Your Painting Business Journey
Startup
$0-100k
- • Getting first customers
- • Setting prices
- • Basic operations
Growth
$100k-500k
- • Hiring first employees
- • Systems & processes
- • Cash flow
Scale
$500k-1M
- • Managing crews
- • Quality control
- • Marketing ROI
Enterprise
$1M+
- • Multiple locations
- • Leadership team
- • Exit strategy
Starting Your Painting Business: The First 90 Days
Week 1-2: Legal Foundation
Business Structure
- Register LLC ($100-500)
- Get EIN from IRS (free)
- Open business bank account
- Set up accounting system
Insurance & Licensing
- General liability ($600-1200/yr)
- Contractor's license (varies)
- Business license ($50-400)
- Workers comp (if hiring)
Week 3-4: Tools & Systems
Essential Equipment
| Quality brushes/rollers | $200-300 |
| Ladders (various sizes) | $400-800 |
| Drop cloths & tape | $150-250 |
| Sprayer (optional) | $300-3000 |
| Total Investment | $1,050-4,350 |
Business Software
- Estimating SoftwareCreate professional quotes in minutes
- Accounting SoftwareQuickBooks or similar
- Business PhoneDedicated number & voicemail
Pro Tip: Start Lean
You don't need everything on day one. Start with essential tools and quality estimating software to look professional. Reinvest profits into better equipment as you grow.
Week 5-12: Landing First Customers
Friends & Family
- • Offer discount for testimonials
- • Document before/after photos
- • Ask for 3 referrals each
Online Presence
- • Google My Business profile
- • Facebook business page
- • Nextdoor neighborhood app
Local Marketing
- • Door hangers in target areas
- • Partner with realtors
- • Join BNI or chambers
Your First Month Goals
10-15
Quotes delivered
3-5
Jobs completed
$5-8k
Revenue target
5★
Review average
Pricing for Profit: The Foundation of Success
Pricing Formula That Works
// Profitable Pricing Formula
Labor Cost + Material Cost + Overhead (30%) + Profit (20-30%) = Quote Price
Example: $1,000 + $400 + $420 + $546 = $2,366
Common Pricing Mistakes
- ✗Racing to the bottom on price
- ✗Not tracking actual job costs
- ✗Forgetting overhead expenses
- ✗Pricing based on competition only
Pricing Best Practices
- ✓Know your true hourly cost
- ✓Track every job's profitability
- ✓Price for your target market
- ✓Increase prices 5-10% yearly
Know Your Numbers
Direct labor cost/hour:$25-35
Burden rate (taxes, insurance):1.3-1.5x
True labor cost/hour:$32-52
Charge rate/hour:$65-100
Target Margins
Materials markup:20-50%
Gross profit margin:50-60%
Net profit margin:15-25%
Industry average:8-12%
Growing to $100k+: Systems & Processes
The 4 Pillars of Growth
1. Lead Generation
- • Google Ads: $500-1500/mo → 20-40 leads
- • SEO & content marketing
- • Referral program (10% kickback)
- • Strategic partnerships
Target metrics:
50+ leads/month @ $50-100/lead
2. Conversion Rate
- • Professional quotes in 24hrs
- • Follow-up system (5 touches)
- • Financing options
- • Social proof & reviews
Target metrics:
35-50% close rate
3. Average Job Value
- • Upsell premium paints
- • Bundle multiple rooms
- • Add-on services
- • Good/better/best options
Target metrics:
$3,500+ average job
4. Customer Lifetime Value
- • Annual maintenance programs
- • Exterior/interior cycles
- • Referral rewards
- • Email marketing
Target metrics:
$10,000+ LTV
Hiring Your First Crew
When to Hire
- Consistently booked 2-3 weeks out
- Turning down profitable work
- $15-20k monthly revenue
- Systems documented
Compensation Structure
| Position | Pay Range |
|---|---|
| Helper/Apprentice | $15-20/hr |
| Journeyman Painter | $20-30/hr |
| Crew Leader | $25-35/hr |
| Subcontractor | 50-60% of job |
Critical: Protect Your Business
- • Workers' comp insurance is mandatory in most states
- • Proper classification (W2 vs 1099) to avoid penalties
- • Written agreements and quality standards
- • Background checks and references
Scaling to $1M+: Building a Real Business
The $1M Revenue Breakdown
Monthly Targets
Revenue needed:$83,333/month
Average job value:$5,000
Jobs needed:17/month
Close rate @ 40%:43 quotes
Crew size needed:6-8 painters
Profit Projections
Gross revenue:$1,000,000
Direct costs (50%):-$500,000
Overhead (30%):-$300,000
Net profit (20%):$200,000
Owner salary included:$80-120k
Organizational Structure
- • Owner/CEO (strategy)
- • Operations Manager
- • Sales/Estimator
- • 2-3 Crew Leaders
- • 4-5 Painters
- • Part-time admin
Key Metrics to Track
- • Lead cost: <$100
- • Close rate: >40%
- • Avg job: >$5,000
- • Gross margin: >50%
- • Customer acquisition cost
- • Employee retention rate
Systems Required
- • CRM for lead tracking
- • Professional estimating
- • Project management
- • Quality control checklists
- • Employee training program
- • Financial reporting
The Owner's Evolution
1
$0-250k: Painter Who Owns a Business
You're doing the work, managing jobs, and handling sales. Working IN the business 80% of the time.
2
$250-500k: Manager of Painters
You're estimating, managing crews, and handling customer issues. Painting occasionally.
3
$500k-1M: Business Owner
You're focused on strategy, marketing, and systems. Others handle daily operations.
4
$1M+: CEO
You're working ON the business: vision, culture, and growth. Business runs without you.
Advanced Growth Strategies
Commercial Contracts
Commercial work provides steady revenue and larger projects:
- • Property management companies
- • HOA repainting contracts
- • Retail & office buildings
- • New construction partnerships
Commercial typically offers 20-30% margins but provides predictable cash flow
Service Expansion
Add complementary services to increase revenue per customer:
- • Cabinet refinishing ($2-5k jobs)
- • Deck staining/sealing
- • Drywall repair services
- • Pressure washing
- • Wallpaper removal/installation
Each service can add $50-100k annual revenue with existing customers
Technology: Your Competitive Advantage
The right tools can 10x your efficiency and professionalism. Here's what successful painting businesses use:
Estimating Software
Create quotes 6x faster with 95% accuracy
CRM System
Never lose a lead or forget to follow up
Analytics
Track what works and optimize for profit
ROI of Technology Investment
Time saved on quotes (6 hrs/week @ $75/hr):+$1,800/month
Increased win rate (25% → 40%):+$8,000/month
Professional appearance premium:+$2,000/month
Total monthly value:$11,800
Your Success Checklist
Foundation (Months 1-3)
- Register business & get insurance
- Set up business bank account
- Create Google My Business profile
- Implement estimating software
- Complete first 10 jobs
- Get 5+ five-star reviews
Growth (Months 4-12)
- Hire first employee/helper
- Launch Google Ads campaign
- Document all processes
- Reach $20k/month revenue
- Build email list (100+ contacts)
- Establish referral program
Scale (Year 2+)
- Build second crew
- Hire operations manager
- Add commercial accounts
- Implement CRM system
- Launch service agreements
- Reach $50k/month revenue
Optimize (Ongoing)
- Track job profitability
- A/B test marketing channels
- Refine pricing annually
- Build company culture
- Plan exit strategy
- Give back to community
Ready to Build Your Painting Empire?
Success in the painting business comes down to systems, consistency, and the right tools. Start with professional estimating software that makes you look like a million-dollar company from day one.
Look Professional
Branded quotes that win premium jobs
Save Time
10-minute quotes instead of 2 hours
Grow Faster
Win 40% more jobs with speed
Join 2,000+ painting contractors building better businesses
Painting Business FAQs
How much money do I need to start a painting business?
You can start a painting business with $3,000-$10,000:
Equipment: $1,500-3,000
Insurance: $1,200-2,500/year
License/Permits: $200-800
Marketing: $500-1,500
Vehicle/Gas: $500-2,000
Software: $50-150/month
Working Capital: $2,000-5,000
Total Minimum: ~$3,000
How much can painting business owners make?
Solo painter: $40,000-$80,000/year
Small crew (2-5): $80,000-$150,000/year
Established (5-10): $150,000-$300,000/year
Large operation (10+): $300,000-$1M+/year
Profit margins typically 15-35% after all expenses.
Do I need a license to start a painting business?
Licensing varies by location but typically includes:
- • Business license ($50-400)
- • Contractor's license (jobs over $500-5,000)
- • Some states require painting-specific licenses
- • General liability insurance (always required)
- • Workers' comp (if you have employees)
Check your state and local requirements before starting.
How do I get painting customers when starting out?
Proven methods for new painting businesses:
- 1. Friends/family referrals (quickest start)
- 2. Door hangers in target areas ($200/1000)
- 3. Google My Business (free, essential)
- 4. Facebook community groups
- 5. Partner with realtors/property managers
- 6. Yard signs at every job
- 7. Before/after photos on social media
What's the best business structure for a painting company?
LLC (Recommended): Personal asset protection + tax flexibility
Sole Proprietorship: Simple but no liability protection
S-Corp: Tax savings at $60k+ profit
Corporation: Only for large operations
Most painters choose LLC for protection and simplicity.
How do I price painting jobs to make profit?
Profitable pricing formula:
Labor: 40 hours × $30/hr = $1,200
Materials: Paint + supplies = $400
Overhead: 30% × $1,600 = $480
Profit: 25% markup = $520
Total Quote: $2,600
Should I hire employees or use subcontractors?
Subcontractors (1099):
- ✓ Lower costs
- ✓ Flexibility
- ✓ No payroll taxes
- ✗ Less control
- ✗ Quality varies
Employees (W2):
- ✓ Better control
- ✓ Consistent quality
- ✓ Build company culture
- ✗ 20-30% more cost
- ✗ More paperwork
What insurance does a painting business need?
Essential painting business insurance:
General Liability: $1-2M minimum ($800-2,000/year)
Commercial Auto: Per vehicle ($1,500-3,000/year)
Workers' Comp: If employees (3-8% of payroll)
Tools/Equipment: Theft/damage ($500-1,000/year)
Umbrella Policy: Extra protection ($500-1,500/year)
Many commercial clients require $2M+ liability coverage.