Questions

What painting contractors ask before they start. Billing questions are on Pricing, and step-by-step guides are in the Help Center.

How long does it take to get started?

About 20 minutes. Brushline starts you off with typical numbers for a painting business, so you're mostly confirming, not typing. If you use QuickBooks Online, it fills in most of it for you.

Does it work for exteriors and commercial jobs?

Yes. Brushline is built for contractors who paint whole houses, inside and out, and commercial jobs. Start a house from its square footage and stories, or a commercial job from the areas on the plans. Brushline fills in the rest, and you can change anything.

I price by the square foot. Can I keep doing that?

Yes. Use your own prices per square foot, per foot of trim, and per door. Brushline still works out your real costs underneath and shows what each job nets after overhead, so you'll know when your usual price isn't enough.

Is it free right now?

Yes, for invited contractors. We're opening Brushline to a small group of painting contractors first. If you're invited, you use it free. When we open to everyone, new customers get a 5-day free trial with no credit card.

Do my painters need to log in?

No. Brushline is for you and your office. Your painters are listed by name and pay rate. Their hours come in from QuickBooks, or you enter them when a job is done.

Do I need QuickBooks?

No. Everything works without it. If you use QuickBooks Online, connecting it takes about a minute and saves you typing.

What's the difference between margin and markup?

Markup is what you add on top of your cost. Margin is the part of the price you keep. A 50% markup is only a 33% margin, and overhead takes its share of that before you make a dime. Brushline starts from your net margin, what you keep after job costs and overhead, and works the price back from it. Well-run painting companies aim to net 10 to 20% after paying the owner. For a house painter with typical overhead, that takes about 40 to 50% left after job costs.

Can I cancel anytime?

Yes. No contracts. Cancel in a couple of clicks, and you keep using it until the end of the month you paid for.

Where is Brushline available?

The United States, for now. Outside the US? Request an invite anyway, and we'll let you know if Brushline comes to your area.