CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for painting and wall covering contractors in North Dakota
102 painting and wall covering contractors operated in North Dakota in 2023. Where they are, how big their teams are, and what phone service costs them.
- Establishments
- 102CBP 2023
- Employees
- 441mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 12.8U.S. 11.3
- State rank
- 48th of 51by count
The painting contractor industry in North Dakota
North Dakota had 102 painting and wall covering contractors in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 238320, Painting and Wall Covering Contractors). They employed 441 people in mid-March and reported $20.4 million in annual payroll. That is the 48th highest count among the 51 states and DC with published figures. Painting and wall covering contractors make up 0.40% of the 25,402 business establishments in the state.
Per 100,000 residents (2024 estimate) North Dakota has 12.8 painting and wall covering contractors, 13.8% above the national rate of 11.3. The average establishment has 4.3 employees against 5.4 nationally. Payroll per employee is $46,308, 16.1% below the U.S. figure of $55,165.
| Measure | North Dakota | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 102 | 38,280 |
| Mid-March employees | 441 (moderate noise) | 208,201 |
| Annual payroll | $20,422,000 | $11,485,346,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 4.3 | 5.4 |
| Payroll per employee | $46,308 | $55,165 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 12.8 | 11.3 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
North Dakota's largest markets for painting and wall covering contractors
Census published painting contractor counts for 6 metro or micropolitan areas that include part of North Dakota. The largest is Fargo, ND-MN, with 39 establishments (a multi-state area; its count covers every state it spans). Single-state metro and micropolitan areas account for 41% of the statewide total; the rest are outside any published area or in areas Census suppressed.
| Area | Establishments | Employees | Per 100k residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND-MN | 39 | 181 | 14.6 |
| Bismarck, ND | 21 | 126 | 15.1 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | 11 | — | 10.6 |
| Minot, ND | 9 | — | 11.9 |
| Williston, ND | 8 | 17 | 19.6 |
| Dickinson, ND | 4 | 28 | 10.3 |
Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023; population from Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Team sizes at painting and wall covering contractors in North Dakota
72.0% of North Dakota's painting and wall covering contractors with employees had fewer than five people in March 2023, compared with 75.1% nationally. 89.0% had fewer than ten. At that size the phone is shared, so routing (who rings, when, and what happens after hours) matters more than the number of desk phones.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 72 | 72.0% | 75.1% |
| 5–9 employees | 17 | 17.0% | 13.7% |
| 10–19 employees | 11 | 11.0% | 6.6% |
| 20–49 employees | not published | — | 3.4% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 1.2% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
Why the phone matters for painting and wall covering contractors in North Dakota
Painting contractors book work through estimate calls, and crews are often on ladders when the phone rings. Fast callbacks help win estimates before a competitor does.
Typical inbound and outbound calls for painting and wall covering contractors in North Dakota:
- The contractor calls a customer to confirm the start date.
- A customer calls to change colors.
- A homeowner calls for an exterior painting estimate.
Texting customers
Painters text estimate confirmations, start dates and color approvals.
Texting from a local number in North Dakota requires carrier registration (10DLC), a one-time $49 fee on Callata.
What a phone system costs a painting contractor in North Dakota
Painting and wall covering contractors in North Dakota average 4.3 employees, so the comparison uses a 4-person team. Per-seat business phone plans bill every one of those people. At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 4 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $120.00 a month and 4 on Ooma Office Pro cost $99.80. Callata comes to $99.00 a month for 4 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $252 less than RingCentral for a painting contractor in North Dakota of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $99.00 | $1,188.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $76.00 | $912.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $92.00 | $1,104.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $99.80 | $1,197.60 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $108.00 | $1,296.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $120.00 | $1,440.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Area codes in North Dakota
North Dakota has 1 geographic area code in service according to NANPA. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, so a painting contractor can hold a number in more than one of them.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 701 | 743 | Central and Mountain | 1947 | none |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
How Callata works for painting and wall covering contractors in North Dakota
Callata Office costs $99 per month for up to 5 people, and each additional user is $20 a month. That covers up to 3 local numbers, calling from a browser or your cell, transcribed voicemail, recorded calls with AI summaries, after-hours routing and E911 on each number.
Porting a number you already use in North Dakota is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many painting and wall covering contractors are in North Dakota?
102 in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns. They employed 441 people in mid-March.
Which North Dakota metro area has the most painting and wall covering contractors?
Fargo, ND-MN, with 39 establishments in 2023.
What does a phone system cost a 4-person painting contractor?
$120.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core or $99.80 on Ooma Office Pro at month-to-month list prices (checked September 28, 2026); $99.00 on Callata ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user).
Do I need to register to text customers from a North Dakota number?
Yes. US carriers require business texting from local numbers to be registered (10DLC). On Callata the registration is a one-time $49 fee, and texting turns on once it is approved.