What will I be doing?

Painting is one of those jobs that most people don’t like to do. It’s messy, it takes time, it’s boring and it means working on a ladder. Not fun. If painting is fun to you—or at least something you’re able and willing to do quickly and efficiently—consider offering a house-painting service. You may include homeowners as well as businesses among your clients. And you may find yourself working indoors as well as outdoors.

What will I need to start?

You should have experience in the trade. Maybe you’ve been a painter and now want to work for yourself. Or maybe you’ve painted so many of your own homes or apartments that your experience level is high. Even so, read and practice more. You won’t be paid as much for your painting skills as your painting efficiency.

You’ll need some equipment: a ladder, brushes and rollers, sprayer, etc. You’ll also need work clothing. In addition, you will need paints and maskings, but those can be purchased as you do the jobs.

Who will my customers be?

It’s pretty easy to spot a potential customer for your exterior-painting service. One successful painter simply drove neighborhoods in the springtime, looking for houses that showed signs of needing painting. He then gave a quote to the owner and suggested that he needed to schedule all jobs by
June 1 to ensure he could do them over the summer. In the fall he followed up with his exterior customers to find out if they needed interior painting over the winter months.

A small service ad in the local newspaper and your business card on area bulletin boards can help your potential customers identify themselves.