Annual Business Budget for Painters and Decorators

What a good one includes

• Revenue projections broken down by service type, such as residential interiors, commercial contracts, and seasonal exterior work.
• Itemized direct material costs covering paint, primers, brushes, rollers, painter's tape, and protective drop cloths.
• Labor expenses that clearly separate hourly crew wages, subcontractor fees, and your own owner's draw.
• Equipment and vehicle overheads, including van fuel, maintenance, ladder replacements, and sprayer servicing.
• Fixed business overheads such as public liability insurance, accounting software, local marketing, and storage rent.
• A monthly cash flow tracker designed to help you navigate and survive the quiet winter months when exterior jobs stop.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Underestimating sundries and prep materials like sandpaper, tape, and caulk, which easily drain thousands in profit over a year.
• Failing to plan for the winter slowdown, leaving decorators struggling to cover fixed overheads when the weather turns.
• Mixing personal and business finances, which prevents you from calculating the true profitability of your business.
• Forgetting to budget for vehicle wear and tear, leaving you unprepared for the inevitable van repairs that halt your daily operations.

Frequently asked questions