| Since it's going to cost ongoing money for regular | | | | rock piles work great. In some cases the land itself |
| supplies (paintballs, new guns, parts, paintball equipment, | | | | may provide natural bunkers with hills, old barns or |
| etc.), it doesn't make sense to NOT make a business | | | | buildings, trees or different elevations. |
| of it and try to make money. Depending on how large | | | | You can also purchase inflatable bunkers of all shapes |
| of an operation you want to start out with, there may | | | | and sizes for your paintball field. Shapes available |
| be a significant initial investment involved in buying all | | | | include large triangles, rectangles, and cylinders that |
| the equipment you're going to need. This is another | | | | provide great cover while playing. These types of |
| reason to run your paintball field as a business. | | | | bunkers are often used in speedball matches. Inflatable |
| Most of the people interested in starting a paintball field | | | | bunkers are also available for scenario play as well |
| already have land they will use. You can also purchase | | | | and come in shapes of walls, buildings/forts and |
| a piece of property to open the business, however | | | | armored vehicles such as tanks and personal carriers. |
| know what you're getting into before you go! Unless | | | | These bunkers are great; easy to set up and will give |
| you can find a super cheap deal on property, it's very | | | | your field an awesome look. The disadvantage is they |
| rare for a start-up paintball field to generate enough | | | | are expensive and are probably cost prohibitive for the |
| money to pay a mortgage. Your best bet is to already | | | | start up paintball field. |
| own the property or perhaps go into business with | | | | Another method of making money with your field is by |
| someone who owns land; you can possibly rent the | | | | renting out equipment for people to use when playing. |
| land or consider offering a percentage of the business | | | | This equipment will consist of a paintball gun, mask, |
| to the landowner. | | | | hopper and air tank. You can also offer various |
| If you're starting your own paintball field, there are | | | | protective equipment like chest or groin protectors, |
| certain pieces of equipment that will be essential. The | | | | helmets or even tactical vests. After your field has a |
| best advice is to start small and add more equipment | | | | positive cash flow, you can upgrade your equipment |
| as you need. When starting a business, you will want | | | | rentals with better masks or guns (offered at higher |
| to have a clear goal in mind about how big you plan to | | | | fees) or attachments to the markers, like better barrels |
| get; but don't let your delusions of grandeur ruin your | | | | or sniping scopes - also offered at higher rentals fees. |
| math skills. Keep a close tally of all costs from the | | | | Choose the type of paintball guns you're going to offer |
| very beginning, starting with the first quote on paintball | | | | as a rental at your field based on which type of play |
| gear. | | | | will be available. If your paintball field is going to be for |
| Before you even start gathering equipment quotes, | | | | scenario woodsball type play, consider the Tippmann |
| there are obvious steps you will have to take that are | | | | 98. These guns are super sturdy, easy to maintain and |
| the same for starting any business. Setting up your | | | | there are tons of accessories and modifications for |
| business entity and getting a local business license will | | | | them. Tippmann also offers warranties on all their |
| be necessary beginning steps to becoming a retail | | | | equipment and they have great customer service. |
| dealer. Every penny counts when starting a business, | | | | If your field is going to cater more for speedball, |
| so getting dealer prices for your equipment quotes is a | | | | consider using Spyder paintball guns. Spyder |
| must. This is a mandatory first step - become a dealer | | | | competition style markers are easy to maintain and |
| with the paintball wholesale companies/manufacturers | | | | super sturdy. They're also light and fast enough to |
| you want to deal with before requesting an initial | | | | compete with the higher dollar guns; but so easy to |
| equipment quote. | | | | use, they're great for beginners. The best thing about |
| The equipment you will need to start a paintball field | | | | Spyder paintball guns like the Sonix, Xtra or Victor is |
| can become exhaustive quickly, but you're better off | | | | they're all very high quality guns but cost less than $100 |
| to start with the bare minimum. Don't start by building | | | | each. These guns are a great place to start because |
| the paintball field of your dreams right off the bat; start | | | | they're so durable and cost the least. |
| your business with the bare minimum and build into a | | | | Another mandatory piece of equipment is protective |
| larger operation with more equipment as your clientele | | | | gear. To provide the most fun at your field, you must |
| list grows. You will need bunkers, paintball guns with | | | | ensure proper safety at all times - industry approved |
| hoppers, air tanks, and plenty of paintballs. At first, you | | | | paintball goggles must be worn by every player. |
| can save money on buying only a few paintball | | | | Choose goggles that are light, sturdy and cheap. The |
| markers for people who don't have one, but allow | | | | Tippman mask is a good one to start with. Also check |
| players to bring their own. The problem with this is you | | | | out the Hawkeye paintball goggles by RAP4. RAP4 is |
| will get complaints about players who have unfair | | | | also a solid company and very easy to work with; |
| advantages with totally decked out paintball guns. | | | | they will probably be the quickest to offer better pricing |
| You can level the playing field somewhat with a | | | | when buying in bulk. |
| chronograph. This device will ensure everyone's gun | | | | One great way to save a lot of money when |
| has the same velocity. The other disadvantage of | | | | purchasing paintball equipment is to buy your gear in a |
| allowing players to bring their own guns is you will be | | | | package deal. For example, the Tippmann 98 Power |
| missing out on renting/making money on an essential | | | | Pack contains the gun, 9 oz CO2 tank, hopper, and |
| piece of gear - without a paintball gun, you can't play. | | | | goggles for a much cheaper price than if you |
| To save money on your initial equipment investment, | | | | purchased these items separately. You can get an |
| however, "bring you own" policies will let you get by | | | | even better deal when you purchase multiple Power |
| with a smaller number of guns for your first purchase. | | | | Packs for a deeper volume discount. These packages |
| Perhaps one of your largest equipment costs is your | | | | are also a very convenient way to group your gear |
| air tank refill station. This will require a commercial sized | | | | together; for example, if you buy 10x Power Packs, |
| air compressor; depending on the size you want, these | | | | you've got a complete set - up for ten players ready |
| can cost between $4500-$14000. You will also need | | | | to go. |
| one (if not several) industrial bulk sized air tanks to | | | | Next, you will need to stock up on paintballs. If you're a |
| store the air you produce from the compressor. Finally, | | | | shroud businessman, paintballs can be a great money |
| you will need a fill station scale and air tank refill kit to | | | | maker at your field. Make paintballs a "must buy" policy |
| transfer the air from the bulk sized tank to the smaller | | | | at your establishment - "if you want to play on our field, |
| paintball gun air tanks. | | | | you must use house paintballs." Your ability to make |
| While your air tank refill station may be one of your | | | | money selling paintballs will depend heavily on how |
| more expensive equipment commitments, it's also a | | | | good of a deal you can get. Unfortunately, paintballs |
| definite regular income source of every paintball field. | | | | are expensive and you're only going to get the best |
| Eventually this investment will pay off - everyone at | | | | price markdowns unless you purchase palettes of |
| your field will need air tank refills and will have to pay | | | | paintballs (50+ cases). |
| what you ask if they want to keep playing. If there are | | | | This also presents the small dilemma of where you're |
| a lot of paintballers in your area, you can also sell tank | | | | going to store your paintball stash. Paintballs must be |
| refills to anyone with an empty tank even if they're not | | | | stored in climate controlled air or they will go bad, warp |
| field customers. | | | | and not shoot right. If you plan on storing your paintballs |
| The best way to save money on your air tank refill | | | | in the old barn on your field, you're going to waste a lot |
| station is to consider purchasing a package deal. You | | | | of money, not to mention hurt your business. If the |
| can get much better prices when purchasing an air | | | | paintballs you sell at your field break inside player's |
| compressor and bulk air tanks together. There are | | | | guns or won't fly straight because they've gone bad, |
| different size packages available - containing smaller | | | | people will not have the best time at your park and |
| air compressors and few bulk tanks and larger air | | | | won't want to come back. |
| compressors with several tanks. All the necessary | | | | Karnage brand.68 caliber paintballs would be an |
| gauges, valves, lines and hoses you will need are also | | | | excellent place to start. These are probably the best |
| included. | | | | grade/quality for the cheapest price on the market. |
| Other essential equipment when starting a paintball field | | | | They come in several grades (that you can also sell at |
| are bunkers. When deciding on what bunkers to use, | | | | your field) and the owner is willing to offer great deals |
| first decide if your field will cater more towards | | | | on bulk orders. RAP4's AG1 and Eco friendly field |
| speedball or scenario paintball. This decision may also | | | | paintballs are also a great bang for the buck. Often, |
| be impacted by how much room you have to work | | | | you can also get even better deals from a company if |
| with or the actual lay of the land. Fortunately, bunkers | | | | you're going to buy a lot of gear from them - or you'll |
| can be made of just about anything and still be | | | | be buying a lot all of the time. |
| effective. Old cars, stacks of tires, barrels, and even | | | | |