| A painting business is one of the easiest and most | | | | will probably want payment up front when you buy |
| economical to start. Almost anyone can paint a room | | | | your paint the first couple of times and after that they |
| and it doesn't take long to learn how to do building | | | | may extend you credit. Your relationship with your |
| exteriors and other common painting jobs. | | | | suppliers is almost as important as the ones with your |
| However, the quality of the job makes all the | | | | clients. |
| difference when it's your business. If you want to have | | | | If they also carry basic spray painting rigs and ladders |
| your own painting business, be sure that you can do | | | | as well as drop cloths, rollers and brushes then give |
| the job neatly and that it looks professional when | | | | them your business instead of going to a discount |
| you're done. | | | | home supply store. This will result in a mutually |
| In this article we take a closer look at some of the | | | | beneficial partnership. Good suppliers can also give you |
| points that an entrepreneur wanting to start a painting | | | | a sample book of paint colors, shades and tints to help |
| business would have to consider. | | | | you in selling your services. |
| Painting Business Names and Formalities | | | | Advertising and Marketing |
| Officially, you will have to choose a name for your | | | | You need to advertise of course as it takes a lot of |
| business and be sure that it isn't a duplicate of another | | | | time to start seeing the effects of 'word of mouth' and |
| local company. Try to choose something unique that | | | | referrals. Flyers are one method that is inexpensive |
| doesn't sound like any other local businesses. | | | | and effective. |
| Many people name their business "AA Painting" or | | | | Pass out flyers at home shows or tack them onto |
| something similar because they want to be among the | | | | bulletin boards and public notice boards. Invest in good |
| first listings in The Yellow Pages. This is becoming less | | | | quality business cards and don't be stingy about |
| important these days though as popular search | | | | handing them out to anyone you meet. Join your local |
| engines on the Internet don't display search results | | | | Chamber of Commerce and other organizations that |
| alphabetically. You'll find that the most successful | | | | allow business people to network together. |
| businesses don't necessarily come first in the listings | | | | Car windshields are not the place for a flyer as this |
| but rather they have built up a reputation for good | | | | form of promotion is irritating and serves mostly to litter |
| work. Name your business something suitable, | | | | parking lots. This can result in a citation and a fine for |
| memorable and descriptive. | | | | your business. |
| Next you will have to file for a business license and a | | | | Take photos of your previous work for when you |
| tax identification number with the appropriate | | | | meet with prospective clients. Before and after photos |
| authorities in your city or county. Requirements might | | | | are a great way to prove the quality of your work. |
| vary from state to state so be sure you have all the | | | | Have them mounted in an attractive album and carry it |
| documentation you need before you apply. | | | | with your paint samples. This allows a person to |
| Now you're ready to set up your business! You will not | | | | visualize what their home or office will look like if they |
| quite be ready to buy paint and supplies yet though. | | | | hire your business to do the job. Give written |
| There are a few more things you need to build your | | | | estimates and if a job is too big for you, be honest |
| business's basic foundation first. | | | | about it and refer the client to a company that can |
| Insurance Coverage | | | | handle the workload. People are impressed with a |
| Insurance is a must so shop around and compare | | | | contractor who has the client's interest at heart. |
| rates and coverage. You need insurance in case | | | | Hiring Employees |
| something is damaged on a client's property or if your | | | | You will eventually want to hire a couple of employees |
| vehicle is involved in an accident or is stolen. | | | | and this is where things can get a little dicey. Be sure |
| Remember that if your vehicle is stolen you could also | | | | to do a thorough background check on anyone that |
| lose several thousand dollars worth of equipment and | | | | you consider for the job. It is a good idea to hire a |
| paint. | | | | service to do this chore since they know what to look |
| Business Funding | | | | for and are experienced in recognizing when someone |
| After you get your license, tax ID number and | | | | isn't telling the truth on their application. They can advise |
| insurance you should apply for a line of credit at your | | | | you of criminal records, driving citations and credit |
| bank or credit union. You should get lower interest | | | | history. All of these things tell you something about a |
| rates and better terms with a credit union. The line of | | | | person's reliability, honesty and character. Remember |
| credit will allow you to purchase the basic equipment | | | | that your first obligation is to your clients and their |
| needed to complete your first few jobs and possibly | | | | safety. |
| hire an employee or two as your business grows. | | | | Although it looks like there are a lot of steps are |
| Starting a painting business will not be that expensive | | | | involved with starting a painting business it doesn't |
| so ideally you will be able to fund your startup costs | | | | necessarily take that long and it's not a difficult |
| out of your personal savings. | | | | process. If painting is something that you truly enjoy |
| Painting Equipment and Suppliers | | | | doing then every day will be enjoyable as well as |
| Find a paint supply company, introduce yourself and | | | | profitable if you get into this industry! |
| establish a good business relationship with them. They | | | | |