Business guide

How to Start a Painting Business

Painting has a low startup cost, but the paperwork decides whether you can take bigger jobs. Work through these steps in order.

1. Check licensing where you'll work

Requirements are set by states, and sometimes by counties and cities. Some states license painters directly, others only register home improvement contractors, and some have no state license for painting.

California is a useful example of how thresholds work. Since January 1, 2025, a license is required for jobs of $1,000 or more in labor and materials combined, and for any job that needs a permit or involves hiring workers, according to the state's contractor board. Search for your state's contractor licensing board and read its rules for painting.

2. Choose a business structure

Many painters start as sole proprietors because it takes the least paperwork. Others form an LLC to separate business and personal finances. The right choice depends on your state and tax situation, so a short consultation with an accountant is worth the cost.

3. Get an EIN and a business bank account

An Employer Identification Number is a federal tax ID for your business. You need one to hire employees, and banks often ask for one to open a business account. The IRS issues EINs for free. Avoid sites that charge for it.

Keep business money in a separate account from day one. It makes taxes and pricing far easier.

4. Get insured

General liability is the minimum most clients expect, and you'll likely need workers' compensation once you hire. See the painting contractor insurance guide for what each policy covers.

5. Get lead-safe certified

A large share of US homes were built before 1978. Paid work that disturbs paint in those homes falls under the EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting rule, which requires a certified firm and a certified renovator on the job. Getting certified early means you don't have to turn down older homes.

6. Buy only the equipment you need first

• Ladders: a step ladder and an extension ladder rated for your weight plus tools
• Brushes, roller frames, extension poles, and trays
• Drop cloths, plastic, painter's tape, and a putty knife and patching compound
• A sander or sanding blocks, caulk gun, and a good work light

Rent a sprayer or lift until you have steady work that needs one.

7. Set your prices

Base your rate on your real costs and production speed, not on the lowest quote in town. The pricing guide shows how to build a square-foot rate that covers overhead and profit.

8. Send professional estimates

A clear estimate with room-by-room scope, your license and insurance details, deposit terms, and a valid-until date wins more jobs than a number written on a business card. Use the estimate checklist, or create one in the estimator.

9. Find your first clients

• Google Business Profile. Free, and it's how many homeowners find local painters. Ask every happy client for a review.
• Neighborhood apps and groups. Local recommendations travel fast for small jobs.
• Realtors and property managers. They need fast repaints between tenants and before listings, and they send repeat work.
• Follow-ups. Many jobs are won on the second or third message. See the follow-up templates.