How to Make Money Painting House Numbers on Curbs

Painting addresses on curbs can earn you money and make your neighborhood safer.

Curb addresses aren't just a matter of style; they can also help families in an emergency. Curb addresses are easier for emergency crews to see from the road than street numbers nailed to the front of a house, which may be hidden in the dark. By starting a curb-painting business, you can make money while providing a useful service to your neighbors.

Things You'll Need

• Spray paint
• 3-inch number stencils
• Rubber gloves
• Tape

Instructions

1. Contact your local Small Business Administration office and inform the representative of your plans to start a curb-painting business. He will tell you of the legal requirements for such a business in your area. Fulfill these requirements as soon as you can to avoid possible fines.

2. Buy spray paint in at least two colors, one bright and reflective and the other dark. The contrast of the two colors will make street addresses visible on the curb in the dark. Buy 3-inch number stencils in a standard font to make your numbers uniform.

3. Advertise your services in the local area. You might do this buy knocking on doors, leaving fliers on doors or posting fliers on neighborhood bulletin boards. List your contact information and don't forget to explain how curb addresses can help families in emergencies. Charge customers more than what you paid for the materials in order to make a profit.

4. Wear rubber gloves when painting curbs. Choose one spray paint color for the numbers and use the stencil to paint the house address in a light layer on the curb. Make sure to place the numbers in a straight line. This isn't the final product, but will show you how much space the street address will take up on the curb.

5. Stick tape in a rectangle shape around the street address, about an inch away from the numbers. Spray a solid layer of the second paint color inside this rectangle to form the background of the curb address (this covers the numbers from Step 4). To avoid making a mess, allow the paint to dry before you continue.

6. Repaint the street address within the rectangle, applying a solid layer of paint instead of a light one. The result should be a solid street address within a contrasting rectangle, easily visible from the road.

References

• City of Scottsdale: Curb Address Painting