A good painter does more than apply colour. Preparation decides how long the finish lasts, especially with Highveld sun, coastal salt and damp walls. HandymanService.co.za is a free quote-request service for South Africa. Describe your job once and we pass it to independent painters and painting contractors near you, who quote you directly. We do not paint ourselves and we never give prices. There is no fee and no obligation to accept a quote, so you can compare several offers before you choose.
Interior and exterior painting
Inside, painters work on walls, ceilings, doors, window frames and cupboards. Outside, they coat plastered walls, fascias, barge boards, gates and garage doors.
- Interior: PVA for walls and ceilings, enamel for wood and metal.
- Exterior: weather-resistant acrylic that copes with sun and rain.
- Roofs: IBR sheets and concrete tiles can be washed and painted to slow rust and fading.
Most contractors will also repaint rented units between tenants, so say if you are a landlord or agent.
Why preparation matters
Paint peels when it is put on a poor surface. A painter should scrape loose paint, fill cracks, sand rough patches and wash off mould and chalky dust before any coat goes on.
Bare plaster needs a sealer or primer. Rusty metal needs the rust removed and a metal primer. Face brick that has stood bare for years may need a masonry coat.
Damp walls need special care. Painting over rising damp or a leaking gutter only hides the problem for a season. A sensible painter finds the source first, or advises you to call a waterproofing contractor. Ask how the prep is done, because it is the best sign of a lasting job.
What affects the quote
We do not show prices, because each job differs. Painters usually weigh up the following.
- The wall and ceiling area, and the height of the rooms.
- The condition of the existing paint and how much prep is needed.
- The number of coats and the grade of paint.
- Whether furniture must be moved and floors covered.
- Scaffolding or ladders for double-storey walls and gables.
Photos of each room or elevation help a painter quote without a long site visit.
Choosing a painter
Ask for a written quote that lists the rooms, the prep, the number of coats and the paint brand and finish. Ask when the work will start and how many days it takes. In a sectional title scheme or estate, check the approved exterior colours with the body corporate or HOA first. Good painters protect floors and fittings, clean up daily and are happy to leave a tin of the leftover paint with you for touch-ups.
Timing matters too. Painters avoid exterior work in rain, strong wind and the heat of a Highveld midday, so ask how weather delays are handled. Check that the quote covers cleaning up, covering plants and paving, and removing old paint flakes, some of which may contain lead if the house is very old. Ask about a guarantee on workmanship and what it covers.
Comparing quotes for painting
The lowest figure is not always the best deal. When your quotes arrive, check:
- Scope: exactly what is included, from preparation and materials to rubble removal and clean-up.
- Materials: the brand, grade or quantity allowed for, and who buys and delivers them.
- Timing: when the work can start, how long it takes and what happens if it rains.
- Guarantee and terms: any workmanship guarantee, deposit, payment stages and how long the price holds.
What to include in your request
- State whether the job is inside, outside or both.
- List the rooms or walls and add photos of each.
- Mention flaking paint, cracks, mould or damp patches.
- Say if the house is double storey or has high gables.
- Include your preferred start date and any estate colour rules.
Frequently asked questions
Are you a painter?
What affects the cost of painting a house?
How long does exterior paint last?
Can a painter fix damp walls?
Painting by province
- Painting Gauteng
- Painting Mpumalanga
- Painting North West
- Painting Limpopo
- Painting Northern Cape
- Painting Free State
- Painting KwaZulu-Natal
- Painting Eastern Cape
- Painting Western Cape
Painting by city and town
- Painting in Johannesburg
- Painting in Pretoria
- Painting in Centurion
- Painting in Midrand
- Painting in Sandton
- Painting in Randburg
- Painting in Roodepoort
- Painting in Krugersdorp
- Painting in Randfontein
- Painting in Germiston
- Painting in Boksburg
- Painting in Benoni
- Painting in Kempton Park
- Painting in Alberton
- Painting in Vanderbijlpark
- Painting in Vereeniging
- Painting in eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Painting in Middelburg
- Painting in Secunda
- Painting in Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Painting in Rustenburg
- Painting in Brits
- Painting in Klerksdorp
- Painting in Potchefstroom
- Painting in Polokwane
- Painting in Tzaneen
- Painting in Lephalale
- Painting in Kimberley
- Painting in Kathu
- Painting in Upington
- Painting in Bloemfontein
- Painting in Welkom
- Painting in Sasolburg
- Painting in Durban
- Painting in Pinetown
- Painting in Pietermaritzburg
- Painting in Richards Bay
- Painting in Newcastle
- Painting in Ladysmith
- Painting in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- Painting in East London
- Painting in Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Painting in Cape Town
- Painting in Bellville
- Painting in Paarl
- Painting in Stellenbosch
- Painting in George
- Painting in Worcester
