How To Attract And Keep Very Good Painters? Thoughts?

SeanATL

I need a couple very good and reliable guys. "Very good" doesn't have to mean the picaso of the painting business, I just mean...does a good job, works hard, on time, etc, etc...

Obviously you could pay someone $50 a hour, but other than the obvious, anyone have any ideas on how to attract and keep good employees?

I'm the type of guy who's willing to pay for good service.....

I've thought of things like 100% health insurance coverage. Not too many people do that anymore. Do painters care about that? Would most just rather have the money to get drunk with?

Anyone have creative ideas that helps employees be loyal, do a good job, etc....

bill r

IF I were a decent painter (I AM NOT) here's what I'd be looking for:

To be a valued member of a team of which I could be proud. It's pack psychology. If I'm a lone wolf, I'm looking for a pack where I respect the leader for his leadership skills and he respects me for my pack contribution (painting). I would expect to have a reasonable share in the food (money) produced by the pack. What's 'reasonable'? Proportional to my contribution. Mutual respect is the key.

siberian

I would love to offer insurance. Not sure how that could be done with increasing cost. Great idea if you can. Iagree with the respect issue, and it doesn't cost a fortune. Seems like a person will go out of thier way to work or help someone they respect. Unannounced bonus money at the right times is always a plus.

amauri

hey Sean.
I would do things like giving a little surprise gift($$$$) at the end of the projects,give a rise of salary without being asked for( only if you see that the painter is really worth it).I use to work for a company that did to me and i worked there for 6 years.There are good guys still working there for 4 , 5 years.I think those things i mentioned above were part of what they did to hold us in there.
i hope it helps . Good luck!

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Dave Mac

some sort of bonus for work done under budget that way its a win win. basicly pay them more then anyone else will, if they are worth it, but that means you have to be charging the correct amount for this.

farrellpainting

, All the salary,bounuses, and perks in the world wouldn't keep me around forever, if I don't get respect, and if the boss is a daily azzhole.

RCPainting

I agree! Sometimes no amount of money is worth the aggravation factor. You have to enjoy going to work every day.

George Z

The following is an e-mail we got today, we get many like that


Dear Sir/Madam

This email is a follow up to the resume I left with your reception today at
your markham office. I saw the advertisement you had looking for painters
and after reading your company policies and learning about your work ethic
and track record I became very interested In working for your company. I am
an experienced painter looking to further my skills and earn my red seal.
Your company seems unique in that you appear to appreciate quality and
education. As im sure you are aware these are rare qualities to find in a
painting company or any company for that matter and i would consider it a
privalege to be a part of your team. Inserted in the body of this email is a
text copy of my resume for your review. All references can be contacted at
your lesiure. Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

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George Z

They have to make a good living.
Theirs cannot be a dead end job.
An apprentice can become a painter, a painter a crew leader,
a crew leader a field manager etc.
I don't care how small your company is, they have to chart their own career.
Find out what their dreams are and see if you can help them get there,
within the framework of your own company.

After you find 2-3 good people, give them the keys to the company.

Read Gung Ho by Ken Blanchard and find out about:

The spirit of the Squirrel
The way of the Beaver
The gift of the Goose

Intriguing?

Read the book.

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Humble Abode

Awesome post George!

About health insurance,

Small business owners often do not offer health benefits because they think that it is cost prohibitive. It is not. Even if you pay $150 to $200 per month per employee, that's only $0.93 to $1.25 per hour per employee.

How much are you paying for WC? $2 to $4 per hour per employee!

I think an extra $1 per hour is a good investment when you think about how valuable it will be to your employees and their families. Think about the state of health care in this country. If your employees have children, how likely are they to stay with you and be passionate about your company when you have a benefits package that includes (but is not limited to) medical and dental?

Also why do you have to pay 100%. I think any employee or potential employee would be happy to pay 1/4 or 1/3. Why? Because if you offer a health plan of any kind you will be one of the only painters in your market doing it.

Think about when word gets out to your competition about your benefits package, you will have your pick of some of the best painters in town. It may take 6 months, or a year, but your company will be vastly more valuable having done it.

Of course it would mean nothing if you didn't also treat them with respect and give them raises for a job well done.


Beer money? Why would you want those guys working for you in the first place? In fact, now that I think about it, having a good benefits plan may help to weed out the duds and part timers from your company! Why put up with some jerk who could care less about you when you have people, like in Georges case, beating down your door willing to perform?

I offer 401k, health (working on dental), active training program (a road map for advancement in the company) and monthly performance bonuses. I try to pay a little bit more than my competition. I will also, if the employee is willing, pay to send them to special training courses.

Mark Havens opened my eyes when he taught me to, not "treat your employees as you would want to be treated" but "treat them like you treat your best customers!"

Sorry for the long post, you can tell I feel strongly about it.

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George Z

This:

is also Mark's suggestion.

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Richard

So put out an ad that says the above statement

and of course, drug screen and ask about alcohol consumption up front
let them know during the interview that if they ever smell like booz or show signs of drug or alcohol use, they are gone that second, no questions

Brushslingers

I'll tell you what I do, without the benefit of reading books.

I treat them like I want to be treated.

I build up thier skills by telling them exactly what thier strong points are, and thier weak. I get them excited about making this company grow and let them know details of how much we bring in, where money goes, how much I make, etc. We celebrate getting big juicy jobs, and decide as a team to walk from no profit jobs. I bring beer and listen to thier problems. We lunch at Hooters every so often, take off early when we can.... and most importantly... I pay better than anyone else in town and expect more in return, I make that part clear. I also stopped hiring kids, sorry to those of you that could take offense to being under 30 with your head on straight, don't meet too many. My guys know they are hand picked, experienced, quick, clean painters... the best here... it shows.

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George Z

Great stuff, except the Hooters part.
It wouldn't work well with the female painters.

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Brushslingers

You'd be suprised.

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MakDeco

Hey Humble,

Maybe I will swing up from Chicago and apply for a job

I am surrently looking for someone and dread place ads in papers etc.. You have to weed out so many bad ones before you might find a have way decent one. All the good ones sound like they are on there own or working for George, Slingers or Humble!

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MAK Deco

Humble Abode

It sounds like you got a good thing going, but do you ever get any resentment from this? I mean it's nice to think that everyone knows the reality of their position, but that isn't always the case. When one of my guys asks me how much this or that job was bid at they are subject to about a an hour of me rambling on about insurance, overhead, materials costs and on and on, before I will tell them.


I am hiring

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Just because some of us can read and write and do a little math, that doesn't mean we deserve to conquer the Universe. Kurt Vonnegut, (1922 - 2007) from the Novel 'Hocus Pocus'
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slickshift

$27.50 an hour
Medical/Dental
Profit Sharing

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Signature Quote

Quote:

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

farrellpainting

How much are you guys charging per/hr?

Slick, payin 27.50 + bene's?I can't even charge that much in my area!

Brushslingers

Not anymore, I share whats going on and pay too well.

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Benn