Prep first
Wash, scrape, fill, sand and prime before topcoat.
Interior · exterior · roofs · Cape Town
Painting and Decorating Cape Town: Interior and Exterior Painting Prepped to Last
Painting and decorating Cape Town homeowners book with A1 Renovations lasts because of the prep. We wash, scrape, fill, sand, treat damp and prime before a drop of topcoat goes on, then paint interiors, exteriors and roofs with the right system for each surface, so the finish holds up to Cape Town sun, salt air and winter rain.
Prep before paint, alwaysDamp and cracks treated firstInterior, exterior and roof systems
Damp treated
We find and treat damp before painting over it.
Right system
Surface-matched paint for walls, wood, metal and roofs.
Itemised quote
Prep, primer, coats and area priced line by line.
What we do
Painting and Decorating Cape Town: Interior, Exterior and Roofs
Good painting and decorating in Cape Town is 90% preparation and 10% paint. Anyone can roll a wall; the difference between a job that lasts eight years and one that peels in two is the washing, scraping, filling, sanding, damp treatment and priming that happens first.
We handle the full range of residential painting:
- Interior painting, walls, ceilings, trim and doors, with dust and furniture protected and clean cutting-in.
- Exterior painting, which takes the brunt of Cape Town sun, salt and wind, so surface prep and the right paint matter most.
- Roof painting, cleaned, treated and coated with a proper roof system, not wall paint.
- Damp proofing and crack repair, because painting over damp or a live crack just hides it for a month.
Painting as part of a bigger renovation? We fold it into the programme so it happens in the right order, after the dusty work and before the floors go down. See our interior remodeling page.
The hidden workWhy paint fails early
Why prep matters01 02 03 04
Painters Cape Town: The Prep That Makes Paint Last
Why does paint peel, flake or go patchy in a year or two? Almost never the paint, almost always the prep. These are the steps painters Cape Town homeowners trust never skip.
Clean the surface
Dust, dirt, salt and old flaking paint stop new paint sticking. We wash down, scrape and sand back to a sound surface so the topcoat bonds instead of peeling off the old layer.
Treat damp first
Painting over rising or penetrating damp traps it, and the paint blisters within weeks. We find the source, fix it and let it dry, then use a damp-resistant system. Cape Town wet winters make this the number one cause of callbacks.
Fill and repair cracks
Hairline cracks are filled and flexible-sealed; live structural cracks are investigated first. Filling over a moving crack just cracks the filler too.
Prime the right way
Bare plaster, new filler, wood and metal each need the right primer. Skip it and the topcoat soaks in unevenly or lifts. We prime so the colour goes on even and holds.
Paint systems
Interior and Exterior Painting Cape Town: The Right System for Each Surface
Which paint should you use where? Each surface needs its own system. Interior and exterior painting Cape Town homes need is not one product but several, matched to the wall, the weather and the wear.
Interior walls and ceilings
Low-sheen or matt acrylic for walls, a washable finish in kitchens and passages, and a bright ceiling white. Water-based enamels on trim and doors stay white instead of yellowing.
Exterior walls
A UV- and weather-resistant exterior acrylic, often with a damp-resistant or elastomeric coating on the weather side. The Cape Town south-easter and winter rain punish a cheap exterior paint fast.
Roofs
Roofs need a dedicated roof system: cleaned, rust-treated on steel, then a roof coating that handles heat and UV. Wall paint on a roof fails within a season.
Wood and metal
Gutters, railings, window frames and timber each need the right primer and a hard-wearing enamel, so they do not rust, rot or peel in the salt air near the coast.
2026 prices
Painting Cost Cape Town: 2026 Guide Prices
How much does painting cost in Cape Town? As a 2026 guide, interior walls and ceilings run about R45 to R65 per m², exterior walls about R55 to R85 per m² (more with heavy prep or height), and roof painting about R35 to R55 per m². A full repaint of a single-storey three-bedroom home typically runs R18,000 to R40,000+, depending on prep, damp proofing and paint quality.
These are guide ranges, not quotes. What moves a painting Cape Town price most? The amount of prep, whether damp or cracks need fixing, the height and access, and the paint quality. A painting and decorating Cape Town quote from us separates prep, primer, coats and area, so you can see what you are paying for and where to invest.
Across Cape Town
Painting Across Cape Town: What Each Area Throws at Your Paint
Painting and decorating Cape Town wide is shaped by the weather and the house. What punishes paint in Sea Point is different from what punishes it in Durbanville.
Atlantic Seaboard and coast
Sea Point, Green Point, Camps Bay, Fish Hoek and the Strand get salt air and wind that strip exterior paint and rust metal. Marine-grade systems and rust treatment on railings and gutters earn their keep.
Southern suburbs
Rondebosch, Newlands and Claremont get the heaviest winter rain, up to around 2,000 mm a year in Newlands, so damp proofing and a breathable, water-resistant exterior come first.
Northern suburbs
Kuils River, Brackenfell, Durbanville and Bellville get hot, dry summers and strong UV, so a UV-stable exterior that does not fade is the priority, close to our base off the R102.
City Bowl and Helderberg
Older City Bowl homes need careful prep and sometimes heritage-sympathetic colours; Somerset West and Strand take the south-easter, so exterior prep and fixings matter.
How we work
How a Painting Job in Cape Town Runs, Step by Step
How long does painting take? A single room is a day or two. A full interior is several days. An exterior depends on the prep, the damp and the weather window, since we avoid painting in the rain.
Site visit and quote
We look at the surfaces, test for damp, note the prep needed and give an itemised quote.
Protect and prepare
Furniture and floors covered, then washing, scraping, sanding, filling and crack repair.
Treat damp and prime
Damp sources treated and dried, bare surfaces, filler, wood and metal primed with the right primer.
First coat
The first topcoat goes on evenly, cutting in neatly at edges and ceilings.
Second coat
A full second coat for even colour and coverage, more on strong colour changes.
Clean up and check
We clean up, remove masking, and walk the job with you to pick up any touch-ups.
Before you sign
How to Choose a Painter in Cape Town
What should you ask before anyone paints your house?
- What prep is included: washing, scraping, sanding, filling?
- How do they treat damp and cracks before painting?
- What primer and paint system do they use on each surface?
- How many coats, and is that in the quote?
- Does the quote separate prep, primer, coats and area?
- How do they protect your furniture, floors and garden?
Related services
Pair Painting and Decorating Cape Town With These Services
Interior remodeling
Whole-interior makeovers, one managed team.
Interior remodeling →
Period home renovations
Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco details kept and restored.
Period homes →
Turnkey renovations
One contract for several rooms, from plans to certificates.
Turnkey →
Tiling
Floors, walls and showers tiled and waterproofed.
Tiling →How much does it cost to paint a house in Cape Town?
As a 2026 guide, interior walls and ceilings run about R45 to R65 per m², exterior walls R55 to R85 per m², and roofs R35 to R55 per m². A single-storey three-bedroom repaint typically runs R18,000 to R40,000+, depending on prep, damp and paint quality.
Why does my paint keep peeling?
Almost always poor prep or damp. Painting over a dirty, flaking or damp surface means the new paint lifts with the old. We wash, scrape, treat damp and prime so the topcoat bonds and holds.
Do you treat damp before painting?
Yes. We find the source of the damp, fix it, let it dry and use a damp-resistant system. Painting over damp just traps it, and the paint blisters within weeks.
How many coats of paint do I need?
Usually a primer where needed plus two topcoats for even colour and coverage. Strong colour changes or bare surfaces can need an extra coat. We say so in the quote.
What is the best time of year to paint in Cape Town?
Exteriors are best in the dry, warmer months, roughly spring to autumn, so the paint cures and we avoid the winter rain. Interiors can be done year-round.
Can you paint over face brick or a dark colour?
Yes. Face brick needs the right sealer and prep first; a dark colour needs a good primer or an extra coat so the new colour covers evenly.
Do you do roof painting?
Yes, with a dedicated roof system: cleaned, rust-treated on steel, then a roof coating built for heat and UV. Wall paint on a roof fails fast, so we never use it.
How long does a house repaint take?
A single room is a day or two, a full interior several days, and an exterior depends on the prep, the damp work and the weather, since we do not paint in the rain.
FAQ
Painting and Decorating: Questions Cape Town Homeowners Ask
Straight answers before you paint. Prices are 2026 guide figures; your itemised quote replaces them.
Ask us on WhatsApp
Contact the local team
Talk to Our Painting Team
Tell us what you need painted, interior, exterior or roof, and the rough sizes. We reply on WhatsApp or email.