how to start a wallpaper business in kenya

Q1. How does one start a wallpaper business in Kenya?

How to start a wallpaper business in Kenya.

I want to show you how to start a wallpaper business in Kenya with or without capital. Neither do you need to register a company to start a wallpaper business in Kenya. The amount of capital can be zero depending on the type and level of  business you want to start. It is however wise but not an absolute must to register a business name. There is a difference between registering a business name and registering a Wallpaper (Ltd) Company.

Detailed information on business name and company registration procedure can be found here: ecitizen-how-register-business-Kenya.

Let us start by listing and explaining the different kinds of wallpaper businesses that you can start. Each will have a different kind of Business Plan and Marketing Plan. There are basically four types of wallpaper business ventures you can start in Kenya.

How to Start a Wallpaper Installation Business

Very little to no capital investment is required in starting a wallpaper installation business. All you require to start a wallpaper installation business is the skill to install wallpaper and simple wallpaper installation tools.  Your business marketing plan should include networking with established interior design firms. Use social media such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Whats-app groups. Also establish a network with wallpaper shop owners. The best way to become a real champion is to serve an apprenticeship under an experienced wallpaper installer for about one month to learn the finer points of the profession.

How to start a wallpaper supply and installation business.

A step higher to wallpaper installation business is to start a wallpaper retail business. Particularly in Kenya, this entails buying wholesale and selling retail and also installing the wallpaper for your clients. To start this kind of business therefore requires you to have wallpaper installation skills too. Otherwise, you can also hire wallpaper installation technicians. This too does not require much capital and the profit margins are lucrative. Talk to us for ways to start without money. The reason is we have a large stock you do not have to also hold stock and tie money.

Establish a good working relationship with Wallpaper Kenya and you will have no need to hold stock or to tie capital.

Wallpaper wholesale business

You may start a wallpaper wholesale business. Wallpaper wholesale business is what Wallpaper Kenya does. To start this kind of business you require huge capital investment to import wallpaper in huge quantities. Unless you import a variety of designs in huge quantities, you will not be able to achieve economies of scale.

Wallpaper manufacturing business

The most profitable wallpaper business you can start in Kenya is a Wallpaper Manufacturing. Some insights on wallpaper-manufacturing-industry-introduction-history-and-process can be found in this article:

Wallpaper in Kenya is imported, an industry starting to boom now for the first movers. There will never be a better time in Kenya to start a wallpaper business than right now. Wallpaper manufacturing however requires heavy machinery and huge capital. I will give you a few reasons why starting a wallpaper manufacturing business is a good idea to make money.

Wallpaper adds personality to your space, and can make a room look warmer and larger. Homeowners willingly pay for this. There are many wallpaper dealers in Kenya right now all of whom import. All the wallpapers in Kenya and East Africa are imported.

At the moment there are an abundance of wallpaper installation skills in Kenya. The skill will be useful for those who wish to hire wallpaper installation labor.

How to start a wallpaper business in Kenya with little capital.

One can start a wallpaper business with two or three wallpaper rolls. This takes less than Kenya shillings 10,000 capital investment. The first job well done will definitely get referrals. An Interior Designer with a passion for interior decoration can start the business without cash investment. Using simple wallpaper catalogs only, one needs to find customers willing to pay a down-payment for the wallpaper installation. Wallpapers are so impact-full that many people think it must be too expensive; this is not the case. It is used on all industrial surfaces, concrete walls, wood surfaces, glass, and metal. The business is one of the most profitable investments with good profit margins in Kenya today.

Start a wallpaper business in Kenya today: Advantages of first movers.

Those starting wallpaper in Kenya right now before it is saturated have an upper hand to those coming in later. Like in any other business  you will have the competitive advantage of being the first to market wallpaper your respective region. Being a first movers will enable you to establish strong brand recognition and customer loyalty before competitors enter the arena.

There is a resurgence of wallpaper interior decoration all over the world and demand is growing day by day. One other advantage of starting the business right now; you will have additional time to perfect installation skills before the market is flooded. This is one of the most important things for success in wallpaper business: installation skills. Every site well executed will bring in a lot of business by sheer referrals. It is very easy to start a wallpaper business. The demand for wallpaper usage in interior design is growing every day.

The price of wallpaper and how much you require to start a wallpaper business in Kenya.

The price of a good quality wallpaper is approximately Kenya shillings 1800 to 2500 per standard size roll 53 cm by 9.5 meters supply only. Cost of the same wallpaper supply and installation in Kenya shillings is 2500 to 3000. In other words, the cost of wallpaper is Sh 500 to 600 per square meter supply and installation.

You can also get lower priced wallpaper from clearance sales. The challenge of these is that they are usually one or two rolls hardly enough to fit one full wall. They are useful for smaller decorative areas such as shoe racks and wardrobes or cupboards.

The price of wallpaper murals

The price of bespoke wallpaper for wall decor, 3d customized wallpaper on canvas is about 2000 supply and installation. The beauty of 3d customized wallpaper is that it is reusable. You can pull it down and move with it when you move house. On average, a house wall takes two to three rolls of wallpaper. So a room with four walls will take 8 to 12 rolls. The price of hanging wallpaper on all the four walls will, therefore, be between Kenya shillings 20,000 and 36,000 depending on how big the walls are and which catalogs you choose from.

Q2. Do you get big wallpaper contracts and what is the price of wallpaper vs Paint?

There are big contracts for wallpaper businesses.

Some of Wallpaper Kenya big contracts include hotel contracts.  These includes big hotels, Intercontinental hotel, Royal Swiss Grand Hotel, Tulip Golden Hotel. We have also been contracted to wallpaper Executive Presidential Jet Interiors, Red Cross and Red Crescent Africa Head Offices, and countless other facilities.

In the old days the price of wallpaper was many times higher than the price of paint. Wallpaper was for Kings and the the Aristocracy. It is modern technology and the advancement of large format printing that has helped lower the price of wallpaper.

Wallpaper is now more affordable.

When you look at the price of wallpaper as compared to the price of paint, in the long run, to me, wallpaper is cheaper. Wall paints get dull with age but wallpaper keeps shining for decades. Even though initially you will have to pay about a hundred shillings per square meter more for wallpaper than for flat off the self paint, in the long run you save with wallpaper. Again you can not compare the beauty, texture and patterns of wallpaper with paint.

Now a days there are special effects paint such as stucco and textured paints that come closer to the beauty of wallpaper. But the price of such paints is three to four times higher than the price of wallpaper.

Comparison of wallpaper prices and paint

Even though the price of flat paint might be lower than that of wallpaper, paint can only provide a color in a very limited spectrum of finishes from matte to glossy. Paint chips and cracks over time, so you will need to reapply and touch up your paint job more often. In conclusion the cost of paint is higher than the cost of wallpaper. Wallpaper business is an emerging new opportunity for Entrepreneurs, interior decorators and home improvement stores.

Q3. What are the advantages of wallpaper and exactly how does one start a wallpaper business without capital?

Let us start with the advantages of starting wallpaper business:

  1. You can start a wallpaper business with or without capital investment, unlike other businesses. Your customer will pay you a down-payment which you will use to buy the wallpaper at wholesale price before you start the installation.
  2. The marketing of a wallpaper business can as well be conducted from a virtue office, online, at home or on the go. All other traditional methods of marketing are also applicable for a wallpaper business.
  3. Wallpaper business has at the moment one of the highest Returns on Investment.
  4. The market for wallpaper in Kenya, as well as worldwide, is growing and far from saturation. The demand for modern wallpaper is very high and growing.
  5. Anyone with a little computer literacy can gather all the information need to start a wallpaper business online and Wallpaper Kenya is willing to give free practical training. Such information includes how to hang wallpaper, how to promote a wallpaper business, and a short history of wallpaper.

Compulsive buying customers as an aid to starting a wallpaper business with no startup capital:

Most of the time your clients will shop for the wallpaper at least a day or two before the installation date. You will help them to choose the wallpaper designs from the hard copy catalog that you have. You will then help help them to take measurements of the walls they want installed with wallpaper. The measurements will help you to calculate and determine how many rolls of wallpaper your clients will require to buy. Once the client has chosen the wallpaper and agreed to the cost, ask them for a down-payment. Once the clients have committed themselves by paying the down payment you can now call us and we will have the wallpaper delivered to you either by parcel, couriers services, motor bike or the most appropriate means that you will advice us.

Advantages of Wallpaper Retail Outlets

As wallpaper wholesalers we realize that having Numerous Retailers with show rooms across the country is an essential requirement for growth in the wallpaper industry. People have various misconceptions about wallpaper and when they have the facility of seeing it installed beautifully in showrooms, it gives them confidence of installing it in their homes and offices as well. That is where we choose to specialize as wallpaper wholesalers and to encourage all interior designers and interior decorators to consider retailing in wallpaper.

You will eventually need to know how to market or promote your wallpaper business. You will soon realize that the most powerful way of marketing your wallpaper business is by way of word of mouth. One job well done will always get you referrals. Technology is also changing the way wallpaper and other small businesses market their products. Free online platforms such Facebook, the star classified, olx and Jumia do work wonders. These may be combined with marketing such as trade exhibitions and salesmanship.

Encouraging painting companies to start wallpapering business.

Individual painters can also become self employed in wallpaper business. Business is thriving for wallpaper installers all around Kenya.  We welcome you to serve an apprenticeship under our experienced wallpaper installers for a short period to learn the finer points of the profession.

It is very easy to find wallpaper jobs. Aim high and visit real estate agents to provide you with referrals to homeowners who need to get their homes in shape. Promote your business business to contractors and builders in the booming business Kenya is enjoying now.

Another effective way to promote your wallpaper business is to use google maps and social media such as What-app groups which are of charge. You dont need much more than passion to start your own wallpaper business:

  • A Business license
  • Wallpaper tools being paint brush, paper knife, squeegee and cotton cloth or sponge
  • Business cards
  • A ladder or in most cases a stool to step on.

Advantages of starting a wallpaper business

Benefits of starting a wallpaper business

Few or no other business can be as rewarding as a wallpaper business without any risk in starting the venture.

Wallpaper business is a niche niche market that gives you certain lifestyle advantages. Because wallpaper business is not too demanding and you are in charge, you decide when and where you want to work. If you want to spend more time on with your family, you don’t have to ask for the time off. given today’s technology, it’s relatively easy to do to work from home or even when travelling.

In starting most other businesses you take a financial risk, starting a wallpaper business gives you a chance to make more money without the financial risk. You benefit from your own smart and hard work other than financial investment.

As a business owner of a creative wallpaper business, you’ll be able to work in a field that you really enjoy. You’ll interact with interior designers and product designers and and you’ll gain personal satisfaction from implementing your ideas, working directly with customers, and watching your business succeed.

Starting a wallpaper manufacturing business in Kenya.

For big investors wallpaper manufacturing is an ideal business opportunity in Kenya. All the wallpaper currently in the market in Kenya is Imported either from China or Europe. Starting a wallpaper manufacturing plant would not only benefit Kenya but the whole of Africa. I doubt there is even a single wallpaper manufacturer in Africa as whole. Our online search reveals non. Not even in South Africa.

Opening a wallpaper manufacturing plant would save wallpaper importers huge amounts of money from the cost of pre-shipment inspection, freight charges, custom duty to clearing and forwarding. This would also save the country a huge amount of money in foreign exchange in addition to jobs creation.

Manufacturing Would Save Kenya Foreign Exchange

There is low supply and high demand for wallpaper in Kenya. There are all the indicators that demand will keep rising. In the past wallpaper was only affordable by Kings. Due to modern technology wallpaper is now affordable to most people. The idea of wallpaper interior decoration is novel in Kenya. As more and more people get to know wallpaper the demand will keep rising.

Now let us focus on the advantages of the wallpaper itself which is what brings about the advantages of the business ownership. These are the values that drive the wallpaper business.

Wallpaper as a great product

Customer satisfaction in this business is based on the great products. The effect, texture and feel of a wallpaper can never be achieved with any paint. These attracts customers. Wallpapers can be customized into what one wants. We have had clients who want family portraits, scenery, stadiums and favorite football teams among others. This shows the versatility of wallpapers. Another advantage is that they keep a room warm. Wallpapers can last up to 25 years without being changed and above all, they are washable. Their designs also add life to the house.

  • Wallpaper can last up to 25 years on the wall and beyond, which makes it cost-effective in the long run. Properly hung wallpaper will last 3 times as long as paint.
  • Wallpaper adheres easily and hides many surface imperfections such as small cracks and dents.
  • Wallpaper keeps a house warm, adds depth and style to a room that monotone paint simply cannot achieve.
  • Beautiful designs, intriguing textures, and beautiful prints and patterns impact on the decor of a room.
  • Wallpaper creates a designer look in any space. It can also be applied to just one wall as a feature focal wall. With a limited budget, one does not have to redo all the walls to revamp a house interior decoration.

How to start a wallpaper business in Kenya

For those wishing to start their own wallpaper business in Kenya, Mbugua Wa Kamau offers eye opening insights about wallpaper business in Kenya.

During the Citizen TV morning interview, he also talks about the various wallpaper technologies and designs around the world, How popular is wallpaper in this country, trade and advertising of wallpaper. Wallpaper Kenya started business many years ago, this video too was recorded many years ago. For more updated info on how to start your own wallpaper business please find out more from this website on the Wholesale Wallpaper Section.

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