Fair Job Costing For Contractors!

4thGeneration

Greetings fellow paint contractors,

I was just wanting to set up a topic on what we can do as contractors to raise the profession to a fair bar for those of us who are tired of homeowners getting poor quality because they are being lured in with unrealistic prices. As an example where I live I saw an ad the other day that a contractor would paint a average room for $40. That is crazy and you know as well as me that the first thought of anyone is wow what a bargain. The truth is it will be a nightmare and when the owner finds out that it consists of one color being white, one coat, no prep, no caulking or moving of furniture that that $40 could well turn into the true price of a couple hundred dollars more for still walls only. I am looking for ideas on how to improve the industry as well as pay scale for honest contractors. I am not advocating a union, but a common goal to raise the standard of craftsmanship long lost as a common practice as well as honest pricing for the home owner and contractor. Some things I think would be helpful would be to get the standards up not only on a local level, but a national level. We should have a united paint contractors ethics and testing agency that all current and future contractors have to adhere to. It is to a point that anyone can get a lisc and insurance with virtually no knowledge of how to operate a paint contractor biz. An example I can give is recently we had to have our septic pumped. All the contractors have to adhere to state and federal regulations and are all pretty close to pricing within$10-$25 for the same pumping service. I am not advocating communism or marxism, but some way to either get the industry up to snuff or to snuff out the undesirables that give this honorable trade we are engaged in a friendly reframing. I believe that a homeowners choice should come down to who they feel comfortable with as far as each persona goes. They should not worry if the contractor is reputible or able to perform the plan of action for the project. Thanks in advance for any responses.

slickshift

(pssst...4thgen...a paragraph or two might help you spread the word
At least make it more readable)

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Originally Posted by ModernStyle I have never used this crap before and I pray to the paint gods that I never have to use it again, I would rather use Behr

4thGeneration

I am so sorry that I did not make it a easy read for you.

JMGP

I fully understand what you are saying... I do feel the same... however... need to look at reality...

Its A LOT different today than it was 10-15 years ago where most painters were (almost) like a co-op....TODAY... its every painter for themselves...I'm going by what I have been told by older Painters... I'm only 33.. been a painter for about 11 years... self employed for 4 years....

I have been told that not to long ago... painters would be only a few hundred bucks from each other... now its (maybe) thousand(s) of dollars...

If thats the case... things have definitely changed... maybe its because most painters "today" haven't taking the time to LEARN the proper way to estimate....have no clue what their overhead is... etc etc...

Have you ever taken your car to a "Body Shop" for repairs???... what happens?? they look at your car and take notes... go inside and look up.. (in there STANDARD auto repair Catalog) and figure out the "standard" cost... what materials are needed...cost...AND what hours it takes to complete... That is the same "STANDARDS" that PAINTERS should use...

The PDCA... offers those STANDARDS....

A LOT of painters live out of there "pocket" and are not ligit...

Thats why A LOT of them fall into the "low ball" catagory...

BUT... a company that has a fleet of trucks... someone to answer the phones etc... probably wont be around the same price as someone who operates out of there home with not a lot of over head... we ALL have different overhead so our price may be A LOT different today...

The people who advertise $40 a room... why even bother wasting your energy... know that THEY are the lowballers...

The people that hire them... shame on them... those are the ones you don't want anyways... there is PLENTY of WORK & QUALITY CUSTOMERS out there... You just need to be willing to spend on the advertising... it works...

What it all comes down to is... you will need to EDUCATE your customers... you need to educate them on the BENIFITS.... YOUR company offers... (not features)... If you are not a member of www.thenapp.com I suggest you become a member... they offer a pamphlet on "How to Hire a Professional Painting Contractor"... you can hand this to your customers at the time of your estimate...

So much to say BUT...My buzz is getting better ...(Capt & Coke) so I will end here...


Joe

ProWallGuy

Did somebody say price fixing?
Shhh, the corn has ears!

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Wallpaper Hanger St. Louis
Digital Murals Installation

AAPaint

This topic sounds too much like fixin for me......not touching it. Raise the bar of your own company....The rest will fall in line or fall behind. That simple.

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-AAPaint

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

4thGeneration

Thats what I have been doing. I tell people if they are looking for cheap to pick up the phone book and find a blow n go outfit. I just think our industry is one that is too lax in the qualifications it takes to be a contractor.

ProWallGuy

Yes, it is. but I love bidding against them. Most can't come close to the value/service I offer for the $$$. And I'm not really that good of a salesman.

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Wallpaper Hanger St. Louis
Digital Murals Installation

GoodPainter

All I can say is that you must set yourself above all else.

Run an ad next to the "$40" guy and word it for quality and detail along with insured warranty, in-home estimate with color consultation and guaranteed satisfied.

Sh*t, I just started my biz this year with no experience, no money and no contract. Just my confidence, father/heritage experience in my blood and heck alot of support(including my self) and I have been workn like mad for 3 months straight since I got my first job signed. People are saying they want me back to do ext, kids room, garage, trim, etc.
When they see your quality- THEY LIKE IT _ AND THEY WILL PAY FOR IT!

Just advertise spend a few bucks here, hand deliver letters, never thought about it until now WOW-- what about checking up(giving a letter) to houses you seen that had job signs up

I dont know but believe me when I say I get happy every time I see the ad around my neck of the woods for " $198 two room SPECIAL "wall space only"" jeez I laugh and know that *** EveryDay I see a new painter or sign or ad or truck or van or whatever that hey that guy won't be here next year or even month when I still am.

Relax and be more confident--Still learn you stuff and teach yourself
This Is a Great place to be CTalk, I love it here- nuthin but experience and info and fun talk

Robert

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Robert Good
It's Your Life-Make Fun Of It!
http://www.robertgoodpainting.com