Alright, so your house looks like garbage and you need painters. Been there mate.
Perth’s crawling with painters but half of them are cowboys who’ll take your deposit and vanish.
Or they’ll turn up, make a mess, and leave you worse off than when you started.
Perth City Painters
This company gets mentioned frequently in industry discussions.
They’ve been operating for 10 years, which indicates reasonable stability in a sector where many businesses don’t last long.
They handle interior and exterior work, plus colour consultation services if needed.
Most property owners struggle with colour selection – I’ve experienced this myself when attempting a “warm beige” that ended up looking institutional.
From what I understand, they maintain reliable scheduling and clean work practices. They don’t leave debris or paint marks throughout your property during completion.
They’ve also adopted eco-friendly paint products, which addresses indoor air quality concerns for families.
AJ Cochrane & Sons
This is an established firm with approximately 90 years of operation.
That represents remarkable longevity, though it could indicate either consistent quality standards or reliance on historical reputation.
Based on feedback I’ve received, they appear to still deliver competent workmanship, though you’d want to evaluate recent projects rather than rely solely on their track record.
They handle both residential and commercial projects, including maintenance contracts for multiple properties.
This could be advantageous for investment property owners.
Barker-Whittle
Another established business with around 45 years of operation. Family-owned operation.
What distinguishes them is their emphasis on colour consultation services.
This might seem superficial, but it’s genuinely valuable since lighting conditions dramatically affect colour perception.
I’ve observed situations where expensive paint selections looked completely wrong once applied due to lighting factors.
They claim to use premium paint products, though “premium” can mean different specifications.
You’d need to verify exactly what brands and product lines they’re recommending.
Prestige Painting
Operating for approximately 30 years, handling both residential and commercial work.
They offer free quotes, which should be standard practice though some contractors still charge for estimates.
They seem to receive reasonable feedback without being exceptional.
Sometimes competent and reliable is exactly what’s needed rather than premium-priced services.
How do you pick one then?
Years in business means something but it’s not everything. Seen plenty of old companies doing average work while some newer outfits are brilliant.
What people are saying lately matters more.
Client feedback is more telling than longevity. Perth City Painters appears to receive consistently positive reviews, as does AJ Cochrane.
But online reviews… some companies spend more time managing their Google ratings than actually painting houses, know what I mean?
Why not just do it yourself?
Maybe you’re thinking “how hard can painting be?” Trust me, harder than it looks. I tried painting my bedroom once. Looked like a crime scene.
Prep work is everything and most people skip it. That’s why DIY paint jobs look rubbish after six months.
Professionals know how to prep surfaces properly, they’ve got the right gear, and they’ll actually finish the job instead of it taking three months.
Plus they’re insured. If they stuff up, someone pays. If you stuff up, you’re on your own.
What to look for
Can they do what you need? Some painters are great at houses but useless at commercial stuff. Others only do fancy heritage work.
Licensed and insured? Should be obvious but you’d be surprised how many people don’t bother checking.
Get a few quotes but don’t just go cheapest. Usually means corners cut somewhere.
Most expensive isn’t always best either – sometimes you’re paying for flashy brochures.
Ask what paint they use. Good paint costs more but lasts longer. If someone’s way cheaper than everyone else, they’re probably using crap paint.
Getting quotes
Most painters will come have a look for free. Some do rough phone quotes then adjust after seeing your place. Fair enough.
Decent painters use proper brands – Dulux, Taubmans, whatever.
They should tell you exactly what they’re using and why. If they’re vague about materials, red flag.
Colour consultation is worth it if you’re hopeless at picking colours. Cheaper than repainting because you hate what you chose.
Timeline depends on the job but most house work takes about a week.
Can’t paint in the rain obviously, or when it’s stupidly hot.
Questions to ask
How long will it actually take? Not “few days” – actual timeline. What happens if weather stuffs up outside work?
What prep work’s included? This is huge. Good prep makes all the difference.
What paint exactly? Brand, type, why they picked it.
Any warranty? Good painters back their work for at least a year.
Licensed and insured? Get proof, don’t just take their word.
Recent work examples? Not from 2015, recent stuff.
Final bit
Look, painting your house costs decent money and you’ll be looking at it for years.
House painting represents a significant investment with long-term visual impact. Perth City Painters, AJ Cochrane, Barker-Whittle, and Prestige all appear to be reasonable options, but you should evaluate multiple contractors.
Don’t automatically select the cheapest or most expensive quotes. Research recent client feedback and verify proper licensing and insurance coverage.
Take the time to find someone decent and you won’t regret it.
