Commercial Painting Costs in Perth: Pricing Factors and Examples
By James Thornton, Perth Painting Services | 11+ years painting Perth homes and businesses | Updated 3 October 2026
Quick answer
Commercial painting in Perth usually costs $20 to $60 per square metre, depending on the surface, access and finish. Standard office and retail interiors often sit around $35–$60 per m², while large warehouse interiors can be closer to $20–$40 per m², and specialist coatings can reach $70–$120 per m². Typical project totals run from about $3,000 for a small office to $70,000 or more for a large warehouse. Access equipment, after-hours work and surface condition are the biggest reasons prices vary.
Key takeaways
- Commercial painting is quoted per project, not off a price list. Per m² is only a guide.
- Always ask whether the rate covers wall and ceiling area or floor area.
- Height, access equipment, after-hours work and specialist coatings can change the price more than size.
- Warehouses are usually cheaper per m² than offices, but height and floor coatings can close the gap.
- A clear scope, insurance and safety documents matter as much as price.
Commercial painting costs at a glance (Perth, 2026)
| Project type | Typical total |
|---|---|
| Small office or retail space | $3,000 – $8,000 |
| Medium-sized office | $8,000 – $18,000 |
| Large office or commercial premises | $18,000 – $45,000 |
| Warehouse or industrial building | $25,000 – $70,000+ |
| Rate type | Typical range per m² |
|---|---|
| Standard interior (offices, retail) | $35 – $60 |
| Warehouse interiors and large open areas | $20 – $40 |
| Exterior | $40 – $70 |
| Specialist coatings (epoxy, anti-slip, protective) | $70 – $120 |
How Perth commercial painters price a job
| Method | How it works | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Per m² | A rate multiplied by surface area | Is it wall and ceiling area or floor area? Ask before comparing |
| Hourly or daily | Hours or days × rate | Published rates run from about $50 to $95 per painter per hour, and the gap usually reflects insurance, supervision and business overheads |
| Fixed project price | One price for a written scope | Best for budgeting and comparing quotes |
| Schedule of rates | Unit prices for each item, used on larger or ongoing work | Good for variations and multi-site work |
Why per m² alone isn’t enough. A 500 m² office with low ceilings and a 500 m² warehouse with 8-metre walls can cost very different amounts. Height, access equipment, prep, coating system and working hours all change the number. That’s why most commercial painters quote the project, not the square metre.
10 factors that drive commercial painting costs
- Surface area. Walls, ceilings, trim, doors, columns and services. Bigger jobs often get a better rate per m².
- Building height and access. Scissor lifts, boom lifts, scaffolding and towers add hire cost and set-up time.
- Surface condition. Peeling paint, water damage, graffiti, mould, cracked render and old coatings all add prep.
- Type of surface. Plasterboard, tilt-up concrete, brick, render, steel cladding and timber need different preparation and primers.
- Paint system. Standard acrylics cost less than epoxies, anti-graffiti, anti-slip or protective coatings.
- Working hours. After-hours, night and weekend work usually carries a loading. Some Australian guides put it around 15–40%.
- Occupied vs vacant. Working around staff, customers and equipment means more masking, staging and protection.
- Staging and downtime. Painting a floor at a time keeps your business running but can lengthen the job.
- Colour changes. Dark-to-light changes or multi-colour branding can add coats and cutting-in.
- Compliance and site requirements. Inductions, permits, safety documentation and building management rules all add time.
Illustrative examples (Perth)
These are indicative examples to show how quotes are built. Actual prices depend on a site inspection. [Replace with your own real, anonymised projects where you can.]
| Example | Scope | Basis | Indicative total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small office (about 100 m² floor) | Walls, ceilings, doors and trim, standard acrylic, 2 coats | About 210 m² of surface at $25–$40/m² | $5,000 – $8,500 |
| Medium office (about 300 m² floor) | Walls and ceilings, staged by area, 2 coats | About 600 m² of surface at $20–$30/m² | $12,000 – $18,000 |
| Retail shopfront or café (about 150 m²) | Walls, ceilings, trim, after-hours work | Standard rate plus a 15–40% after-hours loading | $5,000 – $11,000 |
| Warehouse interior (about 1,000 m² floor) | Walls up to about 6 m high, access platform hire | About 780 m² of wall at $20–$40/m², plus access | $18,000 – $35,000 |
| Two-storey exterior facade (about 600 m²) | Wash-down, repairs, primer and 2 coats, access equipment | $40–$70/m², plus access | $24,000 – $42,000+ |
Commercial vs residential painting: why the price differs
Commercial work is often priced higher per m² than a like-for-like home repaint, though large open sites can sometimes work out cheaper per m². The reasons:
- Scale and logistics. More surfaces, more crew, more coordination.
- Access. Lifts, scaffolding and height work.
- Operating constraints. Work often happens around trading hours.
- Specification. Commercial coatings may need to meet durability, safety or compliance requirements.
- Documentation. Safe work method statements, insurance certificates and site inductions.
For home pricing, see our interior house painting cost guide.
Perth-specific factors
Strong UV and coastal exposure. Perth’s sun is harsh on exterior coatings, and coastal salt air adds wear. For exteriors, product choice and prep matter more than the initial price, as the Australian guide to painting buildings, AS/NZS 2311, reflects.
Concrete and steel buildings. Many Perth industrial and commercial buildings are tilt-up concrete or metal-clad. Good wash-down and the right primer are key for lasting results.
Different building types across Perth. We work across commercial strips in Leederville, Mount Lawley and Morley, and business and light-industrial areas such as Balcatta, Wanneroo and Joondalup.
CBD and multi-tenant buildings. Lift bookings, loading dock access, building management approvals and after-hours rules can affect both cost and timing.
Paint systems and what they cost
| System | Typical use | Cost impact |
|---|---|---|
| Standard acrylic wall paint | Offices, retail, corridors | Baseline |
| Ceiling paint | Offices, shops | Baseline, but ceilings need extra care |
| Enamel for trim and doors | High-touch surfaces | Slightly higher |
| Washable or scuff-resistant paint | Schools, clinics, kitchens | Moderate |
| Epoxy and anti-slip floor coatings | Warehouses, workshops, kitchens | Much higher |
| Anti-graffiti and protective coatings | Exteriors, public-facing walls | Higher |
Specialist coatings are the main reason rates can reach $70–$120 per m². For floor and protective coatings, confirm that the product suits your use before comparing prices.
After-hours work, staging and keeping your business open
You don’t always have to close to get painted. Common approaches:
- After-hours or weekend work. Often carries a loading, but avoids disruption.
- Staged by area. Painting one section at a time keeps part of the premises open.
- Low-odour, low-VOC products. Useful in occupied offices, clinics and retail.
- Clear scheduling. Agree start times, access, parking and who to contact on site.
Sometimes the cheapest overall option is a slightly higher painting price that avoids lost trading time.
Insurance, safety and documentation: what to ask for
Commercial clients should expect:
- ☐ Public liability insurance certificate
- ☐ Workers’ compensation insurance
- ☐ Safe work method statement (SWMS) for the job
- ☐ Site induction and any required tickets for working at height or operating access equipment
- ☐ Product data sheets for the paint system
- ☐ Written scope, programme and payment terms
- ☐ Workmanship warranty [add yours]
Many businesses are also protected by the consumer guarantees under Australian Consumer Law, which include services being delivered with due care and skill. The ACCC explains how these guarantees work.
Not sure how to compare painters? Read 12 checks to choose a reliable painter in Perth.
What a commercial painting quote should include
- Which areas and surfaces are included (walls, ceilings, trim, doors, columns, exterior elevations)
- Surface preparation and repairs
- Paint brand, product, finish and number of coats
- Access equipment and who supplies it
- Working hours and any after-hours loading
- Staging plan and expected timeline
- Protection of furniture, floors, stock and equipment
- Whether the price is GST-inclusive or exclusive (GST-registered businesses can usually claim it back, but check with your accountant)
- Payment terms and variations process
- Insurance and warranty details
How long does commercial painting take?
It depends on size and scope. A single office or retail store often takes a few days, while a warehouse or multi-tenant building can take one to three weeks. Staging, after-hours work and weather on exterior jobs all change the programme. For a general sense of programme length, see how long it takes to paint a house in Perth.
Red flags in commercial painting quotes
- A single lump sum with no scope or breakdown
- No insurance certificates or safety documents
- No mention of prep, access equipment or number of coats
- A price far below the others without explanation
- No named paint product
- No site inspection before quoting a large job
How to reduce commercial painting costs
- Give clear access and clear space. Less moving and protecting means less labour.
- Bundle areas into one project. Mobilisation and set-up costs are shared.
- Plan the timing. Booking early gives more scheduling flexibility.
- Fix underlying problems first. Leaks and damp will undo any paint job.
- Standardise colours. Fewer colour changes mean fewer coats and less cutting-in.
- Compare scope, not just price. Ask each painter to quote the same scope.
- Choose the right system. The cheapest coating that fails early costs more over time.
Frequently asked questions
How much does commercial painting cost in Perth?
Typically $20–$60 per square metre. Total projects range from around $3,000 for a small office to $70,000 or more for a large warehouse.
How much does it cost to paint an office in Perth?
Small offices often cost $3,000–$8,000, medium offices $8,000–$18,000, and large offices $18,000–$45,000, depending on size, access and scope.
How much does it cost to paint a warehouse in Perth?
Warehouse projects commonly run from $25,000 to $70,000 or more, driven mainly by size, height, access and coating system.
Is commercial painting more expensive than residential painting?
Often per m², yes, because of access, scale, scheduling and specifications. But very large open sites can sometimes work out cheaper per m².
Do commercial painters charge extra for after-hours work?
Usually, yes. Night and weekend work commonly carries a loading, which some guides put at 15–40%.
What affects commercial painting prices the most?
Surface area, height and access, surface condition, paint system, working hours and whether the premises are occupied.
Should I get a fixed-price quote or an hourly rate?
A fixed price based on a written scope is easier to budget and compare. Hourly rates can suit small or uncertain jobs.
What insurance should a commercial painter have?
At minimum, public liability and workers’ compensation. Ask for certificates before work starts.
How long does it take to paint a commercial property?
A single office or shop can take a few days. Larger warehouses or multi-tenant buildings can take one to three weeks.
Can you paint without closing my business?
Often, yes, by working after hours or in stages, and using low-odour products. Discuss your trading hours when you request a quote.
Get a commercial painting quote
Every commercial job needs a site inspection for an accurate price. Perth Painting Services provides commercial painting and office painting across Perth, and also handles exterior and roof painting. For office-specific advice, read our guide to commercial painting for offices in Perth.
Free quote: Contact us
Phone: 0434 675 004
Email: info@perth-painting-services.com.au
Hours: Mon–Fri 8am–6pm | Sat 9am–2pm | Sun & public holidays closed
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