Do you charge for custom matches - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

DeanV · 11-20-2007, 09:32 PM

Do any of you have a per color charge for custom matches, either from a chip from a store that you do not go to and therefore have to go and find all the color chips for the match (I hate having to go to lowes or HD to look for color chips to get matched) or for the running around to get a trim piece matched up?

I have one right now where the customer wants a couple brass pieces and a trash compactor front painted to look stainless or brushed nickel. I have gone down this road before (galvanized gutters to be painted copper), and remember how much of a hassle it was to try various mixes of the Modern Masters Metallic paints to hit the right color.

GPI · 11-20-2007, 09:41 PM

just because you can do it does not mean your required. If its not worth their time to pay you to do the matches, why would you consider wasting your time because they feel entitled.
Specify the fee upfront, or ask them to call you when they have their match completed. Nothing personal, just business.

**ProWallGuy** · 11-20-2007, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeanV

I hate having to go to lowes or HD to look for color chips to get matched

Do you really go there to match chips? Why?

My customers hand me the color chip they want, or specify a brand/number (IE Ben Moore HC-45). I take the chip to my BM guy and say give X gallons of this in your matte finish. Any good paint store can match any competitors chip.

DeanV · 11-20-2007, 10:15 PM

I go to HD and pick up the chips and then bring them to a real paint store to be matched. I just do not like having to make a special trip and I do not like to lend the undeserved credibility to HD and Lowes that having a real painter in their paint department gives them. HO's always seem to pick colors from those little pamphlets which have the tiny chips on them, so I end up going back to get the bigger chips for my paint store.

daArch · 11-20-2007, 10:31 PM

If you are spending time for the job, you should be compensated. Either it is built in or it is NIC.

I would always custom match paint to wallcovering, drapes, dog, money, whatever. This was before compu-matching. The customer had two choices, pay me to take it into Boston to have Bob Rossi mis-match the color or pay me to match it on site. I just built the time involved into the estimate.

You're not working for free, ya know.

Tmrrptr · 11-21-2007, 01:12 AM

We generally give them a fan deck in advance..
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DeanV · 11-21-2007, 06:58 AM

I try to give them a color deck too, whenever possible. Sometimes, customers have their colors picked out before they even contact me.

rservices · 11-21-2007, 08:34 AM

I have considered charging a flat fee for any paint color that they don't supply the color codes to.
When it comes to painting, I am usually having to paint an area that I have repaired. There are only a few places that I go into that actually know what colors they have on their walls (commercial work).

One of my companies that I work for uses 3 different paints SW, BM, Pratt Lambert. and no one knows which paint is which. Occasional the may have a name (forest green) as if that suppose to help.

regal · 11-21-2007, 08:51 PM

thats a tough one, I dont charge if they already have a sample. Ill color match it. First I "color eye" the sample and get the formula. Then, Ill see what the computer match formula is. Then compare both to see which one has less tint. Thats where we start, and then we gradually work up to the other formula, putting samples and blow drying on the homeowners chip until its invisible to see. Then I save the chip in an envelope. I dont tell the home owner I even matched the paint, but if it comes up, I can show them the perfect match. Its worth more to me to use the paint I want to rather than charge them and let them know what Im doing. But if I have to match A swatch of material (never had to) I might charge.

plazaman · 11-21-2007, 08:54 PM

SW can pretty much match any color. Sometimes customers pick colors from the BM chart and SW already has the color formula .

regal · 11-21-2007, 09:09 PM

yeah I compare that computer formula to the color eye formula. They are usually different but close. Its important to match the actual chip the home owner gives you because color formulas and chips arent always exact. I saw four "same color" BM color chips from different fan deck & brochures and they were all slightly different. If you match the homeowners actual sample perfectly, and dry it on there, you are totally covered from any color dispute.

daArch · 11-22-2007, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by regal

yeah I compare that computer formula to the color eye formula. They are usually different but close. Its important to match the actual chip the home owner gives you because color formulas and chips arent always exact. I saw four "same color" BM color chips from different fan deck & brochures and they were all slightly different. If you match the homeowners actual sample perfectly, and dry it on there, you are totally covered from any color dispute.

You got it regal.

AND paint from different lots are different color also.
AND paint changes color while on the wall. Use a computer to get it close, then eye-match on site for perfection.

Speaking of which, how many have had the customer tell you the color on the crown or bed molding is different than the rest of the trim ??? And won't believe it's an illusion from the lighting until you give it another coat while they are watching ????

T.GUTIERREZ · 11-22-2007, 12:22 AM

Really It Took Me1 Hour To Get 16 Gallons Mixed And They Were Twice The Cost Than S/w.