From the first inspection to the finished paintwork
In short
To find a painter in Adelaide, give businesses your suburb, a surface list and photos, then check that their South Australian building work contractor licence covers the work you want. For old coatings or heritage-listed properties, settle the assessment and approval requirements before accepting a preparation method. Compare written, itemised quotes for the same scope, including paint products, repairs, protection and access equipment.
Step 1
Show what needs painting and what needs investigation
List walls, ceilings, doors, windows and exterior areas separately. Include the property address or suburb, surface materials and photos of peeling paint, cracks, staining or damaged timber. Ask each business to confirm that it travels to your address and can inspect the surfaces before finalising its price.
Details to include in an Adelaide painting brief
| Area or condition | Tell the painter |
|---|---|
| Occupied rooms | Which surfaces are included, furniture to move, access hours and when rooms need to be usable again. |
| Old windows or flaking coatings | Known paint history, any lead test results and which parts stick, peel or need repair. |
| Exterior or heritage-listed property | Work height, access space, the proposed colours and any listing details or existing approvals. |
Step 2
Check the contracting business and its licence scope
South Australia requires individuals and businesses that carry out or organise building work for others to hold a building work contractor licence. Ask for the licence details of the business supplying your painting quote and check the Consumer and Business Services register linked from the SA Government licensing page. Confirm that its authorised work covers your scope, including any repairs being offered.
Building work must also be supervised by a registered building work supervisor. Ask who will supervise the job and who will actually do the painting. Request evidence of relevant insurance and examples of comparable completed work, particularly if the job includes detailed timber preparation or restoration.
Step 3
Settle lead-paint and heritage questions before preparation
If old coatings may contain lead, ask how they will be assessed before sanding, scraping or stripping. SafeWork SA's guidance includes testing for lead, protecting the work area and surrounding surfaces, containing contaminated debris and safe disposal. Have the painter explain the proposed controls and how occupants will be kept clear. Leave preparatory work until the risk and method have been assessed.
For a State Heritage Place or a property within a State Heritage Area, South Australian guidance includes painting within the expanded definition of development. Contact your local council about approval before work starts, including a proposed colour change. If the property has a local heritage listing, ask the council which controls apply to that listing. Give the painter the approved scope and ask for a method suitable for the existing materials.
Point out recurring damp, stains and soft timber during the inspection. Agree who will investigate or repair them before coating, rather than treating a repaint as evidence that the cause has been resolved.
Step 4
Compare what the preparation and coating price includes
Consumer and Business Services recommends getting at least two written, itemised quotes for home renovations or repairs. Send each painter the same surface list and inspection information. A lower total is difficult to assess when one quote includes timber repairs or access equipment and another leaves them out.
Ask for the paint brand and product range, primer or undercoat, finish coats, colour and sheen for each surface. Clarify the extent of cleaning, filling and sanding, and whether hazardous-paint treatment is included or separately assessed. For outdoor work, agree how unsuitable weather affects the dates.
Step 5
Confirm the finish and inspect it with the painter
Approve colours and sheen before materials are ordered. If you are unsure, ask about a sample on the intended surface. Put the accepted scope, start arrangements and process for approving extra work in writing before painting begins.
At handover, inspect the agreed areas together. Check coverage, edges, fittings and whether painted doors and windows operate properly. Photograph any unfinished areas and agree on follow-up work. Keep the product names, colours, invoice, care advice and any written warranty for future maintenance.
Sources and useful links
Sources checked 7 October 2026
- SA Government: building work contractor's licence
Contractor licensing, registered supervision and the licence register; page updated 14 September 2026.
- SafeWork SA: working with lead-based paint
Testing, work-area protection, containment, clean-up and disposal when treating lead-based paint.
- Heritage South Australia: frequently asked questions
Painting as development for State Heritage Places and State Heritage Areas, and contacting the local council first.
- Consumer and Business Services: home renovations and repairs
Recommendation to source at least two written, itemised quotes and check tradespeople before hiring.
