how do i inspect my painters work? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

NAV · 10-03-2008, 02:01 PM

I sold a railing painting job on some condos. i know my guys do good work but it would be nice to inspect it. how can i when its 300 feet off the ground?

wireless · 10-03-2008, 02:25 PM

How do they paint it?

gadfly · 10-03-2008, 03:07 PM

Can you enter some random apartments? Especially high up and mid way? Some people use a spy glass but it would have to be powerful.

Chris Johnson · 10-03-2008, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gadfly

Can you enter some random apartments? Especially high up and mid way? Some people use a spy glass but it would have to be powerful.

Yea, that will get you a set of bracelets behind the back I'm sure. Something tells me the judge won't believe you were inspecting railing paint work while giving you a nickle up in Folsom

I go for the randomly knock on some doors, some people are still friendly enough to let you in. Watch out for the older people...they'll keep you there either complaining or serving you coffee and biscuits showing you photo albums of their kids/grandkids

premierpainter · 10-04-2008, 07:35 AM

Rent a helicopter for a couple of days.

copusbuilder · 10-04-2008, 08:41 AM

Arrive when they are painting or just finishing and ride up with them?

NAV · 10-06-2008, 09:44 AM

yea, i took the swingstage up the other day, 300 feet. I was just showing off the sweet job i sold. my guys are in all three of the pictures. look closely, they are really small.

there are approx. 7,000 linear feet of steel railings and we are power tool cleaning, full prime with ICI BarRust 235 and a top coat of ICI Devthane 2 component urethane.

I sold the job for $80,000.00 and i am looking at a profit of 30% after all expenses.

the wind and rain has set us back about 3 weeks. i hope we finish the last 2 drops before the snow flies.

WisePainter · 10-10-2008, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Johnson

I go for the randomly knock on some doors, some people are still friendly enough to let you in.

I agree.
Keeps your guys on their toes.

painter213 · 11-03-2008, 04:25 PM

The owner should have budgeted in for a third party inspector for a job this size. And you being the contractor, it would be in your best intrest to have a QC plan in place. Someone on the job to monitor the inspection of the work as it is being done and putting the information down on a daily report which would include the area worked, type paint used, batch numbers of the paint and thinners used, the enviromental conditions during the work day and so on. This way, if there is a problem down the road, then you have the documentation to help you out. Daily job pics is a plus as well. You make a little less profit, but if it saves on premature coating failures and less rework, which makes you more money in the long run. You can contact me direct anytime. I am always willing to help out. I have been involved with coatings for over 20 years and I have always been hands on.

rbsremodeling · 11-03-2008, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by painter213

The owner should have budgeted in for a third party inspector for a job this size. And you being the contractor, it would be in your best intrest to have a QC plan in place. Someone on the job to monitor the inspection of the work as it is being done and putting the information down on a daily report which would include the area worked, type paint used, batch numbers of the paint and thinners used, the enviromental conditions during the work day and so on. This way, if there is a problem down the road, then you have the documentation to help you out. Daily job pics is a plus as well. You make a little less profit, but if it saves on premature coating failures and less rework, which makes you more money in the long run. You can contact me direct anytime. I am always willing to help out. I have been involved with coatings for over 20 years and I have always been hands on.

Ok He is just funning. Sarcasm for some reason does not carry over well on forums. I really can't explain why you just have to take my word for it

Celtic · 11-03-2008, 04:55 PM

If you have good eyesight, you can do a drive by inspection:

painter213 · 11-03-2008, 05:59 PM

Sarcasm????? Did I have sarcasm in my post???? I did not intend to put it there. Point it out so I can see it please. I just posted what is normal for a job this size. It keeps everyone on level field. You should always work by a job specification. This keeps the owner from demanding more work that is not in the scope of work.

NAV · 11-06-2008, 09:52 AM

I was the one trying to be funny. I inspect all of my jobs and we warranty all large jobs, some small ones too. we have a decent QC program in place. if i don't like the work the painter gets fired!!!! that is after he fixes it on his own time.

The materials i specified on this project should last long enough to keep this customer for a long time. they are extremely happy with the project and we will be finished tomorrow. I have not job costed the job yet but i anticipate a 28% profit.

the wind and rain really hurt us...it should have come in at 35% profit. I will bid it better next year when we paint all of the concrete with an elastomeric coating.