Residential painting contractor
Run a full-time painting business for interior and exterior jobs, with a helper as you grow.
- $4k-20k
- Full-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
38,280 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.8% in a year
NAICS 238320 “Painting and wall covering contractors”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
A full-time business painting whole-house interiors, exteriors, decks and fences, with pressure washing, prep and finishing. You quote jobs, buy materials and schedule work, adding a helper or crew as jobs get bigger.
Your first three steps
- Check your state's contractor licensing board and your city or county for license and registration requirements, then form an LLC and get an EIN if you choose
- Get general liability insurance, a work vehicle, ladders, sprayer and a solid tool and supply kit
- Set up a simple website and a Google Business Profile, then pitch real estate agents and property managers for repeat work
Who pays
Homeowners, landlords, property managers, real estate agents and small commercial clients such as offices and shops.
How it makes money
Quoted price per job covering labor, materials and a margin, with larger exterior and whole-house jobs bringing in the most revenue per project.
Skills that help
- Estimating jobs accurately
- Prep, spraying and finishing techniques
- Scheduling and managing helpers
- Selling and following up on quotes
Watch out for
- State or local contractor licensing rules vary widely, so verify what applies to painting where you work
- General liability insurance, and workers' compensation once you hire anyone
- EPA lead-safe (RRP) certification may be required for pre-1978 homes, so check before taking those jobs
- Weather delays for exterior work and late-paying clients, so use written quotes and deposits
- Check whether your state treats helpers as employees or independent contractors
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: residential painting contractor
Researched with live web search for United States: 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 a painting contractor business?
Startup costs are typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on equipment such as sprayers, ladders and a work vehicle, plus insurance and marketing. These are estimates and vary with the size of jobs you plan to take on.
How much can a residential painting contractor earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on how many jobs you complete, whether you work interior or exterior, and whether you add a helper or crew. Weather delays and late-paying clients can affect cash flow.
What licenses and rules apply to painting contractors?
Contractor licensing rules vary widely by state and locality, so verify what applies where you work. Also check general liability insurance, workers' compensation once you hire, EPA lead-safe (RRP) certification for pre-1978 homes, and employee versus contractor rules for helpers.
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Photo: MamaShaw on Pixabay