Window tinting is one of the most popular ways to customize vehicles. Window tinting businesses specialize in this form of aftermarket customization. Some businesses offer tinting services at an on-site location, while others provide mobile window tinting that can be at customers’ locations.
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Start a window tinting business by following these 10 steps:
- Plan your Window Tinting Business
- Form your Window Tinting Business into a Legal Entity
- Register your Window Tinting Business for Taxes
- Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
- Set up Accounting for your Window Tinting Business
- Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Window Tinting Business
- Get Window Tinting Business Insurance
- Define your Window Tinting Business Brand
- Create your Window Tinting Business Website
- Set up your Business Phone System
We have put together this simple guide to starting your window tinting business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.
Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.
STEP 1: Plan your business
A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:
- What will you name your business?
- What are the startup and ongoing costs?
- Who is your target market?
- How much can you charge customers?
Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.
What will you name your business?
Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Window Tinting Business Name Generator
If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.
When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:
- Your state’s business records
- Federal and state trademark records
- Social media platforms
- Web domain availability
It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.
What are the costs involved in opening a window tinting business?
The costs associated with opening a window tinting business vary dramatically. On the low end, Advanced Window Tinting requires an investment of $2,995 and recommends that business owners have an additional $700 to $1,000 in available capital. On the high end, Tint World offers a turn-key franchise for $108,000.
Window tinting courses frequently start at $1,700, with some offering premium packages at higher prices. This is an additional expense that business owners should be prepared for.
Business owners who want to keep their startup costs as low as possible can work in the industry and then open a mobile window tinting business. Spending six months to a year working in the industry will give business owners the skills and knowledge needed to tint windows — and save them $1,700 on a training course. Opening a mobile business keeps upfront costs low, because business owners don’t have to lease a commercial space.
Streidel began his first mobile window tinting business with just his cell phone, personal vehicle and a box of tint. This reduced his startup expenses to just a box of window tint, which can be purchased for under $100.
What are the ongoing expenses for a window tinting business?
The ongoing expenses for a window tinting business are manageable. They generally include:
- fuel and maintenance costs for a vehicle (for mobile businesses)
- lease payments and utilities (for businesses with a fixed location)
- tinting supplies
- any employees’ salaries
Who is the target market?
A window tinting business’ ideal customers are car dealerships. As Laurence Streidel explains, dealerships can take a long time — 30 days on average — to pay; however, they provide a regular source of work. During slow periods, the regular work that dealers provide more than makes up for their long payment cycles.
As an added bonus, dealerships frequently serve as a source of referrals. Car buyers will sometimes ask dealerships where they can get the windows of their new vehicle tinted.
How does a window tinting business make money?
A window tinting business makes money by charging customers to tint their vehicle’s windows. Businesses frequently offer several different levels of tinting that customers can choose from. For example, Notorious Tintz offers 3M-Crystalline, 3M-FX-Premium and 3M-Color Stable tinting options. Pricing depends on the type of tinting that customers opt to go for.
How much can you charge customers?
How much window tinting businesses charge depends on their location and the tinting services they offer. Yelp reports that the nationwide average cost for standard window tinting services is $195, with an average of $50 per window. Depending on the type of tint, the size of the car, the difficulty of the job, and the location, pricing can get up to as much as $800.
How much profit can a window tinting business make?
A successful window tint business can service four to ten cars per day. If the average cost of a job is $225, a business may bring in between $900 and $2,250 per day.
How can you make your business more profitable?
Window tinting businesses can increase their revenue by also offering window tinting services for buildings, but the demand for tinting the windows of homes and commercial buildings isn’t as great as the demand for automotive tinting. Businesses already have the supplies and equipment required, though, so this is a natural market to branch into.
Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!
STEP 2: Form a legal entity
One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your window tinting business is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.
This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.
In practice, this means that if your window tinting business were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.
Ready to Turn Your Business Idea Into a Reality?
Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.
Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our How to Start a Business guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best Business Formation Services review (for those opting for a professional service).
STEP 3: Register for taxes
You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.
In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!
You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?
There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.
STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card
Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.
When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.
Open a business bank account
Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:
- Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
- Makes accounting and tax filing easier.
Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.
Get a business credit card
Getting a business credit card helps you:
- Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business’ expenses all in one place.
- Build your company’s credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.
Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.
STEP 5: Set up business accounting
Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.
Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.
STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses
Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.
State & Local Business Licensing Requirements
Each state has its own laws regulating car window tinting. For more information, check out this chart.
Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a window tinting business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.
Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.
Labor safety requirements
It is important to comply with all Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements.
Services Contract (e.g. MSA)
Window tinting businesses should require clients to sign a services agreement before starting a new project. This agreement should clarify client expectations and minimize risk of legal disputes by setting out payment terms and conditions, service level expectations, and intellectual property ownership.
Certificate of Occupancy
A window tinting business is generally run out of a shop. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.
- If you plan to lease a service location:
- It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
- Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a window tinting business.
- After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
- If you plan to purchase or build a service location:
- You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
- Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your window tinting business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.
STEP 7: Get business insurance
Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.
There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.
Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.
Find out what types of insurance your Window Tinting Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Window Tinting Business.
STEP 8: Define your brand
Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.
If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.
How to promote & market a window tinting business
Just as car dealerships can be sources of referrals, other auto-related businesses can also provide referrals. Any business that offers car stereo or other aftermarket customizations may have customers who are interested in window tinting. Body shops and windshield repair businesses might also have referrals. It can be helpful to leave business cards, coupons, or other advertisements inside of these types of businesses.
How to keep customers coming back
A window tinting business can set itself apart from the competition by offering affordable prices and multiple tinting options. To make sure they’ll have better prices and/or more options than competing businesses, business owners should research what other businesses in the area are offering and charging.
STEP 9: Create your business website
After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.
While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.
Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:
- All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
- Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
- Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.
Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.
Other popular website builders are: WordPress, WIX, Weebly, Squarespace, and Shopify.
STEP 10: Set up your business phone system
Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.
There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.
Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com
Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.
Is this Business Right For You?
Anyone who is passionate about cars and likes working with their hands may enjoy running a window tinting business. Business owners spend a lot of time manually customizing vehicles’ windows and applying window tints, so having a love for cars will help you consistently offer a high-quality service.
Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?
Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!
What happens during a typical day at a window tinting business?
Window tinting business owners spend most of their time cutting and applying tint to windows. When not actually tinting windows, business owners:
- drive to and from customers’ locations (if offering mobile services)
- market their business
- invoice corporate customers (e.g. car dealerships)
- order more tinting supplies
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful window tinting business?
Window tinting business owners must know how to properly tint windows.
Business owners can learn how to apply window tint by taking an in-person course, which several schools offer for a fee. Tint College, Rightoutlook.com and AutoWindowTinting.com are a few companies that offer courses. (Because applying tint is a manual process, most courses are in-person and not online.)
Additionally, many companies that offer window tinting systems provide training on how to use their system. This training is usually included in the cost of a system. For example, Advanced Window Tinting offers free support to business owners who buy the company’s Film Star Machine. Such support is not always in-person, so it is still wise to invest in a hands-on course first.
What is the growth potential for a window tinting business?
Window tinting businesses are highly scaleable. A business can start out as a small mobile operation, and then invest in an upgraded vehicle or permanent location once the business is more established. Successful businesses can grow to have multiple locations.
Take the Next Step
Find a business mentor
One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.
Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.
Learn from other business owners
Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.
Resources to Help Women in Business
There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:
- Funding
- Events
- Guides
- Support
If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.
What are some insider tips for jump starting a window tinting business?
One of the first decisions that business owners must make is whether they want to invest in a computerized tint cutting system or manually cut tint themselves. Cutting tint takes between 10 and 30 minutes per job, which greatly reduces efficiency. Computerized cutting, however, requires a sizeable upfront investment in software and machinery.
While the efficiency that a computerized system offers is appealing, it’s not necessary to have until a business is established and doing lots of work. Therefore, business owners can start out manually cutting tint. Once their customer base is built up, they can transition to a computerized program. At this point, their revenue should support such an investment.
How and when to build a team
A window tinting business can be run as a one-person operation, or it can grow to have several employees. Most business owners hire employees as their business grows and supports employees’ salaries. The average window tinter’s salary is $13 per hour.