How To Make Money Painting Houses As A Side Hustle
Uncover the advantages, disadvantages, and pay opportunities for painting houses as a side gig. Learn the basics of this side hustle here.
- House painting gigs require physical fitness, precision, and surface preparation skills.
- Painters typically earn between $20 to $30 per hour, or $25,000 to $60,000 annually.
- Initial start-up costs range from $500 to $1,000 for quality tools, paint, and safety gear.
- Jobs can be found on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, TaskRabbit, Handy, and HomeAdvisor.
Brett Helling is a gig economy expert who has been running his own small business for over 10 years.
Do you have a keen eye for precision? Do you have good physical fitness?
Most importantly, do you have a passion for transforming spaces and creating beautiful, lasting impressions?
If you answered “yes” to all these questions, painting houses might be the perfect side gig for you.
Turn your creativity and craftsmanship into a fulfilling and financially rewarding side hustle and delve head-first into the gig economy today.
An Overview of Painting Houses: A Primer
Painting houses is an excellent side gig for those who enjoy manual work and have an eye for detail.
While the majority of the job entails painting interior and exterior surfaces, painters spend a sizable portion of their time preparing surfaces and performing minor restoration work.
This can involve fixing damaged drywall, repairing sidings and stucco, and replacing rotted wood.
They also take on tasks such as sanding, cleaning, patching holes or cracks, and priming.
How Much Can Painting Houses Earn You?
Contractors make between $25,000 to $60,000 annually painting houses, depending on the location, the footage of the house, the quality of the materials used, and the complexity of the job. The hourly rate falls between $20 to $30.
Seasoned painters command higher salaries because they consistently produce high-quality work and require fewer resources from homeowners.
Most freelance house painters get paid on an hourly basis, but some take on project-based compensation that may result in higher profits.
How Much Does it Cost to Start a Painting Houses Side Hustle?
To get started as a house painter, you need an investment of at least $500.
The start-up cost is largely dependent on the quality of your painting equipment.
You can start painting houses with a lower start-up fee, but it can significantly impact the efficiency and quality of your work.
Here’s a breakdown of the expenses you may encounter:
- Painting equipment, such as brushes, paint trays, rollers, painter’s tape, and drop cloths: $100 to $300
- Paint: $300 to $1,000
- Safety equipment, such as protective goggles, gloves, and work boots: $50 to $150
- Ladder(s): $50 to $100
As your business grows, you may want to invest in additional tools like sanders, power sprayers, and power washes.
These tools can cost a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars each.
You’ll also need to factor in transportation costs such as fuel, maintenance, and insurance, especially if you’re planning to take on work in different job sites.
Where Can You Find Painting Houses Gigs?
Painting jobs are in high demand, so you’ll almost always find a gig available online. Here’s where you should get started:
Where to Independently Find Painting Work
The best place to find jobs for painting houses is on online marketplaces.
These marketplaces allow you to list your services, advertise your work, and connect with potential clients.
Facebook Marketplace is an excellent place to start. Join local Facebook groups related to home improvement services and advertise your services there.
You can also go to TaskRabbit, Thumbtack, and Indeed to find additional opportunities for painting work.
If you have a decent online following, you can post your services on social media and advertise them through paid ads.
Beyond online platforms, it’s a good idea to get in touch with local businesses, property managers, and other housing professionals to see if they’re interested in hiring you for their business needs.
Working with one of these partnerships not only increases your market reach but also opens up opportunities for repeat work.
Once you've established a name in the community, you can expand your services by starting a painting business.
Gig Economy Companies That Offer Painting Work
There are several gig economy companies that connect clients with freelancers that specialize in painting houses.
Handy, a platform that specializes in home services, sits at the top of the list. You can apply to become a professional on the website and receive jobs based on your location and availability.
HomeAdvisor is another good place to find local painting jobs. It’s much like Handy, except you’ll have to manually search for clients after creating an account.
Craigslist is also worth looking into. The website often has listings for painting jobs in the “services” or “gigs” sections.
However, Craigslist doesn’t have a built-in vetting system, so be extra cautious when accepting jobs from clients.
Regardless of the platform, make sure you have a written agreement with your clients, outlining the spoke of work, payment terms, and project timelines to prevent misunderstandings.
If the pay is too good to be true, it probably is.
It’s also wise to ask for an upfront payment or deposit before starting the job.
Why You Should Consider Painting Houses As a Side Hustle
Here are the reasons why you should look into becoming a house painter as a side hustle:
Consistent demand
House painting services are in consistent demand. You’ll always find homeowners wanting to update the look of their homes throughout the year.
No formal training needed
While undoubtedly an advantage, you don’t need formal training or years of experience to get a house painting job.
Painting homes is a skill that can be learned and improved over time. With practice and a love of home improvement projects, you can become a proficient painter.
Multiple project opportunities
House painting is a diverse job. You can paint interiors, exteriors, fences, decks, furniture, and more. This variety keeps the job interesting and exciting.
Problems With Painting Houses As a Side Hustle
As with most labor-focused jobs, painting houses comes with its own set of disadvantages that may dissuade you from pursuing it as a side gig:
Physically demanding
It’s no secret that painting houses is labor intensive. On this job, you’re required to stand, bend, lift heavy equipment, and reach overhead for extended periods.
High initial investment
Painting houses requires a fairly sizable initial investment, especially if you’re starting from scratch or taking on larger projects.
High-quality paint alone can cost a few hundred dollars, not to mention the cost of tools and equipment such as brushes, rollers, and the like.
Competitive market
The house painting market can be incredibly competitive, with many local contractors and painters vying for the same clients.
Most clients lean more towards established companies and contractors to paint their homes.
Building a reputation and securing a steady stream of customers may take a bit of time and effort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is a House Painting Gig Best For?
A house painting gig is best suited for individuals who are fond of home improvement and renovation projects.
It’s also for those who possess some level of manual dexterity and physical fitness. House painting jobs can be physically demanding, so good stamina and physical fitness are essential.
Is Painting Houses in High Demand?
Yes, painting house jobs are in high demand. You’ll find no shortage of homeowners looking to freshen up the interior and exterior of their homes.
That said, the employment of painters is projected to show little to no change from 2022 to 2032, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Despite that, there are more than 25,000 openings for painters each year on average.