Trades and home services · LLC guide · updated
How to start an LLC for a painting company
Painting contractors work inside customers' homes and on ladders outside them. Overspray on a car, a ladder through a window and lead dust in an older house are the claims that come up. An LLC holds the EPA certification, the contracts and the crews.
Our registered agent is optional: $74.25 a year, the same at renewal. Questions first? Ray or Vinny picks up at (954) 470-8356.
- EIN
- EPA RRP firm
- Contractor license
- General liability
- Workers' comp
Painting Company businesses in the U.S.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 238320), the latest U.S. totals.
Why painting company owners form an LLC
Overspray and property damage
Paint on cars, floors and furniture brings frequent claims.
Lead dust
Sanding old paint without lead-safe practices can poison children and bring large claims and EPA penalties.
Ladder falls
Falls from ladders and scaffolds injure painters every year.
An LLC keeps the company's debts and claims away from your personal assets when you run it as its own business: its own bank account, contracts signed in its name, and no mixing of money. It does not cover your own negligence, and lenders often ask for a personal guarantee. Insurance comes first.
Licenses and registrations for a painting company
Federal items link to the agency's own page. State and local rules vary, so pick your state at the top for your state's business portal. Tick items off as you go; the list remembers your progress on this device.
- We do thisForm the LLC and get its EINAlmost every registration above asks for the company's legal name and EIN, so this comes first. We file the LLC with your state for $123.75 plus the state fee, and can get the EIN for $41.25; the IRS also issues it free online.
Insurance and taxes to plan for
Insurance
- General liability
Covers property damage and overspray claims.
- Workers' compensation
Required with employees in nearly every state.
- Pollution or lead coverage
Many general liability policies exclude lead; ask about it if you work on older homes.
Taxes
- Job costing
Track labor and paint by job to price correctly.
- Contractor classification
Painters you supervise and schedule are usually employees.
EPA certifies the firm and the individual renovator separately. Make sure the certified firm is the LLC that signs contracts, or you can be out of compliance even with a certified renovator on site.
Forming the LLC itself: 7 steps in every state
- 1. Check the name
- 2. Name a registered agent
- 3. File with the state
- 4. Sign an operating agreement
- 5. Get an EIN
- 6. Open a bank account
- 7. Keep it in good standing
The filing office, fee and yearly report change by state. Open your state's step-by-step guide.
What it costs to form a painting company LLC
| Cost | File it yourself | With Vermilion Vitez |
|---|---|---|
| State filing fee (paid to the state) | $35 to $520 | $35 to $520 |
| Filing service, operating agreement included | $0 | $123.75 |
| EIN from the IRS | $0 | $0 yourself, or $41.25 if we get it |
| Registered agent, per year (optional) | $0 if you serve yourself | $74.25 |
State fees as charged at our checkout. Industry licenses, permits, bonds and insurance above are separate and set by each agency. Checkout shows the card processing fee before you pay.
Frequently asked questions
Do painters need EPA certification?
Yes, if you are paid to disturb paint in homes or child-occupied facilities built before 1978. The company needs firm certification and the work needs a certified renovator.
Do painters need a contractor license?
It depends on the state and the size of the job. Some states require one; others do not license painters.
What insurance does a painting company need?
General liability, workers' comp with employees, and ideally coverage that does not exclude lead.
Can my painting LLC also do drywall and repairs?
Yes, but the added work may need a different license in your state.
How much does it cost to form an LLC for a painting company?
Your state's filing fee ($35 to $520 depending on the state) plus $123.75 if we file it, with the operating agreement included. Industry licenses, bonds and insurance are extra and set by each agency.
Is this page legal or tax advice for my painting company?
No. It summarizes public rules in general terms, with links to the agencies that set them. For your situation, talk to a licensed attorney or CPA, or book a free call with us.
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Ready when you are
Have us file your Painting Company LLC
$123.75 plus your state's filing fee, with the operating agreement included. Checkout shows the full total, card processing fee and all, before you pay.
Rather talk first? Call Ray or Vinny at (954) 470-8356.