CertaPro Painters has built the largest residential and commercial painting network in North America, giving entrepreneurs a low-overhead, van-and-office business model backed by a 30-plus-year brand history. For anyone exploring a service-based franchise with no storefront and no painting experience required, this is one of the category's most established names.
Franchise · B2C Services
CertaPro Painters Franchise
North America's largest painting franchise — no painting experience needed, just leadership and drive.
$65,000
franchise fee
$85,000
personal capital
USD 171k – 321kk
investment
How much does a CertaPro Painters franchise cost?
Franchise fee
Amount paid when signing the contract
$65,000
Personal capital
Own funds required to complete the financing
$85,000
Total investment
Estimated total budget for the opening
$171,000 – $320,500
Ongoing royalty
6%
Advertising royalty
3%
Locations worldwide
350
Figures declared by the franchisor — sources and verification date at the bottom of the page.
What it's about
- Founded
- 1992
- Units in the market
- 350
- Locations
- 350
- Type of business
- Residential and commercial painting services franchise
- Company
- FirstService Brands
Fact sheet
The right questions before you start
Investment, fees, and financial requirements
According to CertaPro Painters official investment disclosures, the total initial investment to open a franchise ranges from $171,000 to $320,500, covering the initial franchise fee, startup marketing, equipment, vehicle, software, insurance, and working capital. The initial franchise fee itself is set at $65,000. Independent franchise consultancy sources indicate candidates should have a minimum net worth of approximately $250,000 and at least $85,000 in liquid capital available to invest.
On the ongoing side, royalty structure is tiered according to sources summarizing the Franchise Disclosure Document: approximately 6% on the first $2.5 million in annual gross sales, stepping down to 5% and then 4% at higher sales tiers, plus an additional marketing fund contribution of around 3%. Because the exact current royalty figure was not independently confirmed on the official site, prospective franchisees should request the most recent Franchise Disclosure Document directly from CertaPro Painters for verification.
Real estate costs are listed as variable, reflecting the fact that the business does not require a retail storefront — most owners operate from a home office or small administrative space paired with vehicle and equipment storage.
Key facts about CertaPro Painters
- Founded in 1992, part of FirstService Brands (Toronto)
- More than 350 independently owned locations across the U.S. and Canada
- Total initial investment: $171,000 to $320,500
- Initial franchise fee: $65,000
- No prior painting experience required
- No traditional storefront — home/office-based operating model
- Available territories currently open across major U.S. metro markets
If a scalable, people-focused service business with a recognized national brand sounds like the right fit, reach out to CertaPro Painters for current territory availability and a copy of the Franchise Disclosure Document to review the full financial picture.
How much does it cost to open a CertaPro Painters franchise?
According to the official CertaPro Painters investment page, the total initial investment ranges from $171,000 to $320,500, which includes the $65,000 initial franchise fee, startup marketing, equipment, a vehicle, software, and insurance. Candidates are generally expected to have a minimum net worth around $250,000 and at least $85,000 in liquid capital available to invest.
Do I need painting experience to become a CertaPro Painters franchisee?
No. CertaPro Painters specifically does not require prior painting or construction experience. The company looks for candidates with leadership ability, sales drive, and organizational skills, since owners manage subcontracted painting crews and client relationships rather than performing the painting work themselves.
How does the CertaPro Painters business model actually work day to day?
Owners run the business from a home or small office rather than a retail storefront. Daily work centers on estimating jobs, managing customer relationships, scheduling subcontracted painting crews, and overseeing quality control, supported by company lead-generation programs and proprietary business management software.
What training and support does CertaPro Painters provide to new franchisees?
New owners typically complete initial training sessions at the company headquarters in Pennsylvania, covering operations, sales, and systems. Ongoing support includes marketing and lead generation help through the company website and paid advertising, preferred vendor pricing, and an exclusive assigned territory, with additional resources available for veteran franchise candidates.
How many CertaPro Painters locations are there in the U.S. and Canada?
CertaPro Painters states on its official site that it operates more than 350 independently owned and operated locations across the United States and Canada. Some third-party industry rankings cite different figures for specific years, so prospective franchisees should confirm the most current count directly with the company.
Sources and data verification
The figures on this page come from the following sources:
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CertaPro Painters
Investment $171,000 to $320,500