Starting a painting business can be lucrative, but success requires more than just mastering the art of the brush.

Skilled painters are always in high demand, but it’s important to understand the costs involved. From equipment to growth marketing and operational overhead, it’s a lot to handle.

Great news—getting started is the hardest part. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you turn your painting experience into a booming business. 

The Plan

A business plan is your roadmap. It keeps you focused, helps you set goals, and guides your decisions as you grow. You can create your business plan yourself or find a template that reflects the type of business you aim to build. 

If you’re looking for a loan or investment, lenders will want to see your business plan. It shows you’ve thought about how you’ll make money and manage expenses.

Here’s what to include in your plan:
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• Executive Summary: Summarize your plan by highlighting the main points.
  
  
• Company Overview: Provide a detailed look at your company and the services you offer.
   
• Pricing Strategy: Break down your service pricing.
   
• Market Analysis: Define the area you’ll serve and describe your target customers. Research your competition and assess the local demand.
  
  
• Management and Staffing: Will you handle the work yourself or have help? If hiring employees or subcontractors, outline the roles you’ll need and when you’ll hire.
  
  
• Marketing Plan: Plan how you’ll reach your customers and maintain company growth and momentum.
  
  
• Financial Projections: Estimate your first year’s income, expenses, and cash flow.

Registration

Deciding on a business structure is a key step when starting your business. Here are your main options: 
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• Sole Proprietorship: You’re the boss. It’s easy to set up and gives you full control.
   
• Limited Liability Company (LLC): Protect your personal assets while keeping flexibility. Profits can be taxed at the member or corporate level.
  
  
• Partnership: Starting your business with others? A partnership splits profits among owners, who report earnings on their personal taxes. 
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Once you have chosen a business structure, you’ll need to register your company. In most cases, the cost to register your painting business is less than $300, but fees will vary depending on the state and business structure. In Canada, the fee for federal incorporation is $200 if done online. 

Get a Business License

To work as a painting contractor, you’ll likely need a painter’s license. Requirements vary by region and can depend on factors like job cost, experience, exams, and local registration. Licenses typically cost from $75 to $400 per year. Check with your local Chamber of Commerce or the Small Business Administration to find out what’s required in your area. 

In Canada, certification is optional in most provinces except Quebec, where it’s required. Certification (called a 404C Painter and Decorator certificate). An assessment costs $265, not including membership fees and the exam.

Get Insured

Painters face plenty of risks on the job. Falls, injuries, or exposure to dangerous chemicals are just a few. There’s also the risk of damaging a client’s property, dealing with lawsuits by unsatisfied customers, or handling employee injury claims. 

Without the right insurance, these problems can lead to big financial losses or even shutting down your business.

There are several types of insurance to consider, depending on what you need: 
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• General Liability Insurance covers bodily injuries or property damage that might happen while you’re working.
  
  
• Commercial Property Insurance protects your office, storage, or equipment from damage.
  
  
• Commercial Auto Insurance covers your business vehicle in case of an accident or damage.
  
  
• Workers’ Compensation helps with medical bills and lost wages if an employee is hurt or gets sick on the job.
  
  
• Unemployment Insurance supports workers who are laid off. It’s legally required in every state. 
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For a simpler option, you can choose a business owner’s policy (BOP), which bundles general liability and property insurance. In Canada, costs generally start at $500 - $2,500 per year.

Open a Business Bank Account

Setting up a business bank account is one of the first steps to managing your finances. You’ll use it to run payroll, pay vendors, and handle other business expenses. 

Opening a business bank account also ensures you keep your company’s assets and finances separate from your personal ones. It also makes bookkeeping easier and is required if you plan to incorporate your business. 

Pair it with small business accounting software to track expenses, manage payroll, and stay on top of your finances. 

Gear Up

Painting equipment can get pricey, so stick to the basics when you’re starting out and add more tools as you grow. 

Your equipment will depend on your specialty and the finishes your client's request, but every beginner painter needs these essentials:
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• Ladders and scaffolding
• Paintbrushes and rollers 
• Paint sprayers
• Painter’s multi-tool
• Wall fillers and sandpaper
• Painter’s tape and drop cloths
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Keep in mind that you can rent specialized tools like paint sprayers when you need them.

And let's not forget about transport. It’s one of the most expensive investments you’ll make. However, a reliable work vehicle will ensure you get to your jobs on time, with all your equipment in tow—and probably double as your mobile office.

Start Booking Jobs

You’ve set up your painting business (phew!). Now what? Well, your job is not done. Now comes the fun part: marketing your painting to attract clients and secure jobs. 

Here are quick strategies to help you reach new customers:

• Build a Basic Website: You can outsource this to a professional or try building one yourself using tools like Squarespace and Wix.
  
  
• Claim Your Google Business Profile: Encourage customer reviews to build trust and showcase your quality work.
  
  
• Create a Facebook Business Page: Use it to post before-and-after photos, client reviews, and service discounts. Consider expand to LinkedIn and Instagram to expand your reach.
  
  
• Send SMS marketing campaigns to stay top-of-mind with potential clients.
  
  
• List your business on directories like Yelp, HomeAdvisor, and Houzz.
  
  
• Start a referral program to reward customers who promote your business.
   
• Run Google Local Services Ads to show up when people search for painters nearby.
  
  
• Take advantage of automation software to manage leads. Tools like Chekkit gather messages from Facebook, Instagram, SMS marketing, and more into one inbox to simplify your workflow. For just $149 per month, you’ll be able to grow your painting business without a large marketing team!
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The massive impact that savvy marketing can have on your business doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Many small businesses spend 2% to 5% of their annual revenue on marketing.

Recruit 

Trying to do everything yourself isn’t sustainable. But growing doesn’t mean hiring full-time staff. If you don’t have enough work to keep someone busy 40 hours a week, hiring full-time could cost you more than it’s worth.

Finding reliable subcontractors is a smart way to scale your painting business. Build a network of self-employed painters you trust to deliver quality work under your direction. Subcontractors let you take on more jobs, expand to new locations, and handle bigger projects. They also bring their own materials, saving you time and money.

Employees, on the other hand, are ideal for ongoing, long-term projects. They offer consistency, can be trained, and grow with your team. The average wage in the U.S. is $21.82 per hour. In Canada, the average painter's wage is $21.50 per hour. But don’t forget to budget for more than just salaries: benefits, tools, and training all add up.

Key Takeaways

Starting your own painting business takes effort and planning, but it’s a realistic goal if you take it step by step. Here’s a quick recap of what’s involved:

• Create a business plan: Outline your services, target market, pricing, and goals to stay focused and set yourself up for success.
  
  
• Choose your business structure: Pick a legal structure like sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation based on how you want to operate and grow.
  
  
• Register your painting business legally: Make your business official by registering your name and getting the right tax IDs and licenses.
  
  
• Get licenses, insurance, and permits: Stay compliant and protect your business with general liability insurance and any local permits you need.
  
  
• Buy painting equipment and supplies: Stock up on quality tools, safety gear, and a reliable vehicle to get the job done right.
  
  
• Build your brand and online presence: Choose a strong name, design a logo, and set up your website and Google Business Profile.
  
  
• Estimate your startup costs: Add up all your expenses so you know exactly how much it’ll take to launch and run your business.
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When you're ready to start booking jobs and building trust with customers, Chekkit makes it easy. From getting more 5-star reviews to texting with leads and collecting payments, Chekkit helps you look professional and stay organized. Book a demo today and grow your painting business faster!

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