Part-time business idea – decorating

Do you enjoy DIY? More importantly, are you good at it, take pride in doing a quality job, and pay attention to the smallest detail? If the answer is yes, then offering a decorating service could be the ideal way for you to earn extra money on a part-time basis.

Start-up costs are low. You don’t need to be licensed or have any particular kind of training or qualification. You don’t need to spend on a big inventory – your clients will be paying for paint, wallpaper etc. You will of course need to purchase basic supplies such as brushes, ladders and dust sheets, but you can add to your tools and equipment as your business grows and as particular items are required. And it’s the kind of business that, once you’ve got a few satisfied customers under your belt, will grow naturally as people tell friends and neighbours about your service; there is nothing better than personal recommendation when it comes to home decorating services and this will be your most powerful marketing tool.

To launch your business it may be worthwhile offering to decorate for some friends or family for free or at a reduced rate. This way you will be able to collect some testimonials and references that potential customers can use to verify the standards of your service. It would also be very useful to start a portfolio of your work – photographs of rooms you have decorated (with the owner’s permission of course) that will demonstrate your skills and quality of work.

Don’t forget that you will be going into other people’s homes to carry out your service. Speak to your insurance company about ensuring you have adequate cover for damage to property and personal injury. Having insurance in place will give your customers peace of mind and provide extra assurance that you are reputable and honest.