Breaking Down the Costs

Let's take a typical 150m² Kiwi home as an example. Keep in mind these are ballpark figures, but they'll give you a solid starting point.

Interior Painting

• Walls: At about $18.00 per m², painting the interior walls (approximately 330m² of wall area for a 150m² house) would cost around $5,940.
• Ceilings: Ceilings are a bit cheaper at $16.50 per m². With 150m² of ceiling space, that's $2,475.
• Doors and Frames: Got about 10 doors? At $150 a pop, you'll need $1,500.
• Trim (Skirting Boards, Window Frames): These fiddly bits might set you back another $1,500–$2,000.

Total Interior Estimate: Roughly $11,415–$11,915.

Exterior Painting

• Weatherboards: Exterior walls (about 117.6m² for our example house) at $52.00 per m² come to $6,115.
• Roof: Painting that tin roof (say, 180m²) at $26.00 per m² will be around $4,680.
• Fascia and Bargeboards: These could add another $750–$1,000.

Total Exterior Estimate: Approximately $11,545–$11,795.

Grand Total for a Full Interior and Exterior Paint Job: Between $22,960 and $23,710.

Factors Influencing Cost

Of course, these numbers aren't set in stone. Here's what might nudge the price up or down:

• Surface Condition: If your walls are rougher than a night in Invercargill, they'll need more prep work.
• Paint Quality: You get what you pay for. Shelling out for better paint now can save you dosh down the line.
• Finish Type: Gloss finishes can be a tad pricier than matte ones.
• Accessibility: If your house is harder to reach than Stewart Island, expect higher labour costs.
• Colour Changes: Going from black to white? You'll need more coats, which means more paint and time.

Cost-Saving Tips

Want to keep some extra coin in your pocket? Try these:

• Shop Around: Get quotes from a few painters. Don't just go with your mate's cousin's brother.
• Do Some Prep Yourself: Moving furniture or giving the walls a clean can shave off some labour costs.
• Timing is Everything: Painters might offer better rates in the off-season. Who knew winter could be your wallet's best friend?
• Prioritise: If the budget's tight, focus on the areas that need the most love.
• Don't Skimp on Quality: It might be tempting to go cheap now, but you'll pay for it later when the paint starts peeling.

Final Thoughts

Remember, these are just estimates to give you a rough idea. Every home is unique—kind of like a snowflake, but with more personality. Factors like the age of your home, its current state, and any special architectural features can all influence the final bill.

If you want a more precise figure, check out our nifty painting cost estimation software below. Plug in the details about your home, and you'll get a customised quote faster than you can say "paintbrush."

Investing in a quality paint job doesn't just make your home the prettiest on the block. It also protects it from the elements—sun, wind, rain, or the occasional rogue rugby ball. So whether you're sprucing up to sell or just giving your castle a makeover, a fresh coat of paint is a cracking good idea.

Now, who's ready to make their home look choice as?