There’s nothing like a fresh lick of paint to breathe new life into your home. And while painting is usually cheaper than renovating, the final result can be just as dramatic – especially when completed using the right colours, technique and creative flair. DIY can be a great option if you’re on a tight budget and know your way around drop sheets and paint rollers. But, if you’re serious about quality, or your job is on the tricky side (i.e. ceiling painting, exterior painting), a professional painter is worth the investment.
Hiring a professional house painter means an industry guarantee of a wonderful finished product. You will also save yourself the time of having to do it on your own, get a better looking finish, and even some professional advice on what colours are going to look the best for your space.
Whether you’re keen to update your home before putting it on the market, or think your living room needs a freshen up, here are some key factors to consider when choosing a painter to hire, as well as a list of some of Canberra’s best services.
What makes a great house painter?
If you’ve ever given DIY painting a go, chances are you’ll know that getting a paint job right isn’t as easy as it looks. Many DIY-ers end up spending more money and time than they originally planned, for less than optimal results.
Here are a few questions to ask before choosing a professional painter.
- Years of experience. Painters with years of experience have seen it all. They know how to identify damage like rot and mould. They know when to use a brush instead of a roller, and how many coats of paint it will take to get your home looking its best.
- Proper preparation. This is a particularly important question for exterior painting jobs. Good preparation (i.e. thoroughly cleaning surfaces, sanding, filling gaps) is the secret to a lasting paint job.
- Time. Rushed painters may apply a second coat of paint when the first is not yet dry. Check that the contract will allow for the minimum drying time required when asking for an estimate of how long the entire job will take.
- Brand options. Many professional painters have a preferred paint brand, but they should be equally happy to work with products you supply. If you decide to use the paint supplied by the painter, do your research to make sure it is a high quality product.
- Post-job services. From small splatterings of paint to any dust that gets kicked up in the process, there’s bound to be a bit of a mess at the end of a day of painting. Hiring a professional painter shouldn’t mean extra clean-up for you, so make sure to check what they can do to mitigate this for you, such as drop-sheets, furniture covering, and thorough post-job cleaning services.
The best house painters in Canberra
Riotact’s editorial team has combed through 20 years of on-site comments to compile a list of the most recommended businesses according to you.
To be listed in our Best of Canberra series, each business needs to have consistently received positive feedback on Riotact and Facebook as well as maintaining a minimum average of 4/5 stars on Google.
C&C Painting Group
C&C Painting Group was formed in 2018 by Directors Luke Chamberlain and Daniel Carrick, who each have over 20 years of local industry experience. After quickly making a name as one of Canberra’s leading quality painting & decorating companies, C&C Painting Group have also gone on to win multiple awards in the Master Painters Association Awards for Excellence.
Specialising predominantly in repaints, C&C Painting Group cover residential, commercial, strata, and government painting services. C&C Painting Group also undertake various speciality painting and decorating services including decorative concrete resurfacing which is a cost-effective way to improve the condition and look of concrete without having to remove and install new concrete.
With a builders license and experience in the broader building and construction industry, C&C Painting Group also provides home revamp services such as plaster repairs, rendering and render repairs, roofing repairs and electrical work. This works perfectly for those wanting to deal with one trusted contractor for their entire revamp project.
Skilled professional tradesmen complete each job to the highest standards and ensure full customer satisfaction, and the dedicated office team are always on hand for added customer support. A complimentary colour consultation services is also provided with some services so that clients can choose their dream home colours with confidence.
Fast no-obligation online and in person quotes are available.
On Google, David Bryant wrote “Over the past 24 months we have had multiple tradesmen and the quality of their work and customer service is average. Then along came C&C Painting Group who are in a league of their own. They arrive on time, check with you to confirm quality and are a pleasure to work with”.
ACT Painting Services
Scott and the team at ACT Painting Services focus on finesse and precision, with a high priority aimed at attention to detail. With many interesting designs and ideas, Scott will ensure the best feature wall within your house. They specialise in interior, exterior, roof and epoxy floor painting, for both your house or office.
Scott and the team pride themselves on proper prep work for the surfaces, and this contributes to the many masterpiece results they have produced. Scott is a pleasure to deal with from the moment he answers the phone and ensures ACT Painting Services offer great work for a fair price. He also stands by the no obligation free quote policy.
As Ben Thomson writes in their review for ACT Painting Services, "Scott took on our large job of painting a 4 bedroom house inside and out. (...) All through he helped with things like selecting low allergen paints and he also gap filled and tidied up cracks and small holes before painting. He dealt with everything in a friendly and professional manner and the finished product looks amazing. (...) Highly recommend Scott for any painting jobs around Canberra."
Splash Painters Canberra
With over 40 years’ experience, Splash Painters Canberra provides professional, reliable and high-quality services for residential and commercial clients. With every brush stroke, Splash Painters Canberra guarantees attention to detail. Only using the best brand materials, the team of specialist painters roll out new and refreshing looks.
Services include house, interior, exterior and spray painting. Splash Painters Canberra also paints stylish feature walls. Professionals also paint and stain timber, including for decks and pergolas, for the first time or for annual maintenance.
Known for great customer service and a friendly approach, Splash Painters Canberra handles pre-paint preparation with care for superior results. This full-service, passionate company is fully qualified and insured.
Free, no-obligation quotes are available at no cost. Call-out fees in Canberra and Queanbeyan are free. Splash Painters Canberra’s prices are detailed and transparent.
Muhammad Afzal wrote on Google, “Worth looking into Splash Painters Canberra if you’re getting your house painted. They were professional, did a magnificent job throughout the house in the allocated time, colour matched exactly and installed wallpaper professionally. The price was also cheaper than all the other quotes I got.”
Luminous Ace Painting & Decorating
Transforming spaces with professional painting services is what family business Luminous Ace Painting & Decorating does best. This locally owned, Canberra-based painting service has over 20 years of experience, showcased through the team's exceptional workmanship.
Staff at Luminous Ace Painting & Decorating handle residential, commercial, government, strata, and body corporate paint jobs with ease. Tailored to clients' needs, every job is different, but has the same high-quality result.
The team knows a good paint job starts with preparation, so after a free quote, all surfaces are cleaned and primed with care before a lick of paint touches them. Only the best materials are used to ensure long-lasting, durable finishes.
When it comes to paint, Luminous Ace Painting & Decorating customers are spoiled for choice. Enamel or matte, texture to add extra levels of protection, even spray painting to cover large areas quickly and hassle-free. There are even eco-friendly options for the environmentally conscious.
Luminous Ace Painting & Decorating excels in top workmanship and excellent customer service, striving to exceed expectations on every project, large or small. Transparency is ensured through detailed quotes and timelines, and communication is ongoing with all concerns and questions answered promptly.
Andrew Murphy is one of many happy customers who have shared five-star reviews on Google.
"These guys did a great job painting the exterior of our home," he says.
"They were easy to deal with and were quick to assess the job and provide a quote. They were also substantially better value than some of the other local painting companies."
Golden Brush Painting
Billed as Canberra's premier painting business, Golden Brush Painting specialises in residential re-painting. It focuses on customer service, attention to detail and top-quality work at a competitive price. And, if you're unsure about which colours or finishes will look best in your home, the team at Golden Brush Painting can provide recommendations to help you choose a look you'll love for years to come.
Golden Brush Painting have also been recognised for their work, having painted the project that won the 2020 MBA Best Renovation over $1.5m. They have also been finalists for several MBA and HIA awards, in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
For attention to detail, friendly customer service and reliability at an affordable price, contact Golden Brush Painting.
As Elizabeth wrote on Google,"The Golden Brush Team did a fantastic job! They responded within 24hrs with a quote and provided friendly, professional advice. I am very happy with the end results and would definitely recommend them."
Canberra Painting Service
In their own words, Canberra Painting Service “isn’t the cheapest, but we do the job right.” From humble beginnings as a one-man outfit 25 years ago, Canberra Painting Service now has a 12-person team, and a reputation for quality.
Managing director Brian Wilson prides himself on meeting customer needs without cutting corners. His team specialises in render repairs and residential painting, as well as commercial projects.
With a Dulux accreditation, Canberra Painting Service delivers on the promise of excellent finishes and all its staff ensure industry standards are met. Brian has been on the Master Painters Association of Canberra executive committee for more than a decade, so it’s safe to say he has sound knowledge of the local market and its unique paint requirements.
With an impressive portfolio and reputation for quality workmanship, Canberra Painting Service come highly recommended by satisfied customer Mark Graeme, who wrote in their review, "Did a great job. Went above and beyond to make sure the final result was high quality."
If you’re looking for more of Canberra’s construction contractors to help you build or renovate your space, check out our articles on the best tilers, the best flooring specialists, the best plasterers and the best carpenters in Canberra. Or, if you’re after a more specific service for your area, check out our recently updated articles on the best kitchen renovators and the best bathroom renovators our region has to offer.
Your experience with house painters in Canberra
Thanks to our commenters who have provided insightful feedback. If you believe we have got it wrong, please let us know.
Have you had experience with any of the house painters listed above? If so, share your feedback in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I hire a professional painter?
Taking on a paint job can be a daunting task and require far more materials and skill than you might have considered, from adequate surface preparation to even application. Hiring a professional painter ensures a high-quality, durable, good looking and long lasting finish to your space.
Are there environmentally-friendly paint products available?
There are numerous paint products that are designed to be environmentally-friendly, free of heavy metals, formaldehyde, and volatile organic compounds. These environmentally-friendly paints are made with completely natural products, free of the harmful chemicals that, when freshly applied, make you feel dizzy or nauseous. A professional painter should have a range of products that are environmentally-friendly, and if they don't then you can supply them with your own purchases.
How long does a paint job normally take?
This depends entirely on how much space you're looking to get painted, but on average to apply a coat of paint to a standard 3-bedroom house takes around 5 hours. Remember though, painting always requires a second coat of paint that cannot be applied until the first is completely dry, so no matter what, you're probably looking at a couple of days until the job will be completely finished.
Will house painters clean up after themselves?
As well as using plastic covering and drop sheets to protect surfaces and furniture, most house painting services include a post-job cleanup to take care of any missed sprays of paint on uncovered surfaces or dust that was kicked up in the process. Ask your painter what clean-up services they offer before engaging their services, to give you peace of mind.
How do I decide what colour to paint my house?
The colour you choose to paint your home can have a huge impact on how the space feels - darker colours tend to make rooms feel smaller, while light and neutral colours can have the effect of making small rooms feel more spacious, and colourful feature walls can add personality to an otherwise bland room. Consider the particular space that you are looking to repaint, think about what aesthetic you want to achieve, and talk it over with your painters and see what they advise.