Painting has a low barrier to entry and steady demand. The businesses that last treat estimating, safety and customer experience as seriously as the brushwork.
| Type | Customers | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Residential repaint (interior and exterior) | Homeowners | Most common start; relies on reviews and referrals |
| New construction | Builders and general contractors | Steady volume, tighter margins, payment terms |
| Commercial | Offices, retail, property managers, HOAs | Larger jobs; often requires after-hours work and higher insurance limits |
| Industrial and specialty coatings | Factories, warehouses | Specialized equipment and safety training |
| Cabinet refinishing, decorative finishes | Homeowners, designers | Higher price per hour; skill-driven |
| Drywall repair and painting | Homeowners, property managers | Natural add-on service |
Most owners start with residential work, then add commercial clients as they build crews and capital.
See how EZTime works for your industry, from time tracking to shift scheduling.
Our general guide on how to start a business covers business planning in more depth.
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Legal and licensing | Entity formation, contractor license or registration, local business license |
| Insurance | General liability, workers’ compensation, commercial auto |
| Equipment | Brushes, rollers, extension poles, ladders, drop cloths, tape, sprayer, sanders, pressure washer, scaffolding or planks |
| Safety gear | Respirators, eye protection, fall protection where needed, lead-safe supplies |
| Vehicle | Van or truck with racks; lettering |
| Marketing | Website, business cards, yard signs, online listings |
| Software | Estimating, scheduling, time tracking, invoicing |
| Working capital | Paint and payroll before customers pay |
Many painters buy paint per job and pass the cost to the customer, sometimes with a deposit to cover materials. Price each category for your own area.
See our legal requirements checklist for the general steps.
Many US homes built before 1978 contain lead-based paint. The EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule generally requires firms that disturb painted surfaces in pre-1978 homes, child care facilities and schools to be EPA-certified (or certified by an authorized state program) and to use certified renovators and lead-safe work practices. Requirements include providing the “Renovate Right” pamphlet to owners and occupants before work starts, containing the work area, minimizing dust and cleaning carefully.
Penalties for violations can be significant. Get certified before you bid on older homes, and check whether your state runs its own program.
Short toolbox talks keep safety front of mind for your crew.
Common pricing approaches:
| Method | How it works | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| By the hour | Labor hours times an hourly rate, plus materials | Simple, but customers may worry about slow work |
| By the square foot | Rate per square foot of wall or floor area | Easy to quote; adjust for complexity |
| By the room or item | Flat price per room, door, cabinet set | Customers like simplicity |
| By the job | Detailed estimate of labor, materials, overhead and profit | Most accurate for larger jobs |
Whatever method you use, your rate must cover fully loaded labor (wages plus payroll taxes, workers’ compensation and benefits), materials, travel, overhead and profit. Use the labor burden calculator and profit margin calculator to check your numbers. Always put the scope, number of coats, products, prep work and payment terms in a written estimate.
As you grow, hiring is the biggest challenge. Key points:
Our guides on starting a handyman business and starting a pressure washing business cover related trades you might add.
Exterior work slows in cold and wet months in much of the country. Plan for it by building a cash reserve during peak season, marketing interior and cabinet work in winter, offering early-booking discounts for spring exteriors and pursuing commercial clients who repaint on a schedule. Collecting deposits on larger jobs and invoicing promptly at completion also smooths cash flow.
It depends on your state and city. Some states require a contractor license or home improvement registration for painting, often above a certain job value, while others regulate at the local level. Check with your state licensing board and local building department.
Under the EPA’s RRP Rule, firms that disturb painted surfaces in most pre-1978 homes, child care facilities and schools generally must be certified and use certified renovators and lead-safe practices. Some states run their own programs.
Most need general liability, workers’ compensation once they have employees and commercial auto. Some clients or licenses also require bonding.
By the hour, by the square foot, by the room or item, or with a detailed job estimate. The price must cover fully loaded labor, materials, overhead, travel and profit.
Start with your network, set up online listings, ask for reviews, use yard signs, post before-and-after photos and build relationships with real estate agents, property managers and contractors.
Only if they truly operate as independent businesses under federal and state tests. Painters you direct and schedule are usually employees. Misclassification can lead to back pay, taxes and penalties.
Many painters offer a written workmanship warranty for a set period to build trust. Define what it covers, such as peeling or blistering caused by application, and what it excludes, such as damage or moisture problems.
EZTime’s mobile app stamps each clock-in with GPS, and approved clock-in locations flag punches made somewhere else.