How Can I Start a Painting Business

Painting By the Numbers: How to Start a Painting Business?

If you’ve been asking yourself "How can I start a Painting Business?" you’ve come to right place. Here you will learn many things about it, from what kind of legal documentation you should have to how you can get clients to you as opposed to having to find them yourself.

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1. The Nitti-Gritty Legal Details

First, let’s get the legal stuff out of the way. If you want to know the answer to "how can I start a painting business?", listen up – if you’re serious, you have to be above board. That means that once you pick a name for your painting business –which is no small feat in itself- you should go on and file for a Tax ID number or TIN with your area’s equivalent of a Department of Revenue. Depending on where you are, you may also need to apply for a business license or a license to operate.

In addition to doing all your business legally, you should ask around for an insurance company that will cover your business. Don’t worry if you’re new to the scene – just don’t be afraid to ask questions. They’ll answer them as best as you can. Have them explain your coverage options if you’re not sure what they mean.

2. Getting the Crew Together

Unless you’re planning to hit small jobs exclusively – and maybe even then – the next step is to find a crew. For some people, they approach the idea of a painting business with a team already in mind. If not, it’s time to put up the classified ads. Since you’re a new business, you shouldn’t settle for people who don’t have prior painting experience. You can’t afford the hassle and the costly mistakes that inexperience will almost certainly put on your bill.

Perhaps when you’ve got a year or two on your business you can think about getting people with no experience to apprentice them, but as a new business you’ll want to put your best foot forward to create future business opportunities.

3. Get the Money Flowing

It is never a good idea to mix your personal finances with your business finances, so open a bank account just for your business. Establish a line of credit to give it some financial room to breathe.

4. Get the Supplies Going

You can’t paint a home without paint, so go establish a relationship with a paint supplier company to give you the tools you need to do your job. Aside from possibly getting you a great deal down the line, these paint suppliers know a lot of people, probably more than you do. That means that they can refer business your way.

They will also be able to point you towards a cheap or respectable place to buy painting equipment. Do not scrimp on this stage – subpar equipment can create a subpar impression on your customers, which can limit future business.

5. Getting Jobs and Getting Paid

Just like any service provider company, before you establish a name you’ll have to fight and scrape for every job. Utilize classified ads and sites and when you find work you can apply for, bid aggressively. Make sure to ask an accountant to help you figure out how much you should price your work so you can make sure that you’re pricing yourself into bankruptcy.

Always remember – you need to leave a great impression on your customers, both with the quality of your work and your attitude. They’re going to both be your future customers and they can advertise your company through word of mouth.

6. How Can I Start a Painting Business? That’s How.

Now you have a clear idea of what you’ll need to do to get it off the ground – now, all you need to do is well, do it.