Powder coating workshop

Local fabricators, engineering shops, builders, car and motorbike owners, landscapers and trade customers with regular batches.

You charge per item or per batch, with extra for blasting, masking, special colours and rush jobs. Regular trade customers help keep the oven full.

• Careful, steady hand with spray equipment
• Understanding metal prep and curing
• Quoting and keeping to deadlines

• There is generally no specific powder coating licence, but check with your council about zoning and planning approval, and with your state EPA about any environmental requirements for dust, fumes and waste, as these differ by state and council
• Public liability and property insurance, plus workers compensation once you hire
• Powder dust, fumes and oven heat: check ventilation, fire safety, protective gear and safe-work rules with your state work health and safety regulator
• Rework risk if parts are poorly prepped, as peeling coatings mean unhappy customers
• Energy costs for the oven, which can eat into margins

Startup costs are typically around $30,000 to $120,000, depending on your unit, the size of your oven and spray booth, and your blasting equipment. Check insurance and environmental requirements early, as they can add to your budget.

Monthly revenue is typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on your customer mix, batch sizes and how much regular trade work you secure. Oven energy costs can eat into margins, so revenue is not the same as profit.

There is generally no specific powder coating licence, but check with your council about zoning and planning approval, and your state EPA about requirements for dust, fumes and waste. Also check work health and safety rules with your state regulator.