To the painters who had no work... - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Richard · 11-27-2006, 06:35 AM

In the past couple of months there have been a few guys who didn't have work lined up for the winter--

just curious how you all are doing? I hope your computers are all still able to be turned on

Did you all find some work? Get a different winter gig? I'm just curious, hope your doing better...

JNLP · 11-27-2006, 10:50 AM

Well I've been seeing alot of the internet lately.

I hooked up with a remodeler who just happens to hate painting. Just finished one big 3BR interior, and have another 3BR I'm starting later this week. Then I get to go back to the first & re-paint some of the rooms as they just wanted everything one color for now while they move in & think of new colors (I won't complain). Also having their basement & garage finished, so I'll get those too. Then have a few small jobs lined up here & there. I'm taken care of for the winter money wise, now it's just finding something to do when I'm not working. Sitting at home is killing me.

Exroadog · 11-27-2006, 11:48 AM

Getting a little more work. I am back in your area!!!! Getting a little more teaching jobs in the decorative side. Its still paint related!

AAPaint · 11-27-2006, 12:18 PM

Heh.....I got laid off till Thursday! Whole week vacation.......Actually, I have about 4 estimates to do before Thursday already, so no fun for me. Seems even days I take off I spend doing work...

Miniroller · 11-27-2006, 06:02 PM

yeah idle time didn't last long.. just long enought to rip some of the exterior of my house apart, put in some new anderson windows and felt paper and trim it up; now i spend my lunch break shingling before the snow and crap weather shows . I guess it is a paranoia that strikes when there is no work lined up.

DeanV · 11-27-2006, 06:51 PM

I just landed one that will take me into late January for me and my employee.

I was worried this year, being the first year I have to worry about keeping some other than myself busy! Definetely an answer to prayer at this time, phone calls are rare between Thanksgiving and New Years around here.

Alpha · 11-27-2006, 07:05 PM

Have layed off 6 employees. Trying to keep 2 guys and myself going. I usualy keep 3-5 emlyees and myself in the winter. Bidding low in order to keep as many people as possible. We have been together for a long time. I feel obligated to do so since I do very well in the summer. This is not a good season overall and this winter will probably be worse. Thanks to everybody in this board fot the support.

Alpha

Joewho · 11-27-2006, 07:55 PM

KellyPainting · 11-27-2006, 07:59 PM

Just kidding.... haven't run out yet... the weathers been great .. still outside! today was 59 in Mass..... got 2 new contructions comming soon
hopefully one right after another!!!

HUDSONVALLEYEXT · 11-27-2006, 08:34 PM

I laid off everyone I dont even got work for myself now. I dont know what to do

Richard · 11-27-2006, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HUDSONVALLEYEXT

I laid off everyone I dont even got work for myself now. I dont know what to do

yikes!...

you've got to do something though--do you know any contractors? have you called all of your past customers? you could pick up another job--

desperate times call for desperate measures--

Woz the Painter · 11-28-2006, 01:05 AM

I worked with this old timer years ago who got layed off from the contractor we werte working for at the time, anywho he keeps calling the super and a few weeks later he says go to so and so job on Monday.

So he tells the super I thank you and Pall thanks you for putting me back to work. The super replies who the hell is "Pall", he says Pall is my dog, and I was so broke, I was fixxen to eat him...

POOLMANinCT · 11-28-2006, 01:33 AM

a couple pipe jobs left and season is a wrap

overall a good year despite a month of spring rain in connecticut... that was expensive weather

ray

DPainting · 11-28-2006, 05:04 PM

Well I had to put my employee on part-time only. Like I said earlier I got lucky with my repeat customers. They keep me going right now. As for new work, the only ones I got are exterior and the weather doesn't seem friendly enough right now to handle them. One is a stain/sealer job using cabots on a cedar sided house. The other is also a wood sided job. I may have to wait till spring for those. I am now I'm going to be doing some carpentry work too. Keeping up with the Jones's for now. I am actually still looking at Southern Florida as an alternative during the really dead months that may come. Anyone down there need help?

HUDSONVALLEYEXT · 11-28-2006, 05:11 PM

I was looking to go to south florida. im sick of the 6th month work year up in ny

POOLMANinCT · 11-28-2006, 05:23 PM

is painting really that cut-throat low baller of a biz?

if i went down south id have to work for a fraction of that which the new england market commands?

i always thought new england is the place to be for seasonal..

ray

Alpha · 11-28-2006, 07:51 PM

As with any business you can do really well and bad with painting in New England during Summer. However you need to keep healthy volumes and margins. I have done very well... Winters however can be a different story. BTW I do mostly repaints and try to stay away from new construction during the summer.

Good luck to everybody.

Honesty = Profits

BMAN · 11-28-2006, 11:26 PM

We are doing well and the phone is still ringing. Others are crying here though. Sherwin is calling me asking how I am keeping my volume up. I started advertising for winter work in the summer! I also keep in close contact with any customer that I know talks about us, its working this year so far. All I need to do now is book February and its smooth sailing til spring....

Brushslingers · 11-28-2006, 11:36 PM

I watched several go under, phone is ringing off the hook for people looking for work. Isn't that great a year for the unprepared in FL either. I'm ok though.