CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for painting and wall covering contractors in Rhode Island
192 painting and wall covering contractors operated in Rhode Island in 2023. Where they are, how big their teams are, and what phone service costs them.
- Establishments
- 192CBP 2023
- Employees
- 715mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 17.3U.S. 11.3
- State rank
- 39th of 51by count
The painting contractor industry in Rhode Island
County Business Patterns counts 192 establishments in Rhode Island classified as Painting and Wall Covering Contractors (NAICS 238320) for 2023. They employed 715 people in mid-March and reported $40.9 million in annual payroll. That is the 39th highest count among the 51 states and DC with published figures. Painting and wall covering contractors make up 0.65% of the 29,510 business establishments in the state.
Per 100,000 residents (2024 estimate) Rhode Island has 17.3 painting and wall covering contractors, 53.4% above the national rate of 11.3. The average establishment has 3.7 employees against 5.4 nationally. Payroll per employee is $57,217, 3.7% above the U.S. figure of $55,165.
| Measure | Rhode Island | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 192 | 38,280 |
| Mid-March employees | 715 | 208,201 |
| Annual payroll | $40,910,000 | $11,485,346,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 3.7 | 5.4 |
| Payroll per employee | $57,217 | $55,165 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 17.3 | 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.
Painting and wall covering contractors by metro area in Rhode Island
Census published painting contractor counts for 1 metro or micropolitan area that include part of Rhode Island. The largest is Providence, RI-MA, with 263 establishments (a multi-state area; its count covers every state it spans).
| Area | Establishments | Employees | Per 100k residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence, RI-MA | 263 | 1,019 | 15.5 |
Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023; population from Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Team sizes at painting and wall covering contractors in Rhode Island
79.2% of Rhode Island's painting and wall covering contractors with employees had fewer than five people in March 2023, compared with 75.1% nationally. 91.1% 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 | 152 | 79.2% | 75.1% |
| 5–9 employees | 23 | 12.0% | 13.7% |
| 10–19 employees | 12 | 6.3% | 6.6% |
| 20–49 employees | 5 | 2.6% | 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 Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island:
- A customer calls to change colors.
- A homeowner calls for an exterior painting estimate.
- A builder calls about a new-construction schedule.
Business texting for painting and wall covering contractors
Painters text estimate confirmations, start dates and color approvals.
Texting from a local number in Rhode Island requires carrier registration (10DLC), a one-time $49 fee on Callata.
Callata vs. per-seat pricing for painting and wall covering contractors in Rhode Island
Painting and wall covering contractors in Rhode Island average 3.7 employees, so the comparison uses a 4-person team. Priced per seat, 4 users would run $120.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $99.80 on Ooma Office Pro (month-to-month list prices, checked September 28, 2026). 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island
Rhode Island 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 401 | 581 | Eastern | 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 Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island?
192 in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns. They employed 715 people in mid-March.
Which Rhode Island metro area has the most painting and wall covering contractors?
Providence, RI-MA, with 263 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 Rhode Island 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.