Launching your House Painting Business...
So, you're ready to start painting. First you need to get the materials listed below. Then you need to follow the detailed instructions listed below the materials.
Things Needed:
Materials (Required) to Paint
Van/Truck/Mini Van/Jeep (or access to one)
A van is more ideal than a truck. A rack on the roof of the van is perfect for transporting ladders. And the interior of the van will easily fit employees and painting materials. If you do not have your own van, but a friend or relative has one, it IS possible to move your materials as long as you are able to use it once per day. For instance, you can use your buddy’s truck at night when he isn’t working, to move your ladders to a new job. You also need to consider whether or not your clients mind your materials being on their property over night and, as well, wonder about the security of your ladders etc... from theft. It is usually best to buy a vehicle.
We will now rank the different classes of vehicles based upon our preference:
1) Panel Van: PROS: Fits most stuff, easy to transport ladders, big, perfectly displays company logo and phone number. CONS: guzzles gas, more expensive
2) Mini-Van: PROS: Inexpensive used, easy to transport ladders, relatively spacious, protects from the elements CONS: low power, smaller than panel van
3) Jeep: PROS: can support ladders other equipment, shields gear from the elements, CONS: small
4) Truck: PROS: tough, dependable, CONS: open to the elements (unless you get a lid), gear open to theft, guzzles gas.
Ratchet tie downs
Are used to attach ladders firmly to your truck/van on your way to a new paint job.
Ladders. Extension ladder/ step ladder / 3-way ladder
As many ladders as you can is the usual rule of thumb for painting. Make sure they will fit on/in your vehicle. You definitely need a good step ladder and an extension ladder (preferably at least 30 feet). Also, make sure you are able to move the ladders physically. Even aluminium step ladders can be heavy.
Drop sheets/Drop Cloths
You can buy official drop sheets from a paint store. However, old curtains and sheets work just as well and can save you a lot of money. A nice touch is to sew weights into the four corners of them to keep them from skidding around when you’re painting.
PaintBrushes/rollers
You can buy these before you begin or once you get work (charge them to the client)
Old paint cans (cut cans)
-Be sure to dent in the side with a hammer for a place to rest your finger while painting. It also serves as a built in roller tray for small paint rollers. If you dont have old paint cans, a bucket will work.
Hammer – for hammering paint lids shut and the many other things hammers are often useful for
Screwdriver – for opening paint cans
Rags – old clothing torn into shreds works
Broom and dustpan – used to wipe refuse off the walls (cobwebs etc…) before painting
A hand scraper – used to scrap paint chips in preparation to paint
Wire brush – same as above
Sandpaper – depending on the job, you will need different gauges of paper. Like paint, this can be charged to the client
A bin or tote of some kind – to carry all of your stuff in one place
A bucket – to clean your paint brushes
Paint thinner – also to clean your paint brushes. Paint thinner is also useful if you spill paint and need to clean it up quickly
Plastic bags – I recommend lots of them
Optional
Scaffolding these are only necessary for very high up jobs that require a certain degree of vertical inclination. Most house painters will not need these save for commercial jobs.
Paint hook ideal for hanging your paint cans from ladder rungs
A tool kit (these always come in handy, but not essential to painting)
Latex Gloves Only if you don'y like getting your hands dirty...
Intangible Legal things needed
Insurance – this is not legally required (where we are located, at least), but clients will often ask for it and it covers you if there is an accident involving property. If your ladder slips and breaks a window, you do not want to be stuck for the 100s or 1000s of dollars that it will cost to replace it.
Worker's Compensation – If you intend to have employees, this is a must. Here, in Ontario Canada, all businesses need to contribute a certain amount of money for the safety of all employees in the province. If an employee is injured, say, for instance from falling off a ladder while painting, they will be compenstated by the government for the period of time which they can not paint. Painting, unfortunately, costs a fair amount for worker's comp. This is due to the fact that exterior painting involves a lot of high-up ladder work. It is unavoidable to not pay this. Do not try to shirk worker's compensation, you will regret it (probably).
GST number – CANADA only - this is required so you can collect and remit GST to the government. It is only required if you make up to a certain amount (check with the government for this), but we would reckomend it anyway. Because any GST you collect and remit, you will be credited for GST you have had to pay. So, in the end, it saves YOU money. It will cost your clients more, but you do not have to incorporate it into your painting estimates/quotes further than to say "+GST". eg. it will be $9800 for painting, labour and other materials + GST.
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Sponsor: Finer Strokes Painters