Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum banner

New Construction pricing

2294 Views 10 Replies 5 Participants Last post by  katoman
We do mainly commercial and repaints, we do little in the way of new res. Well until we got really slow this fall...the wife and I are helping a good friend of mine who does nothing but new res. He's paying us an hourly wage which isn't bad, but he told me what he was charging an I just felt it was way to low.

He's getting around 1.25-1.30 per square ft., which comes out to about two grand on these 1500 square foot homes. To me, that's just to cheap, it's almost like a 1990 price. I've had my business for over ten years and done plenty of new res. myself, and the work involved screams for more money IMO. These houses consist of one wall color, one trim color, no ceilings(textured), and the master bdrm has crown only. I'm thinking 1.75 a foot at least, and this is labor only, the builder buys the paint.
1 - 11 of 11 Posts
What's the question ?

Did he ask you for any advice or input ? If not a wise man would mind his own shop.
New construction painting is a whole different game.

Typical proceedure is - spray primer, and roll behind. spray all trim work, roll walls, done.

My painter for high end - sand everything, fill and patch as necessary, prime everything, sand again, minimum two coats on trim and walls.

New construction is all about being fast, they don't do anything not necessary. Up here it's going for about $ 1.25 and the painter supplies the paint.

My custom guy charges by the job not the square foot. Probably about 3 times the cost of new construction. But you are comparing a ford to a ferrari :whistling
New construction painting is a whole different game.

Typical proceedure is - spray primer, and roll behind. spray all trim work, roll walls, done.

My painter for high end - sand everything, fill and patch as necessary, prime everything, sand again, minimum two coats on trim and walls.

New construction is all about being fast, they don't do anything not necessary. Up here it's going for about $ 1.25 and the painter supplies the paint.

My custom guy charges by the job not the square foot. Probably about 3 times the cost of new construction. But you are comparing a ford to a ferrari :whistling
You're screwing the painter at that rate or he's to dumb to know any better. At that rate, the painter is probably only making about 95 cents a sq. foot after material, deduct labor and he's down to 70 cents, deduct insurance and gas, he's down to 60 cents etc.

For the work involved in new houses, especially the caulking, puddy, sanding etc, I'm sure glad I don't do new residential. Working for my friend has been a sharp reminder of the PITA and cheap labor expected from builders....oh and they expect perfection too.lmao.
You're screwing the painter at that rate or he's to dumb to know any better. At that rate, the painter is probably only making about 95 cents a sq. foot after material, deduct labor and he's down to 70 cents, deduct insurance and gas, he's down to 60 cents etc.

For the work involved in new houses, especially the caulking, puddy, sanding etc, I'm sure glad I don't do new residential. Working for my friend has been a sharp reminder of the PITA and cheap labor expected from builders....oh and they expect perfection too.lmao.
Sorry, should have explained further. I don't do new construction. This is what the painter was getting on a subdivision where I was doing the warrany repairs.

We only do high end renos. The last job was about 2600 sq. ft. My painter charged $ 16,000 to paint everything. Absolutely flawless work. I mean you could go through the whole house with a flood light, 12" off the walls and find NO defects.

That's the level the customer expects. Flawless work. Takes time and costs money. I don't bicker with my painter, pay what he quotes. He is fair in his pricing, but doesn't work cheap. Uses only the best paints, etc.

That's where the money is. No money in new construction. Those guys worked like slaves just to make wages. But again, they don't have the skills of my painter. Man, can my guy ever cut. I'm jealous :thumbsup:
New residential is for illegals around here, I wouldnt touch it.
I had a builder call and ask if I could do his houses for $1 a foot floor, I laughed and hung up.
I also had another builder tell me that his painters throw the garage in for free, that aint me I told him.
Just did the math, that last job works out to $ 6.15/sq.ft. Only hacks would work for $ 1.25

Goes back to - learn a trade, develop skills, make some money :thumbup:
Just did the math, that last job works out to $ 6.15/sq.ft. Only hacks would work for $ 1.25

Goes back to - learn a trade, develop skills, make some money :thumbup:
:eek: Sounds like your painter has a good gig
:eek: Sounds like your painter has a good gig
For sure. He is usually booked 4-6 months in advance. His work, as I have said is flawless. Never had a complaint.

When the job calls for 'top drawer', there aren't many guys to call upon.

Don't want to ask the no,no, question, but do you think this is fair compensation for this level of work. I think it is.
For sure. He is usually booked 4-6 months in advance. His work, as I have said is flawless. Never had a complaint.

When the job calls for 'top drawer', there aren't many guys to call upon.

Don't want to ask the no,no, question, but do you think this is fair compensation for this level of work. I think it is.
Im sure it is. Painting is a big PITA, thats why good painters make good money.
Just for everyones' info, my painter was 5 weeks, alone, doing that project.
1 - 11 of 11 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top