Thinking about a painting business you can run from home—with real systems behind you? This guide explains that 1 painter franchise cost, what the two operating models look like, and the support you can expect from ResiBrands. You’ll also see pros and cons, a due-diligence checklist, and answers to common questions—no hype, no earnings claims.
If you’re still comparing brands as you read, you can also explore franchise opportunities with the Franchise Brokers Association for neutral guidance.
This article is sponsored by “That 1 Painter”. The content has been created in partnership with the brand to provide insights into its business model and franchise opportunities.
How the That 1 Painter Model Works.
That 1 Painter launched in 2011 and now operates as part of ResiBrands. The concept is built to be home-based and systems-driven, so owners can keep overhead lean while focusing on sales, scheduling, and customer experience. ResiBrands’ in-house teams—ResiConnect and ResiCreative—handle appointment scheduling, marketing assets, website support, and social content. That central help frees owners to network locally, quote jobs, and coach crews.
Two ownership styles make the model flexible:
- Subcontractor Model: You sell and manage the pipeline while vetted subcontractors complete the work. You stay light on payroll and equipment.
- Employee Model: You recruit and employ painters directly. You gain more control and brand consistency, with higher upfront outlay for payroll, equipment, and vehicles.
Either path can be operated from a small office—or from home—without a retail storefront. Many owners layer in community goodwill with the Paint It Forward initiative, donating labor to local causes and building reputation at the same time.
It’s a low-overhead, service-driven business that lets you choose how hands-on you want to be with production.
That 1 Painter franchise cost: startup estimates.
Your that 1 painter franchise cost depends on which operating model you choose. Below are FDD-based line items with low/high ranges. All figures carry an asterisk to indicate estimates that may vary by market.
Subcontractor Model — Estimated initial investment.
| Type of Expenditure | Low Estimate | High Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $59,000* | $59,000* |
| Your Training Expenses | $3,000* | $5,500* |
| Vehicle Lease and Wrap | $2,250* | $4,500* |
| Master Class | $5,000* | $5,000* |
| Business Licenses and Permits | $250* | $3,000* |
| Computer System and Setup | $500* | $1,000* |
| Uniforms and Branded Materials | $2,500* | $4,000* |
| Office Equipment and Supplies | $500* | $2,500* |
| Professional Fees | $500* | $2,500* |
| Marketing Development Fee | $5,000* | $5,000* |
| Grand Opening Advertising/Marketing | $10,000* | $15,000* |
| Insurance | $2,500* | $5,000* |
| Equipment | $0* | $0* |
| Real Estate | $0* | $0* |
| Additional Funds (3 months) | $22,000* | $30,000* |
| TOTALS | $113,000* | $142,000* |
Employee Model — Estimated initial investment.
| Type of Expenditure | Low Estimate | High Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $59,000* | $59,000* |
| Your Training Expenses | $3,000* | $5,500* |
| Vehicle Lease and Wrap | $6,750* | $18,000* |
| Master Class | $5,000* | $5,000* |
| Business Licenses and Permits | $3,500* | $8,000* |
| Computer System and Setup | $500* | $1,000* |
| Uniforms and Branded Materials | $2,500* | $4,000* |
| Office Equipment and Supplies | $1,500* | $5,000* |
| Professional Fees | $500* | $2,500* |
| Marketing Development Fee | $5,000* | $5,000* |
| Grand Opening Advertising/Marketing | $10,000* | $15,000* |
| Insurance | $7,500* | $13,000* |
| Equipment | $3,000* | $8,000* |
| Real Estate | $0* | $0* |
| Additional Funds (3 months) | $32,000* | $40,000* |
| TOTALS | $139,750* | $189,000* |
What drives the range? The Employee Model includes payroll setup, equipment, and higher vehicle costs; the Subcontractor Model keeps capital light but may require more vendor management. Your local insurance rates, ad costs, and vehicle choices also move the total.
Budget for the model, not just the brand. Decide early how you’ll staff production and stage cash accordingly.isible in the local market while also contributing to the national brand’s growth.
Ongoing fees: What to Plan For.
| Fee Type | Amount* |
|---|---|
| Royalty Fee | 6% of gross revenue* |
| Local Advertising Fee | $3,000* per month (first year) or 4%* of revenue |
| National Advertising Fee | 2%* – 3%* of weekly gross revenue |
These fees fund national branding and local demand generation. Keep them in your cash-flow plan along with truck leases, fuel, supplies, and working capital for seasonality.
Training, marketing, and support you can expect.
- Onboarding and master class. You’ll learn sales process, estimating, scope control, scheduling, and quality checks.
- ResiConnect. Centralized appointment handling and scheduling support to steady your pipeline.
- ResiCreative. Brand-consistent marketing assets, social media help, and website support.
- Local launch plan. Grand-opening ads, online listings, and community outreach so your first 90 days are structured.
- Coaching and peer network. Ongoing calls, metrics reviews, and access to an entrepreneurial community.
The model reduces the DIY load, so you spend more time in the field and with referral partners.
Subcontractor vs. Employee model: choose your lane.
Subcontractor Model—best if you:
- Want lower upfront costs and lean overhead
- Prefer sales, networking, and project management
- Are comfortable qualifying and coaching crews you don’t employ
Employee Model—best if you:
- Want direct control over quality and scheduling
- Plan to build a larger, branded team in one territory
- Can fund trucks, equipment, and early payroll while jobs ramp
Whichever lane you pick, set service standards and inspection points. Consistency wins reviews—and referrals.
Territory, operations, and a day in the life.
A typical day centers on quoting jobs, scheduling crews, and delighting customers. Owners build a steady base of referrals through realtors, property managers, HOAs, and local businesses. Because the business is home-based, you can scale gradually—adding trucks and crews as demand grows.
Your KPI toolbox should include: lead volume, close rate, average ticket, job margin, on-time completion, and review rate. Check these weekly and coach to the numbers.
Measure early and often. The data you track becomes the culture your team follows.
FAQs: That 1 Painter franchise cost & operations.
How much does a That 1 Painter franchise cost?
FDD estimates show a total initial investment of $113,300–$189,000** depending on whether you choose the Subcontractor or the Employee Model.
What ongoing fees should I expect?
Plan for a 6%* royalty, a local advertising fee of $3,000 per month (first year) or 4%** of revenue, and a national advertising fee of 2%–3% of weekly gross revenue.
Is the business home-based?
Yes. Most owners operate from home or a small office, which helps keep overhead low.
Do I need painting experience?
No. The brand trains you on estimating, production standards, and customer care. Your focus will be sales, scheduling, and team leadership.
Which model should I choose?
Pick the Subcontractor Model if you want lighter capital and vendor oversight. Choose the Employee Model if you prefer full control and plan to scale a branded crew.
Is That 1 Painter the right fit for you?
Choose this brand if you want a home-based, service-driven franchise with real back-office support. Decide early between subcontractors or employees, budget for growth, and show up in your community. If you enjoy sales, team building, and customer care, the model can fit well.
Ready to explore this exciting opportunity further? Connect with us to learn how you can become a part of this rapidly growing brand.
Whether you’re a first-time business owner or an experienced entrepreneur, our team at the Franchise Brokers Association is here to guide you through every step of the process. We’ll help you navigate the franchise landscape, ensuring you find the right fit and setting you up for long-term success.
