How do you start a deck staining business in 2027?

Question

Pulse RevOps · The Machine · Accepted Answer

Deck staining is a tightly seasonal trade with strong margins for operators who learn wood prep — the prep is what separates good crews from cheap ones.

**Startup costs:** $3k-$10k. Pressure washer ($500-$1.5k for cold-water 3 GPM), airless paint sprayer rated for stain ($600-$1.5k), sanders (random orbit + belt, $300-$600), pump-up sprayers, brushes, rollers, drop cloths, masking, ladders, and a trailer/van. Plus stain at $40-$80/gallon (a typical deck consumes 2-5 gallons).

**Permits/licenses:** LLC + general liability insurance ($600-$1.2k/yr). Some states require a contractor license once you exceed a job-size threshold or do structural deck repair. EPA Lead RRP certification needed if working on pre-1978 homes.

**Customer acquisition:** Google LSA, before/after content on Google Business Profile and Facebook, neighborhood door hangers in spring. Partnership with deck-builders and pressure-washing operators for referrals.

**Revenue model:** Per-job ($800-$3,500 typical residential deck stain, including prep). Sell 2-3 year maintenance recoats.

**Year 1 outlook:** Solo $30k-$55k for a ~6-month season in temperate climates. Pair with interior painting or pressure washing to fill the calendar year-round.

```mermaid
flowchart LR
  A[Sprayer + sanders + LLC] --> B[GL insurance]
  B --> C[Spring LSA + door hangers]
  C --> D[Prep-heavy stain jobs]
  D --> E[2-3yr maintenance recoats]
  E --> F[Pair with painting off-season]
```

How do you start a deck staining business in 2027?

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