Painting quotes from painters in your area
Interior and exterior walls, roofs, ceilings, trims and preparation. Tell us what needs painting and up to 3 painters quote.
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- 200+ registered service providers
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How it works
Tell us about the job
A few questions about what you need and where you are. There's no account to create.
Get up to 3 quotes
Painters that work in your area contact you with a price.
Compare and choose
Weigh up price, timing and what's included. Accept the one that suits you, or none.
Preparation is most of the job
Paint is a thin film, and it only lasts as long as the surface it's stuck to. A good painter spends far more time preparing than painting, and that's where quotes differ most.
- Cleaning. Dirt, grease and chalky old paint stop new paint bonding. Exterior walls are often high-pressure washed first.
- Scraping and sanding loose and flaking paint back to a sound edge.
- Repairing cracks and holes, with fillers suited to the size of the crack and whether it moves.
- Treating mould and damp patches, and fixing the cause of the damp first.
- Priming or sealing bare plaster, new surfaces, powdery walls and stains, so the top coats bond and cover evenly.
- Masking and protecting floors, furniture, windows and plants.
Choosing the right paint
Paint quality varies enormously between brands and ranges. Ask each painter which product they're quoting and how many coats, because a cheaper quote often means a cheaper paint or one coat fewer.
| Surface | Typical choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Interior walls | Water-based acrylic or PVA | Low odour, quick drying; choose washable finishes for kitchens, passages and children's rooms. |
| Exterior walls | Exterior-grade acrylic | Resists UV and rain, and stays flexible as walls heat and cool. |
| Cracked exterior walls | Elastomeric or textured coatings | Thick, flexible films that bridge fine cracks and keep water out. |
| Wood and metal trims | Enamel or water-based trim paint | A hard-wearing finish for doors, windows, gutters and burglar bars, over the right primer. |
| Roofs | Dedicated roof paint | Made to bond to tiles or sheeting and cope with intense sun. |
Older homes and lead paint
Paint on older homes can contain lead, which is toxic, especially to children and pregnant women. Dry sanding or burning off old lead paint releases dust and fumes. If your house is old, ask the painter how they'll test for lead and how they'll prepare surfaces safely, for example by wet sanding and careful clean-up.
Weather and timing
Exterior paint needs dry weather and moderate temperatures to cure properly: rain on fresh paint, or painting in fierce afternoon sun, both shorten its life. In summer-rainfall areas the dry winter months suit exterior work; in the Western Cape, summer is usually the better season. Ask the painter how they'll schedule around the weather.
Living with interior painting
Interior painting is usually done room by room, so you can keep living in the house. Ask the painter who moves and covers the furniture, and how long each room will be out of use. Water-based paints dry quickly and have little smell, and low-odour ranges are available for bedrooms and homes with babies or people with asthma. Keep windows open while paint dries, and expect the final colour to look slightly different once it has fully cured.
What painting costs
Most painters charge about R45 to R120 per m² for interior walls and R55 to R200 per m² for exterior walls, paint and labour included. A typical bedroom costs about R2,000 to R6,000, and a whole three-bedroom interior roughly R15,000 to R35,000. Cape Town rates sit at the top of these ranges.
- Interior walls, two coats, paint included
- R45–R120/m²
- Exterior walls, including preparation and paint
- R55–R200/m²
- Ceilings, paint included
- R35–R110/m²
- Labour only (you supply the paint)
- R35–R95/m²
See the full painting cost guideGet exact prices
Estimates only, last checked 28 October 2026. Get quotes for an accurate price for your job.
Before you hire: a painting checklist
Painting quotes vary more than almost any other trade, because preparation is invisible once the paint is on.
Get the preparation written into the quote
Ask exactly what preparation is included: washing, scraping, crack repair, priming. That's where cheap quotes cut back.
Ask for the paint brand, range and number of coats
Two quotes for "two coats of exterior paint" can use very different products. Get the details in writing.
Fix damp before painting
Paint over damp walls blisters and peels. If there's damp, ask the painter to identify the cause, or get it fixed first.
Check how they'll work at height
Ask about scaffolding or ladders for double-storey walls, and make sure they have public liability insurance.
Ask what's protected
Agree how floors, furniture, plants, paving and windows will be protected, and who cleans up.
Ask about the guarantee
Many painters guarantee their workmanship, and some paint ranges carry their own guarantee if applied to specification. Get the terms in writing.
Before you request quotes
The questions people ask us most.
Is it really free?
Yes. Requesting quotes costs you nothing. The providers pay to receive requests, which is how the service is funded.
Will I be flooded with calls?
No. Your details go only to the providers quoting on your job, up to 3 of them.
Do I have to accept a quote?
No. Compare the quotes, ask questions, and accept one if it suits you. If none do, you don't have to go ahead.
Are the providers any good?
More than 200 registered service providers quote through our network. Compare quotes carefully, ask for references and photos of past work, and use the checklist on each service page before you hire.
How quickly will I hear back?
The painters who quote on your job contact you directly by phone or email.
What if I'm not happy with any of the quotes?
You don't have to accept any of them. If the prices are all higher than you expected, ask each provider what's driving the cost. The answers often show what the job really needs.
Is my information safe?
We handle your personal information in line with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and share it only with the providers quoting on your job, up to 3 of them. Our privacy policy explains what we collect and your rights.
Painting questions, answered
How often should the outside of a house be painted?
It depends on the paint, the preparation and the exposure. Walls facing strong sun or coastal weather wear faster. When paint starts chalking, cracking or peeling, it's time.
Why is my paint peeling?
Common causes are damp coming through the wall, painting over dirty or chalky surfaces, skipping the primer, or paint applied in poor weather. Fix the cause before repainting.
How many coats of paint do I need?
Usually a primer or sealer where needed, then two top coats. Strong colour changes, such as dark to light, can need more. Ask each painter how many coats they're quoting.
Can I paint over damp walls?
Not successfully. Paint on a damp wall blisters and flakes, and mould comes back. Find and fix the source of the damp first.
Is old paint in my house dangerous?
Older paint can contain lead. Dry sanding releases toxic dust. Ask your painter how they'll test for lead and prepare surfaces safely.
When is the best time of year to paint outside?
When it's dry and mild. In summer-rainfall areas that's usually winter; in the winter-rainfall Western Cape, summer is generally better.
Related services
- Waterproofing and Damp ProofingRoof waterproofing, rising damp treatment and fixes for leaks and damp walls.
- RenovationsHome renovations and alterations, from a single room to the whole house.
- RoofingRoof repairs, replacements and new roofs in tile, sheeting and slate.
- CeilingsNew ceilings, ceiling repairs, bulkheads and insulation.
Get painting quotes from painters near you
Up to 3 quotes, free to request and no obligation.