In this article
About the cost figures on this page
Any cost ranges shown here are illustrative estimates, not a quote. What you actually pay varies widely with your location and local labour rates, the size and condition of the surfaces, access and setup, the products specified, how much prep the job needs, and the time of year. Use these numbers to sanity check a quote you have been given and to understand what drives the total, then get written quotes from local contractors before you budget. You can also build an estimate around your own project with the free calculator.
Quick answer: A solo painter starts for $489 in tools plus $72 in insurance. A 3-person crew setup runs $3,800 to $4,200. Skip the sprayer in year one. Skip the company van until year two. Buy the ladder, the bucket, and the brushes that actually outlast the cheap ones.
The three tiers: solo, helper-plus-one, crew-of-three
| Tier | Total cost | Annual revenue ceiling |
|---|---|---|
| Solo painter, starter | $489 | $95K - $170K |
| Solo + 1 helper | $1,180 | $170K - $280K |
| Owner + 3 painters | $3,800 - $4,200 | $280K - $620K |
Each tier reuses gear from the tier below. You don't throw out your starter ladder when you add a crew. You buy more of the same plus the equipment that only matters at scale (sprayer, second extension ladder, pressure washer).
Tier 1: Solo starter (everything you need for $489)
| Item | Brand pick | 2026 price | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5" angled sash brush | Purdy XL Glide | $22 | Holds an edge through 6+ months. Cheap brushes shed bristles into the cut line. |
| 3" wall brush | Wooster Silver Tip | $18 | For trim, doors, larger cuts. Lasts 4-6 months of weekly use. |
| 9" roller frame | Purdy Adjustable | $18 | The cheap ones bend on heavy walls. This one lasts a year. |
| 9" roller covers, 3/8" nap, 6-pack | Purdy White Dove | $27 | 3/8" nap is the right choice for smooth and lightly textured walls. |
| 5-gallon bucket + roller grid | Leaktite + Wooster | $22 | Replaces the tray. Faster reload, less spillage. |
| 9x12 canvas drop cloths (2) | Trimaco SuperTuff | $58 | Plastic slides under your feet. Canvas stays put and absorbs spills. |
| 2" painter's tape, 3 rolls | FrogTape Multi-Surface | $30 | The green tape actually peels clean. The blue stuff leaves residue. |
| Caulk gun + 4 tubes paintable latex | DAP Alex Plus | $32 | Used on nearly every job for trim gaps and corner cracks. |
| 6-foot fiberglass step ladder, Type IA | Werner FS106 | $120 | Aluminum conducts. Fiberglass doesn't. Type IA is rated 300 lbs. |
| Sanding block + grit packs | 3M 100/150/220 | $18 | Skip the cheap blocks. The 3M holds shape through 4-5 jobs. |
| Spackle, putty knives, sponge, rags | DAP DryDex | $24 | The pink-to-white DryDex tells you when it's dry. Saves time. |
| Headlamp + 50' extension cord | Generic | $28 | Closets, basements, and exteriors at dusk need light. |
| General liability insurance (1yr, $1M policy) | NEXT, Hiscox, Insureon | $72 | Most clients ask for proof. Solo policies start near $1K/year, monthly under $80. |
| TOTAL | $489 |
Tier 2: Add a helper ($691 incremental)
- Second 2.5" angled brush + 3" brush: $40
- Second roller frame + 6-pack of covers: $45
- Second 5-gal bucket and grid: $22
- Second 9x12 drop cloth: $29
- Second step ladder (6 ft): $120
- 24-foot fiberglass extension ladder, Type IA: $280 (Werner D6224-2)
- Ladder stabilizer/standoff: $45
- Pole sander + pole sandpaper: $58
- Heat gun (for old caulk and stuck paint): $52
Tier 3: 3-person crew (add ~$2,600 more)
- Airless paint sprayer (Graco Magnum X7 or ProX17): $650-$950. Pays for itself in 3-4 exterior jobs.
- Sprayer accessories: spare tips ($120), pressure roller kit ($80), hoses ($60): $260
- Pressure washer (Ryobi 2,300 PSI electric or similar): $220. Mandatory for exteriors.
- Second 24-foot extension ladder: $280
- 32-foot extension ladder, Type IA: $520 (Werner D6232-2)
- Tool box and bin organizer system: $120
- Third set of brushes, rollers, drops (duplicate of Tier 1): $210
- Mid-size truck or van (used, 100K mi, F-150 or Transit Connect): add separately, $8K-$18K
What to skip in year one
- Branded vehicle wrap: $2,500-$4,500. Beautiful, useless until you have a referral engine running. Magnetic signs ($75) do the same job.
- Commercial-grade sprayer (Graco 595/695): $1,800-$3,200. Magnum tier does fine until you're doing 30+ exteriors a year.
- Custom uniforms / branded shirts: $400-$900 to start. Wait until your second hire.
- Estimating software with monthly fee: $79-$249/month. Use a free spreadsheet or our free painting calculator for the first 30 jobs.
- Office space: $400-$1,200/month. Operate from your phone and home for at least year one.
What's worth paying more for
| Item | Cheap version | Pro version | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brushes | $4 Wooster Pro | $22 Purdy XL Glide | Pay up. A $4 brush lasts 2 jobs. A $22 brush lasts 30+. |
| Drop cloths | $8 plastic | $29 canvas | Pay up. Plastic costs you in slips and wrinkles. Canvas lasts 5+ years. |
| Ladder | $70 aluminum | $120 fiberglass | Pay up. Aluminum conducts current. Fiberglass is the safety standard. |
| Roller covers | $2.50 store brand | $5 Purdy White Dove | Pay up. Store brand sheds fibers. Pro covers hold 30% more paint. |
| Painter's tape | $4 blue | $10 FrogTape green | Pay up. Blue tape leaves residue and bleeds. Green doesn't. |
| Sprayer (when you buy one) | $300 Wagner | $650 Graco Magnum | Pay up. Wagner tier is for homeowners. Graco handles daily commercial duty. |
Where to actually buy it
- Sherwin-Williams / Benjamin Moore commercial accounts: 20-30% off retail on brushes, rollers, tape, drops once you open a contractor account. Free.
- Amazon: best for ladders, sprayers, and one-off accessories where shipping is cheap relative to bulk.
- Home Depot / Lowe's: convenient but you'll overpay 15-25% on consumables. Use them for emergencies.
- Used/marketplace: ladders and sprayers in good condition save 40-60%. Avoid used roller frames (bent).
One tool on this list does not fit in the van.
Every painter needs a way to price work and get the quote out before somebody else does. PaintPricing builds an itemised, branded quote while you are still standing in the room. Free for your first 3 quotes, no card required.
Frequently asked questions
How much equipment do I need to start a painting business?
$489 in tools plus $72 in insurance gets you working as a solo painter. $1,180 sets up an owner-plus-helper crew. $3,800-$4,200 covers a full 3-person crew with sprayer and pressure washer.
Do I need a sprayer to start a painting business?
No. Brushes and rollers cover 100% of interior repaints and most exteriors under 1,800 sq ft. Buy a sprayer once you're doing 6+ exteriors a year, not before.
What's the most important equipment investment?
A Type IA fiberglass extension ladder ($280-$520). Cheap or aluminum ladders are the #1 cause of painter injuries.
Can I deduct painting equipment on my taxes?
Yes. Tools, materials, insurance, and vehicle expenses are all deductible business expenses. Track every receipt from day one.
Internal: 12-step start playbook | full startup cost breakdown.
Still estimating in a spreadsheet? Compare estimating software built for painters.
Need a tool to run the numbers as you grow? See PaintPricing pricing.
