How to Start a Painter Business
Starting your own painting business, from lead-safe certification and licensing to the first job a customer pays for.
A painting business needs the federal lead-safe rules sorted for older homes, any state license, registering the business, getting a tax ID and buying insurance, and then a first job billed correctly. Deposits, extra rooms and payment options are in the painter invoicing guide linked below.
On lead paint, the EPA's page for contractors (In the US, EPA, last updated March 31, 2026) says "In general, anyone who is paid to perform work that disturbs paint in housing and child-occupied facilities built before 1978 must be certified." It adds "This includes all firms, even sole proprietorships."
On training, the BLS painters profile (In the US, last modified August 27, 2026) says "There are no formal education requirements to become a painter." The same BLS profile says "Some states require licensing for lead paint removal. Contact your state’s licensing board for more information."
Worked example, with sample figures: an exterior trim job is billed at 10 hours of labor at $50.00, 10 × $50.00 = $500.00, plus 2 gallons of paint at $55.00, 2 × $55.00 = $110.00, for $500.00 + $110.00 = $610.00. Use your own figures; these are only an illustration.
Step-by-step startup guide
Follow these steps to launch your painter business on solid footing.
- 1
Get lead-safe certified before older-home work
The EPA's contractors page (In the US, EPA, last updated March 31, 2026) says "Firms cannot advertise or perform renovation activities covered by the RRP Rule in homes or child-occupied facilities built before 1978 without firm certification."
- 2
Check your state's licensing board
Before advertising, find out from the contractor licensing board in your state whether painting or lead paint removal needs a license there.
- 3
Register the business
The SBA's launch guide (In the US, SBA, checked October 31, 2026) says "How and where you need to register depends on your business structure and business location."
- 4
Federal tax ID and business banking
The IRS EIN page (In the US, IRS, last reviewed or updated October 16, 2026) says "You never have to pay a fee for an EIN." With the number issued, open a business account for job income and paint costs.
- 5
Insure the work
The SBA's launch guide (In the US, SBA, checked October 31, 2026) describes general liability insurance as coverage that "protects against financial loss as the result of bodily injury, property damage, medical expenses, libel, slander, defending lawsuits, and settlement bonds or judgments."
- 6
Estimate, paint and invoice the first job
Send an estimate with the rooms and surfaces listed, finish the work and bill the customer. The painter invoicing guide covers deposits and added rooms.
Tips for starting your painter business
- Ask when a home was built before quoting. The EPA rules page (In the US, EPA, last updated December 15, 2025) says firms working on "homes, child care facilities, and kindergartens built before 1978 must be EPA- or state-certified".
- Keep paint and supply receipts with each job. The IRS recordkeeping page (In the US, IRS, last reviewed or updated May 1, 2026) says "You may choose any recordkeeping system suited to your business that clearly shows your income and expenses."
- Plan for estimated tax. The IRS estimated taxes page (In the US, IRS, last reviewed or updated September 25, 2026) says sole proprietors "generally have to make estimated tax payments if they expect to owe tax of $1,000 or more when their return is filed."
- Photograph walls before you start, for your own job records.
How Billed helps you get started
Features to look at as you set up your business.
Estimate Notes
Billed's features page says: "Add important notes for your clients in estimates."
Convert An Estimate To Invoice
Billed's features page says: "Convert your estimate to invoice with a single click after getting approval from your client."
Categorize Expenses
Billed's features page says: "Easily categorize your expenses in Billed App. This helps you in filing taxes during tax season."
Partially Paid Invoices
Billed's features page says: "See partially paid invoices and send payment reminders to your customers."
Frequently asked questions
Bill Your First Painting Job
Create invoices, track payments and keep your clients' details in one place with Billed.
At a glance
| Step | What it involves | Dated source |
|---|---|---|
| Lead-safe certification | Firm certification for older homes | EPA contractors page (In the US, last updated March 31, 2026) |
| State license | Your state's licensing board | BLS painters (In the US, last modified August 27, 2026) |
| Registration | Structure and location rules | SBA launch guide (In the US, checked October 31, 2026) |
| Tax ID | IRS EIN application | IRS (In the US, last reviewed or updated October 16, 2026) |
| First job | Estimate, work, invoice | Painter invoicing guide |
When this isn't for you
Meant for painters opening their own business. If a contractor hires you, ask the firm which certification and insurance it holds and what you need yourself.