Bad Timing For The Slow Season?

 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 12-18-2006, 08:15 AM   #1
painter in florida
 
amcline's Avatar
 
Trade: painter
Join Date: May 2006
Location: florida
Posts: 32

Bad Timing For The Slow Season?


well im not stocked up good for the winter this year, its slowed the last 2-3 weeks here in orlando but then again im not realy advertising, any of you guys going through the same winter pains yet?
any tips to keeping it going?(jan is usually the slowest time for me)

amcline is offline  
Warning: The topics covered on this site include activities in which there exists the potential for serious injury or death. ContractorTalk.com DOES NOT guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information contained on this site. Always use proper safety precaution and reference reliable outside sources before attempting any construction or remodeling task!

Old 12-18-2006, 09:53 AM   #2
tile mason
 
MattCoops's Avatar
 
Trade: tile design & installation
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Lowell, MA
Posts: 1,818

Re: Bad Timing For The Slow Season?


I tell everybody this.

You got to advertise when you're busy. So you won't complain that you got slow.

Advertise harder when you're busy, and have money coming in.
So you won't suffer with lack of funds to advertise.

When it is slow, take some time to figure out why, so it won't happen again.

How do you think you can run a prosperous business with NO advertising?

referrals alone?
better count your blessings
__________________
Matt with Cupan Custom Tile & Paint of Lowell, Massachusetts
Design and installation of ceramic tile and natural stone for floor, wall, and countertops
(978) 601-8774 | cupantile@gmail.com | view tile pictures and more
MattCoops is offline  
Old 12-18-2006, 11:31 AM   #3
Pro
 
JNLP's Avatar
 
Trade: Painter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Pgh, PA
Posts: 235

Re: Bad Timing For The Slow Season?


I was done with work & thought I wouldn't see any for a few months. Winters here really suck for painters. Hooked up with a remodeler though, and he's subbing me alot of work. Just finished my second house for him & have five more waiting. If he can keep me this busy all the time I'll be in heaven.
JNLP is offline  
Old 12-18-2006, 01:30 PM   #4
painter in florida
 
amcline's Avatar
 
Trade: painter
Join Date: May 2006
Location: florida
Posts: 32

Re: Bad Timing For The Slow Season?


yea i thought i had a new contractor to sub from but havent gotten one thing from him yet, and my other major contractor is slow also,,,
amcline is offline  
Old 12-18-2006, 03:13 PM   #5
Professional Tradesman
 
GPI's Avatar
 
Trade: Painting-Wallcoverings-Drywall-Carpentry
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 233
Send a message via Yahoo to GPI

Re: Bad Timing For The Slow Season?


Try door hangers with a discount coupon, if your in altamonte springs, try hanging door hangers in winter park, wekiva springs, and west orlando, I got big returns in slow periods there.
GPI is offline  
Old 12-18-2006, 05:41 PM   #6
Professional Painter
 
Richard's Avatar
 
Trade: Owner/Operator
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Serving CT & RI
Posts: 1,306

Re: Bad Timing For The Slow Season?


Quote:
Originally Posted by GPI View Post
Try door hangers with a discount coupon, if your in altamonte springs, try hanging door hangers in winter park, wekiva springs, and west orlando, I got big returns in slow periods there.
....or you 2 could hook up and help each other....
__________________
Rich
Richard is offline  
Old 12-18-2006, 07:54 PM   #7
Pro
 
Frankawitz's Avatar
 
Trade: Plastering, Drywall, Painting, Woodworking, Stucco
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: South Eastern Michigan outside of Detroit.
Posts: 1,592

Re: Bad Timing For The Slow Season?


I use to go around to the local apartment complexs and ask the Managers if they liked the painter they had or would they be interested in letting me paint a unit for them and see if they liked my work. This type of work I always called bread and butter work, you don't get your money for 90 days but once the money starts coming in you'll be fine.
Frankawitz is offline  
Old 12-18-2006, 09:48 PM   #8
Pro Painter
 
AAPaint's Avatar
 
Trade: Painting Contractor
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,314
Send a message via ICQ to AAPaint Send a message via AIM to AAPaint Send a message via Yahoo to AAPaint

Re: Bad Timing For The Slow Season?


Wow....I wish it was slow right now so I could have some holidays. This year it's the holiday that's holding me up on all kinds of stuff. Can we skip this christmas, or postpone it or something?
__________________
-AAPaint

AA Quality Painting & Pressure Washing LLC
Jacksonville Painters
Jacksonville, FL.

Quote:
“Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.”
-James Madison
AAPaint is offline  
Old 12-18-2006, 10:58 PM   #9
Pro
 
HUDSONVALLEYEXT's Avatar
 
Trade: EXTERIORS
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 397

Re: Bad Timing For The Slow Season?


as I posted before we have had no work for 1.5 months now. My partner started going to around to houses being built to talk to contractors... they hooked us up with some painting and siding contracts. These contracts should keep us busy until may or june
HUDSONVALLEYEXT is offline  
Old 12-19-2006, 07:23 AM   #10
Pro
 
BMAN's Avatar
 
Trade: Painting & Remodeling
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 468

Re: Bad Timing For The Slow Season?


We like to say "beat feet" or in other words hit the ground running. If you have no work its either because you arent good at what you do form a quality perspective, or you are not marketing yourself properly. Since you care enough about what you do to be part of this and ask questions then assume you are not marketed good enough. Better signage, your local shopping/ coupon paper or the phone book. When ever you paint a house then put flyers on every other house in the neighborhood. Many things work so go out and bring it to them, dont wait for them to call you.
BMAN is offline  
Old 11-30-2007, 11:47 PM   #11
painter in florida
 
amcline's Avatar
 
Trade: painter
Join Date: May 2006
Location: florida
Posts: 32

Re: Bad Timing For The Slow Season?


well here it is a year later, i can definatly see the growth, both in schedule and in my books, all i can say is the word of mouth keeps spreading as long as your working, being visible, and constant, i still dont advertise much, dont know what i would do if i did, then i would need to hire a bunch of help, and then id have more paperwork to deal with, for now im cool with the 1-4 man jobs, take on help when needed and not try to float them to the next big job,,,
anyway, just being glad to be here another year later
thanks
amcline is offline  
Old 12-01-2007, 12:17 AM   #12
Pro
 
HUDSONVALLEYEXT's Avatar
 
Trade: EXTERIORS
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 397

Re: Bad Timing For The Slow Season?


I see I posted 1 year ago...No work calls for weeks now I hate the holidays just like last year. I need to start a new business
HUDSONVALLEYEXT is offline  
Old 12-01-2007, 12:21 AM   #13
painter in florida
 
amcline's Avatar
 
Trade: painter
Join Date: May 2006
Location: florida
Posts: 32

Re: Bad Timing For The Slow Season?


some good advice i got over a year ago,,, advertise even when busy!!! i dont really do that but i take the time to follow potential leads busy or not, and spread my card or name any way i can http://AMClinePainting.com




kinda like that
amcline is offline  
Old 12-01-2007, 02:26 AM   #14
David Davis
 
shed-n-deck's Avatar
 
Trade: ? No thanks, I like mine better!
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Denver, Colorado
Posts: 245

Re: Bad Timing For The Slow Season?


Quote:
Originally Posted by MattCoops View Post

How do you think you can run a prosperous business with NO advertising?

referrals alone?
I ran an ad in a circular about 7 years ago. I got a call, did the bid, and ultimately told the people that I was too busy to do the work for them for at least 2 months, and I referred them to some other contractors that I knew would do a good job....They contacted the BBB and told them that I shouldn't have bid the job if I had no intention on doing the work. The problem was that they weren't the type to make an immediate decision, and by the time they figured out that they wanted me to do the work, I was stacked up...

I don't know why, but your post made me think of that.
__________________
Shed
shed-n-deck is offline  


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Slow Down Ron The Plumber Site Help and Suggestions 21 08-19-2007 03:29 PM
Do you have an "off" season? steve-in-kville Off Topic (Non Trade) 4 05-14-2007 07:27 PM
LOST Season 3! 6stringmason Off Topic (Non Trade) 9 10-06-2006 06:19 PM
Starting Slow, Working Weekends Bertram General Discussion 13 06-30-2006 12:03 AM
If Your Slow, What Not To Do keithguts General Discussion 2 01-24-2006 07:25 PM

Join Now... It's Fast and FREE!

Privacy Badge
I am a professional contractor
I am a DIY Homeowner
ContractorTalk.com is for
PROFESSIONAL CONTRACTORS ONLY!

At ContractorTalk.com we cater exlusivly to professional contractors who make their living as a contractor. Knowing that many homeowners and DIYers are looking for a community to call home, we've created www.DIYChatroom.com DIY Chatroom is full of helpful advices and perfect for DIY homeowners.

Redirecing in 10 seconds
No Thanks
terms of service

Already Have an Account?