Exterior painting and staining crew
Paint house exteriors, decks and fences in the warm months with a small team and a van.
- C$4k-20k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
Exterior work on siding, trim, decks, fences and garages: power washing, scraping, priming, painting and staining, usually done by a crew of two to four.
Your first three steps
- Get fall protection and ladder safety training and check your provincial safety requirements
- Line up a vehicle, ladders, a pressure washer and spray equipment, then get insurance quotes for a crew
- Book early-season jobs by approaching neighbours, condo boards and property managers in late winter
Who pays
Homeowners, strata or condo boards, landlords and small commercial property owners.
How it makes money
Fixed quotes based on surface area and prep, with paint and materials marked up. A crew lets you take bigger jobs and finish faster.
Skills that help
- Working at height safely
- Quoting larger jobs accurately
- Organizing and supervising helpers
Watch out for
- Commercial general liability insurance and WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire, with rules that vary by province
- Short painting season in many regions, so plan cash flow for winter, perhaps with interior jobs
- Weather delays, since most exterior paint needs dry weather and minimum temperatures
- Safe working at height and scaffold or lift rules, check your provincial occupational health and safety body
- Check municipal rules on business licences, and for older homes, lead paint handling
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: exterior painting and staining crew
Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start an exterior painting business in Canada?
Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $4,000 to $20,000 CAD, depending on ladders, sprayers, a power washer and safety equipment, and your vehicle.
How much can an exterior painting crew earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $5,000 to $25,000 CAD, depending on crew size and job sizes. The painting season is short in many regions, so plan cash flow for slower months.
What rules should I check before starting an exterior painting crew?
Check liability insurance and WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire, as rules vary by province. Also check occupational health and safety rules for working at height and scaffolds or lifts, municipal business licence rules, and lead paint handling on older homes.
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