Question About Prep

gregt848

Hello,
I have a few questions for the Pro's. I have been painting for over ten years working for others. About a year ago I went out on my own. After some trial and error seem to be doing O.K. Just trying to work out some kinks. My question is regarding the prep work specifically on the trim. Some older houses the trim is so beat you could wood fill for days and still not have it look flawless. Is there a method you go by when pricing this or wording it in an estimate? How much fill do you actually do? The more you wood fill the more sanding and longer the job takes and more money the job costs. New woodwork (or in good shape) is not the problem, but I know everyone has been in some older houses. Also how much extra do you figure in for wall cracks that need to be taped and mudded, is that in the estimate or extras? Lastly, I hear many people mention about advertising through postcards, how do you go about that? Thanks in advance.
Greg

ProWallGuy

The scope of work should be determined by the customer. Ask them how do you want this to look. Or explain for $XX, I will only fill major dents, or for $***, I will make them look new, etc. Or suggest an upgrade to replace them. Whatever you do, have it written out in detail as to what you will do, and how they will look, and stick to it.

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Digital Murals Installation

gregt848

Thanks,
Any other feedback would be great.

Brushslingers

Use the right product... rated caulk joint it what, 1/4 inch max? Or is it 1/8... anyhoo, something larger than a dime should NOT be puttied, perhaps look at Abatron or simular do correct those problems. And yes, it's a charge to make crud not look like crud... depending on the product and the amount of labor, it's the only thing I do HO's T&M or per job pricing on.

Anything is possible, as long as the money is there.

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Benn

gregt848

Thanks for the tips, I am not nessesarily talking about big flaws, but small ones but there are so many that it would be so time consuming that you either lose money or the customer doesnt want to pay for it. what about the post cards?

slickshift

You either put in in the bid, or don't
Then for sure don't do it lol

It's a tough call though
If it's going to look like total crap and the customer doesn't want to pay for the proper solution, you might want to consider passing on it
I say this because it is an exterior, a huge billboard with your name on it

You might want to post that in a separate thread with "post card" in the title
You'll get a better response (this title says "prep")
You also might want to post it in "marketing"

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