You used to hire a painter and pay them for their work.

Now, you sign a contract with an entrepreneur who has subcontractors that actually perform the work - and the painting business has a marketing budget, executive salaries, overhead, may be pays royalties to a franchisor - a great deal of expenses that typically just weren't part of the transaction. Plus, the entrepreneur needs to make a healthy profit. Many costs for services and trades have skyrocketed.