New to the business, any pointers? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

metomeya · 04-19-2006, 08:03 PM

I've been working at a paint department in a hardware store for almost two years now.

I've always said you'll almost never find an actual painter working at a paint department, cause they make a lot more money.

Well I'm taking my own advice, and am trying my hand at being a painter. I'm tired of helping a bunch of hicks that don't know what they are talking about, and that are getting a lot more money than I am.

Any pointers you guys would give to someone starting out?

I guess the big things I'm worried about is over estimating, driving away customers, or under estimating, killing my profits.

Also, I'm in arizona, so do I only have to get a permit right, no license? Who do I usually go to do that?

Thanks

**slickshift** · 04-19-2006, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metomeya

I've been working at a paint department in a hardware store for almost two years now.

I'm tired of helping a bunch of hicks that don't know what they are talking about, and that are getting a lot more money than I am.

....that would be us

**ProWallGuy** · 04-19-2006, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slickshift

....that would be us

Speak for yourself.

**slickshift** · 04-19-2006, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProWallGuy

Speak for yourself.

lxdollarsxl · 04-19-2006, 09:06 PM

its not going to be the get rich quick job you seem to think it is.

I just realise i must be a hick too :P;

AAPaint · 04-19-2006, 09:59 PM

My advice, I got from someone else....bid what you think you need to make, and leave it at that. There will be a lot of people who can't afford to have a professional do the job right, or that just plain don't realize the cost of having a pro handle their work. Set your price, and walk away if they balk at it.

metomeya · 04-20-2006, 08:53 AM

I know its not a "get rich quick" thing, but it is a more pay than i"m getting now.

**ProWallGuy** · 04-20-2006, 09:54 AM

Here's some real world advice. Technical/application knowledge means alot, but knowing how to run a business means even more these days.

Know your numbers, learn about overhead, profit margins, take a course in accounting/bookkeeping if necessary. Figure your prices and stick to them.

Keep accurate records of your job production rates, and be diligent on doing job costing. Find out where you make the most money, and where you are losing it, and adjust accordingly.

Learn to sell, mainly yourself. Figure out a good system to sell, and stick to it.

Hope that helps.

1Painter · 04-20-2006, 09:18 PM

Have you ever heard of " Feast or Famine "

DelW · 04-20-2006, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1Painter

Have you ever heard of " Feast or Famine "

Yeah, the wife hates that part of the business. Not having a regular paycheck can make bill time nerve wracking. It takes awhile to get the business to where it can support itself.

Del

lpp · 04-20-2006, 09:45 PM

I can honestly say I have been in your shoes. I worked in numerous paint departments for years before venturing into the actual painting side of things when I got offered a job with a local remodeler (that was almost 8 years ago..wow time flies). I have just recently started my own company with a partner that used to work for me when I was the foreman (ughh..forewoman lol) and it's been tough to say the least.
Product knowledge is great and will give you a great foundation to start with, but producing a quality finish will only come with experience. My advice would be to try to get a little experience by taking some jobs with a few contractors in your area. I know you are probably ready to get started on your own, but this helped me learn more about the trade itself. Once you get started with your own business Prowall gave some great advice. Being a paint contractor isn't as much about the painting as it is the business. If jobs were awarded based on skills I wouldn't have had the past two days off.

It's a tough business to be in. I wish the best to you.

saucedo80 · 04-21-2006, 01:08 AM

First of all, I agree with all of you, here's the way I see it

First: Learn the trade, this will give you a solid foundation to start your buisness with (if worse comes to worse you can always get your painting clothes on to finish the job)

Second: learn the buisness side of contracting(bidding, bookeeping,and contractor's laws) You can take classes for this, but I have learned more from the advice that the "old school" contractors have given me, and my own trial an error.

Third: Be neat, be honest, keep your word no matter what, and be on time. This will get you more work than you can believe, this is something I learned from the "old school contractors"

Personally I have been in buisness for myself for a little less than a year and I know I have a long way to go, but I just take it day by day and job by job. Let me add though that before starting my buisness I had been in the trade for 10 years already. I have followed these three guidlines and I have been doing good. I hope this works for you.

Dave Mac · 04-22-2006, 07:27 AM

read e myth

Dave Mac · 04-22-2006, 07:32 AM

do you have any real hands on experience in the actuall painting?

read through theses fourmns, their is lots of advice in here