Dave
Painters

Painters Side Jobs Guides

Practical guidance for starting side jobs as a painter, keeping the admin under control, and growing toward running your own shop.

Guides for painters

Use these guides to get the basics right before you take on too much. The goal is to stay useful, stay organized, and keep the side work manageable while you are still employed.

Getting Started3 min read

How to Start Doing Side Jobs as a Painter

A practical guide for painters starting side jobs while still working for someone else, without losing money on prep time, production rates, or loose scope.

painter side jobshow to start side jobs as a painterpainting side work

Common early side-job work

interior repaintsexterior repaintscabinet paintingtouch-up work

Helpful calculators

Painting Cost Calculator
Use the painting calculator to gut-check labor, material, and production pricing before you quote.
Markup Calculator
Check your markup before you send the quote so you do not leave profit on the table.
Profit Margin Calculator
Translate your quote into actual margin so you know what the job is really worth.

Helpful templates

Free Contractor Estimate Templates
Grab the main estimate template library if you want a fast spreadsheet starting point.

Helpful Dave features

Dave Estimates
Build clean, professional quotes with reusable templates, line items, and approvals.
Dave Pricebook
Save your go-to labor rates, assemblies, and material pricing so your quotes start faster.
Dave Online Payments
Move from approved quote to paid invoice without sending clients to another tool.