House Painting Business Overview
A house painting business provides interior and exterior painting services for residential properties, including single-family homes and apartment buildings. These companies prepare surfaces, apply paint coatings, and offer wallpaper installation and removal services. House painters work directly with homeowners, property managers, and building contractors to transform and protect interior and exterior surfaces.
Most painting businesses begin as solo operators or small teams, offering basic residential services and expand their offerings as they build experience and acquire equipment.
The most common business models in the residential painting industry include:
- Full-Service Residential Painting: Offers both interior and exterior painting services for homeowners and apartment buildings
- Interior Painting Specialist: Focuses exclusively on indoor painting projects and wall coverings
- Exterior Painting Specialist: Specializes in outdoor painting services and weatherproofing
- New Construction Painter: Partners with builders to provide painting services for newly built homes
Related: Checklist To Start A Business
How Do House Painters Make Money?
House painting businesses earn revenue by charging for both labor and materials on each project. Most companies calculate their pricing using square footage measurements of the areas to be painted, then factor in variables such as surface conditions, paint quality, number of coats needed, and project complexity.
Industry Statistics
The house painting and decorating contractors industry, classified under NAICS code 238320 (Painting and Wall Covering Contractors), consists of businesses providing interior and exterior painting services, wall covering installation, and related surface preparation work for residential properties.
Here are some facts about the house painting industry:
House Painting Industry Size & Growth: The residential painting industry generated $24.2 billion in revenue last year. Over the past five years, the industry experienced a slight decline, with an annual loss of 0.4%. However, the industry is expected to grow over the next five years as interest rates decrease and housing market activity picks up. (IBISWorld)
Number of House Painting Businesses: There are approximately 179,000 house painting businesses operating across residential markets. The industry remains highly fragmented, with no single company holding significant market share. Most businesses are small, independently owned operations serving local communities. (IBISWorld)
House Painting Business Profit Margin: Residential painting businesses typically see profit margins of between 15% and 18% of revenue, though this varies based on factors like project size, labor costs, and material expenses. Labor costs typically represent 70-80% of total expenses for painting contractors.
Startup Stories
Also See: Ideas for Naming a Painting Business
Costs To Start a House Painting Business
Starting a house painting business typically costs between $2,000 and $10,000. This range covers the basic equipment and supplies needed for a small residential painting operation.
There are several expenses when starting a painting business, but here are some of the bigger items to plan for:
Equipment and Tools: A complete set of professional painting equipment costs between $1,000 and $3,000. This includes extension ladders, scaffolding, paint sprayers, rollers, brushes, drop cloths, and safety equipment.
Vehicle: A reliable work van or truck to transport equipment and supplies costs from $5,000 for a used one to $30,000 or more for a new one. Many painters start with their personal vehicles and upgrade as their business grows.
Insurance: Business liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance typically cost between $500 and $1,500 annually. Coverage amounts vary based on the size of jobs and the number of employees.
Initial Supply Inventory: Starting inventory of paint, primers, caulk, sandpaper, and other supplies costs approximately $500 to $1,000. This allows for completing initial jobs before establishing accounts with suppliers.
These costs are estimates and will vary. Some painters start with minimal equipment and add more as they grow, while others invest in everything upfront.