How to start · Updated May 2026

How to start a painting business

Starting a painting business is relatively cheap — $2,000–$10,000 for sprayers, ladders, and supplies — and the work is estimate-driven, so the detailed quote wins the job. The key rule: any work disturbing paint in a pre-1978 home requires the federal EPA RRP lead-safe certification.

Startup cost

$2,000–$10,000

Licensing

Any painter disturbing paint in a home built before 1978 must hold the…

For

Solo painters & small crews

The steps to start a painting business

01

Get licensed and certified

Any painter disturbing paint in a home built before 1978 must hold the federal EPA RRP (Renovation, Repair and Painting) lead-safe certification. Many states also require a contractor license once a job exceeds a cost threshold, though several have no painting-specific license at all.

02

Register your business and get insured

Register as an LLC or sole proprietorship, get an EIN, and open a business bank account to keep finances clean. General liability is essential for working inside and outside customers' homes; add workers' comp once you hire.

03

Buy your core equipment

Plan on $2,000–$10,000 to start. A relatively low-barrier trade — sprayers, ladders, drop cloths, and supplies. A van and the EPA RRP certification round it out.

04

Set your prices

Most painting is quoted by the job based on square footage, prep, coats, and surfaces; a clear, itemized estimate is the main sales tool. Painters earn a national median of about $49,400 as employees; owner-operators who win on detailed estimates and good prep, and who upsell, can earn well above that.

05

Get your first customers

The detailed, professional estimate is what closes painting jobs, so quote fast and follow up. Add Google reviews, referrals from realtors staging homes, and Nextdoor for residential repaints.

06

Set up the system to run it

Use one tool to schedule jobs, send estimates and invoices, take payment, and follow up automatically — so admin doesn't eat your evenings. JobStack is the AI-powered CRM built for painters.

What you'll need to start

Pricing your work

Most painting is quoted by the job based on square footage, prep, coats, and surfaces; a clear, itemized estimate is the main sales tool. Painters earn a national median of about $49,400 as employees; owner-operators who win on detailed estimates and good prep, and who upsell, can earn well above that.

Dig into the numbers: painter pay by state, the house painting cost guide, and the free hourly rate calculator to set a rate that covers overhead and profit.

Starting a painting business: FAQ

How much does it cost to start a painting business?
Typically $2,000–$10,000 — it's one of the lower-barrier trades. Sprayers, ladders, drop cloths, and supplies are the main costs, plus a van and the EPA RRP certification.
Do I need a license or certification to start a painting business?
Any work disturbing paint in a pre-1978 home requires the federal EPA RRP lead-safe certification. Many states also require a contractor license above a cost threshold, though some have no painting-specific license.
How do painters win more jobs?
On the estimate. Painting is sold through the quote, so a fast, detailed, professional estimate — plus prompt follow-up on pending bids — closes more work than a low price alone.

Run the business from your phone.

Once the jobs come in, JobStack handles scheduling, estimates, invoicing, and AI follow-ups — the CRM built for painters. Launching soon.

See JobStack for painters

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