Trades

How To Start A Precision Painting Business | Become A Painter

Painters Are All Artists

Call it science or art, whichever works. But we can all agree that a beautifully painted wall is the icing on the cake for your home or business. There are millions of houses in the US, and many more are under construction each year. These homes must be repainted at least two to three times over their lifetime. Homes that are selling may require a fresh coat of paint to make them more presentable. If you have the expertise and experience and want to start your own commercial painting contractors business or get some experience in the paint business, keep reading. There will always be jobs for pro painters and plenty of room for those looking to start a premier painting business.

Start A Professional Painting Company – Be A Pro Painter

When beginning in the painting industry, you can work as a solo painter or become employed with a larger company. While painting may appear to be an easy job, it is not as easy as it looks. The work is hard, and you’ll need to have multiple other skills like fixing holes in drywall, climbing ladders safely, having a good eye for color, and many other day-to-day skills. So if you are considering a painting business, here are some tips:

Get Some Painting Experience

If you have just completed a painting course, the best way to get some business experience is to intern or work for another painter for 3-6 months. There is a lot more to painting than using a paintbrush. You should learn the business aspects of the trade, develop a good eye for color, and learn to market your business. Once you feel confident, then you can go out on your own.

Here are some online painting courses

Offer Professional Painting

Availability
Price
Quality of work
Extra skills

What Are Some Advantages Of Starting A Paint Business?

You can go solo
Startup costs are minimal
You can operate the business from home
Allows independence and creativity
Add skills like decorating and wallpapering

What Are The Pitfalls Of A Professional Painting Business?

Physically demanding
Often have to work outdoors in extreme weather conditions
Accidents are not uncommon
Competition is stiff
Work is often seasonal
You’ll need good knowledge about paints, thinners, and primers. And cleaning solutions
You’ll need a fair amount of equipment.
If your equipment is missing or malfunctioning, or your van has broken down, it can mean the loss of a job.
Difficult and demanding customers
If you are solo, you may need help but are not able to find it

Should I Buy An Existing Painting Business?

Buying an existing paint business is not bad; it is sometimes better than starting from scratch. One key advantage is that the company already operates, has trained employees, and has available supplies. However, before signing on the dotted line, you should consider the following:

Is the business profitable?
Have you reviewed the financial statements and tax filings over the past two years?
What do the reviews say about the company?
What do the people in the local vicinity say about the company?
Visit the business and check for yourself if it is busy.

Here are some startup or crowdfunding investment websites

Commercial Painting Contractors Franchise Opportunity

The types of painting businesses include

Joining a franchise
Buying a pre-existing painting company
Going solo

Starting your own company can be daunting in today’s delicate economic climate. The costs of going solo in the painting business are minuscule with this particular business venture, so it may be worth a shot. You’ll need to market your company, get that phone ringing and then get out there to start quoting on some jobs. Your business will only grow after gaining some experience and building a customer base.

Other Commercial Painters Near Me

Before establishing a painting business, search the internet to ascertain the number of painters in your local community. Rest assured, you will have competition, but the question is, how much. If it looks like your area is mainly unrepresented, you are in luck. And because you’ll be operating from your home office, you can gain some traction quickly and easily. New homes generally do not need re-painting for around 10-15 years, but older homes often require painting once every ten years or so. In general, people living in middle-class communities tend to spend on maintenance and will regularly require a painting contractor.

Once you identify the competition on the internet, go to their website and determine the following:

What types of painting services do they offer?
Is this a large firm or a one-person outfit?
What are their rates?
Are there any positive or negative reviews?

Once you know more about the competition, you can offer something unique, perhaps a lower price, a better quality of work, or flexibility.

Who Are My Customers?

While building your company, most likely, your clients will be owners of residential homes. Most large businesses tend to have contracts with a larger painting group. Most homeowners will usually look for a painter on the internet or ask friends and family for a referral. Besides homeowners, others looking for a painter include small offices, shops, schools, gyms, apartments, and condos.

Painting Company Business Plan

To succeed in the painting business, you must have a business plan. A plan will help you understand the nature of the industry and anticipate any future issues. The business plan should contain the following?

What will I name my business?
Where will I locate my business?
Can I work as a painter from home?
What equipment do I need for a painting business?
How many people will I employ?
What are the startup costs?
What are the negatives of being a painter?
How much money will I make as a painter?
Is a license required for a painting business?

Try these business plans.

Be A Painting Business Pro

Listening to your customer’s preferences
Know how to apply wallpaper and align patterns
Have a good eye for aesthetics
Be physically fit
Learn how to assemble a scaffold
Pay attention to the detail

One essential trait is dependability. You can have all the skills in the world, but what good is it if you do not show up on time or forget to show up at all? A dependable painter will adhere to a schedule and inform the customer of any schedule changes.

Painting Business Identity

Pick a simple name that identifies your business
Open a dedicated bank account
Obtain EIN
Register for state and federal taxes

Create a legal entity like a corporation or limited liability company to protect you and your assets. The costs to develop a lawful entity vary from $250 to $1000, which you must renew annually.

Check out these few companies that can assist you in getting your LLC started.

Here are a few government links you might want to visit

IRS Website

This site by the IRS is a must-see when beginning your LLC

Commercial Painting Contractors Contract

Before undertaking any paint job, big or small, you should have a signed contract. The contract should list the nature of the paint job, duration, price, and potential issues. You and the customer should sign the contract; it can help avoid unnecessary hassles if the customer decides to litigate over something you did or did not do.

Try out some of these contract template websites

Painting Business License

Many states require a license or certificate before you open a painting business. Some states also require several years of work experience before opening a business. You can obtain this information from your local Chamber of Commerce.

Check out these valuable links.

Painting Business Insurance

Absolutely yes. All painters should carry general liability insurance with minimal coverage of $1 million. Accidents are common in the painting business, and liability insurance is a must to protect the company. Dripping paint on furniture, falling ladders, causing damage to the walls and ceiling, and tripping over equipment are not uncommon. Liability insurance can average about $50 a month, but it protects third-party property, third-party injuries, and other accidental damage.

Here is a list of some standard insurance companies

Painting Business Start-Up Cost

Your startup costs are minimal if you work from home and a van. In general, if you already own a truck, all you need are the supplies and tools, which can cost anywhere from $2000 to $4000.

How Much Do Painting Company Owners Make

In general, painters can make anywhere from $35K to $55K a year, depending on their location. However, because of the low overhead, much of what they make is profit.

How Much Do Painting Companies Charge

The best way to determine your rates is to determine what other painters charge for the same job. If you are overpriced early on, the chances are that your business will never pick up. If your price is too low, some people may think you offer a poor-quality job. So, set comparable prices. You can charge small paint jobs by the hour, but you’ll want to consider a flat rate if the job is significant, like painting a home. Painters generally charge per square foot to paint a home’s interior.

Submitting Your Estimate

Customers will always ask for a quote before signing a contract in the painting business. So, you should know how to quote. Customers generally believe that a quote is a fixed price, but you should instruct them that it is only an estimate. So try not to make the quote too precise. Always declare that the price may go up or down depending on the job’s complexity. The onus is on you to explain what a quote means. Finally, remember that the customer will receive quotes from other painters, so your quote must be reasonable and accurate.

Should I Ask For A Deposit?

If the job is large and may take weeks, then asking for a deposit is recommended. Once the job is complete, the client can make the final payment.

Painting Business Marketing

Create a website, detail your services, contact information, skills, and availability
Distribute flyers in the community
Drop off your business cards with paint shops, hardware stores, builders, apartments, and condos

How Can I Improve My Painting Business?

If you are multi-skilled and have experience, you may want to offer decorating services that include the following:

Artexing and coving
Decorative carpentry
Decorative finishes
Floor coatings
General building maintenance work
Interior design services
Minor repair work (hole patching)
Spray painting and glossing
Special paint effects like marbling or rag rolling
Tiling
Traditional finishes
Wallpapering
Wall lining
Waterproofing, dehumidifying and mold treatment

The range of decorative services you offer will depend significantly on your experience, training, and available equipment. Sometimes, you may require assistance from a subcontractor to get the job done.

What Tools Do I Need For A Painting Business?

Acrylic paint
Caulking gun
Disposable Coveralls
Drop cloth
Drywall
Hammer
Hole filler
Edger
Eraser
Ladder plus extension
Masking tape
Mini roller
Pail
Paintbrush
Paint Can opener
Paint pads
Painter’s masking tool
Painter’s tape
Paint Tray
Pencil
Pens
Personal protection- gloves, goggles, face mask
Primer
Putty knife
Roller
Roller cover
Sandpaper
Sander
Scaffold
Screwdriver
Screw-in pole
Spackling Compound
Stir stick
Tape measure
Toolbelt
Reliable Van
Varnish
Wall scraper
Wire brush
Work light

Mobile Payment Options For Commercial Painters

Options for payment include-

Paypal
Direct bank deposit
Check
Mobile Transfer
Credit card

Conclusion

There will always be a demand for painters, but making a ton of money may not be possible because of the industry’s competition and seasonal nature. However, making a good living is a reality for those with a good eye and exceptional painting skills and who offer other additional decorative services.