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Originally Posted On: https://bobscentral.com/what-you-need-to-run-a-successful-painting-business/
To find work as a painter, all you need are a few brushes and some rollers, right? Not so fast!
If you want to open up your own painting business, for either residential or commercial work, you’ll definitely need a few more tools. Painting is a complex skill that requires the right equipment to complete the job to a high standard—while also keeping the painters themselves safe.
Want to ensure your painting business is a success? If so, read on to find everything you need to have ready before you paint your first home.
Business and Marketing Plan
Before you officially launch your new painting company, one key thing you need is a marketing and business plan. A business plan is an overarching document that will help explain your business strategy—you can think of it as your framework for success.
It starts with an executive summary, which is a paragraph explaining what your company is all about and why it will be a success.
Your plan should include your startup costs and finances, so you can measure your company over time and make sure it’s doing well. It can also include an analysis of your competition—what other painters are operating in your area?
Use this to work out your unique selling points so that customers will want to hire you over your competitors.
Your business plan should also include a section on marketing, explaining how you’ll attract new clients and generate leads.
Painting Tools
When it comes to equipment, you’ll need to first invest in the right tools. Most painting companies will have a van or truck, useful to store everything and transport it between jobs.
Kep painting tools to purchase include:
- Rollers
- Paintbrushes in a variety of sizes
- Drop cloths
- Painting tape
- Tape measurer
- Sandpaper
- Paint stirring sticks
- Wall cleaner
- Roller trays
- Paintbrush cleaners
You might be wondering—what about the paint itself? Yes, you’ll need to purchase paint, but every customer is likely to want a different shade or color for their home.
So, it’s better to purchase paint as needed, ensuring you buy the right amount based on the size of the painting job.
Insurance and Licensing
Painting professionals know that they need to operate their business legally. This means obtaining all of the required insurance, such as liability and workers’ compensation, if you’re hiring staff.
Liability insurance is needed since you’ll be working within private properties, like homes, so it protects both you and your customers in case of accidents or property damage.
Depending on where you’ll be working, you might also need a contractor’s license. Generally, this requires you to have at least a few years of experience as a painter.
You’ll also need to pass an exam and show your business plan, plus demonstrate that you have enough money to run a stable business.
If you’re unsure about the requirements, it can help to contact your local Better Business Bureau.
Digital Business Tools
For your business to be a success, you need more than just a few paintbrushes! Since we live in such a digital world, you’ll also want to invest in a few digital tools to help manage your company.
One of the most important is a website. A well-designed website can help attract new customers through SEO, directing people to your website when they’re searching online for local painting companies.
Social media is another digital platform to use, since you can create accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to interact with customers, showcase images of your work, and run social media ad campaigns.
You also want to have the right software to manage your business, including a bookkeeping program and a painting estimating and management software, making it easy to provide quotes to customers.
Amazing Customer Service
Not everything required for a successful business is tangible! To do well, you also have to have certain qualities, including customer service skills.
Customers have plenty of choices when hiring a painter, so be sure to wow them—from the moment of first contact to the finished results. That way, your customers will have a great experience when hiring you and are more likely to recommend you to others.
As a painter, you’ll also need to be honest, punctual, ethical, and skilled. Otherwise, you might end up with unhappy customers.
Safety Equipment
Painting companies will also need safety equipment to keep themselves safe. One essential item is ladders, or scaffolds, depending on the nature of your business.
Most painters aren’t tall enough to reach ceilings or vaulted rooms, so you’ll need ladders in a range of sizes so you can safely reach tall spaces.
You’ll also need safety gear to protect your staff from paint fumes, such as masks, eye goggles, and protective clothing. Soap and fresh water are also needed for cleaning up after a day of work, since paint has a tendency to splatter onto hands and faces.
Make Your New Painting Business A Success By Having Everything You Need
Do you have everything you need for your new painting business? Use this article as a guide, making a list of everything you need to have.
If you’re on a tight budget, keep in mind that you can start with only the most essential items, then add things on as you start to bring in more business. With the right tools and a bit of hard work, your new company is sure to be a big success!
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