Getting started in house painting

Steps to go from handy-with-a-brush to your first paying house-painting client.

1. 1

   Choose your starting equipment tier

   A basic kit (brushes, roller frames, extension poles, drop cloths, tape, a solid ladder) can start around $500-1,000; adding a paint sprayer and scaffolding/multi-story ladder gear for larger exterior jobs pushes that to $1,500-3,000 — start lean and add a sprayer once bookings justify it.

2. 2

   Get general liability insurance

   Budget roughly $500-1,500/yr for general liability (averaging around $700/yr for a solo operator) — this covers accidental paint spills, overspray damage, or fall-related property damage, and many clients won't hire an uninsured painter.

3. 3

   Check your state/local licensing rules

   Some states and cities require a general contractor or trade license above a certain job-value threshold, or a specific painting/lead-safe certification for pre-1978 homes (EPA RRP rule) — confirm what applies before your first job on an older property.

4. 4

   Set your per-square-foot or per-room price list

   Build simple pricing tiers (small room, large room, whole-house interior, exterior by square footage) grounded in a real target hourly rate, plus a materials markup if you're supplying paint.

5. 5

   Create a simple service agreement

   Cover scope by room/surface, paint selection, coats included, prep-work boundaries, and site protection before your first job.

6. 6

   List yourself locally and ask for reviews

   A Google Business Profile, Nextdoor, and local Facebook community groups drive most early bookings; before-and-after photos of finished rooms are especially persuasive for this visual trade, and every satisfied client should be asked for a review.