How Do I Charge.......

Originally Posted by crystaldwn78

Hello, i am sorry in advanced if there is a similar thread already started. I am starting a new business right now and am very confused on what to charge. I have been doing this for the past 7 years but i have always had the help of my husband. I no longer have his help and want to venture on my own. My husband was the one that always did the bidding on the jobs and even then, we did not make very much money. The last few months that i have been doing this on my own I have been blind bidding. I just look at what I'm doing and think " how long is this going to take me?" Well now that I am starting a 'real' business, I want a definite way for doing a bid. I know a couple of paint contractors and I have asked them what they charge and they have said about $1 a SF. I have heard that from a few different paint contractors, then today I talked to another one, that I know makes some really good money, say that he only charges .40 a SF. now to me that doesn't sound high enough. To begin with I am going to be concentrating on apartment buildings. It would be much appreciated if I can get som suggestions and feedback on how to charge or how much to charge, by the square foot for walls, ceilings and trim. Thank you so much in advance.

Originally Posted by frankthepainter

okay, Crystal here is a update from me Today i went to an apartment building to look at a studio,1 bedroom and two bedroom aptmnt. for a bid.

The previous painter was very undependable the prop-manager said, so with the sizes of the room i went home to make my quotes, but after reading on the net about how bad it pays, i decided to call the manager with the bold Question how much the other guy charged, i got the shock of my life.

With paint included it was $150 for the studio the paint that i need alone is flat for the walls, semi gloss for the trim/doors and satin for the kitchen and bathroom.
So i estimated 3, 1 and 2 gallons total price round $108 so i would make less then 50 bucks for at least a whole day of work.
First i was happy by getting to do apartments but now I''m not so sure anymore.

I am going to charge at least $350 on this studio and if they don't like it they can do it them selves or rip off another painter.

A lot off people don't get it how time consuming painting is I will for sure mention it when i give the quote.

good luck with your bid's FRANk

Originally Posted by Brock

Was wondering who was going to go down that road first.

Originally Posted by Brock

Was wondering who was going to go down that road first.

Originally Posted by frankthepainter

hee sean i forgot to mention dat the trim and doors have to be painted also so no spray paint job would work , i dislike spraying anyways delivers a bad job and the costs are more plus that is for lazy painters .

Frank

Originally Posted by sparehair

So my conundrum is the fastest way to do a two color apartment repaint trim walls ceilings. I usually mask, shoot the trim, shoot walls and ceilings with a shield, then cut in walls to trim and touch up. I've got a two bedroom/kitchen cabinet and trimwork job down to two days. Anyone have a better way?

Originally Posted by frankthepainter

hee sean i forgot to mention dat the trim and doors have to be painted also so no spray paint job would work , i dislike spraying anyways delivers a bad job and the costs are more plus that is for lazy painters .

Frank

Originally Posted by ModernStyle

I guess I am a lazy painter then because if I can spray then I will. I didnt buy a sprayer just to get the free t-shirt that came with it. How would spraying cost you more ??? Any lost material should more then be made up for in less man hours.

Originally Posted by rbsremodeling

Sub it to Crystal for $150?