People are always asking us to give them tips for getting into the painting business, and we are always happy to oblige.
My brother Jon and I are in the process of starting our second home painting business after our first one became a smash hit.
But, then we got thinking.
Why give out a tip here and there when we can give them all at the same time and in the same place?
From the fun parts like creating a logo and website, to important tips like where to find the best and most suitable Contractors Insurance for your specific needs, there are many things that you need may need to think about before embarking on this exciting journey.
So, without further ado, here are our top tips for getting into the painting business.
Create Your Brand
Before you get started, think about who you are, what you can offer, and who you are going to offer it to. Once you know that, you can create your brand.
Related: Creating And Nurturing The Right Brand For Your Company
It Starts With A Name
Now that you know your brand, you can choose a name. You might want to go for something clever, something simple, or a way to highlight the community that you serve.
No matter what you choose, make sure that you like it and that it fits with your brand.
Create A Logo
Once you have your name, create a logo. If you are creative, go for it yourself, but we recommend investing in a designer to handle it. This logo is going to be all over your clothing, flyers, vans, equipment, and website.
Website
A website has never been easier to create. You can do this yourself, combining your name, logo, and brand, or you can pay someone else to do it. The handy thing about having someone else do it is that you will have support should anything go wrong.
Business Cards & More
You want to get your name out there. Once you have your name, logo, and website, print up some business cards, flyers, and other material to get your name out there. Make sure to include the web address and a number where you can be easily reached.
The Legal Stuff
Creating your brand is the fun part, but there are some hoops to jump through to make sure that your business is legal and a success.
File Your LLC
Your LLC is what makes your business, a business, and protects you from personal liability.
File For An EIN
An EIN is like a SIN for your business. You need this to be able to open a bank account and file taxes.
Open A Bank Account
You want a place to separate your personal funds from your business funds. You can look for the best banks for small business in florida or where your business operates and get in touch with them to determine which is the most suitable account for your business.
Business Licence & Liability Insurance
You may or may not need a business license, depending on where you live. Check with your local council for specific requirements. This is important as it is better to be safer than sorry and not to mention, it can save you a lot of hassle if you are found to be violating any law regarding the lack of licensing.
Furthermore, as a painter, you’ll need proper insurance coverage. Painters insurance, a specialized form of liability insurance, can be crucial for your business. It tends to protect you from accidental damage, provides worker compensation, and covers risks unique to the painting industry. This type of insurance typically includes general liability, property damage, and professional indemnity coverage. Ensure you have adequate insurance before starting any jobs to safeguard your business and clients.
It would also be wise to look at ways you can keep your business and employees safe so that you don’t have to rely on your insurance. Invest in security equipment as well as hiring commercial cleaning services in Vaughan, ON (or wherever your business is), so that you can keep your employees and customers safe from harm. A clean place means less chance of injury and issues.
Doing Business
Once you are up and running, you can actually get to work. There are some important things to know before you get out there.
Estimating
Start with smaller jobs, as they are easier to estimate. Talk to local contractors and find out what they are charging; try to price slightly lower, but you don’t want to be the lowest out there. Practice also makes perfect. We messed up the first few jobs, but it helped us to become more accurate over time.
Marketing
You are a new business, so you need to get your name out there. There are a few ways that you can do this.
You can buy leads from lead generating companies, advertise physically by handing out leaflets or putting up flyers, but ad space online, cold call people either over the phone or by going door to door, get yourself in local papers and magazines, and post on sites like Craigslist.
Equipment
You want to start small and build your business. Invest in some basic equipment that you know you will need, and buy more as the need arises. As long as you have done your research and are knowledgeable about the work, you can go out and get what you need when you need it.
Employees
You will likely start by yourself but, as the work starts to come in, you can think about hiring. Make sure to do thorough interviews and background checks. Trials are beneficial for you and the employee and don’t ignore the importance of training.
Final Thoughts
Starting a painting business is easy if you follow our step by step guide.
There is some planning to be done, and hoops to jump through, but everything is straightforward if you put the work in.