How To Start A Painting And Decorating Business

Starting a Painting and Decorating business can be a lucrative venture, but it requires careful planning and execution. Let us guide you through the critical steps, so you can build a thriving business that is a canvas for your success. 

 

1. Overview
2. Pros and Cons
3. Qualifications
4. How much can I earn?
5. How much does it cost to start a painting and decorating business?
6. Business Structure and registering your business
7. Making a business plan
8. Do your research
9. Branding and how to market your business
10. More red tape
11. Conclusion

 

Do you have a practical nature, an eye for detail and enjoy working with your hands? Are you passionate about transforming spaces, whether it’s a works canteen or a tired and unloved kitchen into an  environment for people to enjoy? Starting your own painting and decorating business can be a fulfilling and rewarding career path that can have relatively low start up costs. 

 

• Potential Annual Revenue: £30-54,000 
• Startup Cost: £1-2,500
• Time To Revenue: 2-3+ months 
• Annual Market Growth Rate:     %
• Best for: Hard working, meticulous, self-motivated, trustworthy entrepreneurs

 

In 2023 the market size of the painting industry in the UK is estimated at around £4.1bn with over 12,000 businesses with over 40,000 employees smartening up our surroundings.

A recent study by the Dulux Academy found that the average age of a decorator in the UK is 50 and that 66% of UK decorators will retire in the next 10 years.

Jon Mears, a sales and marketing guru for the decorating industry said “In terms of the DIY market, we live in an ageing society. More and more people are physically incapable of doing their own decorating. And the younger generations are proving to be less willing to even try. This means the market is growing and the competition is shrinking. A great start!” 

So, now is the perfect time to brush up on your entrepreneurial skills!

 

 

From registering your company, establishing your brand to marketing your services, we’ll cover everything you need to know to help you turn your creative talent into a successful decorating business. 

 

 

Before you start painting the town red, here are some pros and cons to keep in mind:

 6 Great Reasons to Start a Painting and Decorating Business

• Creativity and Expression: If you have a passion for art and design, a painting and decorating business can provide an opportunity to express yourself and turn visions into reality.

• Flexible Schedule: As a business owner, you have the flexibility to set your own schedule, allowing for a better work-life balance.
• High Demand: There is a constant demand for painting and decorating services, both for residential and commercial properties. More people are investing in home improvement projects, rather than move house.
• Low Startup Costs: Compared to some other businesses, the startup costs for a painting and decorating business can be relatively low, especially if you already have the necessary skills and tools.
• Repeat Business: Satisfied clients may provide repeat business and refer your services to others, contributing to a steady stream of work.
• Skill Development: Running your own business can provide opportunities for skill development not only in painting and decorating but also in areas such as customer service, marketing, and management.

 

5 Common Challenges when Starting a Painting and Decorating Business

• Seasonal Variations: There may be seasonal variations in demand. Winter months, for example, might see a slowdown in exterior painting projects.

• Physical Demands: Painting and decorating can be physically demanding work. Long hours, climbing ladders, and working in various conditions can take a toll on the body.
• Competition: The market for painting and decorating services can be competitive. Standing out and finding your niche may require effective marketing strategies.
• Dependency on Economic Conditions: Economic downturns can affect the housing market and, consequently, the demand for painting and decorating services.
• Customer Expectations: Meeting and managing customer expectations can be challenging. Communication skills are crucial to ensure clients are satisfied with the end result.

Differentiating your services and building a strong reputation can help overcome this challenge.

 

Qualifications

If you are just starting out you could take a college course whilst you gain some experience. This is also a great idea if you fancy increasing your range of skills and knowledge.

• Level 2 or Level 3 Diploma in Painting and Decorating (NVQ)
• T Level in On Site Construction
• There are also many Painter and Decorator City and Guilds courses available which specialise in areas such as wallpapering, specialist architectural finishes for decorative work, applying hangings to walls and ceilings etc.

Or you could do a painter and decorator intermediate apprenticeship. This will usually take 2 to 3 years to complete but the on-the-job experience from a professional is priceless.

 

Fancy upping your game and specialising in specific aspects of the trade? Many companies and colleges do courses. Take a look at the Dulux Academy Courses for inspiration. These specialities can generate more income and give you an advantage over the local competition. 

Using spray systems and dustless sanders are becoming the norm. Stay up to date with modern methods and techniques and save time and money

 

The all-important question – How much can I earn running my own painting and decorating business?

How many hours, where and when you work will determine your income. 

Because of this, salaries can vary a lot but the UK average employed painter and decorator earns around £34,000 whilst a sole trader brings in an average of around £54,000. 

Obviously as a sole trader you will have to cover all expenses, including van purchase and maintenance, fuel, insurance, tools, repairs, business insurance, marketing etc. 

You can charge by the hour or by the project. Some projects will make you more profit than others, try and choose more of them! 

To keep fuel costs down try and stay in your local area. If you need to work further away make sure the job is worth the extra outgoings and cost the job accordingly. 

There will always be a demand for competent qualified decorating professionals, but in a difficult commercial environment, the necessity for perfection is critical for success.

 

 

How much does it cost to start a painting and decorating business?

Depending on what level you intend to set out at your start up costs can vary quite a lot. 

You will need transport, look at the second hand market and a set of good quality decorating tools, in the long run these will be more cost effective. You are looking at a minimum of £1,000 for basic start-up tools. Consider renting larger items such as scaffolding, wallpaper steamers and dust free sanding equipment until you can invest in these confidently. 

Also consider where you will store your equipment.

 

Maybe you are already an experienced painter or decorator and have worked for a company for a number of years and have now decided to become a sole trader. Whatever experience you have, the first task is to write a business plan. 

Choice of business structure

Anyone who sets up a new company should have a business plan. Ask yourself “What is my ultimate goal and how am I going to achieve it? “ Think organised, efficient and productive. 

A strong plan is fundamentally important when you are setting up any business. As a solopreneur, you can start this business as either a sole trader or a limited company.

I’d also strongly consider a hybrid startup structure where you can reap the benefits of both structures with minimal cost and risk.

This could enable you to start trading with the simplicity of a sole trader but also have secured the limited company for marketing hacks and saving tax later if you decide to incorporate your business.

Have you secured your company name yet? Use our FREE Company Name Checker Tool and find your company name. You’ll be searching through a database of over 5 million registered company names and more than 11 million UK domain names.

 

Business Plan

There are different types of business plans. (But you can use my 1 page business plan here) It’s designed to cut the waffle but has enough detail to make it a meaningful tool so that you remain laser focussed on what needs to be done when you set up this business.

If you are unsure what to do at this point I recommend seeking professional advice, we can walk  you through this in a clear and concise way you will understand.

 

 

To be successful in the painting and decorating business not only will you have to be highly skilled and dedicated but you´ll need to do your research  and decide what area of the field you’d like to focus on. 

This focus is based on your expertise and background training. Never take on a job you are not qualified for, if you’re not trained in specialised wallpaper restoration, steer well clear and stick to your paint rollers and dust sheets. 

If however you have the qualifications and experience you can offer your services to a larger range of customers. 

Knowing your target audience is important. Do you concentrate on commercial or residential customers? Or cover both.

Commercial jobs will be a lot bigger and will require more hands on the job but the pay is better, whilst residential jobs are smaller and more intimate with more customer contact and can often be completed by one person relatively quickly. Consider the pros and cons for both types of jobs. 

If you decide to focus on larger projects and work on construction sites for commercial clients, you will require a Construction Skills Certificate Scheme card. This card proves that you’re able to carry out the work on site. 

At the beginning you can start on smaller jobs and once you have formed a good reputation there is then room to expand into larger projects and take on staff.

 

Do Your Research

To be successful you´ll need to do your research and decide what you’d like to concentrate on. 

Could you offer something different and exploit an untapped market? 

• Specialised Finishes: Unique finishes like faux painting, textured finishes or decorative techniques can make you a sought-after specialist. Can you also apply this to furniture restoration/upscaling?
• Historic Restoration: Historical preservation, specialising in restoring and preserving historic buildings can be a valuable niche.
• Eco-Friendly Practices: Offer environmentally friendly painting solutions using low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) or zero-VOC paints. This appeals to clients who prioritise sustainability.
• Custom Murals and Artwork: Develop your artistic skills to create custom murals or artwork for residential or commercial spaces. This can be especially attractive for businesses and homeowners seeking a personalised touch.
• High-End Finishes: Specialised finishes for luxury homes and upscale commercial spaces. This might include metallic paints, Venetian plaster or other luxurious finishes.
• Colour Consultation: Offer colour consultation services to help clients choose paint that complement their spaces. This does require an understanding of colour theory and design principles.
• Technology Integration: Stay updated on the latest trends in smart home technology and integrate paint and decorative solutions that complement these advancements.

 

How to market your painting and decorating business. 

This is a business that I would definitely want to fast-track from the beginning for growth. You want to get busy as quickly as possible and there is only one real way to achieve this.

Most buyers/potential clients for this service are going to find a painter and decorator using a Google search. Sure some will use an app, some might ask for a recommendation on social media but MOST will look on Google.

Google knows that when someone is looking for a Painting and Decorating Business, they want to see results close to where they are located.

This usually means that Google will show a maps listing at the top of the search results like the image below.

 

 

If your business shows up here then you are right at the top of the search results, under the nose of people who want to find your creative business.

For any type of business/search term where Google shows a Maps listing like this , I describe these businesses as having “high local marketability”.

High local marketability means if you know what you are doing and tick the right boxes with Google you can get a lot of business enquiries very easily.

So if potential customers can’t find you on Google, they won’t be calling you. And guess what? That means someone else is picking up their roller and dust sheet and you’re missing out!

So how do you dominate Google search results for this business?

You have to optimise for the Google Maps listing.
How do you do that? 

 

Follow these 10 simple steps for marketing a painter and decorator business:

• Get a website. Make sure it complies with Google’s best practice guidelines.

• Get your new website in Google so clients find YOU.

• Provide LOCAL PROOF. Use a local phone number and mobile to tell clients and Google you are definitely a local business.

• Provide SOCIAL PROOF. Show reviews from real customers on your site. This is called “social proof” and turns browsers into buyers!

• Use LANDING PAGES. A landing page is optimised for a specific search term making it rank higher than your competitors. Landing pages are for people who want to buy your service now. They show the client what they want to see

• Provide great CTA’s (CTA =call to action). Make it super easy on your website for clients to get in touch with you by including features such as a messaging/chat app and CTA’s that show clients exactly how to contact you.

• Share FEEDBACK. Go the extra mile to provide an outstanding service and you are sure to collect plenty of positive feedback from clients. Ensure you harness this by collecting reviews from every new customer.

• AUTOMATE – You won’t have time to be manually updating your website. Make sure you automatically show the new reviews on your website, driving more clients to your business.

• PROMOTE – Regular updates to your website and using Google tools will give your website an extra edge.

• MAINTAIN – From time to time websites need technical maintenance to the software they run on to keep peak performance.

 

Most painting and decorating businesses in this sector DO NOT invest enough time and money to execute this simple marketing  strategy providing you with the opportunity to step in and DOMINATE in the local search engine results.

 

 

Still confused? We can create a personal website for you to get you off to the best start. 

 

Always ask for references and reviews on your website. This is so important for new customers looking for a reliable company. 

Google reviews, testimonials and recommendations are essential. Potential customers WILL check for reviews when they are searching for a service, product or trade. 

This is difficult when you first start out and asking can be uncomfortable but a happy client will want to help you up the ladder every time. 

 

 

 

Here are 8 more great tips to help you market your business effectively:

• Do your research:

This industry is competitive, so it’s important to research your competitors in your local area. Identify what you can offer that others don’t. This will help you differentiate your business and attract more customers.

Keeping to your business plan will help you attract new customers and spread the word. 

Remember creating a good relationship with your customers is essential, you are going to change, rejuvenate or spruce up their personal space so always be mindful of their requests and give advice clearly and keep lines of communication flowing. 

 

• Create a great company and domain name for your website

Choose a name that is related to you and your business and is memorable for your potential customers. Remember to steer well clear of similar sounding names so confusion does not occur with other companies. By using our Company Name Search Tool you can do this quickly. 

 

 

We can quickly and easily help you get the ball rolling with this, registering your company and domain name and even providing you with fully featured business email boxes making your business look more professional, adding credibility when you are approaching new customers. So instead of emailing from an @yahoo or @hotmail address you can be emailing from @mycompanyname. Doesn´t that look better? 

 

You will then have to register a domain name for your website. We all know websites are crucial nowadays so make sure you get yours registered as soon as you have chosen your trade name. Take a look at our Domain Name FAQs  which will explain why a domain name is so important to getting your business up and running. 

Then use our easy to use domain checker and let´s get you onto the world wide web!! 

 

 

• SEO (Search engine optimization)

is the art of getting your website to the top of the search results on Google and the other search engines so that you have the best chance of getting their business. 

If you’re new to running a website it’s easy to get caught out with a low cost SEO service that just doesn’t work.

We can help put together an affordable SEO package and we’ll always tell you what we are going to do and what results you might expect to achieve.

 

• Create a website:

A website is essential in any business today. High quality photos and videos are fantastic for a more attractive website and give lots more information about the services you offer, the area you cover and if relevant, any fixed rates you offer. A website offers the perfect opportunity to show Before and After photos and videos. 

They are also essential for contact purposes, bookings and enquiries.

A little information about yourself can make the business more personal and boost customer confidence. Here you can introduce yourself and give your experience and qualifications.

Always ask for references and reviews on your website. This is so important for new customers looking for a reliable company. Why not offer your services free of charge or at a reduced rate for friends and family to get the ball rolling. 

 

We can create a personal website for you to get you off to the best start.

 

 

• Word of mouth: is a powerful and effective marketing tool and should never be underestimated! 

How about asking if you can leave your cards or leaflets in local shops, restaurants, bars, DIY stores etc.  Make sure you have any additional services mentioned on them.

 

• Design an eye-catching logo:

Your logo is an important aspect of your brand identity, so it’s essential to design a logo that represents you and your business and can be used everywhere, including your van, workwear, business cards and leaflets.

If you belong to a trade, being a member of a trade association is always an excellent way to show your professionalism. Make sure this is shown on ALL your marketing materials. 

 

• Social Media

Why would a painter or decorator use social media? Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram and TikTok can be incredibly powerful marketing tools. Promote your business and it´s different services that you offer in an eye-catching and modern way. 

Bright and clear Before and After photos or videos would be perfect!

Join local business Facebook groups or similar platforms to promote your business and connect with potential customers. 

You can also create social media pages for your business and post regular updates, photos, and promotions to attract more customers. 

How about a bit of networking? Form relationships with other trades and you can help each other out with recommendations. 

What about attending trade shows and keeping up with new interior design trends? You can also build relationships with interior designers or estate agents who may refer customers to your business.

Contact local holiday rental businesses, small offices and landlords. All properties need a fresh coat of paint and some TLC every now and again. 

 

Use apps:

There are many apps available that can help you manage your business more efficiently. They can be used for booking appointments, saving customer details and receiving payment.  

Project management software will be vital especially as your business starts to grow. Companies such as Asana, Clickup, Monday.com and Zoho all offer good packages that will help you take control of your business and keep those projects running smoothly. 

By implementing these marketing strategies, you can attract more customers, improve your brand identity and grow your painting and decorating business.

We can easily help you decide what is relevant to you and your business

 

Other formalities and suggestions

There are other formalities that you will need to complete before you can start trading successfully.

As well as registering your company and preparing your focused business plan , you’ll need ….

 

A business bank account

You need a separate bank account for your business whether it’s a sole trader or limited company. 

You need to pick a bank which will integrate well with your accounts package. 

How about a  contactless card payment machine? There are plenty on the market now and easy for you and your customers to use. 

 

You will need Insurance.

There are lots of companies offering their services so have a good look around and take their advice. 

Public liability insurance is crucial to protect yourself and your customers, providing cover against injury or accidental damage to their property. 

If you employ someone Employers’ liability insurance is essential to cover any injury and illness sustained whilst whilst being employed by you, 

Then there is insurance for your equipment and tools, protecting you from theft, damage and loss. 

If you have a van make sure your insurance company knows it is a works vehicle. And make sure your eye-catching logo and your contact details are prominently displayed! 

 

Being a member of a trade association is always an excellent way to show your professionalism. The Painting and Decorating Association (PDA) is the UK’s largest association for the trade. 

Members of the PDA are required to be qualified, fully insured, follow a code of conduct, provide high quality work to customers and be familiar with the latest technologies in the industry. As a member you can get discounted insurance, advice, listed on their online directory, legal advice and PDA certification on your leaflets, business cards and van. 

 

Conclusion

Starting a painting and decorating business requires careful planning, dedication and a passion to see spaces transform into fresh and clean environments, whether it be a large office space, the cupboard under the stairs or your customer’s master bedroom. 

Exceptional customer service is key to building any business. Provide a high-quality service and you´ll build a positive reputation for your business quickly. 

Remember clear communication is essential and you must ensure that you deliver on your promises. Satisfied customers will not only recommend you to others but also become repeat clients themselves.

 

So what’s stopping you from reaching for those dust sheets and a roller? Find out more and let´s start this colourful journey together.