(LifeWire) - Overview of this Business
A faux-painting home business can enjoy bright prospects, and those who seize this work at home business opportunity often end up earning three times the income of a conventional home-interior painting business. But big profits will only materialize if faux painting practitioners learn to meld their artistry with keen business sense. To be successful, those who decide to pursue this work at home business opportunity need to create a portfolio, set competitive rates and build relationships with reliable suppliers.
Faux painters use walls, furniture and ceilings as their canvas. Not every job will require a museum-quality mural. A work at home faux-painting service, or decorative painting service, should probably focus on a few coverage techniques, including marbleizing (with glaze), Trompe l'oeil and rag painting. An apprenticeship in faux painting helps but isn't necessary.
Pros of a Faux Painting Work at Home Business
- It's an attractive mix of the artistic and practical and a great outlet for creativity.
- Word spreads fast when you do good work.
- Professional organizations like the Society of Decorative Painters offer networking and training opportunities.
- The faux painting industry has high turnover, which can help keep those determined to take advantage of this work at home opportunity competitive and in business longer.
- Regular interior painting (non faux painting) can be part of the business to beef up income.
- Faux painting clients can be demanding. What seems beautiful to you may appear ugly to a picky client.
- Because faux painting fees vary so widely and a job gone awry may need to be redone, pricing for a job can be tricky.
- Truly mastering the different decorative mediums used in faux painting takes time.
What You Need to Get Started in a Faux Painting Work at Home Business
- Talent. Faux painting is an art to make people feel good about the walls that surround them. Without good skills and a creative flair, you won't be able to succeed.
- A strong presentation. You'll need to sell yourself with more than a conventional painting business, so a solid pitch with your faux painting portfolio is a must.
- The proper paints and tools. If you don't know what they are, you're not ready.
- Classes. Even the most experienced faux painters continue to educate themselves, from how to master Venetian plaster to how to balance their books.
- Tasteful business cards and advertising for your work at home business -- online, in print and with signage.
- Insurance. It's a must for a work at home faux painting business.
Faux Painter: Work at Home Business Opportunity Real-Life Examples
Clare Bills of ColorFaux in Ames, Iowa, says on her website that she carries $1 million in liability insurance, uses only nontoxic ingredients and will provide a custom sample before beginning the actual work.
Theresa M. Miller, who says she painted the ceiling of entertainer Kid Rock's home in Michigan, tells the Cambridge, Mich., Who's Who website that despite being in the business for 26 years, she takes classes yearly to keep up with new trends and techniques.
This article is part of the 7 Home Based Home Improvement Businesses collection. Use the link to access other home-based businesses in this collection.
