Interior Painters in Wellington

Interior painting in New Zealand typically costs $25 to $45 per square metre for walls and ceilings, or $300 to $600 per room for a standard bedroom. A full interior repaint of a three-bedroom home costs $5,000 to $12,000 depending on condition and preparation required. Rates include two coats of paint over a prepared surface. Additional costs apply for wallpaper removal ($10 to $20 per square metre), hole and crack repairs, and feature walls. Ceilings cost $15 to $30 per square metre.

The most popular interior paints in New Zealand are from Resene, Dulux, and British Paints. For walls, use a low-sheen or mid-sheen acrylic — Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen and Dulux Wash & Wear are popular choices. For ceilings, a flat finish hides imperfections. For bathrooms, kitchens, and laundries, use a semi-gloss or kitchen and bathroom-specific paint with mould resistance. For trim and doors, an enamel or semi-gloss finish provides durability. Most painters recommend two coats over a sealer or primer.

Good preparation is the difference between a paint job that lasts and one that peels. Professional interior painters will wash walls to remove grease and dust, fill holes, cracks, and dents with filler and sand smooth, sand glossy surfaces for adhesion, apply primer or sealer to bare surfaces and stained areas, mask off trim, windows, and fixtures, and lay drop sheets to protect floors and furniture. Preparation typically takes 30 to 50 percent of the total job time.

A professional painter can complete a standard bedroom (walls and ceiling) in one day. A full three-bedroom home interior takes three to five days for an experienced team. Larger homes, homes needing extensive preparation, or those requiring wallpaper removal take longer. Most painters prefer to work in unoccupied rooms for efficiency and to avoid furniture-moving delays.