How to Start a Painting Business In Maryland
To start your painting company in Maryland, you will have to complete a few different steps.
Getting started– A website created by the state of Maryland on how to start a business can be found here:http://commerce.maryland.gov/start
- Register your painting business name.
Find out more about registering a fictitious name or DBA (“Doing Business As”) here: http://www.dat.state.md.us/businesses/Pages/Maryland-Checklist-for-New-Businesses.aspx#regi
If you need help selecting a name for your painting business: Choosing a Painting Business Name
- Select your business structure.
Sole-proprietor, LLC, Partnership, Corporation, etc. Find out more here: http://www.dat.state.md.us/businesses/Pages/Maryland-Checklist-for-New-Businesses.aspx#stru
- Register your painting business with the state of Maryland.
You can register your painting business with the state of Maryland here: http://commerce.maryland.gov/start/the-process
- Open a business account at your bank.
You will need to open a separate bank account for your painting business with your new business name.
- Register your painting business for tax purposes and hire an accountant.
If you are a small company, it is not too difficult to file your own taxes. As you grow, it will be easier to have an accountant do the work. More info about taxes here: http://taxes.marylandtaxes.com/Business_Taxes/New_Businesses/ and http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Starting-a-Business
- Get liability insurance.
We work with Contractors Liability because they’re the one-stop-shop for Painting Contractor Liability insurance and are able to get online quotes in all 50 states. Get a Free Quote Now >
Find out more about liability insurance here: Painting Business Liability Insurance
- Become a licensed contractor with the state of Maryland.
You cannot legally enter into a contract with a homeowner without having a MHIC license. Find out about the contractor license here: https://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/mhic/. The registration application for the Maryland Home Improvement Commission Contractor License is found here: https://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/mhic/mhicapply.shtml
- Get worker’s compensation if you have employees.
The insurance agency that provided your liability insurance should be able to help with this. Get a Free Quote Now >
- Get your own health insurance.
Since you will be self-employed, you will need your own health insurance. If you have employees, you will need a plan that will include their health needs also.