How To Start Your Own Curb Address Painting Business
If you’re interested in reading about how I stumbled into the curb-painting business when I was in high school, check out part one of this article here. That experience shaped the comprehensive guide below.
Treat this guide as a business plan.
If you follow it, you should be able to recoup your investments and make a nice hourly wage.
With no experience, I was able to jump in and make an easy $30 an hour. But that's only the beginning.
With the right systems and team in place, you can make a cool $9,000+ per month.
This guide takes you through everything you need to know to get started.
Figure out what variations you’re willing to offer.
Do you want to offer different paint colors? Glow in the dark addresses? Local team logos? Local flags?
Don’t offer too many options. One or two extra flairs in your product offering is enough. Your potential customer is making a split-second decision on whether or not to say yes. You don’t want them to be stuck deciding between options.
Get supplies.
Here’s what you need:
Spray paint. Black and white at the very least, including other any other colors you want to offer.
Stencils. Address numbers are required for painting the curb. Get them here.
Rectangular frames for the background color of the painted address. You can make them yourself. If you’re using our 4” curb stencils for this, our rectangular background recommended dimensions are: 4 digit addresses = 14 x 5.5 inches and 5 digit addresses = 17.5 x 5.5 inches.
Paint mask to avoid inhaling fumes (recommended, but not necessary).
Wire brush to clean up curb before you set up and handle any running paint if you go outside the lines.
Practice.
Do your preliminary trial runs on cardboard, old newspaper or something disposable.
Figure out your price point.
When I ran my sidewalk painting operation, only a few customers balked at my $10 price. But it's totally justifiable to ask for $20 for this service in 2023. Ask potential customers what they’d be willing to pay or what they’ve paid in the past. It’s likely either going to be $10, $15, or $20.
If you’re offering variations, how much are the extra options going to cost the customer? Is a glow-in-the-dark paint option $5 more than the standard address?
Learn the answers to these common questions.
"How long will the paint last?"
The answer depends on what type of paint you bought and where the stenciled address is located. For the curbs that I painted, addresses that have been sitting in direct sunlight cracked, crumbled and lasted a significantly shorter amount of time than ones that are in a shady spot. Do the research on your specific paint and your geographical conditions like weather and temperature. Use your findings to inform potential clients.
"What’s the purpose of this?" or "Why would I need this?"
Curb numbers are super helpful for firefighters and emergency personnel. Addresses that are physically located on a home can be poorly lit or shrouded. Duplicating the address on the sidewalk provides a backup in case the other address is not visible.
It also looks nice to have a fresh address painted on the curb, especially if the neighbors have news ones and/or you have an old, crusty one.
"Are you allowed to do this?"
Do research on the specific neighborhood you’re in. Chances are, you’re fine. I lived in a gated community with a homeowner’s association, which I’ve heard has rules against rogue curb painting, but since I was averaging a wage of $30 an hour, nobody was stopping me. Only one guy asked me, “Uhh… Are you allowed to do this?” I muttered something and walked to the next house. I didn’t hear any other objections. (If you’re really thorough, you can come up with an answer to that question ahead of time.)
"Your price seems high. Can I negotiate the price down?"
No! Don’t negotiate. It’s not worth one person in the neighborhood potentially telling other customers that he or she whittled $5 or $10 off your price.
Create and practice your sales pitch script.
Introduce yourself. Be friendly. If you live in the neighborhood, mention that fact in your opening sentence. Keep it short, sweet and under 30 seconds. Most people will still probably say no, so the less you talk, the more time you have to knock on doors. Remember, it’s a numbers game. More houses, more money.Offer to do a few houses for free.
This will help you learn your best strategy for the surface you’ll be replicating the address numbers on. Take nice photos of these painted addresses. That way, if a potential customer is unsure of what the final product will look like, you can show him or her. Preferably, do this for neighbors you know well. Explain to them that you’re starting a business and that you’re offering this in order to build your résumé and practice and to please not tell anyone that you’re doing this for free.
Carry change and a get a card reader to accept card payments.
This way, you can accept most forms of payment. “Sorry, I don’t have cash” is no longer a valid excuse. If you charge $20, you probably won’t have many people handing a $100 bill, but you never know. And it's better to be prepared. If you charge $10 or $15, you’ll probably be giving change in most transactions because most people will still hand you a $20 bill.
Get started.
Start walking around and knocking on doors!The most important thing to remember: don’t get discouraged when someone says no. Even if you only succeed in selling to 5% of the households you approach, you simply need to increase the number of doors you’re knocking on to make more money!
22 comments
HomeDepot sells strencils, 4’ and 6’ . I have found that customers usually like the 6’ stencils better. On the shorter 90 degree angle curbs it looks cool the way the numbers round up the curb. Most curbs I paint have a flat graded curb that follow the grade of the drive way. I find it best to use striping paint. First striping paint is made for concreter so it last longer , withstands the weather better , and is easier to use. It dries quicker, it has an upside down nozzle so you can stay straight over the stencil. When you paint it at an angle with a regular can , you’ll find that overspray will make your outcome not as neat. If you stay right on top of your stencil with a can that only sprays when pointing downward ,it’s a lot neater. I found a store that sells the reflective material that they use on the lines in the road. It’s actually crushed glass beads. After ive painted the address to my or the customers satisfaction (depending on if they are watching) I spray a clear coat and sprinkle on my reflective material. The reflective material has closed the deal on a sale more than any other thing I say. I always ask for twenty and if they are on the fence about the price ill say ill do it for ten cuz any money is better than no money, but usually ill only do the 4’ stencils. If someone complains about the last guy who painted their curb or took their money and split, I offer to do it for free. 9 times out of ten they’ll pay you anyways. Veterans I’ll paint the flag for twenty dollars. I usually ask for 40$ for a United States flag. Always have a steel brush and another sweeping brush. I use tape to paint the boarder. I use old carpet to lay over the tape to protect the concrete from overspray. I carry small brushes and spray the can into the lid to dip my brush into only for touch up….everything is spayed for the most part. Ive learned that a propane torch comes in handy if I decide to scrape and brush off the old address. ill try and post some pics.
shawn
HomeDepot sells strencils, 4’ and 6’ . I have found that customers usually like the 6’ stencils better. On the shorter 90 degree angle curbs it looks cool the way the numbers round up the curb. Most curbs I paint have a flat graded curb that follow the grade of the drive way. I find it best to use striping paint. First striping paint is made for concreter so it last longer , withstands the weather better , and is easier to use. It dries quicker, it has an upside down nozzle so you can stay straight over the stencil. When you paint it at an angle with a regular can , you’ll find that overspray will make your outcome not as neat. If you stay right on top of your stencil with a can that only sprays when pointing downward ,it’s a lot neater. I found a store that sells the reflective material that they use on the lines in the road. It’s actually crushed glass beads. After ive painted the address to my or the customers satisfaction (depending on if they are watching) I spray a clear coat and sprinkle on my reflective material. The reflective material has closed the deal on a sale more than any other thing I say. I always ask for twenty and if they are on the fence about the price ill say ill do it for ten cuz any money is better than no money, but usually ill only do the 4’ stencils. If someone complains about the last guy who painted their curb or took their money and split, I offer to do it for free. 9 times out of ten they’ll pay you anyways. Veterans I’ll paint the flag for twenty dollars. I usually ask for 40$ for a United States flag. Always have a steel brush and another sweeping brush. I use tape to paint the boarder. I use old carpet to lay over the tape to protect the concrete from overspray. I carry small brushes and spray the can into the lid to dip my brush into only for touch up….everything is spayed for the most part. Ive learned that a propane torch comes in handy if I decide to scrape and brush off the old address. ill try and post some pics.
shawn
So I guess the comments aren’t getting read properly or don’t care how a person can share their psychological cry for help, Aka “Jeremy Blair
June 26, 2023 at 8:53 am” seriously get yourself mental help with a counselor or someone who has a PhD in the sick twisted B.S. you seem to have done before with very well detailed instructions on how it’s done and what you can do
Mr. Noone
Sounds awesome. I am giving it a chance this week.
Tyrone David Smith
Where would I go about looking to see if If it’s legal in the state of Missouri what municipal area is allowed to paint addresses on curbs?
Brian
Hi, I’m located in California and was wondering if you need a permit or any legal document of any sort to get this business started.
Isabel Ordaz
Jeremy Blair, If they tell me “NO” I Will just mention THE “Jeremy Blair” TECHNIQUE to them. I’m almost positive they will say Yes.
Tracie Joy
Jeremy Blair, of they tell me “NO” I Will just mention THE “Jeremy Blair” TECHNIQUE to them. I’m almost positive they will say Yes.
Tracie Joy
How do you approach an HOA?
Bob
I’m in Indiana. I contacted my city street department and engineers. They had no problem with it as long as i didn’t put any graffiti and such. I figured i had better find out what permit if any i needed before i got into any trouble legally and they told me i was good to go and that i did not need any permit or written permission of any sort. I was thinking about having a written permission 3⁶6⁶sheet to cover my butt from the home owners that agreed to let me paint their curbs but i decide not to cause if for some weird reason they decide they don’t want their address painted on after i already have done it, I’ll just threaten their loved ones life if they wanna keep pushing forward with the crap I’ll go thru with my threats. Just kidden. I wouldn’t go thru with the threats. I’d just come back at a later date and throw total vegetation kill all over their yard so they have burnt grass for a year or two. Its important if you are forced to use this technique, you must wait min of 2.5 months after last contact so that your face and name are no longer even thought of as a suspect cause they will have forgotten you by then. So your in the clear. Anyone that objects to this technique head my warning cause my plan B is more brutal and devastating. It involves me hooking up with their wives or daughters, knocking them up, maxing out your credit cards, beating them senseless and then never calling or taking to them again. Hey it might sound a little far fetched but try me. Its been done several times before and with ease i will add.
Jeremy Blair
I have been doing this for a little over a year and I have figured out your much more likely to get customers based on as follows
-appearance
-mentioning names of previous customers in there neighborhood
-when told no always respectfully accept that and ask if you can know the reason behind there denial for future reference
Personal opinion try to get your customers that seemed really interested and said yes to post a picture of the final job on facebook. Saying “_____ was going around my neighborhood painting these did a really good job! message him if you want yours done” the. include phone number.
Emery
Hi do you know much on the state laws in Nevada on this subject
Amanda
I’m 69 years old and this sounds like it would be a good way to make extra cash. I’m wondering how well my back will hold up. I think I’ll start doing some back exercises a couple of weeks before I start, Do you think I should get some knee pads?
Judith Dunford
John Mertell
Hi my teenage son is interested in doing this business, and he has already done all of the research. No rules against it where we live in Virginia He’s also had some positive feedback from neighbors who he talked to prior to ordering the stencil kit to gage interest (a great first step!. So, here’s a dilemma we did not anticipate hoping to get your feedback: After practicing on cardboard a few times, my son went to paint our address on the curb in front of our house. But the curbs around here cannot accommodate a 4” number! They are too tall (or the curbs are too short). In fact they are not standard, it’s an older community and the sidewalks vary in tallness greatly. The shortest areas are probably around 2-3” But I cannot find a shorter than 4” stencil kit. Is 4” a standard? In this case, would it be better to paint the address on part of the “up” part of curb, ie next to the sidewalk rather than on the face of the curb? Out of desperation and eagerness to get started, my son ended up painting our address on the driveway today (!), but I don’t think it looks good there. And we don’t want the neighbors to see it there. So my 2nd question is do you know of anyway to remove it once painted?? Thanks!
Debby
I’m ready to start my business. I live in California what do I need to do to get started??
Valerie Wood
How to I buy the rectangle stencil?
Kristi
I would be interested in stenciling numbers / I want to do it now
Chris
Hi Jake. I’ve looked into this before. Technically, this isn’t something that’s allowed because sidewalks, like streets, telephone poles, etc., are government property.
However, painting an address number on a curb is generally looked at as a helpful thing and seems to generally be accepted as “legal.” I’ve certainly never heard of anyone getting in trouble or being arrested for it. I’d say the most trouble you could probably get in was if you painted a curb in a community that was managed by a Homeowner’s Association with specific guidelines referencing how the neighborhood’s curbs should be painted.
Colin
Hi David! For your state, it looks like texas.gov has some pretty good resources with which you can get started. https://gov.texas.gov/business/page/start-a-business
Personally, when I did this business myself, I didn’t do any paperwork. If I were you, I’d make sure that there is proper demand for a a curb-painting stencil business in your area before filing any paperwork and making it official.
Colin
I’m struggling to find any laws for or against this in Arizona, do you happen to know any?
Jake
What legal documents do I need to start the curb painting business in Texas
David Uriegas
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