Professionals who are currently working as a painter may want to eventually start their own business. Owning a painting business can be a great way to build something for themselves, control their schedule, and make higher incomes. If you are looking to join the 20,000-plus painting business owners in Australia, you should understand what it takes to start this type of business.

Starting Your Own Painting Business

Painters can absolutely start their own business. This will require a lot of hard work and dedication. However, building a painting business can be extremely rewarding. Here are some of the basic steps to get you started on your journey.

• Get Certified - If you already work as a painter, you shouldn’t need any additional training. However, people who are new to the trade must complete Certificate III in Painting and Decorating. This certificate takes two to three years to complete and costs approximately $20,000 depending on the institution.
• Licensing - Some painting work requires painters to secure a builder’s license or work under the direction of a builder. The rules may vary depending on the state or territory. For example, work that exceeds $5,000 in value (labour and materials) in NSW requires completion under a builder’s license.
• Register Your Business - Registering a painting business is typically an easy process. Reach out to your local council to learn more about the process and any fees. At a minimum, you will need to secure an ABN (Australian Business Number). This is free and will be used for tax purposes.
• Purchase Tools and Equipment - Experienced painters may have all of the tools they need to get started. It’s best to purchase as few tools and pieces of equipment as possible to minimize your start-up costs. You can always purchase more tools later.
• Find Clients - This is usually the most challenging part for tradesmen of any profession. Running a business, working with clients, and selling your services is a very different skill set than painting. If you are unable to find clients, you’ll run out of work. This may be difficult at first but will get easier as you develop your marketing skills.

Business Insurance For Painters

Owning a painting business is a lot of work and responsibility. It’s important to make sure that your investment is well-protected with liability insurance. Let the experts at upcover help keep you protected from lawsuits or claims against your business. Check out our instant quote generator where you can get an estimate on market-leading insurance in seconds! Simply enter your occupation and expected revenue to get started.