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How to Start a Painting Business

Painting is one of the most accessible contracting trades: modest tools, skills you can learn, and work in every neighborhood. Accurate estimates and prep work decide your profit. If you work on homes built before 1978, federal lead-safe rules apply to your firm.

Reviewed November 5, 2026 · Sources linked inline

Startup costs

We haven't found a reliable published cost range for this business, so we don't show one. Costs vary widely by market, equipment and whether you buy new or used. Plug your own quotes into the worksheet:

Open a painting contractor cost worksheet →

SBA 7(a) loans in this industry

Painting and Wall Covering Contractors (NAICS 238320): 1,095 loans approved in FY2024–FY2026. Median loan $100,000; middle half $40,000–$225,000.

Loan size is not startup cost — these loans also fund acquisitions, real estate and working capital. Full breakdown and caveats →

How much competition is there?

Census industry: Painting and Wall Covering Contractors (NAICS 238320)

Nationwide: 38,280 employer establishments (2023) and 678,091 businesses without employees (2024).

The count of businesses without employees is for the broader Census group “Building Finishing Contractors” (NAICS 2383), so it includes related businesses, not only this one.

See counts for your county → Counts aren't a measure of saturation — see the caveats on the tool page.

Equipment and supplies

  • Extension and step ladders rated for the work
  • Brushes, rollers, poles and trays
  • Airless sprayer for larger jobs
  • Drop cloths, plastic sheeting and masking tools
  • Sanders, scrapers and caulk guns
  • HEPA vacuum and lead-safe supplies if you work in older homes

Licenses and registration

  • Register the business with your state.
  • Many states and cities require a contractor license for painting, often only above a dollar amount per job — check your state contractor board and your city.
  • Firms paid for work that disturbs paint in homes and child-occupied facilities built before 1978 must be certified under the EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule and use certified renovators and lead-safe work practices, unless an exemption such as minor repair applies. Some states run their own RRP program; if yours does, certify with the state. [source]
  • Commercial clients often ask for a certificate of insurance and a W-9.
  • Get a free Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS if you will hire employees or form an LLC or corporation. Beware of sites that charge for this. [source]
  • Register an LLC or corporation with your state's business registration office (sole proprietors usually register a trade name/DBA instead). [source]

Insurance to consider

  • General liability (property damage, overspray)
  • Commercial auto
  • Tools and equipment coverage
  • Workers' compensation once you hire
  • Surety bond if your state or clients require one

Get quotes from several carriers or an independent agent; coverage needs depend on your contracts, state and staff.

Financing options

  • SBA 7(a) loans — the SBA's main guaranteed loan program, made through participating lenders. [source]
  • SBA Microloans — smaller loans delivered through nonprofit intermediary lenders. [source]
  • SBA Lender Match — a free tool that connects you with interested SBA lenders. [source]
  • Free counseling from your local SBDC or SCORE chapter can help you build the business plan lenders ask for. [source]

Estimate payments with the loan calculator, then check runway with the cash flow projection.

Ongoing operating expenses

  • Paint and supplies (usually billed per job)
  • Fuel and vehicle costs
  • Insurance
  • Equipment repair
  • Labor
  • Marketing

Use the break-even calculator to see how many jobs or sales cover them.

Common mistakes

  • Bidding by gut feel instead of measuring
  • Skipping surface prep
  • Ignoring lead-safe rules on older homes
  • No written contract or change-order process
  • Not collecting a deposit for materials

Finding customers

  • Google Business Profile with project photos
  • Referrals from realtors and property managers
  • Neighborhood yard signs during jobs
  • Follow-up with past clients for touch-ups

Startup checklist

Ticks are saved on this device and appear on My plan.

Compare with other businesses

Sources