Parking lot striping service

Property managers, shopping centers, apartment complexes, churches, schools, warehouses and paving contractors who subcontract the striping.

Quoted per job, usually based on the number of stalls or linear feet, with extra charges for stencils, curb painting, signs and layout work. Repeat contracts come from yearly or twice-yearly refreshes.

• Steady hand and good eye for straight lines
• Measuring and layout
• Quoting and basic bookkeeping
• Reliable early-morning or after-hours work

• Contractor licensing for striping varies by state and sometimes by job size, so check with your state contractor licensing board whether you need a license and what dollar limits apply
• Check your city or county for a general business license or registration
• Accessible parking layouts must meet ADA and local rules, so check the current standards before quoting
• Working in traffic areas calls for cones, signs and safe planning, and may need a traffic control plan or permit for public roads
• Paint rules on VOCs vary by state, so check which paints you may use
• Weather limits the work, since paint needs dry surfaces and suitable temperatures

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on whether you buy a walk-behind or ride-on striping machine and how much paint, stencils and safety gear you need.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the number and size of lots you mark and the clients you win. Weather can limit work. These are estimates, not guarantees, and the figures are before costs.

Contractor licensing varies by state, so check with your state licensing board about licenses and dollar limits. Check your city or county registration, current ADA and local rules for accessible spaces, traffic control permits for public roads, and state rules on paint VOCs.