- Make sure you’re choosing a strata painter who’s fully licensed and insured. It’s the best way to protect your owners’ corporation if anything unexpected comes up.
- Did you know that around 52,900 painters are employed in Australia and almost a third (30.3%) of them are based in New South Wales?
- Strata painters who offer a warranty are showing they stand by their work, and that kind of reassurance gives you extra peace of mind too.
Are you planning to hire a strata painter? Here’s a quick tip: don’t just go with the one who has the best brush skills.
When it comes to strata painting, you’re not just looking for someone who knows how to paint. You want a painting team who understands working in shared spaces, properly communicates with residents, delivers according to set timelines, and keeps things running smoothly without disrupting everyone’s day.
You might wonder: With so many options, why does it even matter who I hire?
And it’s true. There are lots of painting companies in Sydney. In fact, according to the latest stats, around 52,900 painters are employed in Australia and nearly one-third (30.3%) of them are based right here in New South Wales (Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force Survey, 2024).
But here’s the catch: not every painter is equipped to take on a strata job. And choosing the wrong one can lead to delays, complaints, or even compliance issues.
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Understanding strata painting (and life in a body corporate)
Strata painting isn’t like your average paint job. It means working around residents who live on-site while staying compliant with body corporate rules and keeping common areas functional and safe throughout the process.
If you’re managing strata buildings or a part of an owners’ committee, you already know how things can get complicated when residents are unhappy with the noise, access issues, or a messy site.
And this becomes quite a challenge as the number of people living in strata are growing. A recent report shows that more than 1 in 10 Australians now live in strata, and nearly 1.3 million live in private apartments (UNSW City Futures Research Centre, Australasian Strata Insights, 2022).
That’s why it’s so important to choose the right team of skilled strata painters. And make sure you hire those who can work around the unique challenges brought by strata painting projects while delivering professional results.
Top 7 questions to ask your strata painter before hiring them
Choosing the right strata painter can save you a lot of stress, time, and unnecessary costs. But with so many options out there, how do you know who’s the right fit?
Whether you’re managing a townhouse complex, a high-rise apartment, or a retirement village, here are 7 important questions strata managers need to ask before hiring strata painters:
1. Do you have the proper licenses and insurance?
Your strata painter must be fully licensed to operate in NSW. They also need to show public liability insurance and workers’ compensation before they start with the strata paint job.
Pro Tip: While you’re scouting for a strata painting service, ask for proof and don’t just take their word for it. Because if anything goes wrong on-site, especially in multi-residential environments, strata painters without coverage could leave your owners’ corporation liable. That’s why you want strata painters to be fully licensed and insured to reduce your liability and protect your owners’ corporation in case something unexpected happens.
2. Are you experienced in strata painting projects?
Not all painters are built for strata work. Apart from meeting tight deadlines, these projects also involve continuous communication with strata committees and managers, while handling resident expectations well.
It’s important to hire skilled strata painters who understand the ins and outs of working across multi-residential buildings. Experienced strata painters also know how to plan and stick to their targets while only causing minimal disruption.
Pro Tip: Ask how long they’ve been doing strata paint jobs and how they handle working in busy lobbies or exterior areas.
3. What was your most recently completed strata painting project? Can you share some references and work samples?
A professional strata painter with a good track record can back their work with some samples. Real examples give you a feel for their quality, consistency, and attention to detail.
Look for their past work on apartment buildings, townhouses, or other multi-residential projects. Add some bonus points if they’ve worked in your local area, as the best strata painters Sydney are familiar with local council requirements and site access challenges.
Pro Tip: Ask if you can speak to a former client and see some photos of their before-and-after work. This will give you a real-world sense of their workmanship and professionalism.
4. What’s included in your quote? Do you offer a warranty?
Some strata painters Sydney do not offer clear quotes, so don’t just look at the bottomline number. Always check what’s included in their quote to avoid surprises at the end.
Make sure it includes:
- Surface prep work (like pressure washing or repairs)
- Number of coats
- Paint brands used
- Scaffolding or safety access equipment
- Project timelines
- Site clean-up
- Warranty
Warranties matter. So if they offer a warranty for their paint job, that tells you they stand behind their work, giving you more peace of mind.
New South Wales law requires a warranty of two to six years depending on the type of defect for jobs amounting to over $5,000 (Housing Industry Association, 2025).
Pro Tip: A professional quote needs to be itemised, transparent, and easy to understand. And a warranty shows confidence in strata painters’ work.
5. How do you handle tight deadlines and minimise disruption to the residents?
Imagine walking out of your apartment every day, or coming home after a long day, only to find drop sheets everywhere, or seeing your lobby or hallway is still blocked off because the painting’s dragging on.
In strata buildings, people live where you’re working. That means strata painters need careful planning and excellent communication while sticking to timelines to avoid frustrating your residents.
Pro Tip: A professional strata painter should also have a clear plan for working efficiently and proper signages to advise the residents of their on-going works. Ask if they offer flexible hours (like working on weekends or after-hours).
6. What safety measures do you take onsite?
Strata painters in Sydney often work at heights or in shared, high-traffic areas, which makes safety absolutely non-negotiable.
Ask how they handle risk assessments, scaffolding, and compliance with WHS regulations. Look for painters who conduct toolbox meetings and provide safe work method statement (SWMS) for jobs involving heights over two metres (SafeWork NSW).
Pro Tip: If safety sounds like an afterthought when you ask, consider it as a red flag.
7. What type of paints do you use? How long will it last?
Your building’s exterior paint faces Sydney’s changing weather, while interiors handle high traffic daily. So using inappropriate or lower quality paints just won’t last.
Top strata painters Sydney will recommend high quality, weather-resistant coatings that suit exterior walls or busy shared interiors like stairwells or hallways. They also use reputable paint brands that come with a manufacturer’s warranty.
Pro Tip: Ask about brands, finishes, and how often you should repaint. They should be able to give you a solid answer (like 5–7 years) based on the area and conditions.
Final thoughts
Hiring the right strata painter isn’t just about agreeing on a good price, it’s about making sure your project runs smoothly, safely, and on schedule. By asking these 7 questions, you’ll get a clearer picture of who you’re working with and whether they’re the right fit for your building.
At Paintistry, we’ve partnered with strata managers and owners across Sydney, delivering high-quality results for various types of residences, including apartments, townhouses, and multi-residential buildings. Our team of skilled strata painters bring years of experience, and we back our work with a 5-year workmanship warranty. We only use premium paint products, and we’re committed to getting the job done with minimal interruption to residents.
Looking for a reliable strata painter in Sydney?
Reach out to our trusted strata painters today. Let’s make your next project smooth, simple, and hassle-free.
