MainStreetKeys

What is my painting business worth?

Painting companies sell on owner earnings. BizBuySell does not publish a painting row, so the multiple on this page is the Building and Construction sector average, not a painting-specific figure. Buyers still separate repaint and maintenance work from one-off new-construction bids.

Avg SDE multiple

2.65×

Typical range

1.91–3.21×

Avg revenue multiple

0.59×

Median sale price

$751K

BizBuySell publishes no painting row, so this uses the BizBuySell Building and Construction SECTOR average, not a painting-specific multiple. Range applies the typical quartile spread (0.72×–1.21× of the average, from BizBuySell's HVAC quartiles) because no trade quartiles are published. Source: BizBuySell — Business Valuation Multiples by Industry (businesses sold Q3 2021–Q2 2026); BizBuySell — Construction Business Valuation Benchmarks (sold 2021–2025).

Value your painting business

Let's estimate what your business is worth. Seven quick questions, no email needed.

Trade: Painting ·

Which state is it in?

Worked example

Hypothetical. A residential repaint company with two crews and an estimator. The owner sells and checks quality. Most work is repaints for homeowners and a few property managers, not new-construction bids.

  • Revenue $900,000, owner earnings (SDE) $180,000, 12 years, about 15% recurring, “I manage, my team does the work”.
  • Start at the published 2.65× average (sector average).
  • Owner involvement: I manage, my team does the work: +0.15×. Buyers pay more when the business runs without the owner.
  • 12 years in business: +0.10×. Long, proven history.
  • Adjusted multiple 2.90× × $180,000 = $522,000, range $376,000 – $632,000.
  • Revenue cross-check: $900,000 × 0.59× = $531,000.

What raises the price

  • Repaint and property-manager work that comes back every few years
  • A production manager and crews who don't need the owner on the ladder
  • Clean job files that match the tax returns
  • Manufacturer or warranty programs with documented leads

What lowers it

  • Mostly one builder or general contractor
  • The owner estimates and runs every job
  • Cash side work that isn't in the books
  • Subcontracted crews with no reason to stay

Calculating SDE for a painting business

Start from net profit on your tax return or P&L, then add back:

  • Owner salary
  • Personal vehicle and phone
  • Depreciation on sprayers, lifts and trucks
  • Interest
  • One-time marketing or a lawsuit

Only add back what a buyer can verify. See SDE explained: how to calculate owner earnings and add-backs for a full walkthrough.

If there are two working owners, the second owner's salary usually stays as a cost, because a buyer will need to replace that person.

Questions

Why is painting labelled a sector average?

BizBuySell's public table has no painting row. This page uses the published Building and Construction sector average instead of inventing a painting number.

How this estimate works

We start from the published average multiple for businesses in this category that actually sold, adjust it for owner involvement, recurring revenue, track record and size, and apply it to your owner earnings. Read the full valuation methodology, including what we don't do.

Related trades

Compare other trades

TradeAvg SDE multipleAvg revenue multipleMedian sale priceBasis
Plumbing2.61×0.69×$699,000Trade row
HVAC2.83×quartiles 1.99–3.33×0.60×$750,000Trade row
Electrical2.77×0.63×$1,009,000Trade row
Landscaping2.49×0.72×$449,950Trade row
Pool service / routes2.61×0.83×—Sector average (no trade row)
Pest control2.46×quartiles 1.69–3×1.01×$250,000Trade row
Cleaning2.25×0.72×$281,500Trade row
Roofing2.65×0.59×$750,500Sector average (no trade row)
Auto repair2.85×0.65×$430,000Trade row
Salon / barbershop2.10×0.52×$117,375Trade row
Restaurant2.18×quartiles 1.34–2.53×0.39×$220,000Trade row
Daycare / child care3.28×quartiles 1.94–4.03×0.88×$380,000Trade row
Dental practice2.75×quartiles 1.6–3.37×0.76×$350,000Trade row
Gym / fitness center2.54×quartiles 1.72–3×0.70×$204,000Trade row
Insurance agency2.87×quartiles 1.88–3.44×1.52×$500,000Trade row
Accounting / tax / bookkeeping2.27×quartiles 1.61–2.66×1.08×$450,000Trade row
Moving company2.52×quartiles 1.8–3.11×0.63×$350,000Trade row
IT services / MSP3.22×quartiles 2.2–3.87×1.08×$726,800Trade row
Locksmith2.35×0.75×$300,000Trade row
Pet grooming2.30×quartiles 1.38–2.51×0.63×$152,500Trade row
Laundromat3.70×1.33×$250,000Trade row
Car wash4.87×1.96×$800,000Trade row
Towing3.28×0.95×$1,250,000Trade row
Dry cleaning2.11×quartiles 1.42–2.55×0.77×$253,500Trade row
Coffee shop / cafe2.27×0.47×$150,000Trade row
Dog daycare / boarding3.27×1.08×$412,500Trade row
Concrete2.54×0.61×$780,000Trade row
Painting2.65×0.59×$750,500Sector average (no trade row)
Garage door2.65×0.59×$750,500Sector average (no trade row)
Handyman2.65×0.59×$750,500Sector average (no trade row)
Tree service2.61×quartiles 1.75–3.13×0.83×$350,000Sector average (no trade row)
Appliance repair2.61×quartiles 1.75–3.13×0.83×$350,000Sector average (no trade row)
Junk removal2.61×quartiles 1.75–3.13×0.83×$350,000Sector average (no trade row)
Other main-street business2.61×0.83×$350,000General main-street range

Source: BizBuySell, Business Valuation Multiples by Industry, businesses sold Q3 2021–Q2 2026; quartiles from BizBuySell's valuation benchmark pages (sold 2021–2025). Pool, tree service, appliance repair, and junk removal use the Service Businesses sector average. Roofing, painting, garage door, and handyman use the Building and Construction sector average. “Other” uses the Service Businesses sector. Junk removal is not the Junk and Salvage Yards row. Retrieved Oct 30–Nov 2, 2026.

Estimates for information only; not an appraisal or an offer. MainStreetKeys is not a business broker. Data retrieved Oct 30–Nov 2, 2026.