Starting a Painting Business

Starting a painting business can be a lucrative and fun venture. If you're skilled at painting and have an entrepreneurial spirit, you can easily start painting homes for money. The first thing you'll need to do is decide whether you want to paint interiors, exteriors, or both. The most cost-efficient thing to do would be to start off painting interiors. You'll often need a lot less equipment, and can always work up to painting exteriors in the future. After you decide what you want to paint, choose a name for your business. Something short and to the point is always a good choice.

Next, you'll need to obtain all the proper licenses. This can be accomplished with a visit or two to your local municipal building. After making sure all your paperwork is in order, it's time to look for clients! You may need to purchase a few supplies like brushes and ladders, but paint will be added in to your individual client's invoices.

One excellent way to find work is to contact real estate companies and let them know about your company. Most all homes are freshly painted inside (and sometimes outside) before being put up for sale, and often real estate companies are eager to retain qualified professionals who can do the job for a reasonable price. You can also find homeowners that need a good painter by advertising in the newspaper and Yellow Pages, which are often the first place people look.

Always present your customers with a business card whenever you consult with them or complete work. That way, they will remember you for future jobs, and may pass on your information to friends, family and co-workers in need of a painting service.

Starting a painting service can mean more than simply putting a coat or two of paint on a wall. If you're especially creative, why not offer faux finishes? This means creating the look of textures like leather and marble with nothing more than paint. Hand painted murals are also in high demand, and you can make quite a good living if you're a skilled muralist.

Regardless of the kind of painting business you'd like to start, research is a must. Find out about competing businesses in your area so you can price your services competitively. Learn how to provide the best quality work in a timely fashion. By being good at what you do, you can ensure that your business is successful and stays that way for years to come!

Copyright 2006 Jim Sterling - All Rights Reserved

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