How To Become A Painting Contractor in Hawaii
If you love painting or have learned the skill, you might have thought about becoming a painting contractor. It is important to note that to be a good painter is not only about having the required skill of knowing how to paint.
A good painter is also knowledgeable in other parts of the job, such as calculating project expenses, bidding for a job, getting suitable painting materials, and many more. If you plan to become a painting contractor in Hawaii, below are some things you have to get done before becoming one. Let's get started!
How To Become A Painting Contractor in Hawaii
Gain Some Experience
Becoming a painting contractor is more than just having the skill. It would help if you worked on large and small-scale jobs to gather experience and references before starting your business. To avoid being overwhelmed when you move from painting as a hobby to doing it as a painting contractor, it is essential to have gained experience. Taking part in a painter's apprenticeship is an excellent way to earn some.
Working with a professional painting contractor does not only give you a chance to work on several projects. It also gives you a closer insight into how the business is run. Plus, working as an apprentice will help you gather other relevant skills, such as learning the suitable materials for different jobs and the ability to curate an accurate estimate for a job.
Get A License
A professional and vocational license is essential to becoming a painting contractor. To become a painter in Hawaii, one must be licensed by the commerce and consumer affairs department. Getting a license in Hawaii is simple. The state requires all contractors to go through the same steps; thus, the requirements of getting the permit are the same.
- Be over 18 years of age.
- Have a good reputation, including financial integrity, reliability, and fair dealing.
- Have at least four years of supervisory experience in the trade.
- Pass the examination for the license classification.
- Get secured insurance.
Choose A Specialization
A jack of all trades is a master of none. If you want to become a painting contractor in Hawaii, it is vital to choose a specialized service. Decide if you're going to paint commercial buildings, residential buildings, or both. It is essential to note this because it would help you plan effectively for marketing and types of equipment to purchase.
For instance, if you plan to paint commercial buildings but have no experience painting them, you might need to get some extra training. Plus, you would need more supplies than residential building painting needs; thus, writing a cost estimate might be different from when doing so for residential buildings.
Market Your Services
After successfully getting a license to become a painting contractor, the next step is to market your services. Marketing is the key to every growing business, and you should put it to good use. Not only will you increase your visibility in the industry, but marketing will also help you widen your customer base.
Depending on your services as a painting contractor, you should market them to different target audiences. For instance, if you paint for residential buildings, you can sell your services through fliers, word of mouth, or online ads. On the other hand, you can send pitches to firms if your services are for commercial buildings. Make use of social media campaigns, email marketing, and other forms of advertisement.
Conclusion
It is essential to note that it might not be easy to get jobs immediately as a new painting contractor. Still, consistency and putting both your painting and other skills you have learned into effect will gradually help you gain momentum in the industry.
