Build a painting brief that accounts for the existing finish
In short
Find a painter who services your Brisbane suburb and can assess the existing coatings before quoting. For an older timber home, ask about preserving sound paint layers, testing suspected lead paint and repairing damaged surfaces. Check the contracting business's Queensland licence where required, then compare written quotes that specify preparation, paint products, access and the areas included. Confirm timing directly with the painter and agree how extra work will be approved.
Step 1
Show the surfaces, damage and access
Send your suburb, the approximate age of the property and photos of the whole area plus close-ups of defects. List surfaces individually: a room quote may not include its ceiling, doors, trims or windows. Explain whether people will be living or working there during the job.
What to include for different painting jobs
| Area to paint | Useful details for the painter |
|---|---|
| Traditional timber house | Weatherboards, verandah details, window frames and existing colours; show peeling areas and any previous paint testing. |
| Occupied rooms | Walls, ceilings and trims to include, furniture protection and how rooms can be made available in stages. |
| High exterior surfaces | Photos showing height, side access, gardens and nearby structures so access equipment can be assessed. |
Step 2
Check the business you will contract with
Queensland generally requires a QBCC contractor licence for building work valued over $3,300. Ask the painter which licence covers your scope and check the contracting business in the QBCC licensee register. Match the name on the quote to the licence holder and review the licence class, conditions and history. If an exemption is claimed or the scope includes other trades, confirm the requirement with QBCC.
Ask for evidence of relevant insurance and examples of similar work. A painter's approach to detailed timber windows may differ from its approach to a vacant interior. Discuss who will supervise the work, who your contact will be and whether the business can travel to your suburb within your preferred dates.
Step 3
Settle the lead-paint question before preparation
WorkSafe Queensland says lead paint is most likely on structures built before 1970 and may sit beneath newer coatings. Appearance cannot identify it. Ask for testing of the surfaces and layers that will be disturbed before sanding or stripping begins. A negative home test does not settle the question if the property's age suggests lead paint; WorkSafe advises assuming it is present or arranging laboratory testing.
For suspected or confirmed lead paint, have the painter explain containment, occupant protection, clean-up and disposal in the quote. Keep children, pregnant women and pets away from the work area. Avoid starting your own preparation while the assessment is unresolved.
Step 4
Ask each painter to price the same preparation and finish
QBCC recommends comparing more than one quote for the same tasks, materials and timelines. Ask each painter to specify cleaning, removal of loose coatings, filling, repairs and primer, followed by the named paint products, colour, sheen and finish coats. Make any excluded repairs or hazardous-paint work visible rather than assuming the total covers them.
Include furniture moving, protection, access equipment and waste removal in the comparison. Ask for payment terms, proposed dates and a written process for approving additional work before it begins. An inspection can help the painter identify problems that photos do not show.
Step 5
Agree on colour samples, weather arrangements and handover
For traditional timber houses, Brisbane City Council recommends inspecting unsound paintwork with a tradesperson and avoiding unnecessary stripping that can damage the original surface. Ask how the painter will retain sound layers while preparing failed areas. The council also advises avoiding surfaces in direct sunlight during hot weather, so confirm how exterior work will be scheduled around conditions and the chosen product's application instructions.
Test the selected colours and sheen on a small area before committing to the full job. At handover, walk through the agreed surfaces with the painter, record any unfinished areas or defects and agree on follow-up. Keep the invoice, colour codes and product details for later maintenance and touch-ups.
Sources and useful links
Sources checked 7 October 2026
- QBCC: when you need a licence
General $3,300 contractor licence threshold, relevant licence class and type, and circumstances requiring individual advice.
- WorkSafe Queensland: working with lead-based paint
Pre-1970 coatings, hidden layers, test limitations, occupant protection and contaminated waste handling.
- QBCC: seeking and comparing quotes
Site visits, equivalent scopes and materials, payment terms and the licensee register's full history search.
- Brisbane City Council: painting traditional timber houses
Local timber-house guidance on inspecting failed paintwork, limiting stripping, trialling finishes and avoiding direct sun in hot weather.
