or damage to the paint. Some people repaint when they buy or sell a home to improve curb appeal. As a general rule, you should repaint every 5-10 years.
What questions should you ask a painter?
There are a number of questions you should ask a apinter before you decide to hire them. They include: Are you licensed and insured? Do you use premium paint and equipment? How long do you estimate the job will take, and how much will it cost? How many painters are on your team, and will they clean up after the job?
What do I need to do to prepare for a painter?
The best way to determine what you need to do to prepare for your painter is ask them! Most painters will provide drop sheets and furtniture protection, but won't wash walls for you. This does vary between companies, so it never hurts to ask. However, it is always a good idea to remove expensive appliances, electronics, children and pets from the home while work is in progress.
How long does it take a painter to paint a house?
The time it takes to paint your house will depend on its size and architecture, the current season, how many painters are working on the job, and whether the job includes the exterior as well as indoors. Generally, three professionals can paint an average sized house in three days.
How do I pick out good paint colors for my house?
Choosing paint colors for your house can be stressful, especially if you've never done it before. If you're unsure where to start or want a second opinion on your chosen palette, consider a colour consultation before work begins.