business plan for painting

Painting Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 3,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their painting businesses. On this page, we will first give you some background information with regards to the importance of business planning. We will then go through a painting business plan template step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

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What is a Painting Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your painting business as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategy for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan for a Painting Business

If you’re looking to start a painting business, or grow your existing painting business, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your painting business in order to improve your chances of success. Your painting business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Painting Businesses

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for a painting business are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans and angel investors. With regards to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to confirm that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business.

Personal savings is the other most common form of funding for a painting business. Venture capitalists will usually not fund a painting business. They might consider funding a painting business with a national presence, but never an individual location. This is because most venture capitalists are looking for millions of dollars in return when they make an investment, and an individual location could never achieve such results.  With that said, personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for painting businesses.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

If you want to start a painting business or expand your current one, you need a business plan. Below are links to each section of your painting business plan template:

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your Executive Summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the type of painting business you are operating and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have a painting business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of painting businesses?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan. For example, give a brief overview of the painting industry. Discuss the type of painting business you are operating. Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers. Provide a snapshot of your marketing plan. Identify the key members of your team. And offer an overview of your financial plan.  

Company Analysis

In your company analysis, you will detail the type of painting business you are operating.

For example, you might operate one of the following types of painting businesses:

• Residential Painting : this type of painting business focuses on home painting services and offers interior and/or exterior painting at a residential property.
• Commercial Painting: this type of business focuses on a commercial properties such as an apartment complex or strip mall and offers both interior and/or exterior painting services.

In addition to explaining the type of painting business you will operate, the Company Analysis section of your business plan needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to question such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of customers served, number of positive reviews, etc.
• Your legal structure. Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry analysis, you need to provide an overview of the painting industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the painting industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your strategy, particularly if your research identifies market trends.

The third reason for market research is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your painting business plan:

• How big is the painting industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential market for your painting business? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your painting business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: homeowners, homeowner associations, apartment complexes, small business owners.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of painting business you operate. Clearly, homeowners would respond to different marketing promotions than a small business, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, include a discussion of the ages, genders, locations and income levels of the customers you seek to serve. Because most painting businesses primarily serve customers living in their same city or town, such demographic information is easy to find on government websites.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can understand and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other painting businesses.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t direct competitors. This includes handyman services and construction companies. You need to mention such competition as well.

With regards to direct competition, you want to describe the other painting businesses with which you compete. Most likely, your direct competitors will be painting businesses located very close to your location.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their businesses and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as:

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What types of painting projects do they take on?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you provide quicker painting services?
• Will you provide paint colors that your competitors don’t offer?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.  

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a painting business plan, your marketing plan should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of painting company that you documented in your Company Analysis. Then, detail the specific products you will be offering. For example, in addition to painting, will you provide plastering, handyman services or sell paint products?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your marketing plan, you are presenting the services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the location of your painting company. Document your location and mention how the location will impact your success. For example, is your painting business located in a busy retail district, shopping plaza, mall, etc.  Discuss how your location might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your painting marketing plan is the promotions section. Here you will document how you will drive customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertising in local papers and magazines
• Reaching out to local websites
• Social media marketing
• Local radio advertising

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your painting business, including sales, customer service and painting.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to complete your 10 th apartment complex, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your painting business to a new city.  

Management Team

To demonstrate your painting business’ ability to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing painting businesses. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act like mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing renovations or successfully running small businesses.  

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statements.

Income Statement : an income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenues and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you paint one home per week or three per week? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets : Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your painting business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a bank writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement : Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and make sure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

In developing your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a painting business:

• Location build-out including design fees, construction, etc.
• Cost of equipment and supplies
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Taxes and permits
• Legal expenses

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your office location lease or a floorplan of apartment complexes or commercial buildings you are working on.  

Putting together a business plan for your painting business is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will really understand the painting industry, your competition, and your customers. You will have developed a marketing plan and will really understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful painting business.

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OR, Let Us Develop Your Plan For You

Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.  

Click here to see how Growthink’s professional business plan consulting services can create your business plan for you.

Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

Painting Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Painting Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your Painting business plan.

We have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their Painting businesses.

Below is a template to help you create each section of your Painting business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

O’Reilly Brothers House Painting is a new residential painting business located in Peoria, Illinois. We paint both interiors and exteriors of houses and apartments and offer free color and project consultations. At O’Reilly Brothers, we know that a person’s home is their place for rest and relaxation at the end of a long day. Therefore, it’s essential that we provide the best painting services possible to ensure our customers’ homes look their best. Our mission is to provide these quality services while maintaining lifelong relationships with our clients.

O’Reilly Brothers House Painting is led by Luke and Samuel O’Reilly. These two brothers have worked as contractors and painters for other companies and have built up a loyal client base over the years. After having disappointing experiences with their prior employers, the two brothers decided to work together to start a painting business that is founded on affordable pricing and client-oriented service. Their experience, education, and pre-existing client base will ensure that O’Reilly Brothers House Painting is a success.

Product Offering

O’Reilly Brothers House Painting offers residential painting services to the residents of Peoria, Illinois. These services include:

• Interior painting
• Exterior painting
• Cabinetry painting
• Ceiling painting
• Door refinishing
• Free color consultations

Customer Focus

O’Reilly Brothers House Painting will primarily serve homeowners and landlords in Peoria, Illinois. The Peoria area has a booming population, with thousands of people who own their own homes. Peoria also has a large population of middle and upper-class residents who have the disposable income to invest in painting services. Therefore, we have a large target demographic to work with and are sure to be successful in this industry.

Management Team

O’Reilly Brothers House Painting is led by Luke and Samuel O’Reilly. Both brothers have extensive experience as contractors and painters, having worked for local competitors for several years. Both had disappointing experiences with their prior employers, as the companies charged high fees and were not committed to providing excellent client-oriented services. These experiences led the brothers to plan their own business that would provide better quality services at a more affordable price. The experience and expertise of Luke and Samuel will be the company’s most valuable assets.

Success Factors

O’Reilly Brothers House Painting will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• O’Reilly Brothers is led by two professional contractors who have considerable experience in the residential painting industry.
• O’Reilly Brothers will have a full staff of friendly and qualified painters who will provide the best painting services in the area.
• O’Reilly Brothers will offer all of its services for a moderate price.

Financial Highlights

O’Reilly Brothers House Painting is currently seeking $425,000 to launch. The funds will be used for funding capital expenditures, salaries, marketing expenses, and working capital. Specifically, these funds will be used as follows:

• Store design/build: $100,000
• Vehicle purchase and maintenance: $100,000
• Equipment and initial supplies: $100,000
• Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $75,000
• Marketing costs: $25,000
• Working capital: $25,000

The following graph below outlines the pro forma financial projections for O’Reilly Brothers House Painting.

Company Overview

Who is o’reilly brothers house painting.

O’Reilly Brothers House Painting is a new residential painting business located in Peoria, Illinois. We can paint any room or part of a house or apartment, including interiors, cabinetry, and exteriors. Our company is committed to providing quality painting services for a cost that anyone can afford. O’Reilly Brothers House Painting strives to be the best painting business in the area, focusing on customer service and maintaining long-term relationships.

  At O’Reilly Brothers House Painting, we believe that every customer deserves to live in their dream home. Our expert painters will work with customers to design and create the perfect spaces that will make their current home their dream home. With years of experience, we can take on any painting project and create any space that our customers desire.

O’Reilly Brothers House Painting’ History

Luke and Samuel O’Reilly recently began researching what it would take to incorporate their business and expand their client base. They have analyzed the costs, market, demographics, and local competition. They compiled enough information to develop their business plan in order to approach investors.

Once their research was complete, Luke and Samuel incorporated O’Reilly Brothers House Painting on May 1st, 2023 as an S-Corporation. The business is currently being run out of Luke’s home, but once the lease on O’Reilly Brothers House Painting’s office location is finalized, all operations will be run from there. Luke and Samuel are currently using a personal vehicle to drive to clients’ homes but will purchase a vehicle that will be used specifically for the business.

Since incorporation, the company has achieved the following milestones:

• Found a commercial space and signed a Letter of Intent to lease it.
• Developed the company’s name, logo, and website.
• Planned the suite of services to be offered.
• Determined equipment, supplies, and materials needed.
• Begun recruiting key employees.

O’Reilly Brothers House Painting’ Services

O’Reilly Brothers House Painting will offer a suite of residential painting services to the residents of Peoria. Whether our customers need one room painted or their entire home, they can expect quality work and customer service every step of the way. Below is a list of our painting services:

Industry Analysis

The residential painting industry provides painting services to recolor houses and apartments. This market is typically segmented into interior house painting and exterior house painting services. The market can be further segmented into painting services for new homes vs repainting services. Painting businesses can stand out in the market by providing all of these services.

In recent years, the market has been negatively affected by COVID. Many people lost their jobs, so they did not have the extra income needed to spend on painting or other contractor work. However, the industry has been making a comeback since the pandemic ended. The unemployment rate has lowered significantly, meaning many people have disposable income for contractor services again. Furthermore, the housing boom in 2021 has led to many new homeowners needing painting and other contracting services. As such, there is a large demand for residential painting services once again.

According to OpenPR, the global home painting market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% from now until 2030. This is solid growth that shows that the industry is bouncing back and thriving once again. Therefore, this is the perfect time to start a new painting business.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

Customer Segmentation

O’Reilly Brothers House Painting will primarily target the following customer profiles:

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

O’Reilly Brothers House Painting will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.

Riverside Commercial Painting

Riverside Commercial Painting has been one of the most popular commercial painting businesses in the area since it was established in 1985. This company helps offices and other establishments update their spaces by providing repainting and other interior design services. They have many loyal clients and showcase a large gallery of previous projects on their social media. Many businesses have sworn by Riverside’s services, and the company’s reputation has skyrocketed simply through word-of-mouth marketing.

Though Riverside Commercial Painting will continue to thrive, the company only provides commercial painting services and, therefore, will be a minor competitor for O’Reilly Brothers House Painting.

River City Painting Inc.

River City Painting Inc. has been a small yet profitable residential painting business for over a decade. This small company provides a variety of residential painting services, including painting ceilings, interiors, cabinetry, and exteriors. Though they are small and have limited resources, River City Painting Inc.’s team has still managed to gain a great reputation for their friendly customer service and the professional quality of their work.

Though River City Painting Inc. has gained a positive reputation, its scope of work remains small, even after a decade. They can only help with small projects and generally don’t sign up for larger-scale services. As O’Reilly Brothers House Painting grows, we will take on larger projects and aim to be the primary painting company that the residents of Peoria can rely on.

Painting And More LLC

Established in 2001, Painting And More LLC set out to be the best residential painting business in the area. Painting And More has achieved this goal, as the company is consistently given positive reviews and is usually the first painting service residents think of when they need a painting job done. Customers working with Painting And More can expect high-quality painting work paired with excellent customer service. Their popularity and success make Painting And More our biggest competitor.

Competitive Advantage

O’Reilly Brothers House Painting will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

• Customer Focus : O’Reilly Brothers House Painting’s painters will provide the highest quality customer service focused on transparency, communication, and responsiveness. Clients can expect this level of service throughout the entire process, from the initial inquiry to the follow-up once the project is completed.
• Management : Luke and Samuel O’Reilly have been extremely successful working in the painting industry and will be able to use their previous experience to help clients with whatever they need. Their unique qualifications will serve customers in a much more sophisticated manner than many of their competitors.
• Relationships : Having lived and worked in the community for decades, Luke and Samuel know many of the local residents and have already established a loyal clientele from their years of working in the industry. These relationships will provide the company’s initial clientele and help our business through word-of-mouth marketing.

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

O’Reilly Brothers House Painting will offer a unique value proposition to its clientele:

• Client-focused painting services, where the company’s interests are aligned with the customer.
• Service built on long-term relationships and personal attention.
• Professional industrial experience in a small business setting.

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for O’Reilly Brothers House Painting is as follows:

Social Media Marketing

Social media is one of the most cost-effective and practical marketing methods for improving brand visibility. O’Reilly Brothers House Painting will use social media to develop engaging content in terms of sharing color and design ideas and posting customer reviews that will increase audience awareness and loyalty.

Word of Mouth Marketing

O’Reilly Brothers House Painting will encourage word-of-mouth marketing from loyal and satisfied clients. The company will use recommendations and word-of-mouth marketing to grow its customer base through the network of its existing customers.

Website/SEO

O’Reilly Brothers House Painting will invest in developing a professional website that displays all of the services offered by the company. It will also invest in SEO so that the company’s website will appear at the top of search engine results.

Advertisement

Advertisements in print publications like newspapers, magazines, etc., are an excellent way for businesses to connect with their audience. O’Reilly Brothers House Painting will advertise its company offerings in popular magazines and news dailies. Obtaining relevant placements in industry magazines and journals will also help in increasing brand visibility.

O’Reilly Brothers House Painting’s pricing will be estimated on a project basis drawing on Luke O’Reilly’s deep expertise in painting services. The pricing will be determined by the size of the job, the amount of paint needed, and the labor required to complete the job. Pricing will be moderate and less expensive than our competitors but more expensive than lower-quality, efficiency-driven painting businesses.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for O’Reilly Brothers House Painting. Operation Functions:

• Luke and Samuel O’Reilly will be the co-owners of O’Reilly Brothers House Painting. They will oversee the general operations of the company and manage the staff. They will also conduct all work on the painting projects for their clients until they can hire several more painters to keep up with demand. Luke and Samuel will hire the following staff over the next few months:
• An Administrative Assistant who will manage all the administrative tasks.
• An Accountant who will manage all client invoicing, billing, and payables.
• A Marketing Manager to manage all of the marketing and advertising functions.
• Several painters who will provide painting services and customer service.

Milestones:

O’Reilly Brothers House Painting will have the following milestones completed in the next six months.

• 06/2023 Finalize lease agreement
• 07/2023 Design and build out O’Reilly Brothers House Painting
• 08/2023 Hire and train initial staff
• 09/2023 Kickoff of the promotional campaign
• 10/2023 Launch O’Reilly Brothers House Painting
• 11/2023 Reach break-even

Luke and Samuel have worked in the industry long enough to gain an in-depth knowledge of the business, including the operations side (e.g., running day-to-day operations) and the business management side (e.g., staffing, marketing, etc.). They will hire several other employees to help run the parts of the business that they are unfamiliar with.

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

O’Reilly Brothers House Painting’s revenue will primarily come from charging homeowners for completed painting services. Pricing will be determined by the size of the room, the amount of paint needed, and the amount of time it takes for our painters to complete the job.

The main cost drivers for O’Reilly Brothers House Painting will include labor expenses, materials and equipment, marketing, and the lease for the office space.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Key assumptions.

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and pay off the startup business loan.

• Number of clients:
• Year 4: 120
• Year 5: 150
• Annual lease: $30,000
• Annual maintenance expenses: $10,000

Financial Projections

Income statement.

Balance Sheet

Cash Flow Statement

Painting Business Plan FAQs

What is a painting business plan.

A painting business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your painting business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your Painting business plan using our Painting Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Painting Businesses? 

There are a number of different kinds of painting businesses , some examples include: Residential Painting, and Commercial Painting.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Painting Business Plan?

Painting businesses are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.

What are the Steps To Start a Painting Business?

Starting a painting business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Painting Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed painting business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast. 

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your painting business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your painting business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Painting Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your painting business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws.

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your painting business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms.

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations.

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events.

7. Acquire Necessary Painting Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your painting business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation.

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your painting business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising. 

Learn more about how to start a successful painting business:

• How to Start a Painting Business

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There are few certainties in life besides death, taxes, and the inevitability of home renovations, which may be good news for you if you’re looking to start your own business. If you watch home improvement shows long enough, you’ll see that a fresh coat of paint can do wonders for a home.

Not everyone has the patience or skill with a brush to do the job on their own, however. That’s why learning how to start a painting business can be a great opportunity to be your own boss and unleash your inner designer.

Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or a first timer, starting a painting business can come with plenty of questions and considerations—some of which are unique to working in the home renovation industry. Some people start a painting business with little more than brushes, ladders, and a vehicle to carry it all. That isn’t necessarily the best move, however, as there are a heap of small business finances and licenses that you might need to keep your business above board (and, most importantly, protected against accidents).

Determining how to start a painting business doesn’t need to be a challenge, but there are a few considerations that you’ll have to address before hanging your shingle, throwing on your painter’s cap, and getting down to work. We’ll help you navigate the process of registering your business, setting up a business bank account, figuring out what licenses and insurance you need, and how to secure business financing if you need it.

5 reasons to start a painting business

There are tons of reasons why you might be curious about how to start a painting business: Overhead is relatively low, particularly compared to other trades, you don’t need to have a particularly specialized knowledge to get started, and you aren’t as limited by seasonal fluctuations as other trades are.

Here are five reasons why starting a painting business might appeal to you.

1. Getting started is easy

The barrier to entry for starting a painting business is low. Painters don’t usually have to go through the same kind of rigorous education and certification processes that other tradespeople, such as metalworkers or carpenters, do. This means you’ll be able to find employees that can start quickly, learn on the job, and may not be as expensive to hire as in other parts of the industry. And, if you plan to do the work yourself, you won’t have to spend time (and money!) going through preparatory classes. It’s not a bad idea to take a continuing education class to learn the finer points of painting homes, but if you’re already well-versed, you should be fine to get started without one.

Another great reason to start a painting business is its flexibility. You can work as many or as few jobs as you want. This is particularly true if you opt to do painting work seasonally. There’s a reason for jokes about teachers being house painters in the summer—it’s a great way to put a little extra money in your pocket when your regular job (or other contract work) is slow or out-of-season. And, with most businesses, you can get started without needing a ton of paperwork to register your business. Small business insurance may be another story, though, and we’ll cover that later on.

2. Startup and overhead costs are low

Operating a painting business also requires less expensive equipment than other fields. Instead of having to stock up on power tools, welding equipment, plumbing supplies, or other overhead-heavy materials, you can get started with little more than brushes and ladders. Other equipment, such as scaffolding and paint sprayers, can come later once you’ve recouped your startup expenses. Plus, upgrading your materials over time can help pay for itself, as you’ll be able to work more efficiently and take on additional jobs.

If you end up having enough business to require an additional set of hands to get things done, you won’t likely have to spend a ton on staff, either. Unlike other trades, such as carpentry and plumbing, there is less of a learning curve involved in learning how to paint houses. This means you won’t have to necessarily spend as much on staff as you would for more skilled tradespeople. Granted, this may not be true for every market, but the national average salary for painters is almost $38,000 versus a plumber’s salary, which is just above $57,000.

3. Clients pay more for specialized painting skills

There’s a big difference between putting a new coat of paint on the side of a house and creating a German smear-style coat on a brick wall. The more specialized your painting skills get, the more you can charge for your services. These techniques may take a little longer to hone, but learning specialized painting styles and techniques could help you make major bank if you invest the time in learning them.

The proliferation of home renovation shows has made even the most DIY-averse property owners attuned to the world of unique looks and decorating styles. This trend could be a huge asset for your business and provide you with a competitive edge. Plus, some niche services, such as historically accurate painting, can mean major contracts for your business.

Most communities have strict rules about what colors (and painting methods) people can use on historical homes, and you can be one of the businesses that offer these services. You could also branch out into related tasks, such as wallpapering, which opens up avenues for growth for your business.

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4. Painting businesses are in demand

The painting industry grew 4.2% from 2014 to 2019, employing more than 500,000 people according to current figures. The industry is also worth about $43 billion as well. What does all of this mean for you if you’re looking at starting a painting business? Well, in short, it means that you’d be in pretty high demand.

If you live or work in an area where the real estate market is hot, you may also be able to get in on the action by starting a painting business that works alongside home flippers. Real estate investors need home improvement work done on short order, and are usually happy to work with a reliable partner across several projects. Find a flipper who needs painting services, and you might just have yourself your first long-term client. This can help you establish positive cash flow and get your business off the ground—particularly if you can harness the power of word-of-mouth advertising.

5. You get to be your own boss

This perk might be self-evident if you’re looking to start your own painting business, but it bears repeating. One of the biggest benefits of becoming an entrepreneur is setting your own schedule, building your business the way you want to, and setting the hours you want to keep. For many, that’s a huge benefit to consider when you want to know how to start a painting business, as well as just about any other kind of small business endeavor.

Granted, that also means getting your hands dirty with financial, legal, and regulatory issues—often without much help from other people if you’re starting off on your own. Painting businesses may be subject to fewer rules and restrictions than, say, an HVAC company, but there are still hurdles to clear for any business—particularly with regard to registering your business and getting set up with a business bank account.

How to start a painting business: The basics

You’re primed and ready to start your painting business (sorry, we couldn’t resist that one). Whether you’ve already thought about your strategy to enter the market or haven’t made it past the concept stage, there are plenty of factors and next steps that you’ll want to take on if you’re going to give your company the best chance at success that you can. Here are a few business basics to consider when starting your painting business, in order of operations.

Draft a business plan

You may not think that starting a painting business would mean drafting a business plan, but there are a ton of advantages to doing your homework in this regard. Plus, your business plan doesn't need to be overly complex or detailed—it can be a long or short as you want, so long as it covers a few basic elements. Don’t be overwhelmed by the idea of having to put pen to paper (or letters to screen, as it were): The best business plan is iterative, as it changes and grows alongside your business and its needs.

A good business plan empowers you with a roadmap for how you build your company, as well as a set of guiding principles once you're up and running. Owners of successful businesses are usually short on time, which means you might not have a ton of mental bandwidth to take on big-picture strategy development tasks when you’re in the middle of juggling jobs, balancing the books, and collecting invoices. A good business plan helps you stay on track when staying afloat becomes a full-time job.

LLC Formation

Get your business registered

Got your business proposal in the bag? Great. Now the real fun begins. By fun, we mean paperwork (to each their own, right?). Running a small business that’s protected from accidents, legal trouble, or any kind of unforeseen incidents with the IRS means filing paperwork and covering your assets. Registering your painting business is perhaps the crucial events in your business’s life, too.

It’s important to register your business—and choose the right kind of business entity—because of the liability protections and tax implications that come with each of the options out there. Depending on where you live, you may be able to set up a sole proprietorship without even needing to file paperwork. Although this is the most expedient option, it also puts you at the most personal risk if something goes wrong.

Most painting businesses can get by with a limited liability corporation (LLC) or limited liability partnership (LLP). There are several varieties of both, each designed to accommodate different business structures. Some LLCs are designed as a pass-through entity for individual owners or partners. These allow you to keep your personal assets separate from those of your business, and even allow you to file your business taxes through your own personal returns.

Other corporation types, such as S-Corps and C-Corps, involve a bit more paperwork and logistics, and require you to file business taxes separately from your own return. As with all matters legal, be sure to get in touch with a lawyer before making a decision.

Purchase insurance and get licenses

Some municipalities require painting businesses to be insured and licensed, while others may not. In all states except Texas, for example, employers are required to get workers compensation insurance. Even if you’re not required to do one or both of these steps, it’s in your best interest to get both in most cases. Some types of small business insurance will help cover you and your employees in the event of an accident while on the job, as well as financial support in the event of a lawsuit or legal issue. Your coverage will depend on the kind of policy you purchase, and there are a variety of options out there from which you can choose.

Most areas will require a business license for you to do professional painting work legally. These rules are typically enacted and enforced on a state and local level. Therefore there’s no one-size-fits-all recommendation here, as your location is likely to have its own unique rules. You’ll want to make sure you’re fully licensed and on the right side of local laws before you start working. Without proper licensure, you may find yourself on the wrong side of the law and incur penalties for working without the right permits. Again, this is where a lawyer’s expert advice can come in handy.

Set up a business bank account

Once you’ve gotten your business officially on the books with the local or state governments, you’ll want to open a business checking account to keep your personal and business finances separate. This is a crucial step in the business startup process: If you don’t route your business’s money through a business bank account, you run the risk of leaving your personal assets up for grabs if your business goes under or gets sued.

The good news is that it’s easy to set up a business bank account. Most brick-and-mortar banks will let you start the process online and finish at a local branch. There are a growing number of online-only business banks that allow you to register for a business bank account online without needing to step foot in a bank. These banks won’t work for businesses that conduct most of their transactions in cash, though, since these options offer no ATMs where you can deposit greenbacks. If you anticipate doing most of your business in cash, you may want to stick with a more typical business bank account.

How to start a painting business: The financials

Even though the startup costs involved in starting a painting business are relatively low, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll have the cash on hand to pay for everything you need to get started or grow your business. There are some compelling opportunities to get the cash you need, though—primarily through loans and zero-interest credit cards. Here are your options for what you can borrow in order to start your painting business.

Get an equipment financing loan

Equipment financing loans can be a great option for people who are looking to start a painting business. These loans function differently than your typical bank term loan: instead of requiring you to put up collateral in order to get the money you need, equipment financing loans allow you to borrow the amount of cash you need to make a specific purchase. Most equipment loan lenders will ask you what you’re looking to buy and a price quote from a vendor. If approved, they’ll loan you the total cost of the equipment in exchange for repayment over a certain period of time, plus interest. What you purchase serves as the loan’s collateral, meaning that the lender will sell what bought with the loan in the event that you can’t pay what you owe.

Get a small business term loan

When you think of a conventional bank loan, you’re likely envisioning a small business term loan. These loans are given out by banks to creditworthy borrowers. They require repayment on a predetermined schedule, and come with fixed or fluctuating interest rates depending on the way the loan is set up. Business term loans can be a great option for business owners that have strong personal credit, a track record of repaying business loans, and a robust business plan. Note that small business term loans are usually difficult for first-time entrepreneurs to get, so you may not be as likely to get money through these means if you haven’t already developed a track record through prior business loans.

Get a 0% intro business credit card

If banks aren’t open to lending your business money and you can’t pinpoint a specific purchase that you need the loan to complete, you aren’t completely out of options. Getting a 0% intro APR business credit card can give you access to cash with no interest payments, so long as you use your card properly. This option lets you buy what you need to get started while avoiding interest payments during the 0% APR period. This may even be better than a loan in some circumstances as a result.

Bear in mind that you have to pay your balance off in full before the introductory period expires—otherwise you’re on the hook for interest payments on top of your credit card balance.

The bottom line

Being your own boss by starting a painting business can be a rewarding experience, particularly if you’re not averse to getting your hands dirty (metaphorically and literally). With a little bit of paperwork, cash, and drive, you can get your business scaled up and ready for primetime without having to move mountains.

So long as you’ve set yourself up for success with the right business structure, licenses, insurance, and strategy, your paint rollers should be, well, ready to roll.

This article originally appeared on JustBusiness, a subsidiary of NerdWallet.

• Sample Business Plans
• Construction, Architecture & Engineering

Painting Business Plan

Painting is a business that never goes off-trend. There will always be homes and offices that need renovation and some painting magic. So, it is a profitable business option for anyone ready to get into this colorful affair.

Your industry expertise and painting knowledge may help you get started with a new business, but you need a detailed business plan to succeed.

Need help writing a business plan for your painting business? You’re at the right place. Our painting business plan template will help you get started.

Free Business Plan Template

Download our free painting business plan template now and pave the way to success. Let’s turn your vision into an actionable strategy!

• Fill in the blanks – Outline
• Financial Tables

How to Write a Painting Business Plan?

Writing a painting business plan is a crucial step toward the success of your business. Here are the key steps to consider when writing a business plan:

1. Executive Summary

An executive summary is the first section planned to offer an overview of the entire business plan. However, it is written after the entire business plan is ready and summarizes each section of your plan.

Here are a few key components to include in your executive summary:

• Introduce Your Business: Start your executive summary section by briefly introducing your business to the readers.
• This section may include the name of your painting business, its location, when it was founded, the type of painting business (E.g., commercial painting, residential painting, industrial painting), etc.
• Market Opportunity: Summarize your market research, including market size, growth potential, and marketing trends. Highlight the opportunities in the market and how your business will fit in to fill the gap.
• Products and Services: Highlight the painting services you offer your clients. The USPs and differentiators you offer are always a plus.
• For instance, interior painting, exterior painting, and maintenance & repair can be included as services, and specialty finishes and pressure washing can be some of your USPs.
• Marketing & Sales Strategies: Outline your sales and marketing strategies—what marketing platforms you use, how you plan on acquiring customers, etc.

Ensure your executive summary is clear, concise, easy to understand, and jargon-free.

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2. Business Overview

The business overview section of your business plan offers detailed information about your company. The details you add will depend on how important they are to your business. Yet, business name, location, business history, and future goals are some of the foundational elements you must consider adding to this section:

• Business description: Describe your business in this section by providing all the basic information
• Residential painting
• Commercial painting
• Industrial painting
• Decorative or specialty painting
• Exterior painting
• Describe the legal structure of your painting company, whether it is a sole proprietorship, LLC, partnership, or others.
• Explain where your business is located and why you selected the place.
• Ownership: List founders or owners of your painting company. Describe what shares they own and their responsibilities for efficiently managing the business.
• Mission statement: Summarize your business’ objective, core principles, and values in your mission statement. This statement needs to be memorable, clear, and brief.
• Business history: If you’re an established painting service provider, briefly describe your business history, like—when it was founded, how it evolved over time, etc.
• Additionally, If you have received any awards or recognition for excellent work, describe them.
• Future goals : It’s crucial to convey your aspirations and vision. Mention your short-term and long-term goals; they can be specific targets for revenue, market share, or expanding your services.

This section should provide a thorough understanding of your business, its history, and its future plans. Keep this section engaging, precise, and to the point.

3. Market Analysis

The market analysis section of your business plan should offer a thorough understanding of the industry with the target market, competitors, and growth opportunities. You should include the following components in this section.

• Target market: Start this section by describing your target market. Define your ideal customer and explain what types of services they prefer. Creating a buyer persona will help you easily define your target market to your readers.
• For instance, residential homeowners, commercial property owners, and real estate agents/developers can be an ideal target audience for a general painting business.
• Market size and growth potential: Describe your market size and growth potential and whether you will target a niche or a much broader market.
• Competitive analysis: Identify and analyze your direct and indirect competitors. Identify their strengths and weaknesses, and describe what differentiates your painting services from them. Point out how you have a competitive edge in the market.
• Market trends: Analyze emerging trends in the industry, such as technology disruptions, changes in customer behavior or preferences, etc. Explain how your business will cope with all the trends.
• For instance, tech-driven solutions like virtual consultation and 3D visualization are becoming the norm, explain if you have any plans on implementing these technologies into your business.
• Regulatory environment: List regulations and licensing requirements that may affect your painting company, such as business registration, insurance, environmental regulations, occupational safety, health regulations, etc.

Here are a few tips for writing the market analysis section of your commerical or house painting business plan:

• Conduct market research, industry reports, and surveys to gather data.
• Provide specific and detailed information whenever possible.
• Illustrate your points with charts and graphs.
• Write your business plan keeping your target audience in mind.

4. Products And Services

The product and services section should describe the specific services that will be offered to customers. To write this section should include the following:

• Interior painting
• Deck and fence painting
• Specialty coating
• Paint/coating removal, and more.
• Describe each service: Provide a detailed description of each service you provide, including the process involved, any specific paints or equipment you use, and the time required.
• The color consultation service, for instance, provides expert advice and guidance on choosing the right colors, finishes, paints, coatings, etc.
• Quality assurance: This section should explain how you maintain quality standards and consistently provide the highest quality service.
• This may include overseeing the inspection and preparatory processes, choosing materials wisely, quality control checks, following industry standards, etc.
• Additional services: Mention if your painting company offers any additional services. You may include services like color consultation and custom finishes.

In short, this section of your painting plan must be informative, precise, and client-focused. By providing a clear and compelling description of your offerings, you can help potential investors and readers understand the value of your business.

5. Sales And Marketing Strategies

Writing the sales and marketing strategies section means a list of strategies you will use to attract and retain your clients. Here are some key elements to include in your sales & marketing plan:

• Unique selling proposition (USP): Define your business’s USPs depending on the market you serve, the equipment you use, and the unique services you provide. Identifying USPs will help you plan your marketing strategies.
• For example, specialized expertise, high-quality workmanship and competitive pricing could be some of the great USPs for a general painting company.
• Pricing strategy: Describe your pricing strategy—how you plan to price your painting services and stay competitive in the local market. You can mention any discounts you plan on offering to attract new customers to your painting service.
• Marketing strategies: Discuss your marketing strategies to market your services. You may include some of these marketing strategies in your business plan—local SEO, social media marketing, Google ads, brochures, email marketing, content marketing, and print marketing.
• Sales strategies: Outline the strategies you’ll implement to maximize your sales. Your sales strategies may include direct sales calls, partnering with renovation companies, taking part in local events, networking with similar businesses, etc.
• Customer retention: Describe your customer retention strategies and how you plan to execute them. For instance, building relationships, providing value-added services, offering referral discounts, maintaining communication, etc.

Overall, this section of your painting business plan should focus on customer acquisition and retention.

Have a specific, realistic, and data-driven approach while planning sales and marketing strategies for your painting business, and be prepared to adapt or make strategic changes in your strategies based on feedback and results.

6. Operations Plan

The operations plan section of your business plan should outline the processes and procedures involved in your business operations, such as staffing requirements and operational processes. Here are a few components to add to your operations plan:

• Staffing & training: Mention your business’s staffing requirements, including the number of employees or painting workers needed. Include their qualifications, the training required, and the duties they will perform.
• Operational process: Outline the processes and procedures you will use to run your painting business. Your operational processes may include project inquiry and estimation, project scheduling and planning, execution of painting work, quality control & inspection, etc.
• Equipment & machinery: Include the list of equipment and machinery required for painting, such as ladders and scaffolding, paint brush rollers, paint sprayers, paint mixing and storage equipment, etc.
• Explain how these pieces of equipment help you maintain quality standards and improve the efficiency of your business operations.

Adding these components to your operations plan will help you lay out your business operations, which will eventually help you manage your business effectively.

7. Management Team

The management team section provides an overview of your painting business’s management team. This section should provide a detailed description of each manager’s experience and qualifications, as well as their responsibilities and roles.

• Founder/CEO: Mention the founders and CEO of your painting company, and describe their roles and responsibilities in successfully running the business.
• Key managers: Introduce your management and key members of your team, and explain their roles and responsibilities.
• It should include, key executives, senior management, and other department managers and supervisors involved in the business operations, including their education, professional background, and any relevant experience in the painting industry.
• Organizational structure: Explain the organizational structure of your management team. Include the reporting line and decision-making hierarchy.
• Compensation plan: Describe your compensation plan for the management and staff. Include their salaries, incentives, and other benefits.
• Advisors/Consultants: Mentioning advisors or consultants in your business plans adds credibility to your business idea.
• So, if you have any advisors or consultants, include them with their names and brief information consisting of roles and years of experience.

This section should describe the key personnel for your painting services, highlighting how you have the perfect team to succeed.

8. Financial Plan

Your financial plan section should provide a summary of your business’s financial projections for the first few years. Here are some key elements to include in your financial plan:

• Profit & loss statement: Describe details such as projected revenue, operational costs, and service costs in your projected profit and loss statement. Make sure to include your business’s expected net profit or loss.
• Cash flow statement: The cash flow for the first few years of your operation should be estimated and described in this section. This may include billing invoices, payment receipts, loan payments, and any other cash flow statements.
• Balance sheet: Create a projected balance sheet documenting your painting business’s assets, liabilities, and equity.
• Break-even point: Determine and mention your business’s break-even point—the point at which your business costs and revenue will be equal.
• This exercise will help you understand how much revenue you need to generate to sustain or be profitable.
• Financing needs: Calculate costs associated with starting a painting business, and estimate your financing needs and how much capital you need to raise to operate your business. Be specific about your short-term and long-term financing requirements, such as investment capital or loans.

Be realistic with your financial projections, and make sure you offer relevant information and evidence to support your estimates.

9. Appendix

The appendix section of your plan should include any additional information supporting your business plan’s main content, such as market research, legal documentation, financial statements, and other relevant information.

• Add a table of contents for the appendix section to help readers easily find specific information or sections.
• In addition to your financial statements, provide additional financial documents like tax returns, a list of assets within the business, credit history, and more. These statements must be the latest and offer financial projections for at least the first three or five years of business operations.
• Provide data derived from market research, including stats about the painting industry, user demographics, and industry trends.
• Include any legal documents such as permits, licenses, and contracts.
• Include any additional documentation related to your business plan, such as product brochures, marketing materials, operational procedures, etc.

Use clear headings and labels for each section of the appendix so that readers can easily find the necessary information.

Remember, the appendix section of your painting business plan should only include relevant and important information supporting your plan’s main content.

The Quickest Way to turn a Business Idea into a Business Plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

This sample painting business plan will provide an idea for writing a successful painting plan, including all the essential components of your business.

After this, if you still need clarification about writing an investment-ready business plan to impress your audience, download our painting business plan pdf .

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Frequently asked questions, why do you need a painting business plan.

A business plan is an essential tool for anyone looking to start or run a successful painting business. It helps to get clarity in your business, secures funding, and identifies potential challenges while starting and growing your business.

Overall, a well-written plan can help you make informed decisions, which can contribute to the long-term success of your painting company.

How to get funding for your painting business?

There are several ways to get funding for your painting business, but self-funding is one of the most efficient and speedy funding options. Other options for funding are:

Small Business Administration (SBA) loan

Crowdfunding, angel investors.

Apart from all these options, there are small business grants available, check for the same in your location and you can apply for it.

Where to find business plan writers for your painting business?

There are many business plan writers available, but no one knows your business and ideas better than you, so we recommend you write your painting business plan and outline your vision as you have in your mind.

What is the easiest way to write your painting business plan?

A lot of research is necessary for writing a business plan, but you can write your plan most efficiently with the help of any painting business plan example and edit it as per your need. You can also quickly finish your plan in just a few hours or less with the help of our business plan software.

About the Author

Upmetrics Team

Upmetrics is the #1 business planning software that helps entrepreneurs and business owners create investment-ready business plans using AI. We regularly share business planning insights on our blog. Check out the Upmetrics blog for such interesting reads. Read more

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Painting Company Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business ideas » Home Improvement » Painting

Are you about starting a painting business? If YES, here is a complete sample painting business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE .

Okay, so we have considered all the requirements for starting a painting business . We also took it further by analyzing and drafting a sample painting marketing plan template backed up by actionable guerrilla marketing ideas for painting businesses. So let’s proceed to the business planning section.

As an aspiring entrepreneur who is looking for a thriving business to start, one the business opportunities that can guarantee you steady income is a painting business.

In the united states of America and in most countries in Europe, you may notice that a good percentage of homes and offices paint their facilities on a regular basis. This goes to show that there is indeed a large market for the painting business.

The Painting business can be learnt within a few months especially if you know how to pay attention to details. If you are actually convinced that starting a painting company is the right business for you, then you need to write your own business plan.

The essence of writing a business plan before starting any business is for you to have a roadmap and a blueprint of how you want to setup, manage and expand your business. Below is a sample painting company business plan template that will help you successfully write yours with little or no stress.

A Sample Painting Company Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

The painters industry comprises of various niches such as construction and industrial painters amongst others. What construction cum industrial painters do is to apply paint, special coatings, and wallpaper to various internal as well as external surfaces for protection, cleanliness or beautification.

Industry painters offer services to a wide range of customers that cut across residential, commercial, industrial and municipal building markets as well as for infrastructure projects like roads, bridges and stadiums et al. Painters are sometimes contracted to paint ships but not automobile and aircraft.

On the average, a standard painting business offers services such as bridge painting, painting of buildings or other structures, paper hanging for the purpose of beautification, spray painting buildings or other structures, wallpapering, house/residential painting, rustproofing (excluding automotive), paint and wallpaper removal, and whitewashing. Painting or coating provides two primary functions; decoration and protection.

If you are a close watcher of the Painters industry, you will agree that the industry’s foundation shook as the housing bubble burst, with several factors contributing to discourage consumers from spending on home improvements such as painting.

Experts projected that the Painters industry recovery will be driven by improvements in employment and per capita disposable income.

In the United States and in most countries of the world, home prices are expected to continue to raise, facilitating growth in demand for painters industry services because homeowners often leverage the value of their homes through loans to fund remodeling projects.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (United States of America) projects 11.1 percent job growth for the real estate industry between 2012 and 2022, which is about as fast as average. During that time, an additional 38,000 jobs will open up in the industry.

Hence any painting company that is well equipped and positioned will rake in huge revenues from this industry within this period and of course the future is bright.

Statistics has it that in the United States of America alone, there are about 323,194 registered and licensed painting companies responsible for employing about 503,130 people and the industry rakes in a whooping sum of $43 billion annually.

The industry is projected to grow at a 4.2 percent annual growth within 2014 and 2019. It is important to state that there are no establishments in this industry that has a lion market share.

A recent report published shows that the Painters industry is very labor-oriented, as it relies on employees to carry out most industry activities. Therefore, the industry requires a low level of capital investment and instead allocates much of its cost structure to labor payments, which accounts for 23.1 percent of revenue. Purchases account for 56.9 percent of industry revenue.

The report further stated that these costs are largely related to materials, components and supplies used during service requests as well as the costs associated with contracting work out to third-party subcontractors. Depreciation absorbs only 1.0 percent of industry revenue, and capital purchases are largely limited to vehicles and computers used in sales offices.

Lastly, as a professional painter, it is very important to be creative, to be able to use your ideas to meet the rapidly changing needs of the society when it comes to properties; you should be able to convert a shanty town property or facility into a beautiful edifice if indeed you want to become a major player in the industry.

2. Executive Summary

Jim De Rosa® Painting Company, LLC is a construction painting company that is incorporated under the law of the United States of America.

Our head office will be located in a standard and centrally located office facility in the heart of Newark – New Jersey. Although our Head Office will be located in Newark – New Jersey, but we will open our branch offices in major cities in all regions of the United States of America.

Within the first two years of operation, we would have set up our offices in the following locations; New York City, Los Angeles, Florida, North Dakota, Boston, Dallas and Washington.

Jim De Rosa® Painting Company, LLC will engage in industrial and commercial painting services such as bridge painting, painting of buildings or other structures, paper hanging for the purpose of beautification, spray painting buildings or other structures, rustproofing (excluding automotive), paint and wallpaper removal, and whitewashing.

We will work towards becoming one of the largest painting companies in the United States of America with active presence in major cities. As part of our plans to make our customers our number one priority and to become one of the leading painting companies in the United States of America, we have perfected plans to adopt international best practices.

Jim De Rosa® Painting Company, LLC will at all times demonstrate her commitment to sustainability, both individually and as a firm, by actively participating in our communities and integrating sustainable business practices wherever possible.

We will ensure that we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards by meeting our client’s needs precisely and completely.

Jim De Rosa® Painting Company, LLC will be owned by Jim De Rosa and his immediate family members. Jim De Rosa has a Degree in Fine Arts and he has over 13 years’ experience as a professional painter working for one of the leading property development companies in the United States of America.

3. Our Products and Services

Jim De Rosa® Painting Company, LLC is going to offer varieties of services within the scope of the Painters industry in the United States of America. Our intention of starting our painting company is to favorably compete with leading players in the industry in the United States of America.

We are prepared to make profits from the industry and we will do all that is permitted by the law in the United States to achieve our business goals. Our business offerings are listed below;

• General residential painting
• General nonresidential painting
• Paper hanging, wall covering and removal
• Non building painting
• Other related services

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our vision is to become one of the top 10 painting companies in the United States of America within the first 10 years of starting Jim De Rosa® Painting Company, LLC.
• Our mission and values are to help people, businesses and property owners in the United States of America paint their homes to fit into the ideal mental pictures they have of how a world – class home should be and to also paint other public structures to fit into the plan of the government.

Our Business Structure

Our company’s structure is not entirely different from what is obtainable in the industry, as a matter of priority, we have decided to create a structure that will allow for easy growth for all our employees and also, we have created platforms that will enable us attract some of the best hands in the industry.

We are quite aware that the success of any business lies in the foundation on which the business is built on, which is why we have decided to build our painting company on the right business foundation. We will ensure that we only hire people that are qualified, honest, hardworking, customer centric and are ready to work to help us build a prosperous business that will benefit all our stakeholders.

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our senior management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of five years or more depending how fast we meet our set target. Jim De Rosa® Painting Company, LLC is fully aware of the modus operandi in the painting industry, hence adequate provision and competitive packages have been prepared for independent sales agents.

Our marketing department will be responsible for managing this aspect of our business. Below is the business structure we will build Jim De Rosa® Painting Company, LLC on;

• Manager (Owner)

Project Manager

Admin and HR Manager

Professional Painters

• Business Developer/Sales and Marketing
• Customer Service Executive / Front Desk Officer

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Manager (Owner):

• Increases management’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results
• Creating, communicating, and implementing the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Responsible for fixing prices and signing business deals
• Responsible for providing direction for the business
• Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
• Evaluates the success of the organization
• Responsible for the planning, management and coordinating all projects on behalf of the company
• Supervise painting projects
• Ensure compliance during project executions
• Providing advice on the management of projects
• Responsible for carrying out risk assessment
• Responsible for overseeing the accounting, costing and billing of every project
• Ensures that project desired result is achieved, the most efficient resources are utilized and different interests involved are satisfied.
• Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
• Regularly hold meetings with key stakeholders to review the effectiveness of HR Policies, Procedures and Processes
• Maintains office supplies by checking stocks; placing and expediting orders; evaluating new products.
• Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; calling for repairs.
• Defining job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Carrying out induction for new team members
• Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
• Responsible for arranging travel, meetings and appointments
• Oversees the smooth running of the daily office activities.
• Read blueprints/instructions and examine surfaces to determine the kind and amount of work necessary
• Make on-site preparations such as building scaffolding, covering fixtures etc.
• Prepare walls and other surfaces for painting by scraping, using sandpaper, removing old paint etc.
• Fill cracks and holes with appropriate material (e.g. plaster)
• Mix paint and other materials to prepare the right color or texture
• Paint surfaces according to instructions with various tools
• Apply varnish and other finishes
• Take and adhere to all health and safety precautions.

Marketing and Sales Executive/Business Developer

• Identify, prioritize, and reach out to new partners, and business opportunities et al
• Identifies development opportunities; follows up on development leads and contacts
• Responsible for supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with clients
• Document all customer contact and information
• Represent the company in strategic meetings
• Help increase sales and growth for the company
• Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Provides managers with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting reports
• Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
• Performs cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting
• Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
• Responsible for administering payrolls
• Ensuring compliance with taxation legislation
• Handles all financial transactions for the company
• Serves as internal auditor for the company

Front Desk/Customer’s Service Officer

• Receives Visitors / clients on behalf of the organization
• Receives parcels / documents for the company
• Handles enquiries via e-mail and phone calls for the organization
• Distribute mails in the organization
• Ensures that all contacts with clients (e-mail, SMS or phone) provides the client with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
• Through interaction with clients on the phone, uses every opportunity to build client’s interest in the company’s services
• Manages administrative duties assigned by the line manager in an effective and timely manner

6. SWOT Analysis

The fact that painting business is a very rewarding business does not mean that there are no challenges in the industry. Starting a painting business in the United States of America comes with its own fair share of challenges, you would have to abide by the law and also compete with loads of other entrepreneurs in the real estate business value chain who also are interested in making a living and building a business in the US.

In order to compete favorably in the industry as a painting company we have been able to hire the services of tested and trusted business consultant to help us conduct critical SWOT analysis for us. Here is a summary from the SWOT analysis that was conducted on behalf of Jim De Rosa® Painting Company, LLC;

Some of our strengths that we will be bringing to the table in the Painters industry is our robust relations with works departments, homeowners and property investment moguls in the whole of the United States of America. We have a team of experts who have cut their teeth in the commercial painting line of business.

Our commission structure and relationship with freelance real estate agents in Newark – New Jersey and other states in the US will also count towards our advantage.

As a newbie in the Painters industry, we might have some challenges competing with big time property developers and other painting companies that have been in the industry for many years; that perhaps is part of our weakness.

• Opportunities:

The opportunities in the Painters industry especially as a painting company is massive considering the numbers of home owners who have the financial capacity to renovate their homes as at when due and government painting contracts in the United States. We are well – positioned and ready to take advantage of any opportunity that comes our way.

Some of the threats that we are likely going to face as a painting company are unfavorable government policies , and global economic downturn; global economic downturn usually affects spending power and the real estate industry cum painting business is known to encounter decline in sales and profits during this period.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

As a result of real estate growth and expansion, demand for industry services across several construction markets has significantly expanded over the five years to 2019. The residential market, a key source of industry revenue, has been especially supportive.

Furthermore, activity in nonresidential construction sectors has also grown, further widening demand for industry services. Over the five years to 2019, broad improvements in the US economy facilitated strong growth in the housing market. During the period, housing stats increased at an annualized rate of 6.2 percent.

Another obvious trend that is common with painting companies in the United States of America is that most of them are making use of health friendly paints hence the production and usage or insect repellent paints.

Lastly, one thing is certain for every painting company; if they are hardworking, creative and proactive, they will always generate enough income to meet all their overhead and operational cost , keep their business going without struggle and make reasonable profits from all projects that they are involved in.

8. Our Target Market

As a painting company, our target market cuts across people (home owners) of different classes and from all walks of life, corporate organizations and the government. We are coming into the Painters industry with a business concept that will enable us work with a wide range of clientele.

As a matter of fact, our target market is the whole of the United States of America and we have put plans in place to recruit freelance agents (brokers) nationally to represent our business interest wherever they are located in the United States of America. Below is a list of the people and organizations that we have specifically designed our services for;

• Corporate organizations who are interested in acquiring their own property / properties
• Home Owners who are interested in remodeling, painting and selling off their home
• Properties Owners who are interested in remodeling, painting and selling off their properties
• Foreign investors who are interested in owning properties in the United States of America and remodeling and painting the property
• The government of the United States of America (Government contracts)
• Managers of public facilities who would want to engage painting companies to help them paint properties under their care.

Our competitive advantage

The Painters industry is indeed a very prolific and highly competitive industry. Clients will only hire your services if they know that you can paint their homes to fit into the picture of the ideal home they have in mind. We are quite aware that to be highly competitive in the industry means that you should be able to deliver consistent quality painting jobs and you should be able to meet the expectations of your clients at all times.

Jim De Rosa® Painting Company, LLC  might be a new painting company in the Painters industry, but our management team and the owner of the business are professional who have what it takes to grow a business from scratch to become a top brand within the shortest time possible. This is what will count as a competitive advantage for us.

Aside from our robust experience and the expertise of our team of experts, we have a very strong online presence that will enable us attract clients from all across the United States of America. Lastly, our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category in the industry.

It will enable them to be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our business aims and objectives. We will also engage freelance marketing agents on a commission level to help us market our services.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

We mindful of the fact that there are stiff competitions in the painting market in the United States of America, hence we have been able to hire some of the best business developers to handle our sales and marketing.

Our sales and marketing team will be recruited based on their experience in the industry and they will be trained on a regular basis so as to be well equipped to meet their targets and the overall goal of the organization. The training is not restricted to only our full – time employees but also our freelance brokers that are scattered all over the United States of America.

Our goal is to become one of the leading painting companies in the United States of America which is why we have mapped out strategies that will help us take advantage of the available market and grow to become a major force in the industry. Jim De Rosa® Painting Company, LLC is set to make use of the following marketing and sales strategies;

• Introduce our business by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to stakeholders in the real estate industry, government public works department, also property owners and potential clients in the United States of America
• Promptness in bidding for painting contracts
• Advertise our business in real estate/property magazines and websites
• List our business on yellow pages (local directories)
• Attend real estate related expos, seminars, and business fairs et al
• Create different packages for different category of clients in order to successfully paint their homes / properties
• Leverage on the internet (social media platforms) and our official website to promote our business
• Encourage word of mouth marketing.

Sources of Income

Jim De Rosa® Painting Company, LLC is established with the aim of maximizing profits in the Painters industry. We have successfully built a vibrant real estate network that covers the whole of the United States of America so as to help us build a profitable business. Below are the sources we intend exploring to generate income for Jim De Rosa® Painting Company, LLC;

• Nonbuilding painting

10. Sales Forecast

It is a known fact that as long as there are facilities and home owners in the United States of America, there will always be need to for them to remodel their homes from time to time to conform with the trends in the neighborhood or city. Hence the demand for the services of painting companies to help them solve these needs.

We are well positioned to take on the challenges that are synonymous to painting businesses in the United States, and we are quite optimistic that we will meet our set target of generating enough income/profits from our first month of operation and grow the business beyond New Jersey to other states in the United States of America within record time.

We have been able to examine the painting line of business, we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast. The sales projections are based on information gathered on the field and some assumptions peculiar to similar startups in New Jersey.

Below are the sales projections for Jim De Rosa® Painting Company, LLC it is based on the location of our business and the painting and related services we will be offering;

• First Fiscal Year (FY1):  $200,000
• Second Fiscal Year (FY2):  $500,000
• Third Fiscal Year (FY3):  $1.2 million

N.B : This projection was done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown and any major competitor offering same services as we do within the locations where we have a strong business presence. Please note that the above projection might be lower and at the same time it might be higher since some factors are beyond our control.

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

We have been able to work with our consultants to help us map out publicity and advertising strategies that will help us walk our way into the heart of our target market. We are set to take the Painters industry by storm which is why we have made provisions for effective publicity and advertisement of our company. Below are the platforms we intend to leverage on to promote and advertise our painting business;

• Place adverts on both print and electronic media platforms
• Place our flexi banners with our company’s logo and contacts in every property we are painting
• Sponsor relevant TV shows so as to be able to communicate our brand and what we do
• Maximize our company’s website to promote our business
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and other platforms (real estate online forums) to promote our business.
• Install our billboards in strategic locations
• Distribute our fliers and handbills in targeted areas from time to time
• Attend landlord and residence association meetings with the aim of networking and introducing our business.
• Ensure that all our workers wear our branded shirts and all our vehicles are branded with our company’s logo.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

Part of our business strategy is to ensure that we work within the budget of our potential clients to help them paint their homes and facilities to meet their expectations. It is the practice in most parts of the world for properties to be valued by professionals based on the area the facility is located, the type of facility and other factors.

Since we are not directly in control of the pricing system in the real estate industry, we can only abide by what is obtainable when it comes to fixing the price for a painting contract. But one thing is certain, we will ensure that we deliver excellent jobs when have we are contracted to do so.

Lastly, we will ensure that we keep our fees below the average market rate by keeping our overhead low and by collecting payment in advance. In addition, we will also offer special discounted rates to our clients from time to time especially when they recommend clients to us.

• Payment Options

At Jim De Rosa® Painting Company, LLC our payment policy is all inclusive because we are quite aware that different people prefer different payment options as it suits them but at the same time, we will not accept payment by cash because of the volume of cash that will be involved in most of our transactions. Here are the payment options that Jim De Rosa® Painting Company, LLC will make available to her clients;

• Payment by via bank transfer
• Payment via online bank transfer
• Payment via check
• Payment via bank draft

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will help us achieve our plans without any itches and we will also pay our freelance sales agents with same platforms.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

This is what it would cost us to set up Jim De Rosa® Painting Company, LLC in the United States of America;

• The total fee for incorporating the business in The United States of America – $750.
• The budget for permits and license – $2,000
• The cost for hiring Consultant – $2,500.
• The cost for computer software apps (Accounting Software, Payroll Software, CRM Software, Microsoft Office, QuickBooks Pro) – $7,000
• The budget for insurance (general liability, workers’ compensation and property casualty) coverage at a total premium – $5,400.
• Cost for payment of rent for a suitable office facility with enough space in Newark – New Jersey for 12 month at $1.76 per square feet in the total amount of – $105,600.
• The cost for office remodeling (construction of racks and shelves) – $20,000.
• The cost for equipping the office (computers, printers, fax machines, furniture, telephones, filing cabins, safety gadgets and electronics et al) – $15,000
• The cost for the purchase of painting equipment and accessories – $30,000
• Other start-up expenses including stationery ($500) and phone and utility deposits ($2,500).
• Operational cost for the first 3 months (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – $100,000
• The cost of launching our official website – $600
• Additional Expenditure (Business cards, Signage, Adverts and Promotions et al) – $5,000

Going by the report from the market research and feasibility studies conducted, we will need over two hundred and fifty thousand (250,000) U.S. dollars to successfully set up a small scale but standard painting company in the United States of America.

  Generating Startup Capital for Jim De Rosa® Painting Company, LLC

Jim De Rosa® Painting Company, LLC will be owned and managed by Jim De Rosa, his immediate family members and other business partners. They decided to restrict the sourcing of the start up capital for the business to just three major sources.

• Generate part of the startup capital from personal savings and sale of stocks
• Generate part of the startup capital from friends and other extended family members
• Generate a larger chunk of the startup capital from the bank (loan facility).

N.B: We have been able to generate about $100,000 ( Personal savings $80,000 and soft loan from family members $20,000 ) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $150,000 from our bank. All the papers and documents have been duly signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

The future of a business lies in the number of loyal customers that they have, the capacity and competence of their employees, their investment strategy and the business structure. If all of these factors are missing from a business, then it won’t be too long before the business closes shop.

One of our major goals of starting Jim De Rosa® Painting Company, LLC is to build a business that will survive off its own cash flow without the need for injecting finance from external sources once the business is officially running. We know that one of the ways of gaining approval and winning customers over is to offer our painting services a little bit cheaper than what is obtainable in the market and we are prepared to survive on lower profit margin for a while.

Jim De Rosa® Painting Company, LLC will make sure that the right foundation, structures and processes are put in place to ensure that our staff welfare are well taken of. Our company’s corporate culture is designed to drive our business to greater heights and training and retraining of our workforce is at the top burner.

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of three years or more. We know that if that is put in place, we will be able to successfully hire and retain the best hands we can get in the industry and they will be more committed to help us build the business of our dreams.

Check List/Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check : Completed
• Business Incorporation: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts: Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Application for business license and permit: Completed
• Purchase of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Renting of Office Facility and remodeling the facility in Newark – New Jersey: Completed
• Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
• Generating capital from the CEO / President and Business Partners: Completed
• Applications for Loan from our Bankers: In Progress
• Writing of Business Plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Drafting of Contract Documents and other relevant Legal Documents: In Progress
• Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
• Printing of Promotional Materials: Completed
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Purchase of the needed painting equipment and accessories, furniture, office equipment and electronic appliances: In progress
• Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
• Creating Awareness for the business (Business PR): In Progress
• Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement: In Progress
• Establishing business relationship with key players in the industry (networking and membership of government contractor’s association): In Progress

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How to Create a Painting Business Plan

Don’t think of a business plan as a long-winded, boring manifesto about your company. Think of it as a ticket to freedom.

Business is booming! Who needs a plan?

You do. You need one. Really, truly.

As the saying goes: fail to plan, plan to fail. If you ever expect to put down your roller and mosey into the sunset of financial security, a business plan is what will get you there.

No matter how long you’ve been in business, how well you can recognize a matte from an eggshell finish, or how inundated you are with work, there’s no escaping the fact that having a business plan is a pivotal foundation for running a painting company .

Writing a business plan can feel daunting, which is why we’ve put together this step-by-step guide to lead you through it in a way that’s straightforward and, dare we say… enjoyable.

What is a painting business plan?

A painting business plan is a strategic document that outlines high-level corporate details and goals for a painting company. It can help guide long-term decision-making for the next 5-10 years, or longer, and will cover financial, operational, sales, and marketing strategies.

Why does my painting company need a business plan?

Great question. If you ever go searching for corporate investment funding for your business, having a business plan will be essential. But beyond that, there are a bunch of reasons why you should have one, including:

• It helps optimize your team’s time.
• It keeps you from falling prey to distractions.
• It’s a great reference when making decisions.
• It’ll make you a more confident leader.

What should I include in my painting business plan?

• Executive Summary - highlights of your business plan
• Company Overview - key details about your company and culture
• Market Analysis - industry, competitors and customers
• Marketing & Sales Strategy - how you’ll land jobs
• Operations Plan - how you’ll execute those jobs
• Financials & Revenue Forecasting - how much you’ll make from those jobs

These are the standard sections that appear in a typical business plan, but you don’t have to follow it exactly. The big thing to note is even though this is how the plan is formatted, it’s not the order in which you’ll write it. Below is a framework for the thought process you’ll need to go through in order to create your plan.

How do I write a business plan for a painting company?

• Conduct market analysis: Who’s your competition?
• Work out what matters: What’s your company’s purpose?
• Study your numbers: Where are your profit margins?
• Decide how you’ll close jobs: What’s your lead funnel?
• Set an operational path: How will you get the work done?
• You’ve got your plan - now summarize it!

Step 1. Conduct market analysis

Market analysis a great place to start working on your business plan because it forces you to pause and get a sense of the painting industry landscape in your region, who your competitors are and where to find the best customers:

• Is there a strong need for painters in your region?
• What types of jobs are dominant? Residential interiors? Commercial exteriors?
• Who are the big players in your area? What are they doing that you’re not?
• Who are your ideal customers? Are they the same ones you’re currently serving?

Your answers to these questions will make up the third section of your business plan: Market Analysis.

Step 2. Work out what matters

Once you’ve got a handle on what’s happening out there, it’s time to turn your focus inwards and determine what sets you apart from your competition. Ask yourself:

• What do you want your brand to stand for?
• What can your company do better than anyone else?
• What motivates you more than money?
• What larger purpose does your company bring to the world?

Your answers to these questions will become the foundation of the second section of your plan: Company Overview.

Step 3. Study your numbers

It’s going to be extremely difficult to forecast your revenue without a budget, but if you don’t have one, do the best you can with whatever data is available. But be sure to start tracking your financials… like, today!

If you need a hand getting started, download our Budget Quick Tool .

Ideally, you want to figure out the following:

• What are your operating costs?
• What’s your gross profit margin?
• What’s your net profit margin?
• What do they need to be?

Your answers will help you build out the last section of your plan: Financials & Revenue Forecasting.

Step 4. Decide how you’ll close jobs

You know how much you need to make, now you need to determine your conversion levels.

• What’s your average job size?
• How many jobs do you need to complete to meet your financial targets?
• How many estimates do you need to do to land that many jobs?
• How many leads?
• How will you find them?

The answers to these questions will underpin the fourth section of your plan: Sales & Marketing.

Step 5. Set an operational path

Alright, so you know roughly where you want to go, now to sort out how you’ll get there.

• What’s your BHAG (Big, Hairy, Audacious, Goal)?
• Who will you need on your team?
• What systems do you need to implement?
• How will you keep track of progress?
• How will you instill a sense of accountability within your team?

These answers will help you round out the fifth section: Operations Plan.

It will also lay the groundwork for your annual strategic planning, where you’ll break the big vision established in your construction business plan down into executable actions. Our Strategic Plan template will help.

Step 6. Summarize it!

Now that you’ve worked out the nuts and bolts of your business plan, it’s time to capture the highlights (emphasis on “highlights” – this isn’t the place to get bogged down in details).

Basically, you want to answer the following questions:

• Who is your painting company?
• What is it going to do?

It may be the last thing you write, but it will be the first section of your plan: Executive Summary.

Creating a painting business plan can seem complicated, but take it a step at a time. Remember, you’re the expert. No one knows your company better than you do.

Don’t overthink it.

Do’s & Don’ts of creating a painting business plan

How do I turn my plan into action?

As Mike Tyson has famously said, everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face. A plan is only as good as your ability to implement it. Act like everyone else, and you’ll end up exactly as they are: average.

What differentiates elite painters from the rest is their ability to execute. But that’s definitely easier said than done, and not something you need to tackle alone.

As part of Breakthrough Academy’s coaching program, we’ll help you develop a Master Business Plan that includes everything you need to bring your goals to fruition, including an at-a-glance dashboard to keep tabs on your finances, sales and projects.

Ready to amp up your profits and offload some hours? Learn more about Breakthrough Academy’s coaching program for elite painters .

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"BTA helped us create a concrete foundation for our company by providing us with the knowledge and tools to take 505-Junk to new levels."

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"I dropped the tools a year ago, and now I’m fully in the office. We’ve doubled in sales, we’ve doubled in everything..."

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"BTA helped us gather focus in the right direction and showed us exactly what we needed to do in order to run our business."

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Free Download

Painting Contractors Business Plan Template

Download this free painting contractors business plan template, with pre-filled examples, to create your own plan..

Or plan with professional support in LivePlan. Save 50% today

Available formats:

What you get with this template

A complete business plan.

Text and financials are already filled out and ready for you to update.

• SBA-lender approved format

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Free Painting Business Plan PDF to Get Started in 2023

Downloadable Example

When starting your own painting company, you need to take the time to create a written painting business plan. While it won’t be the most exciting part of being an entrepreneur, it is vital to the success of your venture.

We’ve put together a helpful guide so you can dive in and create a business plan that provides direction, attracts investors, and drives results.

Enter your email below to download a painting business plan PDF sample

What Is a Business Plan?

A painting business plan is a document detailing how to start a painting company, the business goals, services, and how the contractor plans to reach their goals.

Along with focusing on your painting company’s goals, it’s helpful to include other information, such as the painting services you plan to offer, your process for how to bid a paint job , and any competitive differentiators that set up a part in the local market.

Think of your business plan as a written outline about your painting company startup that you can share with other individuals, companies, or investors who want to join your business venture.

It is essentially a pitch about why someone would want to be involved with your painting company and how it will benefit them by detailing everything from team structure to financial projections.

Sections of a Painting Business Plan

Remember that as the business owner, you get to decide what to and what not to include in your painting business plan. If a section doesn’t make sense for your business or aligns with your growth goals, don’t feel forced to leave it in.

Determine which sections make the most sense for your painting company’s needs. To create a comprehensive business plan, consider including the following sections:

1. Executive Summary

At the beginning of the business plan, you want to provide a short summary of who your painting business is and why it will be successful.

• This is where you would provide any company details you have, including your painting company mission statement, leadership team, employees, location(s), service area, and any other basic business details.

2. Company Description

Here you will outline who your painting company is and discuss your purpose.

• What problems do you help your customers solve?
• What makes you stand out from similar competitors in the market?
• What expertise and training does your team of painting contractors have?

Use the company description section as a place to brag about yourself a little bit and highlight what makes your painting business stand out from others.

3. Market Analysis

Anyone can say they will become a painting contractor , but you need the numbers to back up that claim. Analyzing your local market and performing competitor research will help uncover your competitors’ strengths and weaknesses.

In doing so, you can determine where you need to excel and how your painting company can outshine the competition. Determine what they are doing well, what they are struggling with, and what you can do better.

4. Organizational Structure

Having a clearly defined organizational structure ( 1 ) is a crucial aspect of any business — especially if you are looking to get funding or investments.

• Create an org chart that outlines the company structure, detailing who is in charge of all business operations down to the painting contractors who are out in the field executing the job.

5. Painting Services

Provide a menu of service offerings that you plan to offer to your customers.

• Do you plan to offer residential painting? If so, are you focusing on new development jobs led by contractors, or are you appealing to the homeowner crowd?
• Will you bid on commercial painting leads?
• Do you only offer single-room paint jobs or whole-home jobs as well?
• Is your team equipped to handle interior and exterior paint jobs?

Use this section to outline your service offerings and explain how they will benefit your target customer base.

6. Marketing and Sales

While your painting company’s marketing strategy should be fluid to align with the current market, this section will describe your high-level plan for attracting new business and retaining existing customers when word of mouth alone isn’t sufficient.

• What is your plan to increase the leads coming in?
• How do you plan to close those leads and convert them into customers?
• Is there a strategy to make your existing sales repeat customers?

Provide an insight into the traditional marketing and digital marketing strategies you plan to employ.

7. Funding Request

If you are asking for funding or plan to in the future, you will need to provide an outline of your funding requirements. Explain how much money you are requesting and details on how those funds will be distributed and used over the next few years.

8. Financial Projections

Including financial projections for your painting company is an effective way to demonstrate that your business will succeed.

If you are an established company, you can fill out this section with existing financial statements or cash flow statements for the last few years to demonstrate your painting company’s profitability .

• Use this section to forecast where you expect the company to be financially five years from now.
• It can be helpful to break up your projections by quarters so you can easily determine if you are on track to meet your projections.
• Include revenue projections and expenses such as insurance, advertising, taxes, property leases, etc.

9. Appendix

At the end of your painting business plan, you should add any supporting documents for the information you’ve provided. This can include resumes for your leadership team, licenses, credit histories or bank statements, and other contracts.

Example of a Painting Business Plan PDF

You can open or download our free painting business plan PDF below:

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Does My Painting Company Need a Business Plan?

Starting a company in the painting trade is an exciting process — but it often comes with a lot of headaches. Even though you may want to dive right in, it’s vital to set up your business for success from day one.

Creating a solid business plan is one of the most effective ways to prepare your business for any challenges or obstacles you face.

While a business plan isn’t necessarily a mandatory requirement, it is a step that shouldn’t be glossed over.

• It’s a valuable tool that you and your leadership team can continue to use to stay focused and on track toward your painting company’s goals.
• Not only does a painting company business plan make your vision clear to yourself, as well as possible investors, but provides many additional benefits as well:

Business Growth

Every successful painting company starts with a good foundation. Diving in without a well-thought-out plan might be okay initially, but without concrete revenue goals and essential business details sorted out, you’re doing your painting business a disservice.

• Creating the core strategy of your painting company will help accelerate your growth because you will have clear benchmarks that need to be met.
• If you aren’t meeting these benchmarks, you’ll know that your business plan might need to be adjusted.

And on the other hand, you might surpass these benchmarks and be able to reach your goals more quickly because of the clear path you laid out for yourself. Taking the time to create a painting business plan ensures you have a roadmap to success.

Depending on the growth goals you have for your new painting venture, you may need additional funding to achieve them.

• By creating a solid business plan for your painting company, you’re demonstrating to investors and loan providers that you understand the growth trajectory of your business.
• No investor or loan provider will want to invest in a business that isn’t financially stable.
• Writing up a business plan allows you to share your ideas and goals for your painting company.

Business Decisions

As a business owner, you need to be able to make essential business decisions. Whether dealing with a significant fluctuation in painting leads or facing a labor shortage, you must be prepared to deal with situations even when you have little prior experience.

• A business plan enables you to make strategic business decisions because you will know your most recent forecasting information and trajectory toward your goals.
• You can be a confident owner of a painting business, knowing that you have a solid business plan in place to back up your decision-making.

Common Questions About a Painting Company Business Plan

What is the purpose of having a painting business plan.

A business plan will help you determine if your painting business idea is viable, increase your chances of success, and secure financing.

What are the parts of a painting company’s business plan?

Executive summary, company description, market analysis, organizational structure, painting services, marketing & sales, funding requests, financial projections, and appendix.

What is an executive summary for a painting company?

An executive summary includes a mission statement, information about the leadership team, and financial goals.

• https://www.investopedia.com/terms/o/organizational-structure.asp

Written by George Leon

George Leon is a Managing Partner at Scalebloom. He used to be a partner at a painting company in Charlotte NC. George loves to help business owners scale their business with modern marketing strategies and branding.

Free Resources for the

Painting Proposal Sample PDF (2023): Download Free Template

Painting business owner salary: how much can you make, digital marketing for painters: grow your painting company fast, painting subcontractor agreement: free contract template.

Painting Business Plan Template & Guidebook

Are you an aspiring painter looking to get your own business off the ground? Do you need help developing a comprehensive business plan that will take your painting business from dream to reality? Look no further than the #1 Painting Business Plan Template & Guidebook. This detailed template and guidebook have everything you need to create a simple, step-by-step plan for launching and growing your painting business. With this essential tool, you can create a professional plan that will ensure your success as a successful entrepreneur.

Get worry-free services and support to launch your business starting at $0 plus state fees.

• How to Start a Profitable Painting Business [11 Steps]
• 10+ Best & Profitable Painting Business Ideas [2023]
• 25 Catchy Painting Business Names:
• List of the Best Marketing Ideas For Your Painting Service:

How to Write a Painting Business Plan in 7 Steps:

1. describe the purpose of your painting business..

The first step to writing your business plan is to describe the purpose of your painting business. This includes describing why you are starting this type of business, and what problems it will solve for customers. This is a quick way to get your mind thinking about the customers’ problems. It also helps you identify what makes your business different from others in its industry.

It also helps to include a vision statement so that readers can understand what type of company you want to build.

Here is an example of a purpose mission statement for a painting business:

Our mission at ABC Painting is to provide high-quality painting services to our clients, creating a lasting impression and beautiful aesthetic that adds value to their homes and businesses. We also strive to be a leader in the painting industry by using innovative techniques, providing excellent customer service, and being committed to sustainability.

2. Products & Services Offered by Your Painting Business.

The next step is to outline your products and services for your painting business. 

When you think about the products and services that you offer, it's helpful to ask yourself the following questions:

• What is my business?
• What are the products and/or services that I offer?
• Why am I offering these particular products and/or services?
• How do I differentiate myself from competitors with similar offerings?
• How will I market my products and services?

You may want to do a comparison of your business plan against those of other competitors in the area, or even with online reviews. This way, you can find out what people like about them and what they don’t like, so that you can either improve upon their offerings or avoid doing so altogether.

3. Build a Creative Marketing Stratgey.

If you don't have a marketing plan for your painting business, it's time to write one. Your marketing plan should be part of your business plan and be a roadmap to your goals. 

A good marketing plan for your painting business includes the following elements:

Target market

• Who is your target market?
• What do these customers have in common?
• How many of them are there?
• How can you best reach them with your message or product?

Customer base 

• Who are your current customers? 
• Where did they come from (i.e., referrals)?
• How can their experience with your painting business help make them repeat customers, consumers, visitors, subscribers, or advocates for other people in their network or industry who might also benefit from using this service, product, or brand?

Product or service description

• How does it work, what features does it have, and what are its benefits?
• Can anyone use this product or service regardless of age or gender?
• Can anyone visually see themselves using this product or service?
• How will they feel when they do so? If so, how long will the feeling last after purchasing (or trying) the product/service for the first time?

Competitive analysis

• Which companies are competing with yours today (and why)? 
• Which ones may enter into competition with yours tomorrow if they find out about it now through word-of-mouth advertising; social media networks; friends' recommendations; etc.)
• What specific advantages does each competitor offer over yours currently?

Marketing channels

• Which marketing channel do you intend to leverage to attract new customers?
• What is your estimated marketing budget needed?
• What is the projected cost to acquire a new customer?
• How many of your customers do you instead will return?

Form an LLC in your state!

4. Write Your Operational Plan.

Next, you'll need to build your operational plan. This section describes the type of business you'll be running, and includes the steps involved in your operations. 

In it, you should list:

• The equipment and facilities needed
• Who will be involved in the business (employees, contractors)
• Financial requirements for each step
• Milestones & KPIs
• Location of your business
• Zoning & permits required for the business

What equipment, supplies, or permits are needed to run a painting business?

• Drop cloths
• Paint trays
• Paint sprayers
• Painting Tape
• Sandpaper, sponges, and/or scrapers
• Work clothes/gloves/face masks/safety glasses
• Business license for the city, county, or state where you plan on operating your business.

5. Management & Organization of Your Painting Business.

The second part of your painting business plan is to develop a management and organization section.

This section will cover all of the following:

• How many employees you need in order to run your painting business. This should include the roles they will play (for example, one person may be responsible for managing administrative duties while another might be in charge of customer service).
• The structure of your management team. The higher-ups like yourself should be able to delegate tasks through lower-level managers who are directly responsible for their given department (inventory and sales, etc.).
• How you’re going to make sure that everyone on board is doing their job well. You’ll want check-ins with employees regularly so they have time to ask questions or voice concerns if needed; this also gives you time to offer support where necessary while staying informed on how things are going within individual departments too!

6. Painting Business Startup Expenses & Captial Needed.

This section should be broken down by month and year. If you are still in the planning stage of your business, it may be helpful to estimate how much money will be needed each month until you reach profitability.

Typically, expenses for your business can be broken into a few basic categories:

Startup Costs

Startup costs are typically the first expenses you will incur when beginning an enterprise. These include legal fees, accounting expenses, and other costs associated with getting your business off the ground. The amount of money needed to start a painting business varies based on many different variables, but below are a few different types of startup costs for a painting business.

Running & Operating Costs

Running costs refer to ongoing expenses related directly with operating your business over time like electricity bills or salaries paid out each month. These types of expenses will vary greatly depending on multiple variables such as location, team size, utility costs, etc.

Marketing & Sales Expenses

You should include any costs associated with marketing and sales, such as advertising and promotions, website design or maintenance. Also, consider any additional expenses that may be incurred if you decide to launch a new product or service line. For example, if your painting business has an existing website that needs an upgrade in order to sell more products or services, then this should be listed here.

7. Financial Plan & Projections

A financial plan is an important part of any business plan, as it outlines how the business will generate revenue and profit, and how it will use that profit to grow and sustain itself. To devise a financial plan for your painting business, you will need to consider a number of factors, including your start-up costs, operating costs, projected revenue, and expenses. 

Here are some steps you can follow to devise a financial plan for your painting business plan:

• Determine your start-up costs: This will include the cost of purchasing or leasing the space where you will operate your business, as well as the cost of buying or leasing any equipment or supplies that you need to start the business.
• Estimate your operating costs: Operating costs will include utilities, such as electricity, gas, and water, as well as labor costs for employees, if any, and the cost of purchasing any materials or supplies that you will need to run your business.
• Project your revenue: To project your revenue, you will need to consider the number of customers you expect to have and the average amount they will spend on each visit. You can use this information to estimate how much money you will make from selling your products or services.
• Estimate your expenses: In addition to your operating costs, you will need to consider other expenses, such as insurance, marketing, and maintenance. You will also need to set aside money for taxes and other fees.
• Create a budget: Once you have estimated your start-up costs, operating costs, revenue, and expenses, you can use this information to create a budget for your business. This will help you to see how much money you will need to start the business, and how much profit you can expect to make.
• Develop a plan for using your profit: Finally, you will need to decide how you will use your profit to grow and sustain your business. This might include investing in new equipment, expanding the business, or saving for a rainy day.

Frequently Asked Questions About Painting Business Plans:

Why do you need a business plan for a painting business.

A business plan for a painting business is important in order to make sure that the business is profitable and successful. It helps to determine the goals and objectives of the business, as well as the strategies and tactics necessary to achieve those goals. It can also help the owner assess the financials of the business, such as expenses, revenue, and profitability. Additionally, it provides a roadmap for business growth and development. Finally, it can be used to secure funding from investors or lenders.

Who should you ask for help with your painting business plan?

It is advisable to consult a professional business consultant or accountant to help you create a comprehensive business plan for your painting business. Additionally, you may find help and resources from government agencies, non-profit organizations, and other private entities that specialize in providing assistance to small businesses.

Can you write a painting business plan yourself?

Yes, you can write a painting business plan yourself. You will need to do some research on the painting industry, as well as consider your budget, target market, and goals for the business. You should also make sure to include a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis of your business and a financial plan that outlines your projected costs and revenue. Additionally, consider writing out a marketing plan that will help you reach your customers and promote your business.

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Through meticulous research and firsthand experience, I uncover the essential steps, software, tools, and costs associated with launching and maintaining a successful business. By demystifying the complexities of entrepreneurship, I provide the guidance and support needed for others to embark on their journey with confidence.

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BUSINESS STRATEGIES

How to start a painting business in 7 steps

• Annabelle Amery
• Sep 13, 2023
• 13 min read

If you’re thinking about starting a business in painting there’s a lot to consider. While painting allows you to showcase your creativity, work with clients to enhance their living spaces and build a trade teeming with soul, you’ll also need to think about the business side of things as well. As a painting business owner, you could offer a wide range of services like interior and exterior painting, color consultation, wallpaper installation, decorative finishes and much more. Whether you're interested in residential or commercial projects, the demand for professional painting services is ever-present. With an average of 12 weeks work in backlog, paint contractors have been in high demand in 2023, according to PPG’s Q3 earnings report . Hasta la vista DIY—the “do it for me” (DIFM) trend is picking up speed.

Looking to get your business off the ground? Create a business website with Wix.

What is a painting business?

A painting business involves providing painting services to clients, whether they are individuals or businesses. As a painting business owner, you'll be responsible for tasks like surface preparation, color selection, applying paint or coatings and delivering high-quality finishes. Your expertise will contribute to enhancing the aesthetics of the projects at hand or they could be used for protecting the surfaces of buildings, both inside and outside.

Why start a painting business?

Starting a painting business can be a rewarding and lucrative venture for a host of reasons.

Strong demand: The need for painting services remains constant as homeowners, property managers and businesses seek professionals to transform and maintain their properties. Whether it's a residential repaint or a commercial renovation, the demand for skilled painters is ever-present.

Creative outlet: If you have a passion for artistry and enjoy working with colors and design, a painting business offers that creative outlet. You'll have the opportunity to help clients bring their visions to life, advise them on color choices and leave a lasting impact on their spaces all while doing something you love.

Flexibility and independence: Running a painting business provides the freedom to set your own schedule, choose your projects and be your own boss. You can tailor your services to meet your clients' needs and create a work-life balance that suits you.

Growth potential: A well-established painting business can experience steady growth over time. As you build a reputation for quality work and exceptional customer service, you can attract more clients through referrals and expand your business to offer additional services or take on larger projects.

How to start a painting business: 7 basic steps

If you’re ready to roll your sleeves up, take a look at these seven essential steps for getting started:

Research the market and plan your business

Choose your business structure and register your business

Acquire the right tools and equipment

Set your pricing and services

Develop a marketing strategy

Establish customer service standards

Track and improve your business performance

01. Research the market and plan your business

Conduct market research to understand the local demand for painting services, identify your target market and analyze competitors. Develop a comprehensive business plan that outlines your goals, marketing strategies, pricing, financial projections and operational procedures.

Once you've written your painting business plan , write a concept statement to outline your vision.

02. Choose your business structure and register your business

Select a legal structure for your painting business, such as a sole proprietorship , partnership , limited liability company (LLC) or corporation . Consult an attorney or accountant to determine the most suitable structure based on your circumstances.

At this point, you’ll also want to register your business name. If you don’t have one, think about something catchy to name your business with the help of a business name generator . Once you’re set on one and have registered it, obtain the necessary permits and licenses to operate legally.

Be inspired: Painting business name ideas

03. Acquire the right tools and equipment

Invest in high-quality painting tools and equipment that are essential for your painting business. This includes paintbrushes, rollers, drop cloths, ladders, sprayers, paint sprayers and scaffolding. Consider the specific needs of your projects and invest in the appropriate equipment to deliver professional results.

We've put together an extensive, although not necessarily comprehensive list of tools and equipment needed to get your painting business off the ground.

Paintbrushes: Various sizes and types of paintbrushes for different painting tasks.

Rollers: High-quality rollers and roller covers for applying paint to walls and larger surfaces.

Paint trays : Trays for holding and distributing paint to the roller.

Drop cloths: Heavy-duty drop cloths to protect floors and furniture from paint splatters.

Scrapers: Tools for removing old paint, wallpaper and imperfections from surfaces.

Putty knives : Used for patching holes, cracks and gaps in walls.

Sandpaper: Different grits of sandpaper for smoothing surfaces before painting.

Caulking gun: For applying caulk to seal gaps and joints.

Safety glasses : Eye protection to shield against dust, debris and paint splatters.

Respirator : A mask designed to protect against inhaling paint fumes and particles

Gloves : Protective gloves to keep your hands clean and safe while working.

Stepladder: A sturdy stepladder for painting walls and reaching moderate heights.

Extension ladder: For higher areas such as ceilings or tall walls.

Scaffolding : For larger projects that require working at elevated heights.

Paint : Choose high-quality interior and exterior paints in various finishes and colors.

Primers : Primer helps prepare surfaces for paint and improves adhesion.

Paint trays: To hold and distribute paint while using a roller.

Grids : Inserted into paint trays to remove excess paint from rollers.

Tape: Painter's tape is used to create clean, straight edges and protect areas you don't want to paint.

Tape measure: For accurately measuring walls, spaces and dimensions.

Level: Ensures your lines are straight and surfaces are even.

Rags and towels: Used for wiping surfaces, cleaning brushes, and tidying up.

Cleaning solutions: For cleaning surfaces before painting and cleaning tools after use.

As your painting business grows, you may consider adding more specialized tools, paint sprayers for larger projects and additional safety equipment. It's important to invest in high-quality equipment and maintain it properly to ensure the best results for your clients and the longevity of your business.

04. Set your pricing and services

The median pay per hour for painters is around $22 and $45,590 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , but you’ll need to determine your pricing structure based on a number of factors. Think about the size of the project, complexity, materials and the local market rates. Research the pricing of other painting businesses in your area to stay competitive. You should additionally consider offering services like color consultation, wallpaper installation or decorative finishes to expand your service offerings and cater to different customer needs.

05. Develop a marketing strategy

Create a marketing plan to promote your painting business and attract customers. Establish an online presence by developing a professional website using platforms like Wix . Showcase your previous projects, provide information about your services and enable customers to request quotes or contact you. Implement digital marketing strategies like search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing and online advertising. Additionally, consider traditional marketing methods such as distributing flyers, advertising in local publications, or networking with local businesses and trade associations.

06. Establish customer service standards

Providing exceptional customer service is crucial for the success of your painting business. Train your staff to be professional, reliable and responsive to customer needs. Communicate clearly, manage expectations and ensure customer satisfaction throughout the painting project. Encourage customers to provide feedback and testimonials to showcase your work and build trust with potential clients.

07. Track and improve your business performance

Implement systems to track your business performance and gather customer feedback. Monitor key metrics like revenue, customer satisfaction ratings, repeat business and referrals. Use this data to identify areas for improvement, optimize your business operations and refine your marketing strategies.

Thinking of starting another type of business? Check out some of these creative service business ideas  to help get you started.

Benefits of starting a painting business

If the above reasons weren’t enough, here are some additional benefits that a painting business can offer.

Low startup costs: Compared to many other businesses, a painting business requires relatively low startup capital . The primary investments include purchasing painting equipment, tools and supplies. As your business grows, you can gradually expand your resources and invest in additional equipment or specialized tools.

Diverse customer base: A painting business serves a diverse range of customers, including homeowners, landlords, property management companies, real estate agents and commercial clients. This variety allows you to target different market segments and increase your potential customer base.

Skill development and growth: Running a painting business allows you to continuously develop your painting skills, learn new techniques and stay updated with the latest trends and products in the industry. As you gain experience and expertise, you can take on more challenging projects and expand your service offerings.

Word-of-mouth referrals: Satisfied customers are likely to recommend your painting services to others, generating valuable word-of-mouth referrals. By delivering exceptional work, providing excellent customer service and cultivating positive relationships, you can benefit from organic growth and expand your client base.

Challenges of running a painting business

While starting a painting business offers numerous benefits, it's important to be aware of the challenges you may encounter.

Business management: Running a painting business involves more than just painting. You'll need to manage various aspects such as customer relationships, project management, marketing, finances and administrative tasks. Developing effective business management skills is crucial for success.

Seasonal demand: Painting projects can be influenced by seasonal fluctuations. In some regions, you may find that painting demand decreases during the winter months or periods of bad weather. It's important to plan accordingly, diversify your services and develop strategies to manage those seasonal fluctuations.

Competitive market: The painting industry can be highly competitive, with numerous established painters and painting companies vying for clients. To stand out, you'll need to differentiate your business by providing superior craftsmanship, exceptional customer service and unique value propositions.

Physical demands: Painting work can be physically demanding, requiring strength, endurance and the ability to work in various conditions. It's important to take care of your health, practice proper safety measures and consider delegating or outsourcing certain tasks when necessary.

Managing a painting business effectively

After you’ve gotten your painting business up and running, you’ll want to study up on ways to manage your business well.

Project management: Develop efficient project management processes to ensure smooth operations. This includes accurately estimating project timelines, managing resources effectively and communicating with clients and team members.

Quality control: Maintain high standards of quality in your work. Regularly inspect completed projects, address any issues promptly and ensure customer satisfaction. Providing exceptional workmanship will contribute to your reputation and help generate positive referrals.

Team management: If you plan to expand and hire employees, focus on hiring skilled painters who share your commitment to quality and customer service. Provide training and ongoing support to help them improve their skills and contribute to the success of your business.

Professional relationships: Cultivate strong relationships with suppliers, contractors and other professionals in the construction and home improvement industry (or check out our guide on how to start a construction business ). Collaborate with them on projects, exchange referrals and stay updated with the latest trends and techniques.

Financial management: Maintain accurate financial records, track income and operating expenses and regularly review your financial performance. Think about how you’ll raise money for your business , as well as who you’ll need to tap—like an accountant or bookkeeper—to ensure compliance with tax obligations and an accurate pulse on the financial health of your business.

Tips and tricks to promote your painting business

If you want to continue attracting new clients, you’ll need to effectively market your painting business. Here are a few tips for spreading the word about your business.

Develop a professional brand: Create a compelling brand identity that reflects your expertise, values and unique selling proposition . Design a professional logo be it with a designer or logo maker —you can also take inspiration from similar industries like those from a clothing logo maker. Once you’ve got a logo you’re happy with, make sure to establish consistent branding across your marketing materials and showcase your portfolio.

Grow your online presence: Making a website for your painting business is simple using a website builder like Wix. Ensure that it’s visually appealing, mobile-friendly and optimized for search engines. Showcase your past projects, include testimonials from satisfied clients and provide clear contact information for potential customers.

Use social media marketing: Leverage social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to showcase your work, engage with your audience and attract potential clients. Share high-quality photos of completed projects, before-and-after transformations and behind-the-scenes glimpses. Engage followers, respond to comments and messages promptly and use relevant hashtags to increase visibility.

Tune your SEO: Optimize your website and online profiles for local search engine optimization. Include location-specific keywords in your website content, title tags, meta descriptions and headings. Register your business with online directories, like Google My Business, Yelp and local business directories, to improve your visibility in local search results. For Mordy Oberstein, Head of SEO branding at Wix, 'Leveraging SEO and integrating it into the website creation process is vital. Various studies have shown that organic search is the single greatest provider of traffic to websites - with that being even more pronounced within the B2B context. To that, traffic from organic search, when done correctly is essentially built to last (with proper maintenance over time, of course) and forms a crucial part of a site’s long-term growth.'

Network and create partnerships: Build relationships with local interior designers, real estate agents, contractors and property management companies. Offer your painting services as part of their package or collaborate on projects. Attend industry events, join local business associations and participate in community initiatives to expand your network and gain exposure.

Give offers and discounts: Consider offering limited-time promotions, discounts or package deals to attract new customers and incentivize repeat business. Advertise these offers on your website, social media platforms and local community platforms to generate interest and drive inquiries.

Remember, promoting your painting business requires consistent effort and adaptability. Stay up-to-date with industry trends, continuously improve your skills and listen to customer feedback to refine your marketing strategies and always make sure to provide exceptional service.

How to start a business in a specific state

When looking to start a painting business in a specific state, you can check out some of these resources to ensure you abide to state-specific laws:

Start a business in Florida

Start a business in California

Start a business in Washington

Start a business in Ohio

Start a business in New York

How to start a business in Virginia

How to start a business in Georgia

How to start a business in North Carolina

How to start a business in South Carolina

How to start a business in Arizona

Examples of successful painting businesses

If you’re unsure where to start with your website, check out these Wix-backed painting businesses for inspiration.

Pack Painting

Pack Painting , a family-owned business that got its start over 20 years ago, offers residential painting services in Central Texas. The company prides itself on providing reliable, trustworthy customer service and offers a free color consultation for anyone who’s interested.

B&P Painting

B&P Painting is a full-service painting company that offers interior and exterior painting for homes in Washington State. Through its website, you can get a glimpse of their recent work and can reach out for a free quote.

Short for Grand Canyon State Painting, GCSP offers everything from exterior painting to interior and cabinet painting. The company services homes throughout Arizona, promising high-quality painting techniques and materials.

Fine Line Painting

Fine Line Painting offers more than 20 years of experience in assisting with speciality paint projects for both inside and outside of the home. Based in San Francisco, Fine Line Painting takes on basic repainting projects—as well as more advanced projects, like front door refinishes, venetian plastering and repair work.

For more inspiration, you can check out these service business examples to help you get your creative juices flowing.

Explore & find out about other types of businesses that you might be interested in starting up:

How to start an online business

How to start a service business

How to start a consulting business

How to start a fitness business

How to start a fitness clothing line

How to start a makeup line

How to start a candle business

How to start a clothing business

How to start an online boutique

How to start a t-shirt business

How to start a jewelry business

How to start a subscription box business

How to start a beauty business

How to start a rental property business

How to start a plumbing business

How to start a DJ business

How to start a food prep business

How to start a babysitting business

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How to start a baking business

How to start an eyelash business

How to start a painting business

How to start a farming business

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How to start a painting business FAQ

How profitable is a painting business.

The profitability of a painting business can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the size of the business, the experience of the owner and the location of the business. However, in general, painting businesses can be profitable.

According to a study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average profit margin for painting contractors is 12%. This means that for every $100 in revenue, a painting contractor will earn $12 in profit.

How much does it cost to start a painter business?

Is painting a good business to get into, related posts.

How to start a business in 14 steps: a guide for 2024

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How to start a business in Oregon in 7 steps

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A Step-by-Step Guide to Write Painting Business Plan

• Last Updated: September 12, 2022

Making the perfect painting business plan must be your first step if you are looking to start a business in the painting industry. A painting business plan is the backbone of your company, and it’s what you will use to convince investors to invest in your company.

It should clearly define how the painting company will be operated, what it will offer, how it will operate, and why it will be successful. To put together a winning business plan for a painting business, you will need to know how to write one.

This blog will look at putting together a winning business plan for a painting business and break down the process into simple steps.

Table of Content

What is a Painting Business Plan?

How to write a painting business plan in 11 steps.

A painting business plan is the most important document if you want to start a business in the painting industry. Before asking for any financial help from banks, venture capitalists, or sponsors, business plans are required. 

A business plan is a tool or a formal document that describes all strategies, goals, and designs of the painting company you are planning to start. It also includes a detailed analysis of the market, the competition, and the business’s financials. 

A new business in the painting industry usually uses a business plan to secure financing, attract investors, and track progress over time. It is a template that encourages you to evaluate your business idea’s feasibility before starting a painting business .

As the owner of a painting business, you need a comprehensive business plan to ensure the success of your venture. Follow these 11 steps to write a painting business plan that will help you succeed:-

1. Define your business

What type of painting business do you want to start? What services will you offer? Who is your target market?

To start your painting company business plan , you need first to establish what your painting company will be. This includes what painting services you will offer, what type of painting you specialize in, and your potential clients. 

Once you have defined your business, you can move on to creating your marketing strategy, financial plan, and operations plan. By having a clear and concise plan, you will be well on your way to starting a successful painting business.

2. Write a business description

The next step in writing a painting business description for your painting business is to describe your business in an executive summary. But, how to write a painting business plan?

Include information on what services you offer, your business name, what makes your painting company unique, and what your long-term goals are. Also, include information on your target market and how you plan to reach them. 

By thoroughly describing your business within an executive summary, you will give yourself a better chance of success. The company description should include an overview of your business, mission statement, and core values.

3. Conduct market research

After you have decided on the type of painting services business you would like to start; the next step is to conduct market research. This will help you determine your potential customers’ needs and wants. 

Painting companies need to understand their target market so that they can tailor their products and services to meet their needs. There are several ways to conduct market research, including surveys, interviews, and focus groups. 

Once you have gathered your data, you will need to analyze it to identify trends and patterns for your business growth. This will help you understand the size of your potential market, your competition, and what pricing strategies and marketing strategies you can use.

4. Set your business goals

As a business owner, what are your short-term and long-term goals? What milestones do you need to reach to achieve these goals?

After you’ve started writing out your business plan, the next step is to create a business strategy for your own painting business. This will help you stay on track and make sure you’re making progress toward your overall vision.

Some goals you might want to set for your successful painting company include:

• Increasing your sales by a certain percentage each month
• Adding a certain number of new clients each month
• Maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction

Whatever goals you set, make sure they are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. This will help you track your progress and ensure you’re moving in the right direction.

5. Develop your marketing strategy

How will you reach your target customers? What marketing channels will you use? What type of message will you use?

The next step in writing a painting business plan is developing a painting marketing strategy . This will involve identifying your target customers and developing a plan to reach them. You will need to consider what methods of marketing will be most effective for your business. 

This could include online marketing, print advertising, or even word-of-mouth marketing. Once you have a plan in place, you will need to implement it and track your results to see what is working and what needs to be tweaked.

6. Create a sales strategy

How will you generate leads and convert them into customers? What type of sales process will you use?

The next step in writing a painting business plan is creating a sales strategy. This strategy should include a detailed plan for marketing and selling your painting services. Once you have a solid sales strategy, you will be well on your way to achieving your painting company goals.

7. Create a pricing strategy

What pricing structure will you use? What discounts and incentives will you offer? 

After determining your potential clients and what services you will offer, you need to develop a pricing strategy for your painting business . This will involve considering your costs, what your competition charges, and what your target market is willing to pay. 

You need to strike a balance between making a profit and being competitive so that you can attract and retain customers. Your pricing strategy should be detailed in your business plan, along with your other marketing and financial goals. This will help you to track your progress and make necessary adjustments as you grow your business.

8. Develop a production plan

How will you source your materials and supplies? What type of production process will you use?

The next step in writing a painting business plan is developing a production plan. This plan will outline the steps necessary to complete each painting project from start to finish. It will also include a schedule of when each task needs to be completed. 

Having a production plan will help to ensure that each painting work project is completed on time and within budget.

9. Create a financial plan

This should contain the price of starting your business, your anticipated operational expenses, and your financial projections.

This will assist you in determining the amount of money necessary to start your firm, as well as the amount of money required to maintain it. It will also give you an estimate of the profit margin you can anticipate making from the sale.

You will need to collect information about your prospective clients, the prices of products and labor, and the money you anticipate bringing in before you can construct a financial plan. As soon as you have all of this information in the form of financial statements, you can formulate a financial plan and a pricing strategy.

10. Write your business plan

When you have settled on the fundamental framework for your painting business, it is time to begin developing the complete business plan for your enterprise. This plan will cover every aspect of your company, from the demographics of your ideal customers to your revenue and expenses forecasts.

When you feel confident that you have a solid grasp of the market, you can begin developing a strategy for your organization. Include all pertinent particulars, such as the name of your company, your contact information, and your company’s objectives. 

It’s important to include both your financial estimates and a comprehensive marketing strategy in your business plan.

11. Review and revise your business plan

The final step in writing a painting business plan is to revise and review your document. This is important to ensure that your plan is clear, concise, and free of errors. Reviewing your plan will also help you identify areas where further research is needed. 

After reviewing your plan, make any necessary changes and save your document in a safe place. Once you have your financing, business plan, and business license, you’re ready to start operating your business. 

However, keeping track of your cash flow is important, as this will be a key indicator of your business’s success. As your business grows and changes, so too should your business plan. Regularly review and update your plan to ensure it remains relevant and accurate.

If you’re still confused about writing a painting business plan, you can refer to painting business plan templates for detailed insight.

FieldCamp – Your Preferred Painting Software

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To be successful, you’ll need to have a good business bank account, a strong painting company structure, and experience in commercial painting. If you’re starting a new business, it’s essential to make sure that you have all of your ducks in a row. 

• Having a good business bank account is essential to keeping your finances in order and being able to accept payments from customers. 
• You will also need a solid business structure to manage your employees and keep your business running smoothly. 
• Finally, experience in commercial painting is a must – this will give you the skills and knowledge you need to complete jobs to a high standard and exceed your client’s expectations.

As a small business owner, you know that first impressions are everything. And when it comes to your business, the first impression potential customers get is from the outside. That’s why it’s important to ensure your exterior paint is in good condition and reflects the quality of your business.

An exterior paint job is a big investment, but hiring a good painting contractor can help you with the best deals that will pay off in the long run. Not only will it make your small business look more professional, but it will also help you attract more customers.

If you are interested in starting a painting business on your own, we hope that this paints a clear picture of what’s involved and what to expect. A painting business can be a rewarding and satisfying enterprise, but it also requires a great deal of planning and hard work to make it successful. 

If you are starting a painting company, you may also like to consider FieldCamp. FieldCamp can help you schedule jobs and track invoices and payments. FieldCamp also offers a mobile app, a great way to keep painting businesses organized and running smoothly while you’re away.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to starting a painting business, but several things are essential to any painting business’s success. If you have a passion for painting and a strong work ethic, you have the tools to start a painting business. All you can do is start your FREE trial and experience how this painting business software helps your business. 

Gaurang Bhatt

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HOW TO START YOUR OWN PAINTING BUSINESS

There are several key considerations when starting a new painting company. Take the time to do it right, and put yourself on the path to success.

Create an Identity

• What makes you stand out?
• What will make people remember you?
• What will make people spread the word about your good reputation?

Register Your Business Legally

Check your state’s business regulations.

• Your business name and location
• Your ownership structure: Is it just you? Or you and a partner or partners?
• Do you have a registered agent who receives legal documents on behalf of your company?

Make Sure You’re Insured

• Workers’ compensation
• Unemployment insurance
• Disability insurance
• Auto insurance for any vehicles you use

Get Equipped

Developing an Online Presence Is Time Well Spent

Get Connected

• Determine the start-up supplies you actually need, and what options are best for your jobs.
• Choose products and tools that will work best for your specific job (e.g., Scuff-X ® for a clothing retailer who wants scuff-free walls, Aura ® Bath & Spa for a bathroom project, etc.)
• Get job leads in your area.
• Introduce you to potential customers.

Staff Up (or Not)

Starting a new painting company lets you be your own boss.

How to Estimate Paint Jobs

Avoid potentially costly mistakes and headaches by being buttoned-up up front.

Why You Need a Business Plan—and How to Do It

Taking the time to create a thorough roadmap can help you find your way to success.

How to Name Your Painting Business

The right name needs to be memorable, differentiating in your marketing, and enduring.

Grow Your Business

Increase Productivity

Looking for more business info?

Get product and business support with guidance from someone who understands your needs.

• Received a document?

How to Start a Painting Business: 9 Keys to Growth & Success

20 articles

If you’re looking to start a painting business, it’s time to get rolling — or brushing, or spraying. Industry research reveals that the US painting industry includes over 255,000 businesses with total annual revenues exceeding $35 billion. It’s an excellent time to consider starting a painting company, as both the residential and commercial sectors are experiencing a wave of new construction, and that means opportunities for painters. 

Moving from working as a painter to starting your own business may seem like a daunting process, but it doesn’t have to be. Establishing a business legally is a straightforward process, and creating a plan for growth is exciting. As you get deeper into the process, you’ll get to tackle challenges with cash flow, marketing, hiring, and more. 

We’ve covered everything you need to know in our guide, so keep reading to get a handle on the key steps to take when starting a business as a painter. 

Table of Contents

1. Start right by registering, licensing, and insuring your business

Handling the fundamentals is like putting on a coat of primer: It sets you up for success later. Starting a business starts with the legal and logistical nuts and bolts that get you ready for growth later on. 

Here are a few key steps to make sure you cover:

• Register your business with your state’s Secretary of State. You’ll need a name for your business entity and a business structure — often a sole proprietorship or limited liability company (LLC). 
• Get the proper license and insurance according to your state’s requirements. We have a contractor licensing guide for every state you can refer to. 
• Obtain a business bank account and any software or staff you’ll need for accounting and bookkeeping. It’s important to keep your business’ finances separate from your personal accounts. 

Once your business is registered, licensed, insured, and financially prepared, you’re ready to start thinking about how to grow your business from the ground up. 

2. Create a plan for growth

The first step in growing your painting business is to create a growth plan. Start with your business plan – if you didn’t have a business plan when you started your painter’s business, now would be a good time to write it down. Below, we’ve listed some items your business plan should definitely include. 

Set goals for your business

Goals may include the revenue you want to generate over the next five years, the number of new jobs you will take on, or targets for hiring employees. The clearer you can be with your growth objectives, the easier it is to determine what resources you need in order to accomplish them. 

Get clear on your customers

Are you going to specialize in a specific niche, or diversify your client base? Will your business focus on residential customers or commercial painting projects ? The audience you are trying to reach — and the types of painting jobs you want to take on — will determine your marketing strategy and hiring requirements, as well as other business decisions.

Analyze your competition

Once you’re clear on your goals and the types of painting projects you’re going after, look at what your competition is doing. What kinds of jobs are they bidding on? How can you differentiate your company from existing businesses?  

Action item: Create a growth plan for your painting company.  Why it matters: Avoid the most dangerous business error of all: “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” 

3. Keep the cash flowing as smoothly as your paint

Here’s a little-known fact about growing a painting business: It can be incredibly cash-hungry. If you start growing without proper financial management, you will quickly find your company out of cash and in bankruptcy court. That’s not an overstatement: Cash flow is the number one reason why painting contractors fail . 

In order to grow, a painting company must proactively manage cash flow — or you’ll end up doing about as well as a clogged paint sprayer. Since you’re a seasoned painter, you know that payments can lag behind job completion—sometimes way behind. But your costs keep adding up, and you need cash on hand to continue hiring skilled painters, buying paint and equipment, and taking on more or bigger painting jobs. 

To grow your painting business sustainably, it’s not enough to be a Master Painter, you need to be a master of your cash flow . 

Becoming a successful business owner means knowing when to delegate and when to stay involved. When it comes to cash flow, it’s important to always have your finger on the pulse. 

Review your cash flow regularly

If you have an accountant, work with them to create a real-time view of your cash flow that you can check at any time. Even without a dedicated accountant, you can use a cash flow forecast to predict your cash needs for the upcoming week, month, or year. Revise your projections to include actual expenses and revenue to make sure your model is accurate. 

Modern construction accounting software can take into account expenses, accounts payable, and accounts receivable to help you spot cash flow problems before they sink your business. 

WATCH : How to calculate cash flow for a construction project  

Use cash flow to inform your business decisions

When making financial decisions for your painting business, operate with certainty rather than assumptions. Cash flow predictions and analytics are useful, but you’ll also want to lean on cash flow statements from past months and years that give a true picture of how your business is doing. 

Beyond staying on top of cash flow as an owner, you’ll also want to make sure that you develop operational excellence among your team as your business grows: prompt invoicing , strong payment terms, and efforts to drive down costs where possible. 

Action item: Evaluate a recent cash flow statement and develop a real-time cash flow dashboard. Make it a priority to check in on your business cash flow at least weekly. Why it matters: If your business is cash flow negative, it doesn’t matter if you have significant revenue coming in down the line. Growing and maintaining your painting business means having positive cash flow to expand your workforce and take on new jobs. 

4. Set pricing carefully — don’t just bump it 

While cash flow is critical for survival, profit is essential for growing a painting business. Your profit is the money you will use to reinvest in the business for continued growth. Too many painters fail to price their services correctly, either aiming too high to attract customers or too low to maintain profitability. 

Read more: The profit roadmap for contractors

For many business owners, nailing down the right pricing structure feels like a mystery, and some resort to simply copying competitors in hopes of success. But here’s the truth: Painting businesses charge wildly different rates ( $2 to $5 per square foot for residential painters or $2 to $6 per square foot for commercial painters ), and you need to figure out the price that will work for your business.

Your prices are going to depend on your region, whether you’re doing commercial or residential paint work, and your specialization. Fortunately, getting the price right isn’t difficult, and you only have to follow one simple rule: The customer has to cover every cost . 

When you’re just doing individual jobs, it’s easy to forget about the cost of doing business — but when you’re running a business, you need to remember that every job you take on needs to cover overhead as well. In addition to materials and labor for painting a new or remodeled building, you need to cover the cost of staff, offices, benefits, and more. 

Oh, and you do want to make a profit, right? Your pricing needs to take all of this into account. The average profit margin across the painting industry is around 8% , but you may adjust that number higher or lower depending on your business needs.

Keep reading: Contractor’s guide to profit and overhead

Action item: Take a look at your current hourly rate and billable hours, then determine whether they are actually covering your costs and working toward making a profit. Why it matters: Too many businesses fail because they undercharge or overprice their services. Make sure you know the real cost of running your painting business and price accordingly. 

5. Hire & retain employees that act as catalysts 

Your employees are the face of your painting business, which means that whoever you hire will represent your company in front of your customers. Successful business owners put their people first because a thriving team leads to a growing company. Just like paint has catalysts to improve its finish, you want to hire catalysts that improve the quality of your company’s offerings.

Update your benefits package to remain competitive

The more you can offer potential employees, the better employees you will attract. Strong health benefits, retirement plans, and leave policies may seem like high costs, but the value of productive employees can quickly outweigh the initial investment. Hiring, training, and developing an excellent team is the best investment you can make in growing your painting business. 

When your employees consistently treat your customers with respect and demonstrate professional knowledge, growth comes naturally. Also, when you invest in your employees, they’re more likely to stick around, helping you to keep turnover low and engagement high. 

Provide training opportunities

Create onboarding procedures for every position that orients new employees to skills as well as company culture. While standardizing training for painters is important, don’t forget about your back-office employees. Make sure your office staff has access to tools and courses that help them do their jobs more efficiently.

Training doesn’t have to be expensive. Levelset’s Payment Academy offers free courses on collections and credit, construction financial management, and more. 

Make it clear how employees can grow from the start. Rather than providing a job, open up a career path for everyone who works in your painting business. Strong employees are attracted to growth opportunities, so provide incentives and promotions for performance to everyone who works for you.

Action item: Look at your processes for hiring, training, and development to identify areas for improvement.  Why it matters: Employees are the single greatest asset of any painting business. Treat them accordingly. 

6. Keep consistent policies and procedures across the board

As your business grows, you’ll have less direct involvement in the day-to-day operations of the company. Too many business owners try to fight fires or manage every aspect of operations, but this is a recipe for burnout and stagnation.

Instead, you need to optimize your operations by building great processes, writing them down, and trusting your employees. Take all that you’ve learned about painting, sales, and more—and add in knowledge from your employees. Use this accumulated experience to standardize how your team handles calls, evaluates customer creditworthiness , and manages painting projects. 

You need to have clear, written instructions for every company process. A policy serves three purposes: 

• Keeps everyone on the same page
• Saves supervisors from having to repeat information
• Ensures that wisdom isn’t lost when you have employee turnover 

Trust your employees

Once you have standard procedures, let your employees follow them. Too many business owners try to micromanage, but this approach is rarely successful. Instead, refine your procedures over time and use ongoing training to empower your employees to handle every situation. 

In the end, your business is a collection of many different processes—from simple phone greetings to deciding whether to file a mechanics lien for non-payment . Having clear, unified processes for every aspect of your painting business improves productivity and prevents knowledge from disappearing when employees leave your company. 

Action item: Identify processes that need standardization, write out clear instructions for those processes, and keep going until you have documentation to handle (nearly) every aspect of your painting business. Why it matters: As you grow, you’ll have less direct control over your business. By crafting great processes, your wisdom stays in every aspect of the company even as your attention moves toward strategy rather than day-to-day operations. 

7. Focus on marketing & sales to increase your coverage

You can have the best painters, office manager, and accountant on the planet, but if you don’t win jobs, your painting business will not grow. Build a sales and marketing team that understands your target audience – and what gets them to say “yes” to the sale. 

On residential jobs, the homeowner is dealing with a potentially large outlay of funds and may be in a stressful situation — like a major home renovation or preparing for a sale. You want your sales staff to act with empathy and understanding. 

If your goal is to get more commercial or public jobs, you’ll need someone experienced in writing winning bids. Bidding on a private commercial project can be different from bidding on a government job – your team should understand the difference.    

Both residential and commercial painting companies need to be able to demonstrate their value to potential customers by addressing their needs and maintaining professionalism.

Growing a painting business requires that customers know who you are and how to find you. Having a recognizable brand, a strong online presence, and an easy-to-use website are vital for growth. 

According to Findstack , 72% of people use Google reviews to find businesses, and those with at least 200 reviews generate twice as much revenue on average . As a residential painting business owner, you need to recognize that the majority of your marketing efforts must go toward optimizing for Google searches, which is where the majority of your potential customers are likely to find you when they’re looking for help with large and small painting jobs for the interior and exterior of their homes.

Optimize your website

Either hire an outside agency or an internal specialist who can help you rank in Google for relevant search terms, like “painter in X city.” You’ll want a strong domain name (www.yourdomain.com), well-written marketing copy, and perhaps even a regularly updated blog with information that supports potential customers. 

You can have your business show up in Google Reviews and on Google Maps by signing up for a business profile . 

Your website needs to work well on both computers and mobile devices, have your contact information readily available, and include a contact form that is easily accessible. When your potential customers find your website from a Google search, make it easy for them to get information about your business and reach out to you.

Feature recent painting projects that highlight the types of projects you want to work on. Write up the project details, like problems you solved, your standards of cleanliness during construction, and the communication process with the project owner. 

Create a recognizable brand

Beyond optimizing your website and working toward better rankings on Google, you’ll want to make sure that you have a strong brand. Considering your business’ colors, logo, slogan, name, uniforms, trucks, and more can make marketing easier—and make it easier for your business to spread by word of mouth.  

If people know about your business, you’ll get more business. Once you’re an established name in your area, marketing becomes easier, but it never loses importance. Staying ahead of the competition means continually reaching out to potential customers and positioning your painting business as the best solution to their needs.

4 techniques for closing sales

Here are four ways that strong painting businesses get the sale for both repair work and new installations:

• Participate in a sales training program that includes role-playing over the phone and in person. 
• Encourage your salespeople to spend more time listening than speaking, and to take notes on what the customer is looking for. 
• Ensure your sales staff do a thorough inspection , provide options, and use the echo customer’s language to share that they’ve understood.
• Provide a detailed proposal on-site , including transparent pricing and line item costs that give the customer a clear sense of your value. 

Action items: 

• Evaluate your sales performance and audit your processes to see if there are areas for improvement.
• Review your sales and marketing materials regularly to make sure they speak to the audience you’re trying to attract. 
• Take a close look at your current branding and your online marketing efforts to find areas for improvement.

Why it matters: Without a strong sales and marketing machine, there are no jobs to bring in revenue for your business. Making sure that your sales staff is well trained is a crucial part of running a successful painting business. 

The majority of your customers are looking for you online, so making sure you stand out there is critical for business success. And it’s not just important for residential jobs — even developers and general contractors will look up your website as part of their prequalification process to determine your ability to complete a commercial job. 

8. Know the laws that apply to your painting business

Construction law is complex, and painting contractors have a lot of rules to follow. Failure to comply with building codes and other regulations can result in project delays, steep financial penalties, or a loss of your contractor license.

In addition to property rules, painter’s licensing requirements , and other laws, you also need to be able to read and understand your construction contract thoroughly. If you’re not careful, you may end up agreeing to contract terms that delay payments or hurt your business financially. Someone at your company should review every contract — even better, hire a legal team to do it for you.

9. Become a more durable leader

Becoming a strong leader for your business is an important step if you want to grow. Business leaders with a clear vision, strong communication, and deft organization are able to overcome challenges and make wise decisions as they grow. 

Many painting business owners started out as painters or supervisors. The upside of that path is that you have excellent background knowledge about the industry that can inform decisions about materials, techniques, or sales. On the other hand, very few people are natural-born leaders, and working as an individual painter doesn’t always offer the opportunity to develop leadership skills. 

So start working on becoming a better leader right now. 

Always keep communicating

As the business owner, it’s easy to get stuck in your silo — but it’s a mistake. Your painters, salespeople, customer service representatives, accountants, and more are at the front of your business and have information you need. Take time to ask three simple questions : What’s going well? What isn’t? How can I help you?

Stay open to feedback

It’s easy to get caught in a rut doing business the way you’ve always done it. Be open to new insights by meeting with other business owners, attending classes, joining professional groups, and getting feedback from members of your team. 

Never stop learning

Leadership skills develop over time and by incorporating insights from many sources. Listen to leadership podcasts , read leadership books , and take leadership classes with the intent to never stop growing as a leader.

The success of your business starts with your own success as a leader. Build from your strengths and work on your weaknesses to develop into a business owner capable of growing and expanding where you want to be. 

Action item: Make a plan to become a better business leader this year.   Why it matters: Your painting business’ success starts with you. Leadership skills take time to develop, and these skills will help you gain the insights you need for continuous growth. 

Daniel Gray

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Build a profitable painting business: guide.

• April 25, 2023

Starting a painting business can be a daunting task, but with the right plan and strategies in place, it can be a highly rewarding and profitable venture. This guide is designed to provide you with a roadmap for starting and growing a successful painting business. Whether you’re an experienced painter looking to start your own business or a novice thinking about entering the industry, this guide will give you the information and tips you need to succeed.

Develop a Clear Business Plan

A well-developed business plan is a crucial step in starting any business, including a painting business. Your business plan should identify your target market, competition, and financial projections. In addition, it should outline your marketing strategies, pricing, and operational processes. This document will provide a clear roadmap for your business and help you make informed decisions as you grow.

Focus on Marketing

One of the keys to success in the painting business is effective marketing. Whether you use social media, advertising, or word-of-mouth referrals, it is essential to reach out to potential customers in your target market. A strong online presence is a must in today’s digital age. Make sure you optimize your website and social media profiles for search engines and network with other businesses in your industry.

Set Your Prices Appropriately

Setting and adjusting your prices appropriately is key to running a successful painting business. You’ll have to consider both your hourly rate and the cost of materials when setting your prices. In addition to providing quality work, your prices should be competitive enough to attract customers while also providing adequate profit margins. You’ll need to periodically adjust your rates as the cost of goods and services fluctuates.

Build Strong Relationships with Customers

Positive customer relationships are essential to any business. In the painting industry, you’ll want to prioritize delivering high-quality work and excellent customer service. Word of mouth is critical to building your reputation and customer base. Be responsive to customer inquiries and requests, and make sure to address any concerns promptly.

Invest in the Right Tools and Equipment

Investing in the right tools and equipment is essential for any successful painting business. All tools should be functioning properly, and it’s best to invest in high-quality products that will last longer and be more efficient. Investing in up-to-date technology and software to manage operations and customer communications on an ongoing basis can help streamline processes and improve profitability.

Owning a successful painting business takes time, effort, and attention to detail. But with a well-developed business plan, effective marketing, appropriate pricing, strong customer relationships, and appropriate investments in tools and equipment – your painting business can grow and thrive in the industry. Don’t be afraid to adapt and change your approach as you learn and grow in the industry. With the right mindset, resources, and strategies in place, you can build a successful painting business that can provide a steady stream of income and personal fulfillment for years to come.

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Free Painting Business Plan Template

A successful painting business is based on a solid business plan. To help you out, we've designed a business plan template PDF specifically for painting business owners. Get your copy today!

How can a painting business plan help you?

A solid business plan acts as your strategy guide for building a successful painting business.

Whether you're an existing painting business or just starting out, a business plan helps you get organised.

Use a business plan to help secure funding for your painting business.

Get your free painting business plan template:

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Painting Contractors Business Plan Sample

Published Mar.19, 2019

Updated Apr.23, 2024

By: Noor Muhammad

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Table of Content

Do you want to start Painting Contractors business?

Painting is a great business for anyone who is creative, can find worthy partners and can fill happiness and peace in other’s life by selecting suitable paint combinations.

Starting a painting business doesn’t only mean that you have to pick up a brush or a bottle of paint to start your work, surprisingly it can be as wide as you may like. You can hire employees if you have a big budget and extend your business to the commercial level, or even you can manufacture your own paint for if you want to have perfection and sole independence.

In each case, you can take help from the painting business plans  available on the web, like the one we are providing here for paint manufacturing and painting company ‘Giana Paints’.

Executive Summary

2.1 the business.

Giana Paints will be a licensed and registered painting company based on providing top-quality exterior and interior painting services in Seattle. The business will be owned by Giana Pratt. Giana is a graduate in Chemical & Manufacturing Engineering from the University of California.

Considering the time and money she can invest in her business, she has decided to open a company that can manufacture paint as well as provides its customers the facility of painting by highly efficient and professional painters.

2.2 Management

Before taking the initiative, you might be thinking that how to run a successful painting company , but if you are following a stepwise approach you don’t need to bother about it. Firstly, make a thorough painting business plan   envisaging all the important details of your business.

In case of Giana, as she was a graduate in pure engineering subject so she had decided to seek the services of professional house painting business plan writers to write a paint business plan for her.

Owing to the large number of equipment and manpower required in this business, she has decided to hire a General Manager even before the actual launch of the business to help her in managing several tasks.

2.3 Customers

Painting business has its customers in residential communities, commercial areas as well as in industries. Usually, the residents having a small apartment find it easy and enjoyable to paint by their own hands, so we will mainly focus on commercial level projects.

Moreover, we expect that most of the residents in such a big city would like this work to be done by someone expert and skilled. So, they are still in the category of our customers.

2.4 Target of the Company

The company aims at providing the highest quality services to its customers, taking care of the employees at the same time. We believe in making and maintaining long term relationships with our clients. Our target is to extend our business and include a broad range of related services so that our clients don’t need to contact several companies for the maintenance of their property.

The financial targets of the company are given here:

• To balance the startup cost by earned profits by the end of the first year
• To achieve a net profit margin of $100k per month by the end of the first year and to achieve the profit margin of $150k by the end of the second year.

Company Summary

3.1 company owner.

Giana Paints will be owned by Giana Pratt, a graduate in Chemical and Manufacturing Engineering from the University of California. Giana has a seven-year experience of working in Nippon Painters Company. She is a really ambitious and hardworking woman.

3.2 Why the Business is being started

After serving as a chemical engineer in Nippon Paints company, Giana has gained a valuable experience which she wants to flourish by opening her own business. After getting her shares she had everything required to open up a new business.

3.3 How the Business will be started

The first step will be to make a business plan for painting company , after which Giana will hire a manager to help her through the process of registration and insurance, buying equipment and employing people. A building will be taken on rent and modified to satisfy the requirements of the reception area, storage area for inventory and sitting lounge for employees.

The company has forecasted the following costs for the start-up:

The detailed information about the start-up is given below:

Services for customers

To fulfill the demands of the public, Giana had included the following services she wants to provide her customers in her painting business description .

Giana Paints aims at providing painting services to its customers by their own manufactured paint. The company, however, will extend itself and provide all the given services within just the two years of the launch.

• Residential Painting
• Commercial Painting
• Exterior Painting
• Flooring Services including safety and aisle striping
• Wall Cleaning
• Logo Paintings
• Pipe Coating
• Rust Encapsulation
• Bridge Painting

The price of services will vary depending on the project and deadline.

Marketing Analysis of Painting Contractors business

Great service.

Great service. Good turnaround time and quality work. Thanks!

If you are looking for how to build a successful painting business , you must focus on analyzing your target market and latest trends before finalizing your painting business plan .

Your paint manufacturing business plan must contain accurate market analysis and the trends that how other people are doing it. Marketing analysis for the Giana Paints according to its location and target market is provided here for your help if you want to study market trends for this business to know how to run a successful painting business .

5.1 Market Trends

Due to expansion in real estate, the business of painting mainly for commercial purposes is increasing with a surprising rate. According to IBISWorld, the business has seen an annual growth rate of 4.9 percent over the past five years and has generated total revenue of $40 billion in the year 2018. Despite the fact that more than 306,500 painter’s businesses are running in the United States, there is still place for many.

Marketing trends of this business are highly satisfactory and depict that you can never be at loss starting this business, provided that you plan it properly.

5.2 Marketing Segmentation

Giana Paints has identified the following groups which can serve as its potential customers.

5.2.1 Industrial Sector : The major group of target customers will come from the industrial sector. We expect to get orders of flooring services, wall cleanings, rust encapsulation, pipe coatings etc. from this target group.

5.2.2 Commercial Estate Owners: This group includes the owners of the big building and offices who require services of highly professional, fast servicing and insured crew to help them in maintaining their estate. We expect to get long term projects and various orders from this group of our customers.

5.2.3 Home Owners: This group will comprise of the residents and homeowners who require professional and skilled painters to help them in renovating their houses and to paint inaccessible places. They are expected to use our painting, wall cleaning, and exterior painting services.

The detailed market analysis of our potential customers is given in the following table:

5.3 Business Target

Our main business targets are as follows:

• To achieve the net profit margin of $10k per month by the end of the first year, $15k per month by the end of the second year, and $25k per month by the end of the third year
• To balance the initial cost of the startup with earned profits by the end of the first year

5.4 Product Pricing

To get ourselves introduced to a wide audience we have priced our services and items a little lower than our competitors.

After composing your painting contractor marketing plan the next step is to define the plan by which you will be getting introduced to your target customers. A clear and effective advertising strategy for the painting business plan  will help you in gaining the customers, at the very instant you are starting a painting company .

6.1 Competitive Analysis

Knowing about the competition, it has to face, Giana Paints have come up with several competitive aspects that most of other in the same business lack. Our staff is highly customer care oriented and they will treat your property like a piece of art. We have skilled workers to paint your facility efficiently, followed by recurrent refinishing.

Moreover, our experts will be there as soon as possible after your contract and will finish all the work before the deadline. Lastly, we will be applying paint that is highly durable, stain resistant and can resist chemical effects too.

6.2 Sales Strategy

• We will advertise ourselves in magazines, newspapers, TV stations, and social media
• We will make an online website for people to know about us and our services
• We will offer a 15% discount on our services for the first three months

6.3 Sales Monthly

  6.4 Sales Yearly

6.5 Sales Forecast

Our forecasted sales are summarized in the following column charts:

The detailed information about the sales forecast is given in the following table:

Personnel plan

Personnel plan gives you an estimation of the required staff and their salaries over the next few years. It is important to hire your required staff before at least one week of the actual launch of the business so that you will be able to define your painting contractor company profile, alongside training and testing their skills.

7.1 Company Staff

Giana will hire a general manager one month before the launch to help her in employing other staff and to manage the process of registrations. The company will initially hire the following people:

• 2 Administrators/Accountants for maintaining financial records
• 4 Sales Executives for discovering new ventures
• 4 Assistants for undertaking various day to day tasks
• 6 House Painters
• 1 IT Expert for managing the company’s website
• 1 Driver for transportation

7.2 Average Salary of Employees

Financial Plan

The financial plan is a very essential part of your paint shop business plan . It includes the details about from where you will be collecting the capital to spend on your startup, and how long can you run your business with the present finances if you are failed to gain your target customers.

It is advisable to get your financial plan written by an expert, especially if you are starting on a big scale or also if it is Greek to you. As Giana hadn’t much experience in writing a financial plan so she had hired a financial expert to do this task for her. Giana Paints’ financial plan is as follows:

  8.1 Important Assumptions

8.2 Brake-even Analysis

  8.3 Projected Profit and Loss

8.3.1 Profit Monthly

8.3.2 Profit Yearly

8.3.3 Gross Margin Monthly

8.3.4 Gross Margin Yearly

8.4 Projected Cash Flow

8.5 Projected Balance Sheet

 8.6 Business Ratios

Download Painting Contractors Business Plan Sample in pdf

OGS capital writers specialize in business plan themes such as business plan template RV park , home inventory business plan , home shelter business , business plan for flipping houses , mortgage lender business plan  and many others.

OGSCapital’s team has assisted thousands of entrepreneurs with top-rate business plan development, consultancy and analysis. They’ve helped thousands of SME owners secure more than $1.5 billion in funding, and they can do the same for you.

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Executive Summary of a Painting Business: Template & Example

• January 5, 2024
• Business Plan , Executive Summary

A painting business plan needs a straightforward executive summary . This part of your plan is the first thing investors and partners see, and it should clearly outline what your painting business is all about. It’s where you explain what makes your painting business different and worth investing in.

We recommend using a two-slide PowerPoint format for this summary. The first slide should cover the basics of your business and the market you’re entering. Here, you detail your painting business’s offerings, location, and what sets you apart from others. The second slide focuses on your management team and your financial plans, highlighting the people behind the business and how you expect the painting business to grow financially.

This simple, two-slide approach ensures that your executive summary is easy to follow and covers all the essential points about your painting business.

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Painting Business Plan

Fully editable 30+ slides Powerpoint presentation business plan template.

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Painting Business Executive Summary: Page 1

Business Overview

In this section, offer a snapshot of your painting business. Include the name of your company, its location, and a brief outline of the services you provide. Highlight what sets your painting services apart from competitors.

Example: [Precision Paintworks], situated centrally in [City Name], offers meticulous and efficient painting services covering a [x]-mile radius. Our comprehensive range includes interior and exterior painting, color consultation, surface preparation, wallpaper removal, and specialized finishes. Our commitment to quality and attention to detail distinguishes us in delivering enduring, vibrant paint finishes, transforming spaces with finesse.

Market Overview

Provide insights into the painting industry’s market size , trends, and dynamics. Include relevant market data, growth rates, and industry trends. Emphasize how your business aligns with these trends and how it positions itself competitively.

Example: Within the painting industry valued at approximately $33.4 billion, showing consistent growth trends with a projected Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of +3.7% anticipated from 2023 to 2027, Precision Paintworks excels by leveraging cutting-edge techniques and catering to the increasing demand for personalized, high-quality painting solutions. Our specialization in delivering exceptional finishes and expert guidance has positioned us as a top choice for both residential and commercial projects.

Painting Business Executive Summary: Page 2

Management Team

Highlight the qualifications and expertise of your key team members in the painting business. Emphasize their relevant experiences and how they contribute to the success and proficiency of your operations.

Example: Our team at Precision Paintworks comprises painting experts with extensive hands-on experience in both residential and commercial projects. With a strong entrepreneurial spirit, [Name], oversees project management and client relations, ensures meticulous workmanship and quality assurance. Complemented by [Name], an operations management expert proficient in coordinating painting teams and executing projects seamlessly.

Financial Plan

Provide a succinct overview of your financial objectives and projections. Outline revenue targets, growth strategies, and your business’s profitability path.

Example: Precision Paintworks aims to reach $1.2 million in annual revenue by 2028, accompanied by a solid 17% profit margin ( EBITDA ). Our strategic approach involves comprehensive service expansion, operational efficiency through technological integration, and targeted marketing initiatives . This financial strategy positions us for sustainable growth, profitability, and a leading position in the painting industry.

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Wish Painters Announces Comprehensive Guide to Commercial Painting Services for Businesses

Wish Painters presents a guide to help businesses choose the right painting company. It covers understanding project scope, selecting reputable firms, getting accurate quotes, assessing processes, and managing business impacts for a smooth painting experience.

- - August 13, 2024 —

Key Considerations Before Hiring a Commercial Painting Company

When embarking on a commercial painting project, business owners must carefully assess several key factors to ensure a successful outcome. Wish Painters emphasizes the importance of the following considerations:

• Defining the Project Scope : Clearly identify whether the project involves interior, exterior, or both types of painting. Consider specific areas such as walls, ceilings, trims, and doors to determine the full scope of the work required.
• Surface Condition Assessment : Evaluate the condition of surfaces to be painted. This includes identifying any necessary repairs, such as patching holes, fixing cracks, or addressing water damage, which are crucial for proper surface preparation.
• Setting Project Goals : Whether you aim to refresh the existing color scheme or completely transform your business’s appearance, clear goals will guide the painting company in achieving the desired results.

Why Choose Wish Painters for Your Commercial Project?

Wish Painters stands out as a leader in the commercial painting industry, offering a combination of extensive experience and a commitment to quality. When selecting a painting partner, businesses should look for companies like Wish Painters, which bring:

• Proven Experience : Wish Painters has a demonstrated history of successfully completing commercial projects, regardless of their size or complexity.
• Trust and Reputation : With numerous positive reviews and testimonials, Wish Painters has built a reputation for delivering high-quality results and excellent customer service.
• Comprehensive Insurance and Licensing : Fully licensed and insured, Wish Painters adheres to industry standards, ensuring both compliance and protection for their clients.

Transparent Pricing and Detailed Quotes

Wish Painters provides detailed, transparent quotes that include a comprehensive breakdown of all costs—covering labor, materials, and additional services such as surface preparation. This level of detail allows businesses to compare quotes effectively and make informed decisions without any hidden fees or unexpected costs.

Commitment to Minimal Disruption

Understanding the impact that a painting project can have on daily operations, Wish Painters works closely with businesses to schedule work during off-hours or slower periods, minimizing disruptions. With a strong emphasis on safety, the company implements rigorous protocols to protect both their workers' and clients’ properties.

Quality Assurance and Final Inspection

Upon project completion, Wish Painters conducts thorough inspections to ensure the highest quality standards. Any necessary touch-ups are handled promptly, ensuring complete client satisfaction. Businesses can rely on Wish Painters to deliver a polished and inviting space that aligns with their brand and operational needs.

About Wish Painters

Wish Painters is a leading provider of commercial painting services, dedicated to transforming business spaces with expertise and precision. With a focus on quality, professionalism, and customer satisfaction, Wish Painters is the trusted choice for businesses seeking to enhance their commercial properties.

For more information on how Wish Painters can assist with your Commercial Painting needs, please visit their website.

Contact Info: Name: Wish Painters Email: Send Email Organization: Wish Painters Website: https://wishpainters.com/

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