If you have excellent painting skills, are a stickler for detail and can keep accurate records, consider opening your own painting business. Almost every homeowner has done some painting at some point. Whether inside or outside, good-quality painting businesses are frequently in demand.
Step 1
Hone your painting skills by painting rooms in your home or in the homes of family and friends. Take photographs of your finished work. These photos will soon become part of your painter's portfolio, examples of the quality work you have done.
Small painting businesses typically have one full-time painting crew available. You will need to hire between two and four additional painters.
Step 2
You must have insurance to cover any mishap that might occur. You must carry liability insurance as well. It is your responsibility, as the business owner, to cover all members of your painting crew.
Step 3
Invest in quality ladders, paintbrushes and rollers. Buy drop cloths to keep paint off people's floors and belongings. A good quality shop vac will help with clean-up after each painting job and is necessary when sanding. A rechargeable sander may be used inside and out.
Visit your local paint store or the paint department in home stores like Home Depot or Lowe's.
Step 4
Ascertain that your vehicle--preferably a truck or van--is safe and reliable. Consider installing roof racks to make the transporting of large ladders easier.
Visit an online site that specializes in printing business products. Print some business cards and a couple of site signs. Make sure that both the business cards and site signs feature your company's name and up-to-date contact information.
Step 5
Advertise in a local newspaper when starting out. When prospective clients answer your ad, set up an appointment to meet with them. Bring your portfolio. Take notes on the area the client wants painted, so you can calculate how much time and how much paint is needed to complete the job. Tell the client you will submit a bid to them. Consider the length of time you feel it will take to complete the job, as well as how many of your painters you'll need to pay.
Step 6
Reply immediately to your client if they accept your bid. Give the client ample notice if anything comes up that may incur additional expenses.
When the job is finished, ask the client for a written recommendation if they are satisfied with your work. These recommendations can be added to your small painting business portfolio.
Skill: Moderate
Ingredients:
- Paintbrushes & Rollers
- Ladders
- Tarps
- Business cards
- Site signs
- Portfolio
- Insurance
- Vehicle
Keyword: small, painting, business
