How to Start a Painting Business in NZ

The first step is deciding how to structure your business:

• Sole trader — Simplest option. You operate under your own name or a trading name. No registration fee, but you're personally liable for debts.
• Limited company (NZBN) — Costs around $150–$500 to set up through the Companies Office. Separates personal and business liability. Better for growth and credibility.
• Partnership — If starting with someone else, formalise it with a partnership agreement.

Regardless of structure, you'll need:

• An IRD number for tax purposes.
• GST registration if your turnover exceeds $60,000/year (most painting businesses will hit this quickly).
• A dedicated business bank account.
• Basic accounting software — Xero is the NZ standard.

NZ doesn't require a specific licence to operate as a painter, but there are legal obligations you must meet:

• ACC levies — All self-employed people in NZ pay ACC levies. For painters, expect to pay $2,000–$4,000/year depending on earnings.
• Public liability insurance — Essential. Covers damage to client property. Costs $500–$1,500/year. See our contractor insurance guide for a full breakdown.
• Health and safety — You must comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. This includes site assessments, working at height protocols, and chemical handling for paints and solvents.
• Tax obligations — Provisional tax, GST returns (if registered), and income tax. Get an accountant from day one.

You don't need everything at once, but quality tools pay for themselves quickly:

• Brushes and rollers — $300–$600 for a professional set. Buy quality (Purdy, Hamilton) — cheap brushes cost more in wasted time.
• Airless sprayer — $1,500–$4,000 for a decent unit. Not essential for starting out, but a game-changer for exterior and new-build work.
• Ladders and scaffolding — $500–$2,000. A good set of extension ladders and trestle scaffolding covers most residential jobs.
• Drop cloths and masking — $200–$500. Heavy-duty canvas drop cloths last years.
• Vehicle — $10,000–$30,000 for a reliable van or ute. This is usually your biggest startup cost.
• Consumables — Filler, sandpaper, tape, caulking — budget $100–$200 per month ongoing.

For ongoing tool and consumable costs, see our business overheads guide.

Getting your first paying clients is the hardest part. Here's what works in NZ:

• Builderscrack and NoCowboys — List your business on NZ trade platforms. Reviews build credibility fast.
• Word of mouth — Tell everyone you know. Your first jobs will likely come from friends, family, and their networks.
• Facebook and local groups — Join local community groups and respond to painting requests.
• Subcontracting — Work under established painters to build skills and contacts while you grow your own client base. See our subcontracting guide for how to manage this.
• Google Business Profile — Free to set up and critical for local search visibility.

When you land your first jobs, make sure you're quoting them properly so you actually make money.

Once you have a steady flow of work, focus on building a sustainable business:

• Systemise your quoting — Use consistent methods to price every job. Guessing leads to underquoting and lost profit. Our pricing strategy guide covers this in detail.
• Track your numbers — Know your profit margins, overhead rate, and cost per job. You can't improve what you don't measure.
• Hire carefully — When demand justifies it, bring on an apprentice or subcontractor. Understand the rates you'll need to pay and the legal obligations involved.
• Invest in marketing — A simple website, good before/after photos, and consistent social media presence go a long way.
• Build processes — Use job checklists and scope of works templates to deliver consistent quality and protect yourself from disputes.