How to Start a Painting Business With Expert Advice from Painters Enterprise

1. Learn professional painting skills

Whether you plan to work on homes or commercial buildings, having the right skills can help you avoid costly mistakes. Here are some important skills all painters should know:

• Preparation techniques: You need to know how to scrape, patch, and sand surfaces to get them ready for painting. Proper prep work ensures the paint goes on smoothly and lasts longer.
• Basic painting techniques: Mastering brushes and rollers will help you get an even coat of paint and avoid the need for touch-ups. Learn how to “cut in” paint, which is painting straight lines along edges without using tape.
• Different types of paints: It’s important to know when to use the right type of paint, such as oil-based, latex, or acrylic. Each type is suited for different surfaces and environments.
• Priming and painting order: Knowing when to use primer and the best order for painting a room (from top to bottom) can make your work more efficient.

If you’re planning to offer commercial painting services, you’ll need to learn some specialized skills as well:

• Epoxy coatings: Epoxy is often used on floors in commercial spaces like warehouses and garages. Applying epoxy requires special training since it’s a different process than regular painting.
• Line striping: This is used to paint lines in parking lots, roads, or athletic fields. It requires precision and specific equipment.
• High-durability coatings: In commercial settings, you may need to apply coatings that can withstand heavy use. These coatings require different techniques than typical paints.

Getting hands-on experience is the best way to learn. Many painting contractors start by working for a painting company for one or two years. This experience can also give you insight into the industry and how to start a painting business of your own.

2. Create a business plan

A business plan acts like a roadmap for starting a painting business. It helps you stay focused on your goals, giving you a clear direction. You can make better decisions about how to grow your business and tackle challenges that come along.

If you need a loan or investment, most banks and lenders will ask to see your business plan. It demonstrates you’ve thought about how your business will make money and how you’ll handle expenses.

Components of a painting business plan

Your business plan should include the following:

• Cover page: Include your business name and the date.
• Table of contents: List the different sections of your business plan so it’s easy to navigate.
• Executive summary: Provide a recap of the entire plan, highlighting the key points.
• Business overview: Describe your painting business, including the types of services you’ll offer—whether residential, commercial, or both—and the customers you plan to serve.
• Services list: Detail the painting services you’ll provide. This might include interior and exterior painting, cabinet painting, or specialized commercial services.
• Pricing strategy: Outline your rates for each service. Consider factors like the cost of materials, labor, and desired profit margins.
• Market analysis: Identify the area you’ll serve and the demographics of your target customers. Research local competition to understand the market demand.
• Competitive analysis: Identify the strengths and weaknesses of other painting businesses in your area. Explain how your business will stand out.
• Marketing plan: Develop a strategy for reaching your ideal customers. This could include online marketing, local advertising, or partnerships with real estate agents and property managers.
• Employee planning: If you plan to hire employees or subcontractors, outline the roles you’ll need and a timeline for hiring.
• Financial projections: Provide estimates for your first year of business, including expected income, expenses, and cash flow.

Even if you don’t need a business plan to get a loan, it’s smart to create one. You can find a more complete guide to writing a business plan from the Small Business Administration.

3. Register your business

Once you’ve chosen a unique painting company name, you’re ready to complete the paperwork you need to run your business legally.

First, decide what business structure you want to register your business as. These are the typical options for small businesses:

• Sole proprietorship: You run your operations alone and want complete control over your business.
• Partnership: You’re opening your painting business with two or more people who are still legally considered self-employed.
• Limited liability company (LLC): You run a medium or high-risk business, and you want to protect yourself from personal liability.

READ MORE: Should I incorporate my small business?

Then you’ll need to register your company name. This process is different depending on where you live:

• United States: As long as nobody else in your state is using your painting company name, you can trademark it and register your domain name.
• Canada: If it’s the same as your personal name, you don’t need to register your business name. Otherwise, register the trade name and trademark it to protect your brand.
• United Kingdom: Choose whether you’re a sole trader or business partnership. Check your name availability, search for a trademark, and register your company name and business.
• Australia: If your business isn’t using your personal name, you’ll need to register your business name through the Business Registration Service, ASIC, or a private service provider.

Pro Tip: Type “YOUR CITY NAME + business laws” into Google to find your local regulations for painting businesses.

Get a business license

A business license is what legally allows you to run your business. You need a license to operate your business—no exceptions.

The specific kind of license you need will vary from state to state. Contact your local Chamber of Commerce or the Small Business Administration (SBA) to find out what you need.

Licensing and registration can cost between $75 and $400 USD per year, depending on your region. You’ll need to display your business license in your office or when asked to provide proof of registration.

4. Get painting business insurance

Painting insurance protects you, your business, and your future employees from losses caused by injury, property damage, or other unexpected incidents.

There are different types of insurance you can choose from, depending on the coverage you need:

• General liability insurance covers you financially if someone is injured on the job site or a customer’s property is damaged.
• Commercial property insurance protects you in the event your office, storage space, or painting equipment is damaged.
• Commercial auto insurance covers your company vehicle in case of collision or other damage.
• Workers’ compensation protects your business if an employee is injured on the job.

Or, opt for a business owner’s policy that packages insurance for small business owners. This type of policy typically includes general liability, commercial property, and business income insurance.

Insurance is your safety net, and it’s an essential part of running your painting business. Shop around for the right insurance plan for your small business and check out various providers in your area.

5. Set up a business bank account

Open a business bank account and get a business credit card to keep your business’s finances and assets separate from your personal ones. This is the first step to easier bookkeeping, and it’s a requirement if you decide to incorporate your business.

Then use small business accounting software like QuickBooks Online to track expenses, run payroll, and keep your business’s finances organized.

6. Decide which types of painting services to offer

Choosing what services you want to offer will help hone your skills and focus your marketing strategy. It will also save you from promising work that you’re not prepared to do.

Here are some types of painting services you might offer:

• Interior painting
• Exterior painting
• Construction painting
• Repaints
• Staining
• Drywall repairs
• Wallpaper removal
• Metal door painting
• Deck reconditioning
• Pressure washing or power washing

The painting services you offer should depend on what you want to do, what you’re good at, and what your clients need.

7. Choose your painting equipment

Painting equipment can be expensive, so start by investing in the essentials and build your inventory of equipment over time.

If you’re a house painter, you’ll need the following painting supplies:

• A few brushes of different sizes
• Roller
• Paint tray
• Drop cloths
• Sandpaper
• Painter’s tape
• Scrapers
• Ladder and a caulking gun (for exterior paint jobs)

You can rent advanced tools, like paint sprayers, when you actually need them. Those can cost over $500 to purchase and eat into your other important startup costs.

For commercial painting jobs, you’ll absolutely need:

• A ladder
• Canvas drop cloths
• Caulk and compound
• Sandpaper and scrapers
• Industrial primer
• A pressure washer
• A tape measure
• Stir sticks
• An extension pole
• Edging tools

Graham recommends always keeping your paint tools with you, and not borrowing supplies from your clients, or the painters you’re working with.

“As soon as you find yourself in a situation where you need a specific tool, go out and get the tool. You need proper tools to get the job done properly!”

Equipment cost breakdown

Here’s a breakdown of the estimated costs for basic supplies you’ll need to get started. As you take on larger or more specialized projects, you may need additional tools that will increase your total cost.

Invest in painting business software

In addition to equipment, you’ll need painting contractor software to keep you organized. It helps you control your entire operations in one place.

Here what you can do with Jobber’s painting software:

• Quickly create professional estimates that include suggested add-ons or optional packages. Jobber helps you set the right price every time with quote markups.
• Add painting jobs to your schedule quickly. Jobber lets you visualize your visits for the day and automatically generate most fuel efficient routes.
• Manage customer details, work orders, and communication—from the office or on the go. Jobber makes it easy to keep track of the information you need, like room measurements or paint colors, to complete jobs smoothly.
• Instantly convert a painting job into a professional invoice that’s ready to send to clients. Then set up automated payment reminders to get paid faster and improve your cash flow.

8. Learn how to price your services for profit

You need to estimate your painting jobs properly to keep your small business profitable. To accurately price your painting services:

• Visit the client’s home or building and inspect the conditions of the space
• Estimate how many hours it will take you to complete the job
• Multiply the time by the cost of labor
• Add your materials, overhead costs, and your desired profit margin
• Use software to total the estimate and send your client a copy of the quote

READ MORE: How to estimate and quote a painting job

Quoting software like Jobber lets you create customer-friendly quotes in minutes. Suggest optional services (like wallpaper removal or drywall repair) directly on your quote and automate your follow-ups to keep work moving forward.

9. Get your first painting customers

The first step to marketing your painting business is establishing a brand and an online presence. These make your business easy for a potential customer to find.

Try these three marketing strategies to reach new customers fast:

Brand your painting business

Your brand is how the public sees your business. It’s the look and personality of your company, and it should hint at what sets you apart from your competitors. To build your brand:

• Know your value proposition. What makes your painting company different? It could be your main client base (e.g., senior citizens, clients who work night shifts), your values (e.g., being eco-friendly), or a personality trait you’re proud of. Write a short, memorable line that summarizes that.
• Create a logo and choose your company colors. Try an online logo generator like Looka to make something simple and easy to read. Your logo and colors should reflect what makes your business unique.
• Choose a uniform. This helps you (and your team) represent your company when you’re on the job. You could order t-shirts with your name and logo, or even pants, hats, or face masks that match your brand colors.
• Make branded business cards and vehicle decals that include your logo, company name, phone number, website, and email address.

Pro Tip: Get a dedicated business phone number and email address. There are free email options available, or you can use a custom name after the ‘@’ symbol if you’ve purchased a domain name for your website.

Build an online presence

Most of your future clients are looking for businesses online. Setting up your online presence helps potential customers easily find your business on the internet and contact you.

Here are a few simple ways to build an online presence:

• Create a Facebook business page. Share before-and-after photos, client reviews, and discounts on services
• Create profiles on Instagram and LinkedIn
• Claim your Google Business Profile listing
• Make a simple website (using online website builders like Wix or Squarespace)
• Create listings on online directories like Yelp, Houzz, HomeAdvisor, or Angi

READ MORE: How to build an online presence for your business: 4 low-cost steps

10. Hire subcontractors or employees

Subcontractors are great for projects that require specific skill sets, while employees are great for on-going, long term projects.

Hiring painting subcontractors has helped Graham complete more work, take on bigger jobs, open more locations. You can rely on subcontractors to supply all their own materials, which is one less expense and responsibility to worry about.