From a surface list to an agreed painting job
In short
Start with painters who service your Perth suburb and can show work on surfaces like yours. Check the contracting business's WA registration, investigate old paint before it is disturbed and request written quotes against one surface list. Choose a quote that explains the preparation and paint products, with access, protection and extra repairs clearly accounted for.
Step 1
Show the painter exactly what needs coating
Give your Perth suburb, property type, preferred timing and whether people will be living or working there during the job. Photograph each area from a distance, then take close-ups of peeling paint, cracks, stains and damaged timber. List walls, ceilings, trim, doors and windows separately so each painter prices the same work.
Mention varnished or stained surfaces too. WA's painting guidance includes varnish, stains and decorative effects; a job brief limited to painted walls can miss part of the work you want done.
Match the brief to your property
| Area to paint | What the painter needs to assess |
|---|---|
| Occupied rooms | Surfaces included, furniture to move, floor protection and when each room must be usable again. |
| Old doors and window frames | Existing coatings, approximate age, flaking layers and any previous lead testing. |
| Exterior walls and eaves | Surface material, height, access around the house, damaged areas and what will be left unpainted. |
Step 2
Check the WA painting contractor registration
WA's current contractor guidance requires painting contractor registration for services valued at $1,000 or above within the Board's jurisdiction. The rule applies in prescribed areas of WA. If the location or type of coating raises a question, confirm the requirement with Building and Energy before accepting the quote.
WA has separate painting practitioner and painting contractor registrations. Its consumer guidance says to enter painting contracts with a registered painting contractor. Use the online licence search linked from the WA contractor page, check the registration is current and match the registered entity to the business named on your quote.
Ask for relevant insurance details and examples of completed work with similar surfaces and preparation. Speak to a recent customer if possible. Confirm who will supervise the job, who will attend your property and the proposed dates directly with the business.
Step 3
Test old paint before agreeing to sanding or stripping
HealthyWA recommends testing old paint for lead before renovations and seeking professional advice on safe removal or renovation methods. Sanding and stripping lead-containing paint can release hazardous dust or fumes. An older finish needs investigation; its appearance alone does not tell you whether it contains lead.
Ask how test results will affect the method, price, containment, clean-up and disposal. HealthyWA advises against renovating when children are present. Settle occupant access with the painter before preparation starts, and avoid removing old layers yourself while the risk is unresolved.
Point out recurring water stains, mould or soft timber during the inspection. Ask whether repairs or further investigation are needed first, which business will do them and how that work will be priced.
Step 4
Compare the preparation, products and exclusions
WA Consumer Protection recommends getting at least three written quotes. Its checklist includes the job description, potential extra work, materials, labour and time needed. Check whether an inspection or quote attracts a fee before booking it, and clarify whether the price is a quote or an estimate. An estimate can change as the job progresses.
For painting, ask for the cleaning, filling, sanding or other preparation included on each surface, plus named primers and finish products, sheen and proposed coats. Confirm how the painter will handle a colour change, stains or areas where the old coating is failing. Ask for access equipment, furniture moving, protection and waste removal to be included or expressly excluded.
Step 5
Record the agreement and inspect before handover
Confirm colours and sheen before materials are ordered. Record the scope, price, payment stages and approval process for extra work. WA contractor guidance says fixed-price home building or associated-work contracts between $7,500 and $500,000 are subject to the Home Building Contracts Act. Where it applies, contracts and variations must be written, dated and signed by both parties, and the deposit must not exceed 6.5 per cent. Confirm how these rules apply to your painting contract before paying.
Arrange a walk-through of the agreed areas with the painter. Check coverage, edges, trim and any paint on fittings or floors. Photograph unfinished areas, agree when they will be addressed and keep the quote, invoice, paint specifications and any written warranty for later reference.
Sources and useful links
Sources checked 7 October 2026
- WA Government: apply for painting contractor registration
Registration threshold and geographic qualification, official licence search and home building contract obligations; updated 13 May 2026.
- WA Government: painting and decorating
Consumer guidance on contractor and practitioner registration and the inclusion of varnish, stains and decorative effects.
- HealthyWA: lead exposure, how to reduce your risk
Testing old paint, professional advice, dust and fumes, and keeping children away during renovation; reviewed 26 October 2023.
- WA Consumer Protection: estimates and quotes
Written quote checklist, comparing at least three businesses, quote fees and the difference between a quote and an estimate.
