12 tasks · 4 weeks · $1,000-$5,000 budget
Launch a residential painting business for interiors and exteriors using subcontractor-friendly systems. Generated by the Living Blueprint framework.
Decide whether to start with interior rooms, exterior repaints, cabinets, or a mix. Exteriors pay more but are weather-dependent. Interiors can run year-round. Which fits your climate and skills.
File LLC paperwork, get an EIN from the IRS, and open a business bank account. Painting involves entering homes. A legal entity and insurance build trust fast. Which step first.
Get general liability, workers' comp if hiring, and a contractor bond where required. Homeowners and HOAs may ask for a certificate of insurance. Do you have yours ready.
Brushes, rollers, sprayer, drop cloths, painter's tape, ladders, and scaffolding for 1-2 stories.
Airless sprayer, scaffolding, paint shaker, sprayer accessories, and a branded work vehicle. An airless sprayer cuts exterior time in half. Are you ready for larger homes.
Paint a room or exterior section for free or discounted to learn cutting, masking, and cleanup. Clean lines separate pros from amateurs. Where are your cut-ins bleeding.
Build a measuring process, paint calculation sheet, and color consultation workflow. Estimates should take 20 minutes on-site. Do you have a square-footage formula and waste factor.
Create pricing for interior per room, exterior per square foot, and add-ons like cabinets and trim. Typical interior: $300-$600 per room. Exterior: $1.50-$3.00 per sq ft. Are you including paint cost or billing it separately.
Complete one project at cost to get high-quality before/after photos and a testimonial. Your first project is marketing, not profit. Who do you know that needs a room painted.
Attend realtor meetups and email property managers offering move-in/move-out painting. Realtors need painters before every listing. Can you turn one agent into a repeat source.
Measure, scope, and send written estimates within 24 hours. Speed wins painting bids. Are you following up 48 hours after every quote.
Close your first residential painting job with a deposit and signed agreement. First contract proves your estimating and sales process. What profit margin did you hit.