How to Determine Supplies Needed for a Home Painting Business
Starting your own home painting business is among the easiest businesses to start. It is also one of the cheapest. Before starting your business, you must be sure that you have all the supplies that you need. Determining what you need to purchase and where to purchase it from is one of the first things you should do.
The supplies that you need for your home painting business vary slightly depending on the type of work. But no matter what type of jobs you will be doing, you need:
- A vehicle to transport supplies, such as a work van
- Ladder
- Dust masks
- Safety goggles
- Gloves
- Drop cloths
- Painter's tape
- Screwdriver
- Wire brushes
- Putty knives
- Sandpaper
- Electric sander
- Sanding block
- Sponges
- Paint scrapers
- Primer
- Paint swatches
- Wall cleaner
- Mildew stain remover
- Caulk and caulking gun
- Spackle
- Stir Sticks
- Paint brushes, in several sizes
- Angled paint brushes
- Paint trays
- Paint tray liners
- Roller frames and covers
- Extension poles
- Paint pads
- Faux finishing tools
- Buckets
- Shop towels
- Appropriate solvents for cleanup, such as water and mineral spirits
Outside jobs will require scaffolding, as well as taller ladders. You also want to make sure that you have bug repellent on hand because insects are attracted to the new paint.
Inside jobs require the use of ventilation equipment to avoid breathing fumes.
You also want to have businesses cards, receipt books and company letterhead to use for written estimates.
You want to shop around to get the best deals on supplies. Many manufacturers offer discounted prices to licensed businesses when they purchase items in bulk amounts. To purchase items from many manufactures, as well as wholesalers, you need your business identification number. You can also start a contract with a local hardware or paint supply store. By contracting them to purchase your supplies from, you may often receive a discounted price. Also keep an eye out for sales and clearance items at your local home improvement and department stores.