HOUSE PAINTING - NEED HELP
d...@gte.net
I am interested in starting a side business painting houses (exteriors and
interiors). I know I can do it because I have painted before, but never as a
business endeavor. I have no clue what to charge, how to charge, etc.
However, I know that I can do it with some research, and that I will have fun
doing this. Is there anyone out there who has information that could help me
get started (materials to buy, contracts I'll need, time estimates, what to
charge, procedures). I would really appreciate it!
Thank you in advance!
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Foster Vista
I've been painting for a long time. I started doing it as a one man operation and made
certain to take jobs that looked my size. Never take a job that you can't do alone.
It's best to figure out how much work you can perform on a daily basis before you add
a helper. (Then you know what to expect out of your labor.) Develop your own standards
of quality. Are you going to take care of high end cutomers? Or are you painting low
income apartments. In any business, we have to choose our market. The materials you
purchase and the rates you charge will be in directly linked to the customers you are
taking care of. Slum lords do not use Benjamin Moore Paints. Nor do they pay top rates
for service. If I were you, I'd take a small first job, like the wood trim on a small
brick home in a nice little neighborhood. Discuss with the customer your hourly
rate....somewhere around $12 or so is fair for a neat, clean person....you shouldn't
start bidding jobs with contracts yet. A 1800 sq 'brick home, in average condition (no
rot, only moderate prep, one coat white) with wood soffit, fascia, front shutters and
three doors should take you 16 hours of gettin' after it to complete. If you hustle on
your own, the clients you do gain will respect your efforts. No matter what, keep your
site perfectly clean. That's how to grow a respected business. Charge them hourly,
give them 200% and return all calls. Be honest at every turn. Look into some type of
insurance coverage for yourself and charge a percentage on each job to cover the
premium.
Now then, I would charge about $850 or so for this no brainer project, 2 men @ $15
each and premium materials plus insurance, profit and overhead. It's an easy sell
and an easy take-off (bid). My painters are highly skilled, and this project is very
easy. My guys appreciate it when I give them an easy one now and then. "Don't get in a
hurry, fellas...you've got 16 hours, very little prep...do a super job and I'll see ya
Wednesday." If you start out trying to charge premium $$$, I can guarantee failure.
Break down like this...
Wash down 2 hours
Scrape/sand 4 hours
Spot prime 1 hours
Caulk/fill 3 hours
Paint high 3 hours
Paint low 3 hours
_______
16 hours
Kepp in mind that there are no jobs that reflect this scenario in real life. Houses
are like people. Every one is different. They have problems that need remedies. My
success has come from being able to spot these problems, relate them to the client,
and sell my services as the cure. Painting comes last. It's what they all call you
for... "I just want a fresh coat to clean it up a little!" Professionals solve
problems first and decorate last.
TinMan1332
d...@gte.net writes:
>I am interested in starting a side business painting houses
Wonderful... another "Stationwagon Painter" is turned lose upon the masses!
Or: If you have several years experience with all types of substrates, vast
product knowledge and experience with all types of existing paint problems
combined with the skills to remedy them... then:
Get an occupational license (your state may require registration or additional
licensing and the Department of Environmental Regulation in your state may
classify you as a "small poluter" and require registration).
Secure liability insurance.
Secure workmans compensation insurance or an exemption waiver.
Purchase a dedicated work vehicle.
This is an involved business and one can either be part of the problem or part
of the solutition.
J.P.
dslosty
tinma...@aol.com (TinMan1332) wrote:
I agree with your comments regarding insurance and licensing but feel
the rest of your response is a bit elitist.
I've been painting my own buildings for over 20 years and have yet to
have a job prematurely fail. After years of reading the literature
from dozens of manufacturers and experimenting with many compounds,
primers and topcoats, I still don't have a "vast" knowledge.
Nevertheless my jobs have been successful.
Painting isn't rocket science. Also, I've yet to meet a
"professional" painter who has either the time or interest to acquire
a "vast" product knowledge.
In my opinion, a conscientious homeowner who paints for others using
the same standards he would set for himself, would do a better job
than the majority of the "pros' out there.
Doug
Remove the "_" in my return address to reply.
TinMan1332
dsl...@pipeline.com (dslosty) writes:
>I've been painting my own buildings for over 20 years and have yet to
>have a job prematurely fail. After years of reading the literature
>from dozens of manufacturers and experimenting with many compounds,
>primers and topcoats, I still don't have a "vast" knowledge.
>Nevertheless my jobs have been successful.
I hope that you _do_ have a "vast knowledge" of what you do that earns your
living/income.
>Painting isn't rocket science.
If it were, more buildings would blow up seconds after being painted.
>Also, I've yet to meet a "professional" painter who has either the time or
interest >to acquire a "vast" product knowledge.
Then he is not a "professional," He is just a painter. There are many painters
out there just about to have their "next coating disaster."
>In my opinion, a conscientious homeowner who paints for others using
>the same standards he would set for himself, would do a better job
>than the majority of the "pros' out there.
This is a sad but true statement. Many people are paying for the same lack of
information and quality that they could simply provide for themselves free of
labor charges.
>I agree with your comments regarding insurance and licensing but feel
>the rest of your response is a bit elitist.
Thank you for the compliment. As an Elitist state registered painting
contractor (as well as a state licensed residential contractor), We have spent
many hours repairing the work (i.e. disasters/failures) of many well known
local painters and painting contractors. Ironicly, we originally bid on some of
these same jobs only to be turned down because our price was to high and/or the
scope of preparation outlined in our proposals was thought to be excessive and
not required. It is a sad thing to redo a home or structure that someone has
just paid good money to paint. It always costs much more to correct the poor
work than our original bid, factor in the cost of the original painters (or
painting contractors) and you have one whopping bill that was needless.
Unlike yourself, I work in this feild everyday and see the mistakes and
failures of others on a regular basis. Is my view tainted? You bet it is!
J.P.
PBroussard
In article <19980309045...@ladder03.news.aol.com>, tinma...@aol.com
(TinMan1332) writes:
>This is an involved business and one can either be part of the problem or
>part
>of the solutition.
>
>J.P.
Couldn't have said it better myself, J.P.. I'd do an involved DejaNews search,
starting off with my name (pbroussard) and perhaps others like JP, Foz, Fred
Zier, Bruce @ AB Constr. If after reading our posts on painting problems you
think you have the knowledge to give it a go, by all means do so. If not, I'd
go to some of the better paint stores in your area and ask who's considered the
best painting contractor around. Try and work for them for a few years,
gathering knowledge.
For 20 years, every single painter that I've worked with and hired that started
out on their own from scratch had to relearn just about everything they knew,
and it wasn't much. This trade has suffered much from the general public
perception that "anyone can paint". It reminds me of the $199 car paint jobs
offered all over town people rush to, when most people know that to get a good
paint job on a car that will last, prices start at around $700
Paul Broussard, friend of Bill's
Broussard Painting Contractors
pres., chief bottlewasher, Baton Rouge Dart Assn.
Foster Vista
Fellas,
Amen. Stand fast, men (and women)!!
Foz
Foster Vista
If I would've known that the dude was gonna trash our profession in such
an unmanly fashion, I woulda spiked the paint with some xylol. I'm a
newbie in here, you guys. Hey Paul B....I'm going to take my GC board
exam down there in Red Stick and need to know what to study! I've got the
study guide they recommend, but my specialty is in painting and
waterproofing. Got the Painting and Decorating Craftsman's Manual, but
there's very little about waterproofing. Gimme a tip.
Thanks,
Mike Foster Jr
Titan of Texture
Lord of Low Lustre
a...@bigfoot.com
In article <6dv3d3$lde$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>, d...@gte.net says...
I will have to agree with JP & Paul--that may be a first. I do both
painting and residential roofing so my suggestion is that you forget
about painting and become a roofer. The knowledge involved in roofing is
about 5% of the knowledge needed for painting. Also, the money is much
better in roofing--at least for me.
One other thing, if you decide to become a painter set aside some money
for equipment--5 or 6 ladders, 4 or 5 sanders, an airless, an HVLP, an
assortment of $20 brushes, rollers, extensions, heavy duty drop cloths,
miscellaneous other tools and equipment---figure $4000-$5000 to start.
Plus, of course, the station wagon. Oh, don't forget money for
advertising, office expenses--telephone, fax, pager, cell phone, etc.
If you are still interested I would agree that working for an established
painting firm would be the best way to gain the necessary experience.
You won't make it on trial and error unless you have a large bank account
and can weather the learning process. It really is a lot more involved
than it seems.
Good luck,
Bruce
A.&B. Construction
Houston, TX
mailto:a&b...@bigfoot.com
TinMan1332
a&b...@bigfoot.com writes:
>I will have to agree with JP & Paul--that may be a first.
Aw shucks Bruce, we agree alot of times. Every post of yours that stands alone
in a thread without some condesending diatribe of mine; is an agreement <G>
J.P.
a...@bigfoot.com
In article <19980310064...@ladder02.news.aol.com>,
tinma...@aol.com says...
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