Dorman Painting

We've really hit a brick wall, gas prices, bad economy, bad politicians etc., it's looking bleak right now for me and some painters I know. It seems February is by far the slowest month for me, are you guys out there slow or moderately busy or very busy??

I'm getting ready to be late with the mortgage payment, not a good feeling.

remodeling joe

yeah man.... it's pretty slow here in fwb, fl. too.. it's 1:13pm and i'm in front of this computer.... i've got something for friday, but that's it for now. i'm advertising in the paper so hopefully that'll help.
good luck
joe

MIbeachbuilder

We are slow too.

if your going to be late on your mortgage payment, call them BEFORE its officially late. many times they will let you skip a payment and tack it on to the back end or make other arrangements with you. Banks are VERY open right now to alternatives....

American Paint

Same boat here, slowest Feb I have seen. I did find some work by calling old clients and giving them a push and offering a winter discount. I called 5 old clients and got work from 3 ,one was a comlpete interior, hey it never hurts to give it a try.
I hope warmer weather will get the calls coming in,but I expect it to be a slow year and am planing on expanding into a yard maintanance co, I figure a home owner can much more easily aford to pay me $35.00 to mow his yard this year than shelling out $6,000 geting the house painted.
It is time to put my eggs in more than one basket.IMO

remodeling joe

you gotta thank the news media for scaring the s--t out of the home owners who actually can have work done but won't because of the fear instilled.

Double-A

Don't forget our elected officials in Washington (all of them).

They haven't exactly been downplaying the situation or trying to inject a big bold dose of reality into the numbers either.

But, not to fear, I understand they are passing a law to fix everything.

__________________
"My clients’ wishes are the center of my attention." -- David Guido, a contractor in Woodstock, N.Y.
New York Times, July 20, 2006

remodeling joe

"a law to fix everything"????? maybe fix more money into '"their pockets".
we're just pawns in their game of life. these rebate checks are likely aren't go to do ditly squat... the common mortgage payment is about a grand. and the money they're sending out is being "borrowed" from china. we're just making china richer and richer, while americans are being laid-off more and more. america should make a real stand and demand more american made products!! which = more jobs here which = more business growth. jmo

kungfu_kid

things are getting pretty slow over here (uk) as well guys

just hope things pick up soon.

stick in there the good times will roll again, they always do that the nature of this business

Thag

We have three projects going on at the moment. Also getting calls for frozen water lines. Frozen pipes and leaking roofs had been a blessing for me this time of year. We go in after the plumber or roofer has left and do the drywall repairs. Sometimes we get there b 4 the plumbers and repair the pipes. We are starting to get many calls for spring exteriors. This has been a really good start of the year for us.

premierpainter

We are still busy and still do average of 15- 20 estimates a week. I think it is a lot of early planning and a big advertising budget. We allocate 10% of each job and put it into a "war chest" for slow times and for advertising. We still employ 21 guys and the Spring is looking very promising for us. We are in NJ if anyone wants to know.

MakDeco

Did the Chicago money stop coming into SW MI? I am there 4 or 5 times a year for pleasure not work that is.

__________________
MAK Deco

Teetorbilt

51* predicted tonight. Back to 79* tomorrow.

WHEW! That was close!

__________________
You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

perfect

STILL TRYING TO STAY ON SHEDUAL HERE IN ONTARIO SHAPING UP TO BE ANOTHER EXCELLENT YEAR THANK GOD

MIbeachbuilder

LOL! No. Dorman up there said he was going to be late on his mort payment, i was offering helpful advice....

When its feast around here we save for the famine....thats how you have to do it up here in the frozen tundra...

Dorman Painting

I'm in Southern Indiana and it's tough sledding. BTW, I did call the mortgage people and they said noway will we help you out. I can't believe it, I've never been late in over five years....it's ridiculous to think they wouldn't cut me slack on this one time.

I'll definitely be voting in this election, I've never felt like this country was ever this *****ed up.

Tom F.

Since you don't have anything else to do today, maybe you should visit a couple other banks and ask about a new mortgage with better terms. If you havent missed a payment in 5 years, why wouldn't they want you? I know the banks I deal with are all hustling for business right now. I've got pretty good credit, and they'd love to help me get in even deeper!

MIbeachbuilder

Not a bad idea but he still needs to make the mortgage payment...

That is crap! Its like they WANT to loose money and ruin people! I know two people that have had their payments tacked on to the back end by the bank because they too are self employed and having a slow period...all they had to do was call and that is what they are saying to do on the news. Call the bank...

remodeling joe

i'd say just keep callin the bank...most of the time(in my experience) the wrong person answers. i got lucky and i got a really helpfull person on the line...