CertaPro Painters franchise

Hassle-free business loans to start your CertaPro franchise.

CertaPro Painters are an international painting and decorating business. Via their network of franchised contractors they provide building improvement services to residential and commercial customers. The company claims a 2% share of a US and Canadian painting market that’s worth $60 billion per year.

CertaPro Painters business details

Founded in Canada in 1992 and with US headquarters in Audubon, Pennsylvania, CertaPro have offered franchise opportunities since inception. With a core focus on providing painting services to residential and commercial customers, CertaPro also provide other home and business improvement services – including drywall repairs, brick painting, concrete staining, light carpentry and stucco repairs. The company claims to be the largest residential and commercial painting company in North America, with more than 450 franchise locations across the US and Canada.

CertaPro Painters at a glance:

US stores: Approximately 450
Required Investor net worth: $250,000
Required investor liquid cash: $85,000
Min. investment: $155,000
Max. investment: $302,000
Standard franchise term: 10 years

Can I start a CertaPro Painters franchise?

You’ll need $85k in liquid cash and a net worth of a quarter of a million dollars. You’ll also face a hefty franchise fee and marketing and other admin costs. Other than that, CertaPro say you do not need previous experience in the painting and decorating industry, although a history of running your own business would be helpful. CertaPro expect franchisees to operate their business using self-employed contract labor. You can also appoint a designated manager to oversee daily operations. This makes a CertaPro Painters franchise suitable for passive investment.

How much does a CertaPro Painters franchise cost?

Start-up costs for a CertaPro Painters franchise range from $155,000 to $302,000 which ranks as low to moderate. CertaPro services are delivered via mobile painting crews. If you have the space at home for vehicles and materials storage you could run this franchise as a work-from-home opportunity and avoid the extra expense of a commercial office or depot.

The franchise fee is $65,000. Military veterans may be eligible for a 20% discount off this cost.

After opening, you are required to pay an array of ongoing fees and charges. They include:

Royalty fee: 4% to 6% of gross sales
CertaPro University training fee: $40 per month
Advertising fee: 12% of gross sales in first year of operation. 8% thereafter.3
Local advertising fee: 1% to 3.5% gross sales
Transfer/Sale/Assignment fee: $25,000
Annual conference contribution: $2,500 to $5,500
Technology fee: 0.35% of gross sales
CertaOne user fee: $30 or $70 per month per user depending on seniority
Renewal fee: 15% current franchise fee
Commercial fee: $10,000 per year

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Estimated key costs to open a CertaPro Painters franchise:

Key Costs Guide	Low	High
Franchise fee	$65,000	$65,000
Advertising and Marketing	$40,000	$40,000
Commercial services fee	$10,000	$10,000
Miscellaneous operating costs	$2,000	$5,000
Equipment	$1,000	$15,000
Office equipment	$500	$5,000
Vehicle	$2,500	$15,000
Contractor license	$250	$7,500
Technology and software licenses	$9,000	$11,500
Travel and living expenses during training	$1,000	$4,000
Insurance	$5,000	$12,500
Additional costs – first three months	$40,000	$90,000

Are CertaPro Painters franchises profitable?

Yes. Average gross revenue per CertaPro franchise in 2021 was $1,848,000 and typical income for CertaPro franchise owners is $50,000 to $100,000 per year, with some owners collecting $200,000 or more, This ranks as moderate to good.

What is the failure rate for a CertaPro Painters franchise?

The failure rate for a CertaPro Painters franchise is 3% in year one rising to 11% by year three. This ranks as moderate to high.

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What are the franchise territory policies for CertaPro Painters?

Franchisees receive an exclusive territory with the size and configuration of the territory based on households, income levels and number of residential dwellings. The geographic boundaries of the franchise territory are set by natural and artificial boundaries and town lines. Franchisees may not sell or offer any services outside the boundaries of their territory, except as provided in their franchise agreement. CertaPro Painters will not grant other residential services franchises in the territory without the franchisee’s permission. Franchisees do not receive an exclusive territory to sell commercial painting or decorating services.

What franchise resources does CertaPro Painters offer?

CertaPro Painters support for franchisees includes:

Training: Training takes place at the franchisor’s offices in Audubon, Pennsylvania, or at the franchisee’s business site. New franchise owners are required to attend and successfully complete the Development Owner Training/School, with an initial program that consists of three weeks of instructor led virtual classroom training, one week of in-field shadowing of other CertaPro businesses, one week of industry training held in area in or close to the franchisee’s local market, and two weeks of live classroom training. After successful completion of Development Owner School 101, franchisees will attend a once-a-week webinar class and in Development Owner School 201 they will take a 10-week series of classes that take approximately 1.25 hours per week. Franchisees must attend all segments of the initial training program, must participate in the Forum Group, and must attend the national conference and regional and sales/production/marketing meetings each year. Additional training programs may not be mandatory, but it is advised that franchisees attend these training sessions which offer advanced training in estimating, marketing, management and general business skills.
Marketing support: CertaPro provides promotional and other marketing support for their franchisees.
Third-party financing: CertaPro provides no financial support for investors seeking franchise funding. You may be able to obtain economical and flexible funding solutions from the many independent funders who provide business loans to franchise operators.

Why should you start a CertaPro Painters franchise?

A huge market, low to moderate start-up costs and the potential for good annual income make owning a CertaPro franchise a viable opportunity. However, potential franchise owners could face stiff competition for customers – there were more than 178,000 painting and decorating businesses in the US in 2023 – and they should be aware of CertaPro’s high marketing fees – up to 15.5% in year one and 11.5% thereafter – and a recurring commercial fee of $10,000 per year.

What is the process for starting a CertaPro Painters franchise?

It begins with an application. Start the process here.

Secure franchise funding with Swoop

Starting a new franchise can be an exciting opportunity, but it’s easy to get lost in a maze of business loan applications that can make funding your new painting and decorating business like too much hard work. Instead, cut out the hassle and cut to the chase. Swoop has the best lenders for the best franchises across the US. Just tell us what you need and leave the rest to us.

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Written by

Chris Godfrey

Chris is a freelance copywriter and content creator. He has been active in the marketing, advertising, and publishing industries for more than twenty-five years. Writing for Wells Fargo Bank, Visa, Experian, Ebay, Flywire, insurers and pension funds, his words have appeared online and in print to inform, entertain and explain the complex world of US consumer and business finance.

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Franchise funding: https://swoopfunding.com/us/blog/funding-your-franchise-a-guide-for-franchisees/

Profitability: https://www.franchimp.com/franchise/certapro-painters-101462

Owner income: https://finmodelslab.com/blogs/how-much-makes/how-much-business-owner-makes-certapro-painters-franchise

CertaPro franchise application: https://certapro.com/franchise/why-franchise/

CertaPro: https://certapro.com/about-us/

Failure rate: https://www.vettedbiz.com/franchises/certapro-painters/

Set-up costs: https://www.franchisedirect.com/directory/certapropainters/ufoc/60/

Painters in US: https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/number-of-businesses/house-painting-decorating-contractors-united-states/