Paintguy26

ANewLook

Let me start by saying im working on getting a small residential painting business up and running here in CT. This is my first ever business venture, so im still educating myself on the laws/requirements for a business in CT. Im starting from the ground up, having very little to work with as far as funding, so i need to make the most of my money while still being able to offer quality work and material. I will be working alone until such time as my work load no longer allows me to do so. I was hoping that since you are in CT also, perhaps you could help me out with some advice.

My questions are sort of broad...is there any reason to use sherwin williams over glidden, wooster over purdy(vice versa), and what type of roller covers are best suited for your most common work, etc. I have worked almost strictly with SW and Wooster due to my previous employers preferences, so i really dont know what all is out there.

On the business end of things here in CT, im trying to find out where the line is drawn as far as requirements and laws. What is required as far as licenses, registrations, insurances? Ive been told by multiple people that i shouldnt need to be registered and licensed until i am making a certain amount of money(combined and individually) for my work, but everything i can find on the CT business sites point to having to be both registered and licensed before you even start....obviously they arent gonna tell you if there are loopholes. I want to be fully legitimate with my business, but if there are any unneccessary costs i can cut at the start, it would really help. I know i may be asking a lot here, but you guys seemed quite helpful from the posts i have read so far. Any response is appreciated, and i would love to hear from anyone else too.

slickshift

Okey Dokey
I have not been impressed with the Glidden products I have used
To be sure, the name Sherwin Williams is on some cheap products too
The premium SWP products seem just fine
In fact, they have some great ones for specific apps
Depends what you are looking for, but pretty comparable
Be Forwarned: The Purdy brushes at Home Despot are de-spec'd
Stick to the paint shop brushes
Depends what you are used to
Usually I keep some wool or 50/50s, and maby some Purdy White Doves on hand, in varying nap lengths
Then that's a no-brainer
Stick with what you know

I'd also find a Ben Moore and Pittsburgh dealer to open accts. with
Between the three there's nothing you can't cover
In my former home state of Connecticut, I can tell you that technically you don't need a license to paint
But however, technically if you are charging over $500 per job, and/or over a total of $3000, you need to register with the Dept. Of Consumer Protection and get your registration #
This is commonly called a license #

As this is such a small amount (500) I'd recommend registering ASAP
You'll want to be prepared if one of the first few jobs should be over $500

You do not need a Home Improvement Contractors License
It's not a bad idea, as it lets you do more things
But as you are not "adding value" to the home by improving it (even though some places it sure seems like it lol) you don't actually need this

You do however, need to register with the state's sales tax office, and pay them the sales tax you collected from certain clients (mostly businesses)
Even if you collect no sales tax (or sales & use tax as they call it) in a quarter, you have to submit the paperwork with 0 in it

You also need to register in the town you are doing business in

__________________
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

Exroadog

I used to work CT. and unless your customers pay cash, you need the license to have a copy for your bank to cash the checks. You should get ins. too. As far as paint and sleeves and brushes, use what works for you. But if a client wants BM....use BM!

__________________
www.decoartisans.com
http://dpap.org
http://paintedfx.com

Brushslingers

Definatly get some insurance.

__________________
Benn

Richard

So anewlook, congrats on your business venture. Business is no joke, so you need to make sure you're ready. What area of CT are you in? What kind of experience do you have? What kind of work have you done?

Now, for your questions. Slick is the man, so his advice is great. I'll try to help you with all your questions, but some of them are personal choices.

You're going to need some money to buy intital things like ladders, drop cloths, tools (2 of everything), etc. You need the basics and then some, so you're not running out all the time to buy random things. If funds are low, grab a small personal loan or something. DONT buy a lot of extra big things yet, work the cost of them into some bigger jobs.

This is what "the card" in my wallet says...
On bottom it states my name, address, business name, license number, effective date, when it expires, and my signature.

I was told, to paint in the state of CT I needed this....I dont question authority when it comes to my livelyhood and well-being, so I got it. You need one as well... the main office is in Hartford.

You need liability insurance ( I would get at least $1,000,000 coverage. It's usually required to hold 2,000,000 for commercial, if you ever go that route). You'll pay $600-$700/year.

Now, the materials I use....I have and love purdy brushes. Wooster is a very good company. I use wooster roller frames, extension poles, and some of their brushes. Corona is another good company. I use SW paint almost exclusively, unless the HO prefers another quality paint. Glidden is garbage. I wont get into good and bad paint...we've been there and done that in here.

Dont feel bad asking questions, I wish I knew about this site when I was starting up. All of the painters in here are great to listen to, everyone offers a different twist. Make sure you look at every angle when people answer and then pick what's best for you.....see ya round

__________________
Rich

ANewLook

Thanks for the responses. Sort of along what i expected to hear, but never hurts to ask for a second opinion.

I am located in New Canaan and plan on working in the Norwalk/Stamford area. As far as covering tools to start, i have 4-5 dropcloths(plenty for me), 3-4 roller frames/poles, 2 good ladders, and a small assortment of brushes. I could use a few new brushes, but other than that i think im covered as far as tools go. Ive done mainly new home GC work(prep,spraying,backrolling,trim) so i have little experience doing much else.

Anything else anyone wants to add that may be helpful along the way, ill definately be checking back to read. Thanks again

Brushslingers

It will be a HARD road uphill for you. Be prepared to work 25 hours a day, 8 days a week. Good luck, stay in touch.

__________________
Benn

Richard

Just make sure you are ready to own and operate a business. You are in control of being legit, getting jobs, bidding correctly, keeping good records...the list is endless.

Not saying your not qualified, but you are signing up to play in a whole different ball-game. Do you have a work vehicle? If so, you'll need commercial insurance. Oh, you also have to go to your town hall and get a trade name certificate. Mine was around 5 or 10 bucks. This is to prevent anyone else from using your name as a business.

Plan on working 6-7 days a week for a while. I'm only going on 1 year in business and I work all the time. You have to when you're new. Be ready for it, dont slack...it'll bite ya fast

One other thing~If you are looking for a steady paycheck, getting paid every Friday, and benefits....business is not for you. You'd be better getting $20/hr. working for someone reputable. Just another thing to consider.

__________________
Rich

Danahy

I remember a time when I loaded all my dollar store tools, and a 16' extension ladder in my honda civic hatchback. My estimates were on a note pad. My company name was stuck to my windows by tape. My biggest mistake was not asking people for help. Likewise, my biggest success was not asking people for help. Really makes me appreciate where I am today. If this website was around back then, I'm sure I could've avoided some unnessary headaches.

Danahy

Never take a job you couldn't eat.

ANewLook

Yes, im prepared for what im getting myself into. Ive done a good bit of my homework as far as pricing, bidding, advertising, taxes, and record keeping. Im sure its gonna take some hard work until i get into the swing of things, but iam prepared for it. Im still working on the pricing specifics for this area, but hopefully i will have that nailed down in the next week or so. Once i have the pricing down, the bidding should go with it. While we're on the topic of pricing, id be glad to listen to any suggestions

I am planning on doing mostly repaints to get started, so it shouldnt be quite as painful. I was basically the right hand man for my former boss who owned the company i painted with, so i got to see/hear all the headaches he had to deal with doing GC work. Without having a sprayer, or any credit accounts set up yet at a paint supplier, i dont think im quite ready yet to take on GC work. Not to mention i dont quite have the bank account to fork out a lot of money, then wait around for weeks to get paid if the GC has a rough week.

As for my vehicle, i plan on using my personal vehicle(chevy blazer suv) for now until i have the resources to afford a work van. I assumed my normal private insurance would be fine until that time...am i mistaken?

Thanks again for the help

GoodPainter

Welcome,

Gotta say whaazzup?
Any way I got a vw rabbit hb and have personal ins. but Business coverage--Im in PA so dont know how it is for you but it will cover me if im using for biz stuff-check your ins company-5 min call

Yeah I just started too in the biz, earlier this year, now I still have my FT 40hr/wk job, cause it'll help me in the winter

You should have plenty if ya got what you said, little things you can get with each job material buys, ie brush w/ two gallons of paint, 2 covers with 1 gal primer, and so so

Just remember to bid accordenly to the job ie, difficulty, or length to let patch dry 1 coat, 2 coats add for trim and such

My first few jobs I learned --1st job I bid less than Half than I could have got-- the second I bid 50% higher than previous bidder(I got call Just As i got home, cause of time frame of completion)still got job
and so on
Still learning but higher profits now

--Don't be afaid to get what your worth just first couples jobs you might be low to get em

--Dont forget to add your Over Head into your hourly rate
ie $25/hr + $25/he OH = $50/hr + (i ussually add 10% for error) +10% to 20% profit and maybe standard fee for recollection of time spent estimated and diving here there

Anyway GOOD LUCK
and I am here

Robert

__________________
Robert Good
It's Your Life-Make Fun Of It!
http://www.robertgoodpainting.com

paint slinger

Time and Material(overhead + profit) forget about sq foot rates on repaints. Figure out your production levels in order to bid properly..... how long it takes to do a given task ie walls,doors,trim ect. Learn to be a sales man....License, Insurance, get a shirt and jacket with company logos, buisness cards,vehicle signs....down load est sheets and contracts from the file swap area on this site, get a company sign made and place on the job site I have picked up work this way cost $75.00. Company shirts with logos $150.00, sign for van $200.00. Find advertisment thats cheap and effective ie graigs list(free),local shoppers- I have got a lot of work from this for as little as $30.00 a month. Put together professional bid packages (contracts)-all free from this site. Remeber you are selling your self to your customers striving to seperate your self from your competion.

Take the advise given here on paint brands stay away from box store paints stick to SW/BM...Invest in good equipment as the money allows it makes your life easier.

Good Luck