About Darryl Hathway - Melbourne
From Queensland beginnings to Melbourne’s inner east
DHPainting began in 2009 in Brisbane as a small family-run painting business. Over time it has grown into one of Australia’s best-known quality residential painting companies, with a strong reputation for detailed workmanship, honest communication and transparent client feedback.
The business is still family-owned and founder-led. As we’ve expanded from Brisbane into Townsville and now into Melbourne, the goal has remained the same: treat every home with respect and deliver a finish the owners are genuinely proud of.
Our Melbourne focus is on the inner-east suburbs where architecture and detail really matter: Hawthorn, Hawthorn East, Toorak, Kew, South Yarra and Richmond. Victorian and Edwardian homes, terraces, townhouses and larger residences in these areas are a natural fit for the way we work.
How Queensland’s licensing shaped our approach
Our business grew up in Queensland, where trade licensing and regulation for painters are clearly defined and actively enforced. Operating in that environment has shaped us in a few important ways:
- We prioritise painters with strong trade backgrounds and technical skills.
- We work to clear expectations around workmanship, accountability and insurance.
- We are used to documentation, inspection and long-term performance being part of the job.
As the company grew, we didn’t stop at “meeting the rules”. We built our own internal benchmark above that. Those standards now act as the baseline for every residential project.
The DH systems behind our work
Great results don’t come from good painters alone; they come from good painters working inside a clear, proven system.
1. Assessment and scope
- On-site inspection by an experienced supervisor
- Identification of substrates, existing coatings and defects
- A written scope that sets realistic expectations for outcome and lifespan
2. Preparation standards
- Defined preparation levels for timber, render, brick, plaster and metal
- Documented procedures for sanding, filling, sealing and priming
- Strict rules around dust control, masking and protection of furnishings and gardens
3. Product specification
- Coating systems matched to Melbourne's conditions and each surface
- Preference for premium products with a track record on real homes
- Clear instructions on film builds, recoat times and curing
4. Application and supervision
- Senior leading hands and supervisors overseeing each stage
- Checkpoints for edges, trims, windows and high-wear areas
- Daily site reviews to maintain consistency and cleanliness
5. Quality assurance and handover
- Multi-stage internal QA checklist before client walkthrough
- A clean, tidy site at completion
- Documentation of colours and products used for future maintenance
These systems sit behind our awards, long-term client relationships and the steady stream of word-of-mouth work we receive.
Awards, recognition and partnerships
Master Painters Australia awards
We have received multiple awards from Master Painters Australia across some of the most competitive domestic repaint categories in Queensland, recognising both workmanship and project delivery.
Haymes Paint Trade Pro
We are recognised by Haymes Paint as a Haymes Paint Trade Pro partner, a status reserved for selected painting businesses that consistently meet Haymes’ expectations for quality and professionalism.
Transparent client feedback
Our handwritten review process and public Review Heat Map provide a detailed, long-term record of how clients rate our workmanship across hundreds of jobs.
Our values
Care for people and property
We treat your home, neighbours and community with respect. Clean sites, polite crews and clear communication are standard, not extras.
Honesty and transparency
From quoting to final invoicing, we aim for clarity and straight answers. That includes realistic advice on what is achievable.
Pride in workmanship
Details, edges, lines, textures, repairs matter as much up close as they do from the street. We work to a standard that satisfies our own internal checks first.
Continuous improvement
We review completed projects, study client feedback and refine our systems based on what we learn.
High standards for inner-east homes
If you would like to know more about how we work, or to discuss a specific project, we’re happy to talk through what’s involved.