Where painters buy
Painters do best with a pro account at a paint store or a big-box paint discount; both Home Depot and Lowe's advertise 20% paint savings for pros.
| Supplier | Type | What their own site says | Pro program |
|---|---|---|---|
| PPG Paints | Paint maker and stores | A pro section for contractors that includes a job estimating service. | Ask at the counter |
| Dunn-Edwards | Paint maker and stores | Interior, exterior and industrial coatings and painting supplies. | Ask at the counter |
| The Home Depot | Retailer | Calls itself the world's largest home improvement retailer, with more than 2,300 stores across North America. | Pro Xtra |
| Lowe's | Retailer | Runs MyLowe's Pro Rewards for small and mid-sized pros, with points from the first dollar spent. | MyLowe's Pro Rewards |
From each supplier's own site on the date in the sources; call your branch before you plan around it.
Your counter list
The items painters buy every week, from the van stock on our tools list. Ask each supplier for a price on these first; they decide which account saves you the most.
| Item | Why it is on the list |
|---|---|
| Roller covers and brushes in the naps you use | Spares for every job |
| Tape, masking paper and plastic | Masking goes fast |
| Caulk, spackle and primer | Patching and spot priming |
| Sandpaper and sanding sponges | Between coats and on trim |
| Rags, tack cloths and cleanup supplies | Leaving the house clean |
For the first order, price the starter kit too: angled sash brushes in two or three widths; roller frames, extension poles and roller covers; 5 in 1 or 6 in 1 tools and putty knives; drop cloths, plastic sheeting and painter's tape; step ladder and a multi-position ladder; caulk guns, spackle and sanding sponges; buckets, grids and a paint mixer; respirator, eye protection and a lead test kit. Bigger purchases to price at a dealer or rental house: airless paint sprayer; larger cart airless sprayer; pressure washer; plank and ladder jacks or a walk board; dust-free sander with a vacuum; epa rrp containment supplies.
Opening a trade account
Bring your business name, tax ID and license number, and a credit application if you want terms. The big-box programs are compared row by row on Home Depot Pro vs Lowe's Pro. For the tools themselves, the painting tools list has prices read on the makers' own sites (Bon Tool, Little Giant, Wagner).
When supplier prices change
Update your painting price list the same week a supplier raises prices. In Koira, that price list is what your estimates are built from.
Sources
- PPG Paints: Pro, checked October 9, 2026
- Dunn-Edwards: About, checked October 9, 2026
- The Home Depot: About, checked October 9, 2026
- Lowe's: MyLowe's Pro Rewards announcement, checked October 9, 2026
- EPA: Renovation, Repair and Painting Program, contractors, checked October 8, 2026
Last checked October 9, 2026. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change and differ by state and city, so confirm with the agency named before you act.