How to Start a Housepainting Business

Starting a house painting business is fairly low cost. You need a vehicle large enough to carry equipment. You need the basic tools of the trade. You need insurance, and perhaps licensing in your city or state. We will assume you have already learned painting skills. You also need jobs and a good reputation so you can get more work.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Check with your city and state to see what licensing you may need. At the very least you will need a business license from your county. Before you get your license, make up a professional press release to send to the local newspaper and news outlets. Is there anything unique about your new business? Perhaps you are a woman, or this is a family business, or you are making an interesting career switch. Highlight your strengths and what makes you stand out from the crowd. You will get your painting business off to a great start if you can get profiled in the local news. Purchase liability insurance for a year. It is usually quite inexpensive.
2. Have some business cards printed up. Carry them everywhere and give them to everyone you can. Give plenty to friends, family and neighbors and encourage them to put the word out. Advertising in the phone book usually does not pay off well when starting out, but advertising in the newspaper and local online bulletin boards can be very cost effective. Having magnetic signs with your business name and phone number for your vehicle can also get you business.
3. What to charge? People who are getting estimates for painting jobs will notice that there is a wide range in bid costs. Figure out what you want to make per hour (or per day for larger jobs), add material costs, and there's your estimate. Don't forget incidentals, which can add up. Tools, fillers, tape, caulking and gas to get you to work and back should all be figured in. It is easy to bid too low when starting out. The disadvantage to this is that, when clients recommend you to others, they will often share what you charged and recommend you as someone who is "very affordable." You don't want to get a reputation for being really cheap! It can create goodwill if you bid appropriately, then if the job goes quicker or more smoothly than expected, knock a little bit off the final bill.
4. You should have a professional account with a real paint store. No painting contractor wants to pay full retail for paint and materials. Dealing with one paint company that you like gets you familiar with all the different product lines and knowledgeable paint store staff will be able to guide you in the best paint selection. Don't buy paint from big box stores. They have very limited selections, the staff is usually not as knowledgeable and the paint is not always of the best quality.
5. Be courteous, clean and neat. Clean up at the end of every work day on the job so your equipment isn't in the way. Take great care of the client's furnishings. Do little extras like cleaning off switch plate covers before replacing them and vacuuming under appliances and furniture before you move them back. Offer to replace burned out light bulbs that are high enough to only be accessible by a ladder as long as you're up there. These things take very little time but make a big impression. Most clients appreciate attention to detail and being as neat as possible on the job. This is how you get recommended, and "word of mouth" is the best way to get work and stay busy.

Tips & Warnings

• Get a book of contractor's quote sheets from an office supply store and give all clients a detailed written estimate.
• Save all receipts, whether you are doing your own accounting or hiring an accountant.