Every house whether it is in a village or town, needs fresh paint once in a while. A coat of paint makes homes look new protects walls from weather and gives families pride in their living home . In rural areas many people still depend on local painters or workers who do not always provide neat work or do it themselves. This opens an opportunity for those who want to start a house painting service as a small business. It requires some training, patience and simple tools etc and some skill, but it can give steady income throughout the year.
Why house painting is Needed
In villages houses are often made with brick and plaster and they will need paint every 4 to 5 years to protect from rain and dust. During festivals, weddings or when a new house is built families want to paint their homes. Many government buildings, schools and panchayat offices also need regular painting yearly. This ensures that the demand never really ends.
Learning the skill
Unlike some businesses painting will need proper skill. A good painter knows:
- how to prepare walls by cleaning and scraping old paint.
- which brushes and rollers to use for different surfaces.
- How to mix different colors properly to get the desired shade.
- How to apply primer before painting so that paint lasts longer.
Training options:
- Many small training centers in towns like Guwahati, silchar or Jorhat provide short courses in painting ( 1 to 3 months ).
- large paint companies such as Asian Paints or Berger also run free or a low cost skill training workshops for painters sometimes.
- A beginner can also work under an experienced painter for 6 to 12 months as a helper, learning on the job. This is the most practical way in rural areas.
Tools and materials needed
Starting does not require a lot of money. The basic tools include:
- paint brushes and rollers
- srapers and sandpapers etc
- Buckets and trays for mixing
- Ladders and ropes for higher walls
- Safety gear like gloves and masks etc
For materials like paint and primer, customers usually provide their own but as your service grows, you can also become a dealer for paint companies and earn extra commission.
Investment and costs
The initial investment can be small , around Rs15k to Rs25 k for tools and safety equipment. If you also want to keep small stock of primer, putty, and brushes for quick jobs, the cost may rise to Rs40000.
If savings are not enough, loans can be arranged through schemes like PMEGP (Prime minister Employment Generation Programme) or MUDRA loan. Many cooperative banks also support youth who want to start service based work on their own .
How to find customers
In rural areas word of mouth works best. once you do a neat job, the house owner will recommend you to relatives and neighbors. Some easy ways to get more work are:
- putting up a signboard in the local bazaar or bus stand.
- Speaking directly to masons and contractors who build new houses.
- contacting schools, shops or government offices that need regular painting.
- Offering festival discounts before Durga Puja, Bihu, or Diwali when most families repaint.
Challenges in starting
Like any service painting also comes with some struggles:
- irregular work: Demand is seasonal; sometimes there is a lot of work, sometimes very little.
- Weather problems: Painting cannot be done properly during rainy season.
- Competition: In towns, big painting contractors may already exist.
- Physical hard work: Long hours standing, climbing ladders and exposure to dust and chemicals.
solutions:
- Try to combine painting with related services like whitewashing, polishing wooden furniture or small repairs etc.
- Offer small contracts to shops and schools so that there is some regular income.
- Always keep safety gear to avoid health problems.
Income possibility
A small village painter can earn Rs500 to Rs 800 per day for daily wage work. But if you take contracts, a small house painting job may bring Rs10000 to Rs20 k depending on size and quality. With steady work and 2 to 3 helpers, one can earn around Rs20 k to Rs 30k per month during peak season. Over time by hiring a team and taking bigger projects, income can grow much higher.
A Story Example
Raju from madhurband a village near Silchar started as a helper for a painter, carrying buckets and mixing colors. Within two years, he learned the skill of neat finishing. With a small loan of Rs 25000, he bought brushes, rollers, and a ladder. Slowly, he began taking small contracts in his own village. During Durga Puja season, he and his helper painted ten houses and earned rs1.2 lakh in just two months. Today, Raju is known in three nearby villages, and people call him directly for painting jobs. His journey shows how small beginnings can grow into respected work.
Future growth
Once established a painter can expand in different ways:
- Becoming a paint dealer for a company and selling paints locally.
- hiring helpers and building a team to take bigger contracts.
- offering modern services like waterproofing, texture painting or stencil design.
- Partnering with local contractors to ensure regular work.
Last words
A house painting service is not just about coloring walls , it is about giving homes new life and pride. For rural youth or workers looking for self employment, this is a skill based business with low entry cost and good earning potential. With training, neat work and honest service one can turn painting into a respected profession. It is a business where effort brings reward, and a simple brush can change not only the look of a house but also the future of a family.