Have a painting project that needs to be completed in your house? You may be able to find a skilled handyman for the job. In this article, we tell you everything you need to know about hiring a handyman for paint jobs big and small.
Can a handyman do painting?
Most handymen should have the skills to complete minor painting jobs like touch ups, painting over replastered areas, skirting boards, and other areas that need attention. But for larger jobs like repainting the entire inside of the house, the handyman will often need to have a painter’s licence and qualification, depending on the price of the job and the state you are in. Check out the table below for a full breakdown of when handymen need to hold licences for each state.
If you’d like a handyman to paint the entirety of your home, and they have the required licences for your state, they should be able to complete every part of the painting job. This includes all of the necessary prep work like covering the floors and furniture (this is trickier than it seems), and providing all of the right equipment like brushes, rollers, sprayers, ladders, masking tape, as well supplying the paint itself.
Handymen who regularly complete paint jobs should know the difference between the different types of paint (oil-based, water-based, latex, etc.), and be able to find a suitably matched paint for your job, including finding the right colour. They’ll know how many coats to apply for each specific job, how long it will take to dry, and provide other useful information about your painting project.
Handymen without painting licences may not be able to re-paint large portions of your home’s exterior, but again, this depends on your particular state. They can, however, touch up or fix small areas. They may also be able to paint exterior fencing, but be sure to check with them before booking the job.
Handymen and painting licences by state
State | Requirements |
QLD | Must hold a painter’s licence if they are completing work valued at more than $3,300 |
NSW | Must hold a painter’s licence if they are completing work valued at more than $5,000 |
VIC | Must hold a painter’s licence if they are completing work valued at more than $5,000 |
Sa | No painting licence required |
WA | Must hold a painter’s licence if they are completing work valued at more than $1,000 |
TAS | No painting licence required |
ACT | Must hold a painter’s licence if they are completing work valued at more than $3,300 |
Handyman or painter?
Should you choose a handyman for your painting job, or a professional painter? Usually, a handyman is better suited for smaller painting jobs like having to paint over a repaired hole (they can repair the hole itself too), whereas a professional painter is better for larger jobs.
However, some handymen hold full painting qualifications (and may need this for larger paint jobs in their state), so it’s worth asking a handyman whether this is the case for them. If they have this licence, they are a jack-of-all-trades who you can trust with your paint job and a variety of other jobs that you need to complete around the house. With a bit of luck, you’ll find something super reliable that you can depend on going forward.
You may find that handymen are cheaper than professional painters too. The average cost for a handyman is around $53 per hour, whereas a painter can cost anywhere from $65 to $100 per hour. So if you’re unsure, it’s worth getting quotes from both.
Also, professional painters may not be willing to take smaller touch up jobs, whereas handymen almost certainly will because it’s their bread and butter.