Start free

How to Start a Painting Business

What it takes to legally start a painting business in the US — licensing, structure, EIN, taxes, insurance, and your first customers. The steps are the same everywhere; the forms and fees depend on your state, so pick yours below for the exact links.

Typical startup cost
$2,000–$10,000
Licensing
state + local — varies
Best structure
LLC for most
First customers
referrals + local search

See your painting launch plan

Two quick taps — free, no account needed yet.

Do you already have the equipment or vehicle you need?

What's your starting budget?

  1. Check the licensing for painting work

    Many states require a contractor license once a job exceeds a dollar amount. The EPA RRP (Renovation, Repair, and Painting) certification is required to disturb paint in homes built before 1978. This is the part that varies most by state — some require a state license or registration before you can advertise, others leave it to the city or county. Confirm both your state board and your local government before you take a job.

  2. Decide what the business needs to open

    Interior and exterior painting for homes and light commercial. The setup areas that usually matter for a painting business: Painting/contractor license above threshold, Lead-safe (RRP) certification for pre-1978 homes, Liability insurance, Sprayers and ladders, Estimating process. Typical cost to get operational: $2,000–$10,000.

  3. Pick a structure — sole proprietor or LLC

    You can start as a sole proprietor with no filing, or form an LLC (usually $50–$300 depending on your state) for liability protection. For hands-on trade work where something can go wrong on a customer's property, most owners choose the LLC.

    LLC filing fee and steps by state ↗

    Already know enough? Get your painting numbers now.See my plan ↑

  4. Get a free EIN from the IRS

    An Employer Identification Number is free and takes a few minutes online. You need it to open a business bank account and to hire.

    IRS — Apply for an EIN ↗

  5. Register for state taxes and get insurance

    Register with your state's tax agency if you'll collect sales tax, then line up general liability insurance — most contracts and license boards require proof of coverage.

  6. What painting businesses charge

    Interior by the room or the square foot of wall/ceiling; exterior by the square foot of the house. A typical interior repaint runs $2–$6/sq ft of floor area; exteriors $1.50–$4/sq ft. Always price prep separately — it's most of the labor. Exterior work is weather-dependent and clusters in spring through fall; interior work fills winter. Property-management turnover repaints and realtor pre-list jobs are steady repeat sources.

  7. Get your first painting customers

    Realtor and property-manager relationships, Google + reviews, and neighborhood referrals. Repaints and property-management turnovers give repeat work. Sharp estimates and clean job sites earn referrals.

    Getting customers for a painting business ↗

  8. The mistake most first-year painting owners make

    Underestimating prep and dry time. The paint goes on fast; the patching, sanding, taping, and waiting is 60–70% of the job. Bids that only count roll time lose money on every occupied home.

Build your painting launch plan

FirstBearing turns this into a step-by-step roadmap for your exact business — the right forms, the official links, what to charge, and one next step every day. Free to build, no card. $19.99/mo only if you want FirstBearing to keep running it for you.

Start free

Frequently asked

How do I start a painting business?

Check the licenses for painting work in your state, pick a structure (sole proprietor or LLC), get a free EIN from the IRS, register for state taxes, open a business bank account, get general liability insurance, then set up a Google Business Profile and line up your first jobs. The order and the exact forms depend on your state.

Do I need a license to start a painting business?

Many states require a contractor license once a job exceeds a dollar amount. The EPA RRP (Renovation, Repair, and Painting) certification is required to disturb paint in homes built before 1978.

How much does it cost to start a painting business?

Plan for $2,000–$10,000 to get operational, plus $50–$300 if you form an LLC (varies by state). An EIN is free, and general liability insurance runs a few hundred dollars a year for most solo operators.

What should I charge for painting?

Interior by the room or the square foot of wall/ceiling; exterior by the square foot of the house. A typical interior repaint runs $2–$6/sq ft of floor area; exteriors $1.50–$4/sq ft. Always price prep separately — it's most of the labor.

How much do painting businesses make?

It depends on your rates, your utilization, and your area. See the income and pricing breakdown for a painting business for typical owner take-home and what to charge.

How much does a painting business license cost?

It depends on your state and exactly which license applies — a state professional license commonly runs $50–$300 plus any exam or renewal fee, and a local city/county business license is often another $25–$100. That's separate from the $50–$300 LLC filing fee if you form one. Use the License Finder tool with your state for the exact fee for painting work.

How much does painting business insurance cost?

General liability insurance for a solo painting operator typically runs $300–$800 a year, more with commercial auto coverage or a higher liability limit. Most contracts, landlords, and license boards require proof of coverage before you can start.

Where do the first painting customers come from?

Realtor and property-manager relationships, Google + reviews, and neighborhood referrals.

Official sources

Fees and timelines are commonly-cited figures last reviewed September 2026 and can change — always confirm on the official site. This is educational information, not legal or tax advice.

Related

AI-generated guidance is for educational purposes only and is not legal, tax, or investment advice. Disclosures · Trust center