How to start a painting business

Learning how to start a painting business from scratch is not an easy feat. But don’t get lost feeling overwhelmed and forget about how exciting it can be. This is a new business after all, and you have the opportunity to make houses and buildings look great and welcoming to people.

In this guide, we’ll help you figure out how to start a painting company, from understanding your target market and drafting your business plan to setting up your pricing structure. You’ll also get tips on how to equip your business for online marketing so you can keep getting new leads and solidify your reputation as a legitimate painting business.

• Step 1: Identify your painting market
• Step 2: Plan for seasonal trends in the painting industry
• Step 3: Research market rates and analyse competitors in the painting industry
• Step 4: Explore funding options for your painting business
• Step 5: Develop a strategic painting business plan
• Step 6: Register your painting business
• Step 7: Hire your painters
• Step 8: Invest in the right painting tools and equipment
• Step 9: Find clients for your painting business
• Step 10: Get paid for your painting services!
• Start your painting business today!

Step 1: Identify your painting market

Every good business plan starts with knowing and understanding your target market. This step involves learning about what type of painting services they need, discovering your niche in the market, and choosing the locale you aim to serve. Carefully considering these factors can help you provide your clients with the best possible service.

Explore different types of painting services

Familiarising yourself with different types of painting services can give you some insight into what you can offer to your clients and how you can compete with other businesses. 

Interior painting

Interior painting focuses on transforming the inside of homes and buildings, including walls, ceilings, and trims. It’s all about creating beautiful, fresh, and durable finishes for living or working spaces. To avoid interior painting problems, you’ll need good artistry and attention to detail.

Exterior painting

Exterior painting is a type of painting service that specialises in painting the outside of buildings, with the goal of protecting surfaces from weather and wear. It also adds to the value of the structure by enhancing curb appeal. Weather-resistant paints and finishes are crucial for exterior painting.

Roof painting 

Roof painting is a paint service that improves the appearance and longevity of roofs. Roof painting involves cleaning, priming, and applying specialised roof coatings to make roofs strong enough to withstand the elements and prevent ceiling leaks.

Furniture painting 

Furniture painting covers repainting or refinishing furniture pieces to give them a new look. This service requires an eye for detail and a touch of creativity especially if the client wants to incorporate some artistic designs for their furniture by using paint.

Deck and fence painting 

Deck and fence painting involves staining and painting decks, fences, and even garage doors to preserve their durability and improve their appearance. This service often includes prepping and weatherproofing wooden surfaces.

Painting touchups

Painting touchups are perfect for small-scale projects that focus on repairing scuffs, chips, and minor damages to existing paintwork. Touchup paint is also ideal for clients looking for quick fixes to refresh their space. Painting doors and furniture to make them look good as new falls under this niche.

Decorative painting

Decorative painting is a creative service offering custom finishes like murals, stencilling, faux finishes, or accent walls. This is for clients who want to add more personality to their items or spaces.

Surface varnishing

Surface varnishing applies a protective clear coating to surfaces like wood or metal. This makes the materials last longer and achieves a polished, glossy, or matte look. It’s often combined with furniture or deck refinishing to avoid peeling paint issues.

Choose your painting business niche 

Now that you know the different types of services a painting business can offer, you can now focus on the ones you’re most skilled at and passionate about. This specialisation can also help you streamline operations to save time and boost profits since you’re only focusing on specific clients and services.

Residential painting service niche 

This niche focuses on painting homes, including interior and exterior surfaces. Residential painters work directly with clients to make their homes look and feel a certain way based on their personal tastes and preferences.

• Pros: Steady demand of work as homeowners regularly update or maintain their properties.
• Cons: Maintenance projects are usually small in scale, requiring higher client volume to sustain income.

Commercial painting service niche 

This service targets businesses, offices, retail spaces, and other commercial properties. Projects often require large-scale painting with tight deadlines and professional finishes to make customers’ businesses look appealing to their clients.

• Pros: Higher earnings for large contracts with a potential for repeat business from property managers.
• Cons: Competitive bidding makes it harder to secure jobs without strong credentials.

Industrial painting service niche 

Industrial painting specialises in coating and protecting surfaces in factories, warehouses, and other industrial facilities. Choosing this niche means you’ll have to work with specialised materials like epoxy and protective coatings.

• Pros: High-paying projects due to the technical expertise required especially for satisfying safety standards.
• Cons: Requires advanced skills, certifications, and equipment to handle complex jobs. 

Decorative painting service niche 

If you want to choose decorative painting as your niche, you’ll need high creativity and artistry for projects such as murals, stencilling, and textured walls. This is because your clients may be very particular with personalising their spaces with unique and custom designs.

• Pros: Opportunity to showcase creativity and stand out in the market.
• Cons: Demand may be less frequent and project timelines can be longer for more intricate designs.

Painting touchup and restoration service niche 

Painting touchup and restoration focuses on repairing and refreshing existing paintwork and matching paint colours to improve or restore its original appearance and extend its lifespan. This is popular among clients who want affordable, quick fixes for their spaces.

• Pros: Low-cost entry with minimal materials and shorter project timelines.
• Cons: Smaller jobs may result in lower profit margins.

Eco-friendly painting service niche

Try eco-friendly painting to cater to environmentally conscious clients. Explore the use of low-VOC, non-toxic, or sustainable paints and practices. These types of paint will help you get rid of the paint smell for sensitive clients. Eco-friendly painting is also a growing niche as more people prioritise green living.

• Pros: Establishes your business in a market with increasing eco-consciousness.
• Cons: Eco-friendly materials can be more expensive, reducing profit margins if not priced correctly.

Decide on the service area for your painting business

Determining where to establish or expand your painting business is crucial to its success. By understanding which regions have the highest demand for painting services, you can better position yourself in areas where you’re more likely to thrive.

The table below shows the demand for painting services across different cities in Australia, based on Oneflare’s job posting data from 2024. We’ll break down each city’s demand and explore the factors driving the need for painting professionals in these cities.

City	Percentage Share of Total Painting Job Demand
Painting services in Melbourne	24.8%
Painting services in Sydney	23.2%
Painting services in Brisbane	10.1%
Painting services in Perth	7.2%
Painting services in Gold Coast	2.7%

Australian cities with the highest painting job demand

Melbourne, with 24.8% of total demand, sees high painting needs due to rapid population growth, which fuels property development and regular upkeep requirements. The city’s fluctuating weather patterns also accelerate paint wear on exteriors, creating consistent work for painters. Melbourne’s bustling real estate market adds further demand through frequent refurbishments and new projects.

Meanwhile in Sydney, which accounts for 23.2% of the demand, high property values prompt owners to invest in regular maintenance and aesthetic upgrades like painting to enhance curb appeal. The coastal climate contributes to faster paint deterioration, particularly in exteriors, increasing the need for professional services. The competitive real estate landscape also incentivises owners to refresh properties to maximise value.

Brisbane also holds quite a large share of 10.1% of job demand, largely due to a recent surge in migration, which has increased the need for housing and associated painting services. The city’s subtropical climate causes faster wear on exteriors, leading to more frequent repainting. Brisbane’s expanding suburbs and growing commercial zones further drive demand for painting professionals.

Australian cities with lower painting job demand

Outside of these main hubs, smaller cities and regional areas offer opportunities as well. Places like Perth, Gold Coast, Port Augusta, and Whyalla may have recorded lesser job demand, but for painting businesses, these locations provide the benefit of less competition. 

In smaller communities, painting businesses can build long-term client relationships, providing specialised services that cater to local preferences, such as heritage restoration or environmentally friendly paint options.

Step 2: Plan for seasonal trends in the painting industry

Seasonal demand trends play a crucial role in the painting industry, with certain months seeing the highest activity across all types of painting services.

Identify popular seasons for painting services

According to Oneflare’s 2024 data on the total job postings, the peak seasons for painting services overall are May, June, and October, driven by ideal conditions and client readiness for updates. Being prepared for these peak periods can help your business capture the surge in demand and grow your client base.

Here are the peak months for different painting services:

Peak season for interior painting services

Interior painting demand is typically highest during the cooler months of May, June, and March. Clients often seek to refresh their spaces as they spend more time indoors or prepare for events and gatherings. Additionally, cooler weather is ideal for interior painting since the paint dries evenly without the complications that extreme heat can bring to indoor environments. 

Peak season for exterior services

Exterior painting sees its peak during the warmer, stable-weather months of October, September, and February. Dry, temperate conditions are perfect for outdoor projects, allowing paint to adhere well and last longer. Homeowners and commercial clients often prioritise exterior projects in these months to update their property’s appearance, protect surfaces from seasonal weather, or prepare for property inspections. 

Peak season for painting touchup services

For smaller-scale painting touchups, demand is especially strong in May, June, and July. These months are often ideal for clients who may not need a full painting job but still want to address minor repairs, scuffs, or fading areas that detract from the overall look of their property.

Plan strategies to adapt to seasonal fluctuations

The demand for painting services peaks and drops during certain seasons. By planning ahead, you can make sure that your business stays profitable year-round, even when work slows down.

Offer seasonal promotions and discounts

To attract clients during off-peak seasons, consider offering special deals for bundled services or discounts for regular painting jobs. For example, you could give a discount on the cost of painting home interiors during the colder months or offer a package deal for both interior and exterior house painting services.

Promote these offers through your website, social media, and email newsletters, so your customers are aware of when these deals are available. This helps keep your calendar full during quieter months while encouraging clients to book in advance for upcoming seasons.

Allocate resources during high-demand painting periods

When demand is high, it’s important to make sure that you have enough painters, equipment, and materials to handle the increased workload without sacrificing quality. You may want to hire temporary staff or painting contractors to assist during peak seasons, so you’re able to complete more projects and meet tight deadlines.

Focus on efficient project management to keep timelines tight and avoid delays. This can help you take on more clients in a shorter period of time.

Diversify your service offerings during off-peak periods

During the off-peak season, when exterior work is limited due to weather conditions, you can shift focus to services that can be done indoors or year-round. Consider including decorative painting, furniture refinishing, or painting touch-ups in your list of offered services.

If you’re in a region with extreme weather, explore niche markets like applying weather-resistant or thermal paints in Tasmania. You can also offer UV-resistant painting or cool roof painting in Central Australia, which is known for its harsh summer season. Diversifying your offerings keeps your business and painting staff active while maintaining revenue flow during slower months.

Post on lead generation sites to secure recurring painting clients

Lead generation platforms like Oneflare can help you connect with clients looking for painting services, even during slow seasons. Create a compelling profile and offer seasonal deals to attract potential clients who may be planning projects in advance.

By engaging regularly with lead generation sites, you can secure recurring clients who need regular maintenance or annual painting services. These platforms also provide a steady stream of new leads, ensuring that you’re always in the mix for new projects, especially during off-peak months when other marketing efforts might slow down.

Register your painting business on Oneflare today to showcase your painting expertise and start connecting with clients actively searching for your services!

Step 3: Research market rates and analyse competitors in the painting industry

Competitor analysis helps you identify what others in your market are offering, whether it’s pricing, services, or customer experience. This allows you to differentiate your business and offer unique value, so you can maintain a sustainable edge in a competitive market.

Understand the cost of common painting services.

As a business owner, knowing the cost of the services you offer lets you set profitable and competitive pricing. It also allows you to budget accordingly and optimise for areas where you can cut costs.

In the painting industry, the cost of painting services varies, depending on several factors that influence the overall price of a project. There’s the size of the job which directly relates to the amount of labour required and the scale of the project timeline. The preparation required for the service based on the season, location, and initial state or surface condition of the project further increases its complexity and dictates the type of materials needed. All of these considerations add up to the cost.

Here’s a breakdown of the typical cost of painting services in Australia:

Type of Painting Services	Price
Interior house painting	$18 – $30 per square metre
Exterior house painting	$15 – $45 per square metre
Fence painting	$15 – $60 per square metre
Roof painting	$2,800 – $4,500 per project
Painting touchups	$200 – $500 per project
Decorative painting	$40 – $120 per square metre
Surface varnishing	$12 – $30 per square metre

These cost estimates apply to a wide range of painting services, but make sure to consider specific factors that are unique to your business to make your pricing more accurate. The complexity of the project determines how much time and materials will be needed, so larger projects will cost more. The quality of materials and the needed preparation can also raise your labour and resource costs.

You should also consider the location of the property so you can include travel costs and regional price variations in your pricing. Plus, don’t forget to account for accessibility and safety requirements, like scaffolding or working at heights, to make sure that these additional equipment are covered by the project costs.

Decide how to charge for painting services

Now that you understand how to set the price for your painting services, we’ve listed a few ways you can consider charging your clients.

Hourly rate for smaller or less complex paint jobs

Charging an hourly rate works well for smaller or less complex tasks where the time required can vary so that clients only pay for the time spent on the job.  These rates are more flexible and transparent for short-term or unpredictable jobs where billing is based on the actual hours that a painter worked.

For larger projects, such as painting walls or ceilings in a home or business, charging per square meter helps standardise pricing. It provides a clear and easy-to-understand pricing structure, allowing clients to estimate costs based on the size of the area being painted. This method is often used for both interior and exterior painting jobs.

Flat project rate for whole-house painting projects

You can also set a flat rate for an entire painting project, such as a whole-house or full-scale project. The cost of painting a house is agreed upon before the work begins, covering all aspects of the job. Clients appreciate the certainty of a single house painting invoice, and it simplifies budgeting with no surprise expenses along the way.

Specialised service charges for decorative painting jobs

Decorative painting or customised finishes often involve a specialised pricing model. These jobs are typically priced based on the design complexity, materials used, and time involved. You can charge higher rates due to the artistic skill required, and clients are willing to pay more for unique, customised finishes.

Evaluate your unique selling points (USPs)

Unique selling points (USPs) will help your painting business stand out among your competition. Ask yourself, what sets you apart from the rest? Whether it’s quality, speed, specialisation, or customer service, highlight your USPs to attract more business, build trust, and allow you to charge premium rates for your expertise.

Eco-friendly and low-VOC painting options

Offering eco-friendly and low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) painting options is a great way to attract environmentally conscious clients. With growing awareness of sustainability, many homeowners and businesses are seeking safe, non-toxic alternatives that improve air quality and reduce environmental impact. This USP will help you stand out in a competitive market and build a reputation as a responsible, eco-conscious business that prioritises health and the environment

Free colour consultation and personalised recommendations

Many people struggle with colour choices, and offering this service makes the decision-making process easier and less stressful. This also attracts customers, boosts satisfaction and increases the likelihood of repeat business. Clients appreciate expert guidance and the extra effort you put into personalising their projects, especially when it’s free of charge. You also don’t have to include this extra service in your painting invoice.

Same-day painting jobs

Offering same-day painting services for smaller jobs can appeal to clients in urgent need of quick, efficient solutions, such as last-minute touch-ups or repairs before events or inspections. This USP creates a sense of urgency and convenience, positioning your business as one that’s fast and responsive. This is a major draw for clients looking to save time or meet tight deadlines.

Expertise in specialty finishes and textured paints

If your business specialises in high-end, decorative finishes like faux textures, murals, or other specialty coatings, it can set you apart from competitors who only handle basic painting tasks. Offering these specialised services demonstrates your skill and creativity in transforming spaces, so clients looking for distinctive, custom finishes will be more inclined to choose your business. This also lets you charge higher rates. 

Pro tip: Promoting these USPs on platforms like Oneflare can help your painting business stand out and attract clients seeking tailored services that competitors may not offer.

Step 4: Explore funding options for your painting business

Securing funding for your painting business is an essential first step, and it’s crucial to seek professional advice before making any financial commitments. Consulting with financial planners and local accountants can help you understand the implications of each option and choose the best fit for your business goals. 

Self-funding

Self-funding involves using personal savings or funds from family and friends. This approach allows full control over finances without needing to meet lender requirements, although it also involves using personal financial resources.

Small business loans

Australian banks and financial institutions offer small business loans designed for startups. These loans generally require a business plan, financial projections, and a good credit history. Small business loans can provide the capital needed for startup expenses, with set repayment terms and interest.

Secured and unsecured business loans

Both secured and unsecured business loans are small business loans that can be viable funding options for purchasing initial painting supplies, equipment, and transportation assets. 

Secured loans offer manageable, low-interest rates, provided collateral is available. This collateral could include personal assets such as residential properties or assets associated with your painting business, like vehicles and equipment.

Meanwhile, an unsecured loan offers businesses fast access to funds without collateral. However, they generally have higher interest rates with shorter loan terms than secured loans, so the monthly payments can be higher. 

Government and industry programs

Certain Australian states provide grants and financial support for small businesses, especially those with innovative or eco-friendly services. These programs are structured to assist with initial costs and often have specific application requirements and conditions.

The New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) is one of the government programs in Australia that supports job seekers who want to start small businesses. This offers new entrepreneurs mentorship, accredited training, and income support to help them sustain themselves while establishing their businesses without requiring immediate profit. However, NEIS does not directly fund business costs, so startup capital would still need to be sourced separately.

Equity investment

Startup painting businesses can secure significant funds without taking on debt that needs immediate repayment through equity investment. It’s a funding option where investors provide money to a business in exchange for ownership shares to get a stake in the company.

There are two types of equity investors: angel investors and venture capitalists (VCs). Angel investors are typically high-net-worth individuals who invest their personal funds into early-stage companies in exchange for equity. Meanwhile, venture capitalists are firms or groups that pool funds from multiple investors to support high-potential businesses.

Step 5: Develop a strategic painting business plan

Starting a painting business is exciting, but to set yourself up for success, you’ll need a well-thought-out business plan. This plan will be your roadmap, guiding you through each stage of starting and running your business. 

It should include key elements, such as:

• Executive summary
• Company profile
• Business description
• Market analysis
• Services offered and pricing strategy
• Marketing strategies
• Budget and cash flow forecast
• Operations plan
• Develop a risk mitigation strategy
• Conclude with a long-term growth plan

Now, let’s dive into the step-by-step process to create a business plan tailored to your painting business.

Draft an executive summary

First, begin with the executive summary, which is a brief overview of your painting business and your goals. This section gives readers a quick sense of what your business is all about. Summarise what services you’ll offer, your target market, and what sets you apart from competitors. It’s often best to write this last so it truly reflects the rest of your plan.

Write your painting company description

Your painting business plan also needs a clear company description. In this section, outline the foundational details of your painting business, including its legal business structure (e.g., sole trader, company, partnership, etc.), ownership details, business name, and location. 

Moreover, your company description should describe your business’s vision, mission, and core values. This section will provide essential context as you move into the more operational and financial specifics of your business plan plan.

Describe your painting niche and types of services

The next step is describing what your painting business will focus on, whether it’s interior or exterior painting, residential or commercial, or specialised services like roof painting, decorative painting, or furniture painting.

Explain why you chose this niche and include a brief description of your target market. This could be the busy households in need of quick painting jobs to local businesses seeking high-quality commercial finishes. 

Analyse your market and define your customer base

Once you have completed writing your company profile and painting niche, it’s time to define your customer base. First, you’ll need to conduct a market analysis to understand your target customers, local competitors, and industry trends. 

From there, outline who your ideal clients are, what they need, and how you plan to serve them better than competitors. This analysis will help you identify market gaps and inform your service offerings.

Outline your painting services and pricing strategy

Your business plan should also specify the types of painting services you’ll offer and your pricing approach. Consider the costs of supplies, labour, and other expenses to price competitively yet profitably. Plus, think about whether you’ll offer package deals, discounts for repeat clients, or seasonal promotions.

Detail your marketing and sales plan

For your marketing and sales plan, you need to map out how you’ll attract and retain clients. Detail your marketing channels—such as social media, SEO, or partnerships—and any customer loyalty or referral programs. Think practically about your initial steps to grow your client base and raise brand awareness in your target market.

Create a budget and forecast cash flow

The budget and forecast cash flow is a crucial part of your business plan. For this section, it’s wise to break down your startup costs, monthly operating expenses, and anticipated revenue. 

Include one-time expenses such as equipment and marketing materials, as well as recurring costs like supplies, transportation, and insurance. 

Then, project your cash flow to understand when you’ll reach profitability and how to manage finances through any seasonal ups and downs.

Establish an operations plan

The operations plan details how you’ll manage day-to-day operations, including hiring, training, and scheduling. Here, describe systems you’ll implement to maintain high-quality service, handle customer feedback, and manage bookings or billing. This section is key to ensuring smooth, efficient operations as your business grows.

Develop a risk mitigation strategy 

After the operations plan, develop a risk management plan to address potential challenges and safeguards for your business. Identify key risks, such as equipment malfunctions, employee accidents, and liability concerns. Outline safety protocols and detail the types of insurance coverage needed, including general liability and workers’ compensation. 

Conclude with a long-term growth plan

Lastly, conclude with a long-term growth plan to demonstrate your vision for the future and commitment to sustainable growth. In this section, you need to define both short-term and long-term objectives of your business, such as adding new painting services, increasing your client base, or expanding to new locations. Outline strategies to retain existing clients, such as loyalty programs, and how you plan to scale your marketing efforts. 

Step 6: Register your painting business

To start a business, you may need to obtain registrations, licenses and permits. As a business owner, it’s your responsibility to make sure you’re compliant with all applicable laws and meet your tax obligations. 

For information about registering your business or applying for an ABN, we recommend you check out this helpful information from the Australian government. 

Step 7: Hire your painters

Building a reliable team of painters is essential for your company’s success and growth. Below, we’ll discuss how you can hire the right employees for your painting business and ensure that they meet your business’s needs.

Write job description

First and foremost, you need to create a job description that highlights your business and what you offer. Be transparent about job duties, hours, pay, employment type and any training opportunities. Describe specific tasks (like interior or exterior painting, roof painting, or spray painting) and any physical requirements. This helps candidates understand expectations from the start and ensures a good match for the role.

Most candidates also appreciate knowing the pay range, benefits, or potential for growth within the company. If you offer flexible hours, a supportive team environment, or training for new employees, mention these aspects. This can make your ad stand out and attract applicants who genuinely want to be part of a stable, rewarding role in a growing company.

Use local Australian platforms to advertise your job

After crafting the job ad, post it on multiple platforms to maximise its visibility. To reach the best candidates and hire painters effectively, you may consider advertising on platforms that are popular and effective in Australia, such as:

• SEEK – Australia’s largest job board, ideal for professional job seekers across industries.
• Indeed Australia – a wide-reaching job platform, popular among full-time and part-time job seekers.
• Jora – a job aggregator that pulls listings from various sources, increasing visibility.
• Workforce Australia – a free job advertising service from the government, suitable for small business owners.

You might also consider posting on social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram if you have a business page. For a local touch, posting on community boards or participating in job fairs can attract applicants in your area. 

Don’t overlook employee referrals, either—current employees often know reliable candidates, and offering a referral bonus can incentivise them to help bring in great new hires.

Screen and interview thoughtfully

As applications start coming in, review them carefully to find candidates with the right qualifications and experience. Conduct initial interviews with the most promising applicants to gauge their interest in the role, painting skills, and alignment with your business. 

This is the perfect chance to ask questions that reveal their previous experience, problem-solving abilities, and reliability. For example, you might ask about how they handled challenging painting tasks in the past or how they ensured they met schedules and client expectations. 

It’s also helpful to perform criminal history checks and reference checks to ensure the trustworthiness of your candidates. This is particularly important if your painters will work in sensitive environments like offices or schools. A quick call to past employers can provide insight into their reliability, history, and work quality. 

Make an offer and onboard your new hire

When you’ve selected your top candidate, make a clear and detailed job offer that outlines pay, benefits, work hours, and expectations. 

Once they’ve accepted your offer, the next step is running a smooth onboarding process to set up your new hires for success. Begin with training sessions to go over your company’s painting standards, customer service guidelines, and any safety protocols they need to follow. Training is essential for Work Health and Safety (WHS) compliance and minimises risks.

If possible, have them shadow an experienced team member for their first few shifts so they can learn on the job. After their first week, check in with them and provide feedback to support their improvement and integration into the team.

Offer ongoing support and fair treatment

A supportive work environment promotes employee retention. Openly address concerns about shifts, workload, and safety. This initiative will help create a positive workplace culture that encourages loyalty and productivity among your team members. 

Step 8: Invest in the right painting tools and equipment

When starting a painting business, the right tools and equipment are essential for delivering efficient and high-quality results. This goes beyond simple paint brushes and paint rollers. While the initial investment may seem significant, it pays off in the long run by helping you take on more complex projects, impress clients, and maintain a strong reputation for excellence. 

Bear in mind, though, that each painting niche requires specialised tools and equipment like paint spray guns. Here’s a breakdown of some key items and their estimated costs:

Painting tools and equipment	Price range	Where to buy
Paint brushes	$5 – $30 each	Monarch Painting, Uni-Pro
Paint rollers and covers	$10 – $50 per set	Oldfields, Stratco
Drop cloths/drop sheets	$15 – $50 each	All Preparation Equipment, PaintAccess
Ladders (various sizes)	$100 – $500	Total Tools, Bunnings Warehouse
Paint sprayers	$200 – $2,000	Total Tools, PaintAccess
Sanding equipment	$50 – $300	Kennards Hire, Jackson’s Art Supplies
Masking tape and film	$5 – $20 per roll	iQuip, PaintAccess
Paint trays and buckets	$10 – $30 each	Monarch Painting, Uni-Pro
Extension poles	$20 – $100	Oldfields, Stratco
Scrapers and putty knives	$10 – $50 each	All Preparation Equipment, PaintAccess

Note: Prices are approximate and may vary based on brand and quality. It’s advisable to check the latest prices and availability directly from the suppliers.

Step 9: Find clients for your painting business

Finding clients for painting jobs is key to growing your business and establishing a steady stream of income. Marketing can help you a great deal to sell your service and make your customers want to hire a painter.

Online platforms like Oneflare can help connect you with clients actively seeking painters, simplifying client acquisition. You can also build an online presence through a website or social media to showcase your work and attract potential customers.

Expand your online presence

Your business needs a strong online presence to engage existing clients and generate new painting leads. Consider freshening up your website and actively posting on social media to help spread the word about your business.

Build your painting business website

A website is essential for establishing your painting business’s credibility and providing clients with easy access to your services. It allows potential clients to learn about your offerings, view testimonials, and request quotes directly. Working with a web designer can ensure a user-friendly, optimised site that effectively showcases your services and improves search visibility.

Here are some business websites that display the effectiveness of building a good website to boost brand credibility and improve customer experience. 

Reflect Painting and Decorating

Reflect Painting and Decorating’s website is attention-grabbing and straightforward. The strong yellow and black colours provide a branding that will stick to the clients’ minds. Their contact details are easy to spot, and you don’t have to scroll far to view testimonials from satisfied customers. With 25 years in the business, their website highlights their unique selling points of reliability and excellence through various services that they offer.

Solomon Painting

Solomon Painting’s website has a touch more colour but still maintains a minimalist take on design. Their site highlights the quality of their work while making sure to provide enough space for clients to send their feedback to emphasise their dedication to customer satisfaction. The site also features a gallery of photos from previous projects and details about their work process, which are further testaments to the quality of their work.

Prestige Home Transformations

Prestige Home Transformations maximises its website’s space for Call to Actions (CTAs) that will encourage clients to get a quote of their services from them. They also present many reasons to trust their services while showcasing their many awards and accreditations, and recent Google reviews. Available locations are also listed in alphabetical order for convenience.

Post on lead generation platforms

Posting on lead-generation platforms is one of the most effective ways for painting businesses to find clients. These platforms connect you directly with clients actively searching for painting services, providing an immediate source of leads. 

Oneflare, in particular, allows you to showcase your painting expertise without upfront fees, making it easier to attract clients with minimal risk. This platform’s job posting system helps bring in quality leads and enables you to specify job types, budgets, and locations, so you can target projects that fit your capabilities and business goals.

Get started on Oneflare by registering your painting business today—connect with clients, post targeted jobs, and grow your business with ease!

SEO and paid search for visibility

SEO and paid search improve your website’s visibility in search engine results, attracting organic traffic. While effective, SEO requires regular updates and can be costly in competitive areas. Consulting an SEO specialist helps implement ranking strategies to boost your business’s online presence.

Social media advertising

Social media advertising helps you reach a wide audience and showcase your painting work visually. Targeted ads on Facebook, Instagram, and even TikTok can attract local clients, but maintaining a presence requires ongoing posting and budget management. A social media manager can optimise your campaigns for consistent engagement.

To give you an idea of how social media advertising works, the following sections provide samples you can take inspiration from, showcasing effective strategies for boosting a painting business’s visibility on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. 

Perth Paints – Facebook advertising

Perth Paints posts on Facebook to showcase the competency of their services while encouraging their customers to interact with their content. They present completed works and before-and-after photos, and even host giveaways for online followers. They also have a mix of photo and video content which makes their posts more engaging to their audience. Plus, the business owner himself appears in their social media posts, adding a personal touch to the business.

Shades & Tones Pty. Ltd. – Instagram advertising

Shades & Tones Pty. Ltd. has a pleasing and eye-catching Instagram grid that’s a mix of their works, publicity materials, before-and-afters, and creative mood-setting images. This hints on the artistry they devote to their painting services. Their website and contact number are also easily accessible on their bio, so customers can reach them whenever it’s needed. They also feature testimonials from their customers.

A1 Painting NSW – TikTok advertising

A1 Painting NSW has a very personal approach towards their TikTok marketing. They mostly post about their paint jobs, but they also post human interest content such as the family history behind their business. They have a single host, Chris, who introduces himself as an expert painter and educator. This consistency helps build a sense of fondness and familiarity with the audience. 

They also share some tips and tricks from the painting trade on this platform, while a link to their website is very visible on their bio.

Build your painting reputation through reviews and referrals

A strong reputation is key to long-term success. Encourage satisfied clients to leave reviews on your website or lead platforms like Oneflare to boost credibility and attract new clients. Consistent reviews on a platform ensure reliable feedback, helping potential clients trust your quality.

Take bookings and manage quotes efficiently

Responding quickly to quote requests can also help you win jobs, as clients often select the first reliable response. In fact, Oneflare data reveals that 60% of winning quotes are submitted within 60 minutes of the job posting, highlighting that faster quotes significantly boost job success rates. 

Here are some tools that can help with automated booking and quoting:

• Calendly – Enables easy scheduling by allowing clients to book available time slots directly, reducing back-and-forth communication.
• Square Appointments – Provides booking, invoicing, and payment processing in one platform, helping streamline the client experience.
• Setmore – Offers online booking with customisable reminders, plus client management and integration with social media for easy appointment setting.
• HoneyBook – Combines booking, quoting, and invoicing, letting you automate responses and manage projects all in one place.
• Zoho Bookings – Integrates with Zoho CRM to manage client relationships, offers automated reminders, and allows for easy rescheduling.

These tools help you automate responses, manage quote requests, and follow up with clients, ensuring that no lead falls through the cracks. 

Step 10: Get paid for your painting services!

Now that you have everything set up, from choosing your business niche and setting up your service area, to finally finding your clients, it’s time to finally get paid for your painting services.

Choose a reliable accounting software

Managing payments is a lot easier with a dedicated accounting system. This will save you time, reduce errors, and give you a clear picture of your finances.

Some popular accounting software options commonly used in Australia are:

• Xero – easy-to-use software with invoicing, bank feeds, and reporting.
• MYOB – offers payroll, tax tracking, and inventory management.
• QuickBooks Online – handles invoicing, expense tracking, and payments.
• Reckon One – customisable and budget-friendly, with modules for payroll and invoicing.
• Sage Business Cloud Accounting – simple solution for expense tracking and payroll.

Create a painting business invoice 

Creating a professional painting invoice is essential to get paid quickly. The invoice should clearly list your services, rates, and payment terms. 

Many accounting platforms offer customizable blank painting invoice templates, but you can start with free templates and modify them as needed. Consider these free painting invoice templates as a guide:

Canva’s painting invoice templates

It’s easily customisable with fields for services, rates, and payment terms. You can also add your logo and other brand elements to maintain consistency across all client communications.

Conta’s painting invoice templates

It provides a customisable, downloadable template specifically tailored for painting services, The good thing about these templates is that they’re compatible with Google Docs, Microsoft Word, and Excel, allowing you to easily tailor them as needed.

Microsoft Office’s painting invoice templates

It offers free invoice templates that are straightforward and professional and can be saved as a PDF. Even better, they have Excel-based templates that can automate calculations, streamlining the billing process and reducing errors.

Zoho’s painting invoice templates

The template offers a clean and organized layout, ensuring clarity and professionalism in client communications. It includes essential sections such as service details, additional charges, taxes, and terms and conditions, facilitating accurate and transparent billing.

Set up a bank account for business payments

Separating personal and business finances with a dedicated bank account makes it easier to track income, manage deposits, and handle reconciliations. Most banks offer online options specifically for businesses, streamlining all your financial needs in one place.

Offer digital payment options

Make payments easy and convenient for clients by providing digital options like Apple Pay, Google Pay, credit cards, and bank transfers. Many clients, especially those booking painting services through platforms like Oneflare, prefer the flexibility of paying directly from their devices. Offering digital payments not only enhances client satisfaction but also speeds up the payment process, helping you maintain a reliable cash flow.

Establish clear payment terms

Define your payment terms upfront to avoid confusion—include due dates, late fees, and preferred payment methods. Clear terms, such as a 14-day payment window, help maintain a steady cash flow and foster professional client relationships.

Paint people’s dreams into a reality–start your painting business today!

You now have the roadmap to build a thriving business that can transform spaces and bring clients’ visions to life. By offering unique services like eco-friendly options, decorative finishes, or same-day painting, you can set yourself apart and carve out a profitable niche in the Australian market.

Success comes with consistent effort, smart strategies, and the right platform to connect with clients. Oneflare makes it easier to showcase your skills and secure steady work. So start your journey in helping people have beautiful homes and business spaces by registering your business and posting your services on Oneflare today.

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FAQs on how to start a painting business

How profitable is a painting business in Australia?

A painting business in Australia can be quite profitable, with painters typically charging up to $100 per hour in big cities like Sydney and Melbourne. Strong demand from property renovations, new builds, and maintenance work also ensures steady opportunities.

How can you tell if a paint job is bad?

There are various types of paint jobs, but a bad paint job is often easy to spot through visible flaws, such as uneven coverage, streaks, or patchy areas where the previous surface shows through. Other signs include paint drips, roller marks, or brush strokes, indicating poor technique.

Plus, sloppy edges, missed spots, or mismatched colours can detract from the overall finish. High-quality work will have a smooth, even application with crisp lines and consistent colour throughout.

How much capital do I need to start a painting business?

Starting a painting business in Australia typically requires an initial capital of $3,000 to $13,000, depending on the scale of your operations. This covers essential expenses like painting tools, supplies, and equipment, licensing and insurance, and marketing.

If you plan to purchase a vehicle or invest in advanced tools like sprayers, the cost may be higher. Starting small and gradually scaling up as you secure more clients can help manage initial costs.