Want to get started with painting - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

bobbyacro · 03-24-2009, 12:37 PM

I have been lurking on this site for a while now and have always respected the pro's advice on here. Stepping on toes or getting free "how to" advice is not what im here for. I want to get hired as a painter with a local company but they all ask, "how many years of pro. painting experience do you have?", well I have 0 years of that.

I am 28 years old and have painted tons of of houses (new construction and repaints) for the rentals my parents buy. I am in the middle of painting a nursery for my first child (girl) who is due to come in July. I have been taking pics of the job and wanted to know from the pros if they would hire me, based on the ability shown by doing this nursery. I really love to paint and do finish work (I used to build custom poker tables and resaw my own veneers out of Koa and finished them).

If you guys would be willing to help someone with direction on how to get hired I would be very grateful. If this is the case then I will post pictures of the room in a day or two when its finished. I will supply all info including paint used, type of brush I cut with, primer used, etc.... so that you can tell if I am good enough to be hired and what type of respect I should recieve due to what skills I have (am I an asset to a company?).

Thanks so much for your time, opinion and knowledge.
Bob

WisePainter · 03-24-2009, 12:39 PM

Come back in 5 years.

ModernStyle · 03-24-2009, 12:49 PM

If you pay me $500 a month I will allow you to apprentice under me. If you pay me $1000 a month you can set on my lap and steer the truck on the way to the jobs.

bobbyacro · 03-24-2009, 12:54 PM

Hahahaha, now the ball busting is half way out of the way, I hope. This type of reaction I expected from a few of you guys, the same guys on job sites that just talk a lot of trash. If you want respect for your occupation I suggest you treat people, that have an apprectiation for your ability, with a little more respect than you have shown me. Im not some DIY'er coming in here asking "how much do I charge to paint a wall?" I have read all those posts and made sure I didnt come in here acting like that, I showed you respect and asked for some direction. You guys are the pros and im just asking what you look for in a new employee.

WisePainter · 03-24-2009, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobbyacro

Hahahaha, now the ball busting is half way out of the way, I hope. This type of reaction I expected from a few of you guys, the same guys on job sites that just talk a lot of trash. If you want respect for your occupation I suggest you treat people, that have an apprectiation for your ability, with a little more respect than you have shown me. Im not some DIY'er coming in here asking "how much do I charge to paint a wall?" I have read all those posts and made sure I didnt come in here acting like that, I showed you respect and asked for some direction. You guys are the pros and im just asking what you look for in a new employee.

are you finished?

bobbyacro · 03-24-2009, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WisePainter

are you finished?

With you? Yes.

JumboJack · 03-24-2009, 01:13 PM

Now don't get me wrong.I am ALL for busting guy's ball's when it is needed...I am just kinda curious why this guy is getting the cold sholder..Maybe it's a painter thing,I dunno.

mckellarman · 03-24-2009, 01:18 PM

Not a good start, if you are really looking for advice put up with the ribbing and dont be a smarta$$. If you cannot find a job as a painter perhaps you are setting your sights too high. You gotta start somewhere, cant be too proud to be a helper, prove yourself and get the experience necessary.

josey wales · 03-24-2009, 01:35 PM

Bobby if you are looking to be trained as a painter, try your Local Painters Union. One thing they do have going for them is their training. They do not require you to have any experience to start as an apprentice.

bobbyacro · 03-24-2009, 01:47 PM

Thanks Josey, ill check that out. My real question was this,
You own your own painting buisness and are not looking for painters but are not opposed to highering a guy that would make you more money. The guy comes to you seeking employment and has no pro experience. The guy seeking employment in your office does have a portfolio of a couple jobs he has done. Could you tell from these photos, along with the other information (time it took him, materials used etc..) if you would higher him?

I just want to get my foot in the door and wouldnt mind proving myself to an employer as long as there is room for advancment. I know I have skills to paint, know to use good product but I also know I dont have the knowledge that comes with years and years of painting.

Im also not being a smartass, just simply stating the opinion that if im shown 0 respect from someone when I treat them with respect, then they get none back from me in return.

WisePainter · 03-24-2009, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobbyacro

Im also not being a smartass, just simply stating the opinion that if im shown 0 respect from someone when I treat them with respect, then they get none back from me in return.

Workaholic · 03-24-2009, 02:39 PM

With 0 real day to day painting experience you will get hired on as a helper. as a helper you will be doing a lot of the prep and basic jobs. Over time you will then be thrown various tasks to see how you do. As time goes on you will be given opportunities to prove yourself.
You will not be a lead guy right out of the gate no matter how good that room looks.
I am interested in seeing the pictures so post them.

bobbyacro · 03-24-2009, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Workaholic

With 0 real day to day painting experience you will get hired on as a helper. as a helper you will be doing a lot of the prep and basic jobs. Over time you will then be thrown various tasks to see how you do. As time goes on you will be given opportunities to prove yourself.
You will not be a lead guy right out of the gate no matter how good that room looks.
I am interested in seeing the pictures so post them.

Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it. I guess I was confused as to the levels of employment. I didnt expect to be a lead right away and wouldnt mind being a helper til i proved myself. I will probably have the pics up in 24 hours. I am finishing the trim up now but will not have the new floor or lighting in when I submit the pics. I will get them up ASAP.

KCCT · 03-24-2009, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobbyacro

Thanks Josey, ill check that out. My real question was this,
You own your own painting buisness and are not looking for painters but are not opposed to highering a guy that would make you more money. The guy comes to you seeking employment and has no pro experience. The guy seeking employment in your office does have a portfolio of a couple jobs he has done. Could you tell from these photos, along with the other information (time it took him, materials used etc..) if you would higher him?

Workaholic · 03-24-2009, 02:57 PM

Are you doing the floors too? Did you do the carpentry work as well? What about the drywall? The reason i am asking is I was wondering if you might be better served as a handy man or a specified trade.

Wolfgang · 03-24-2009, 03:07 PM

Myself, if the personalities meshed, I'd give you a shot. I wouldnt send you out by yourself, but would probably have you work directly with me. Once I see your abilities, how you take suggestions, etc., we would take it from there.

I dont mind taking a guy who truly wants to learn the business. But understand most of us have been burned before and (and how can I put this delicately), well Painters are notorious BS'ers. I've been lucky that I've had a few guys start out with me and go on to own their own businesses.

Just hang in there, be honest, be enthusiastic, be willing to learn, be willing to take crap, and make sure you got a good sense of humor. Hope things work out well for you.

bobbyacro · 03-24-2009, 03:23 PM

Sorry KC.... Hiring... my bad

workaholic- The drywall just needed basic patching, no big deal. I did put the chair rail up and will also be putting in Pergo flooring. I can do that stuff but would rather focus on one trade. My brother-in-law is trying to get started as a "handyman" and it seems very confusing because he does not know when to say no to something.

Wolfgang- Thanks, I appreciate the kind words.

Workaholic · 03-24-2009, 04:07 PM

Sounds like a specified painting job is the way to go then. Start cranking out some applications and understand entry level is probably where you will start.

WisePainter · 03-24-2009, 04:41 PM

remember to tell your new Boss and crew about your respect system first thing when you step out of your car onto the job site...the whole give and get thing.

lol.

Workaholic · 03-24-2009, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WisePainter

remember to tell your new Boss and crew about your respect system first thing when you step out of your car onto the job site...the whole give and get thing.

lol.

sick'em