How we help schools plan commercial painting projects with funding and access in mind

Schools are always balancing what needs doing with when it can be done, and they’re busy, high-activity places. While it’s possible to complete painting projects with students, teachers and visitors around, there are only a handful of opportunities each year to tackle them while the halls are empty. When it’s time for painting and remedial works, a school’s first concerns are usually funding and access.

At Dukes, we’ve been transforming spaces since 1958, and we specialise in commercial painting for educational facilities. This includes aligning proposals with funding requirements and scheduling works around term breaks for minimal disruption and maximum impact. Here’s what school leaders should understand about the process, from initial engagement through to completion.

Dukes delivers school painting projects that prioritise minimal disruption, reduced administrative effort, and long-term value. From the initial site inspection through to completion, we carefully manage each phase of the project and work closely with principals, business managers and facility managers to understand their needs, timelines and expectations. We listen — and that initial consultation informs everything from quoting to scheduling, and sets the tone for a straightforward, accountable delivery.

We keep the process as simple as possible to reduce stress for school staff. That’s why we provide a single point of contact to oversee the broader scope of work. Schedules are mapped carefully around the school calendar, with a focus on using holiday periods where possible. Even when admin staff or care programs are on site, our team is well equipped to work in live environments. All workers are fully vetted, professionally trained, and experienced in operating within school settings.

Painting is rarely, if ever, a standalone job. A coat of paint is only as good as the surface it’s applied to. Our quotes cover everything needed, from remedial building repairs to flooring upgrades and lead paint removal. With a broad capability and a coordinated approach, we make sure schools aren’t left chasing subcontractors or repeating work down the track.

We take a long view of the work. By understanding and aligning with a school’s capital works plan, we contribute in a way that’s consistent, coordinated and built to support future needs. We review quality regularly, at every stage of every project. It’s how we maintain standards and build lasting trust.

Catholic and Independent schools usually receive annual maintenance budgets, but larger capital works such as full repaints, remedial repairs or lead paint remediation often require CapEx grants through their central office, such as the Catholic Schools Office or Independent Schools Association. Principals and business managers can apply, with applications generally assessed on urgency, visual impact, potential to support enrolment growth or stakeholder confidence, and how well the project aligns with long-term plans.

Public schools operate under annual rolling budgets allocated by the Department of Education for general maintenance. Painting projects are usually prioritised based on asset condition reports, safety concerns such as flaking paint or lead-based surfaces, and department-driven upgrade schedules, particularly for facades and high-use areas. Principals can still engage local contractors directly for specific works, as long as the scope fits within budget and complies with procurement guidelines. Projects that are clearly scoped, easy to quote and supported with the right compliance documentation tend to move through approvals more quickly.

Whether applying for a grant or working within an existing budget, Dukes supports both public and private schools by providing detailed proposals that clearly outline the work that needs to be done. Where required, we offer flexible options to help align the project with available funding and meet procurement requirements.

Dukes was engaged by a Catholic school on Sydney’s Lower North Shore to complete a full internal and external repaint during the 2025 summer holidays. The principal’s goal was to refresh the school’s visual presentation and maintain the long-term integrity of the buildings. Following a thorough site review, we tailored a proposal that covered all surfaces and specified a Taubmans low-VOC, high-durability coating system suited to school environments. By using our own access equipment, we reduced the need for external hire, which lowered overall project costs.

While the school did have some internal budget available, it was not enough to cover the full scope. Using our detailed proposal, the principal applied for a grant through the Catholic Schools Office, which was approved in mid-December, just weeks before the break.
Our team mobilised immediately after the grant approval, and worked safely around on-site holiday care programs while ensuring minimal disruption. The full repaint was completed in January 2025, ahead of the new school term. The result was visually striking, professionally finished, and delivered with zero delays. The principal was extremely pleased, and the original objectives of improved aesthetics and extended building life were fully achieved.

We recommend schools contact Dukes at least six to eight weeks before the holiday period to allow time for site inspections, quoting and programming. Early planning helps secure a project slot. Once the scope is approved, our team manages everything from access planning and WHS compliance through to set-up and completion.

Holiday projects allow for maximum efficiency. With no students or teaching staff on-site, there are no disruptions to learning, no safety risks to manage as there would be during the term, and full access to all required areas. Fewer restrictions mean a smoother process from start to finish.

Working during breaks also means faster completion and, in many cases, lower cost. Without the need to stage works around occupied areas or limited working hours, our team can move more quickly and complete the job in full before classes resume.

Working in schools requires more than technical capability. Contractors need a clear understanding of how education environments function, from safeguarding requirements to the sensitivities of operating around care programs or admin teams. Familiarity with these settings leads to smoother, less disruptive outcomes.

Compliance isn’t optional. Any contractor working on a school site should meet WHS, insurance and risk management standards, with all workers holding valid Working With Children Checks. Well-documented processes and trained staff protect everyone involved.

Budget pressure is a constant in school capital works. The right contractor will be prepared to collaborate on scope, offer staged options if needed, and find cost-saving opportunities without cutting corners. That kind of flexibility makes a real difference, especially when timelines are tight. Schools also need a team that can mobilise quickly, deliver efficiently, and return a clean, safe site.

Where hazardous materials like lead paint or asbestos are present, the contractor must be licensed and equipped to manage them in full compliance with EPA requirements.

With the winter school holidays approaching and spring not far behind that, now is a good time to consider what your educational facility might need. As we’ve covered, commercial painting is an investment in presentation, building longevity, and at times, safety. And with the youngest members of society learning how to grow and engage with the world, the environment they’re in matters.

To organise a personalised quote, or to learn more about our commercial painting, remedial building repairs, flooring or lead paint remediation services for education settings, contact Dukes today.