Three real Townsville painting quotes — what homeowners actually paid
The hardest part of a Townsville painting quote isn’t getting one. It’s working out whether it’s fair. Here are three representative 2026 quotes, line-itemised, with the context that drove each number — an Annandale rendered refresh, a coastal Pallarenda weatherboard, and a North Ward raised Queenslander.
Quick answer — three real Townsville painting quotes
| Quote | Final price paid |
|---|---|
| Quote 1 — Annandale, 2010 rendered 4BR exterior (refresh) | $9,800 |
| Quote 2 — Pallarenda, 1998 weatherboard 3BR coastal exterior | $15,200 |
| Quote 3 — North Ward, 1930s raised Queenslander 4BR full exterior | $26,800 |
The three quotes — line by line
Quote 1: Annandale rendered 4BR single-storey — $9,800
Context: 2010-built rendered home, 4BR, inland suburb away from salt exposure. Last painted 2017 — chalked, light mould on the shaded south wall, no movement cracks. Owner wanted exterior only: one colour change on the entry wall, refresh elsewhere. Two painters quoted; the lower won. Started at $9,500; ended at $9,800 after a small variation when extra hairline cracks turned up on day two. The higher quote was $13,200 with a full elastomeric membrane system and deeper prep — sound spec, but more than this sound-render home needed.
Quote 2: Pallarenda coastal weatherboard 3BR exterior — $15,200
Context: 1998-built single-storey weatherboard, 3BR, roughly 800m from the water. Last repainted 2019 — salt-driven chalking, mould on two elevations, two window sills with timber rot. Owner wanted full exterior including trim and eaves, tropical/coastal spec. Three painters quoted; the middle quote won. The lower came in at $11,400 but excluded the timber rot repair, which would have variation’d up mid-job. The higher was $18,900 using a 3-coat marine-grade membrane and full strip-back — over-specified for the substrate’s condition.
Quote 3: North Ward raised Queenslander 4BR full exterior — $26,800
Context: 1930s raised Queenslander on timber stumps, 4BR with wraparound verandah, fretwork, lattice, and a three-tone scheme. Last repainted 2015. Pre-1970 home, so lead testing was in scope. Owner wanted full exterior: body, verandah balustrade and fretwork, lattice screens, eaves, detail trim, plus underfloor stump treatment. Three painters quoted; this is the recommended heritage-capable operator (mid-price). The lower quote was $19,600 from a generalist who left fretwork detail and lead containment out of scope — it would have blown out. The higher was $33,400 with a full heritage-restoration approach including paint analysis.
Quote 3 itemised — the North Ward Queenslander
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Scaffold / EWP hire (6 days, repositions) | $2,950 |
| Pressure-wash + mould treatment (whole exterior) | $1,150 |
| Lead-paint test + containment (pre-1970 home) | $2,600 |
| Hand-scrape + sand (~45% of facade + verandah surfaces) | $4,400 |
| Bare-timber priming + minor rot repair (4 sections) | $1,750 |
| 2–3 coats body colour (tropical-grade, VJ weatherboard) | $6,600 |
| Verandah balustrade + fretwork (3-tone, hand-painted) | $3,900 |
| Verandah ceiling + soffit (VJ, 36 sqm) | $1,950 |
| Windows, French doors, front door (heritage gloss) | $1,450 |
| Underfloor — stumps + bearers treat & paint | $1,900 |
| Materials (premium tropical spec, ~70L) | $2,400 |
| TOTAL (before negotiation) | $31,000 |
| Final price (cash + scheduling in the dry) | $26,800 |
Frequently asked questions
How many quotes should I get for a Townsville painting job?
Three is the sweet spot. It gives you a middle to anchor on and exposes outliers — the suspiciously cheap quote that’s missing scope, and the gold-plated one that’s over-specified. One quote tells you nothing about whether it’s fair.
Why was the cheapest quote not the best in these examples?
Because in each case the lowest bid had left something out — timber rot repair, lead containment, or fretwork detail. Those don’t disappear; they come back as variations once the job’s underway. The fair comparison is like-for-like scope, not headline price.
Do painters in Townsville negotiate?
Some movement is normal, especially for cash, for scheduling in the quiet dry season, or for bundling interior and exterior. Don’t expect a generalist to halve a fair quote — but a few per cent and a couple of throw-in extras are common.
What makes a quote trustworthy?
Itemised scope, named products and coat counts, a clear line on prep, and any testing (lead, moisture) called out rather than assumed. A one-line “paint house — $X” quote is impossible to compare and usually hiding the gaps.
Should I be wary of a quote far below the others?
Yes. In the tropics, the steps a low quote skips — salt wash, anti-mould treatment, proper prep, the right product — are exactly the steps that make paint last. A cheap job that fails in four years is dearer than a fair one that lasts ten.
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