So you’ve got a creative streak a mile wide and you like doing something different every day. Have you thought about starting your own painting business?
If you want to own a business with reasonable startup costs and the potential to earn a great living, consider painting. Starting your own business might sound complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. That’s why we’ve put together this step-by-step look at how to start a painting business.
Brushes, rollers, and sprayers
For commercial painters, high-quality brushes and rollers are a must. The style you need will vary depending on the job. For instance, a thin, angled brush for window sashes is typically less than $10, while a broader wall brush will run closer to $25 or $30.
Want to get a little more high-tech? Many painters swear by sprayers, particularly for exterior jobs. They’re fast and relatively easy to use. A well-made airless paint sprayers will start at around $200.
Paint
As a rough guide, one gallon of paint will usually cover 350 square feet, and a good brand will cost from $25 to $45 a gallon. Primer, which you might need depending on the surfaces you’re painting, is similar in price per gallon.
While every house is different, you’ll need about 10 gallons to cover the exterior of a 1,500-square-foot home or 2-3 gallons for an average interior room, so plan accordingly!
Ladders
If you’ll be doing interior and exterior painting, plan on having two ladders. An 8- to 12-foot ladder will come in around $100, while a 28- to 32-foot one should cost around $300.
If you’re just pulling in your first job or two, you could always rent interior scaffolds for around $10 per hour.
Dropcloths, tape, and trays
These don’t need to be anything fancy, of course, as long as they get the job done. Budget $100 altogether, though you probably won’t need that much.
Transportation
If you don’t already have a vehicle that can get your equipment to the job site, it’s time to invest. Some painters say they prefer a van because it’s easier to stay organized, and your supplies stay more secure. While a new cargo van checks in at around $30,000, a used vehicle can be a lifesaver for your budget. Shop around – and don’t forget, you’ll also need a ladder rack! Luckily, good ones can be had for between $100 and $200.
Your business license, permits, and insurance
It’s always a little difficult to estimate these costs because requirements vary by city, county, and state. A safe bet is somewhere between $50 and $400.
Marketing materials
Good marketing is essential to new business owners – but when you’re just learning how to start a painting business, you don’t want to fork over a ton of money for this.
Start with a Facebook page for your new company and some painting business cards, and you’re up and running for less than $50. Add a bit more cash for brochures or flyers to hand out, and you can recoup those expenses after your first couple of jobs.
To price your services:
We’ve all heard the saying, “It takes money to make money.” But now that you’ve invested in your new painting business, how much can you make? Your rates should reflect your local economy, of course, so make sure you’re in line with the local market.
Here’s the fun part: On average, painters in the U.S. charge approximately $50 an hour. When you add up labor and materials, you’ll likely be estimating $1,700-$3600 for the interior of a house and $2,500-$3,000 for an exterior.
And if you’re skilled at specialty items like murals? You can ask $800-$1,700 for a single wall, or up your rate to as much as $100 per hour.
No matter what you decide, remember that the rates you set aren’t permanent. Try out a few rates to see what gets you the most projects – and what gets you the painting projects you enjoy most.
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