names - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

HUDSONVALLEYEXT · 02-19-2007, 11:42 PM

Im looking to start a new painting company away from our exterior company we are growing to much on the painting side so I want to get something ______ painting. I want Affordable Painting & Pressure Washing but im sure there might be an affordable painting around here.

Any one have any ideas?

Jonesey · 02-19-2007, 11:58 PM

No offense, guy, but I wouldn't put your price point in your name. If the competition for work comes down to price alone you don't want the work. It says too much about both the client and the quality.

I'd do something that would build on the reputation you already have. Referals are the life blood of a successful business.

Brushslingers · 02-19-2007, 11:59 PM

How about truth in advertising?

Convict painting.... or Imigrant painting, or maybe cheapo r us? heh. Sorry.. no, no real ideas atm.

HUDSONVALLEYEXT · 02-20-2007, 12:29 AM

People around here are real cheap. NO ONE around here cares about reputation they only care about price. It is a fact for sure I have lived and worked in many states and people here are cheap.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonesey

No offense, guy, but I wouldn't put your price point in your name. If the competition for work comes down to price alone you don't want the work. It says too much about both the client and the quality.

I'd do something that would build on the reputation you already have. Referals are the life blood of a successful business.

Robert S · 02-20-2007, 12:50 AM

just a suggestion try convencing your customer that they get what they pay for .if they want a cheap job done then hire some one cheap if they want quality that will last .........good luck

LennyV-NHSNOLA · 02-20-2007, 01:13 AM

I was thinking about this after I posted in another thread about "El Cheapo Painting" but it probably wouldn't be bad to have two companies with a high grade product on one end and a contractor grade blow-n-go product on the other end... kind of like auto manufacturers do with their 2 or 3 different lines of cars that are basically the same car with different finishes/luxuries. For example, Dodge/Chrysler, Ford/Mercury, Toyota/Lexus, etc.... so in this example, it would be El Cheapo/El Grande. You could even offer a "fine corinthian leather" finish!

You could also use the "El Cheapo Painters" as a farm company for new employees for your "El Grande Painters".

**Teetorbilt** · 02-20-2007, 01:15 AM

Try 'Hudson Valley Painting'. If that fails try 'Cheap Painters R'US'.

Maybe move to where the money is? That's what I did, comfy too. Calling for '80's over the weekend. Fish or Golf?

Joewho · 02-20-2007, 03:34 AM

Hudson Value Painting

Brushslingers · 02-20-2007, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teetorbilt

That's what I did, comfy too. Calling for '80's over the weekend. Fish or Golf?

Fish, of course!

Ya, when I found myself slamming my truck back and forth into snow drifts to get to the plowed area instead of shoveling... that was my que to get the ell out.

PressurePros · 02-20-2007, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joewho

Hudson Value Painting

I kinda like that. My mind wants to see Hudson Valley but the emotional impact of the word Value rings in.

When it comes down to it, I don't like the whole concept of using affordable, cheap, bargain or other synonym in a company name. If you percieve people as cheap in your area, you are targeting the wrong demographic. If what you are telling me is everyone in your target area wears clothes from Walmart, drives a ten year old compact car, and cannot appreciate a professional paint job.. well I have a hard time believing that. I hear the same thing from contractors all across the country and have yet to have someone convince me its fact. There is a difference in people looking for value and those that cannot afford your service.

One thing to include in your presentation is the fact that a person has to live with and look at an inferior paint job every single day. Explain to them that they will have long forgotten the few dollars they saved and become very frustrated when they see drips, uneven lines and blotchy work day in and day out. Ask your customer how often it is that they do a complete repaint. For my customers it is usually every 6 years on average (based on their answers). Then ask them if the joy of saving a few hundred dollars is worth the dissapointment they will have to live with for 365 days per year over the next six years.

If you think selling on price is the answer you may well put yourself out of business or at the very least you will put yourself in the ring with every other hack out there that calls themself a professional. If you sell on price, you better be the cheapest guy out there or the plan will backfire.

needham · 02-20-2007, 09:18 AM

I just named mine as well.......I went with Needham's Custom Coating.......I too like the Hudson Value Painting.... but I think Hudson Valley Painting would be nice as well

Workaholic · 02-20-2007, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LennyV-NHSNOLA

I was thinking about this after I posted in another thread about "El Cheapo Painting" but it probably wouldn't be bad to have two companies with a high grade product on one end and a contractor grade blow-n-go product on the other end... kind of like auto manufacturers do with their 2 or 3 different lines of cars that are basically the same car with different finishes/luxuries. For example, Dodge/Chrysler, Ford/Mercury, Toyota/Lexus, etc.... so in this example, it would be El Cheapo/El Grande. You could even offer a "fine corinthian leather" finish!

You could also use the "El Cheapo Painters" as a farm company for new employees for your "El Grande Painters".

That is a rather creative idea, very interesting, i particularly like the farm aspect.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joewho

Hudson Value Painting

I also vote for this one.

I also agree that not everyone wants the cheapest deal, you sometimes really do get what you pay for. If everyone wanted the cheapest we would all be working for illegal wages & sleeping 10 to a house, and our wivies would be selling tacos and burritos to all the contractors in the sub-division.

dougchips · 02-20-2007, 01:30 PM

BARGAIN BASMENT PAINTING a affordable division of Elite Painting.

BTW, what are poor people going to powerwash?

**Ed the Roofer** · 02-20-2007, 02:54 PM

I would be willing to bet that some contractor(s) in your area receive a premium price for premium service.

You are stuck in the mentallity that people are too cheap to appreciate proper value. Learn how to overcome your mental block and study how to upgrade your service and the value oriented pricing will fall in line.

I do like both Hudson Value and Valley for the titles. If you will be in the YP, then choose a number or a letter to get front column 1st slot visibility. That sounds like that may be further down the road for you though.

Ed

Danahy · 02-21-2007, 12:52 AM

HudsonValleyInt.

Jonesey · 02-21-2007, 01:26 AM

No offense, guy, but the mark of a bad salesman is that he immediately drops his price. Look for ways to add value to your service, not your price. Smile a lot, dress well, do three great jobs and you will never go hungry, and after a year you can charge what you want.

People do care about quality, they just have to compromise. It's your job as a salesman to help them see that the price compromise isn't worth it. I generally tell people that I've picked from the best painters in the area and hired them or simply do it myself if it seems like the customer feels like the job is too important to leave to lackeys. I let people know up front that I'll be more expensive than some if not all of my competitors, but when they hire me, they're hiring the best. I smile, I dress well, and present myself well, and always keep my truck clean. Having stationary helps. And always be patient.

The clients I deal with are mostly homemakers (I love the ladies, I do, I admit it) that want someone to make them feel comfortable, and flattered. Use what you know to build a relationship with a prospective client before you ask them to sign on the dotted line. It's kind of like dating, but with more money involved.

BTW, I not only get top-priced work, I get bonuses in the hundreds at completion. I got a $1000 bonus on one occasion, plus referrals. And no, I don't have to sleep with anybody, and never have slept with a client (big grin). Not bad when that particulary job price out at $3600.

It's about people, guy, not paint. Quality factors in, but only after salesmanship. They can buy your service anywhere, but they can't buy YOU anywhere. You're the only source on that. It's your job to make sure they need YOU, and not somebody else.

premierpainter · 02-22-2007, 07:21 AM

Before you go out and start a new company and new name, check online under your states website for name searches. You might find that some other genius has already taken the name that you thought you would use. El Cheapo Painting is probably not taken

LennyV-NHSNOLA · 02-22-2007, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by premierpainter

El Cheapo Painting is probably not taken

LOL. But after this thread, I might be able to sell it on eBay for a hefty profit!

boman47k · 02-22-2007, 08:40 AM

Why start a another compete stand-alone business? I don't quite get it. Seems there would be double costs for things you already have. Ins, comp, etc..

jmthouston · 02-22-2007, 04:51 PM

in all respect, please censor some of your racial comments

I am hispanic and really grateful for website such as this and also the value information that most of you come to network.

I could stand back and listen to your resentful, slashing remarks but that woukd just make me of a passive and dull character.

HISPANIC CONSTRUCTION WORKERS should be respected just because they have that right. Just as you have the right to live.
to add, make your money ,with your standards

just to add Joe who input
Hudson Value Painting one heck of a name