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Easyriding123
Extra ordinary


Registered: 02/25/16
Posts: 744
Last seen: 6 years, 10 months
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Starting a painting business
#24015833 - 01/16/17 08:36 PM (7 years, 14 days ago) |
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I'm in the process of starting a painting business.
I'm stressed.
I've been working remodeling homes the past couple weeks, to make more money I've been lining up side jobs (painting) for the weekends. These jobs were given to me by my employer but I would take in all the cash from the job rather then working hourly for him.
While I was doing this I started advertising for painting, and received a lot of responses.
I have to go give a bunch of estimates/bids this week, something I've never done before.
I'm a little nervous on how to be professional and seal the deal sales wise and be as personable/likeable as possible.
So what started as a weekend thing might be a full time opportunity and if I execute this right I can be making some pretty good money.
Any advice from any painters/business owners?
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Just_A_Noob
Breathing



Registered: 12/30/16
Posts: 6,809
Loc: PNW
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Be confident with your price. Get good at up front, flat rate, pricing. Under promise and over deliver. Add extra to each job. I do plumbing and have owned my own business for 3 years.
-------------------- Wearing a mask is bad for my physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Complying = Consent Wide Mouth 1/2 Pint No-Pour TEK TC Teks & Links
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trees


Registered: 02/08/09
Posts: 9,194
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Re: Starting a painting business [Re: Just_A_Noob]
#24015934 - 01/16/17 09:10 PM (7 years, 14 days ago) |
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Wear a respirator if you can too, those paint VOC exposures add up over the years from what I've seen in the old painter men here
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The Influence
Free Sheeks



Registered: 03/30/11
Posts: 6,067
Loc: Not Wisconsin
Last seen: 4 months, 3 days
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Re: Starting a painting business [Re: trees]
#24015990 - 01/16/17 09:36 PM (7 years, 13 days ago) |
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Be honest and underbid...I'm in the roofing business and just as most construction trades it's a cut throat business. When I bid side jobs I always bid way under what a contractor would (don't cut your own throat though...it's a fine line). I don't have the reputation my employer does (we specialize in commercial buildings) and so I understand I can't demand the prices he does. If and when I ever build a reputation up I will raise my bids, as should you.
Your work will speak for itself and word of mouth is one of the fastest ways to gain business in my experience. And as Just a Noob said Be confident!
Best of luck and kudos for going out and getting it
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lighthouse09
Stranger thats mr. stranger



Registered: 03/16/13
Posts: 699
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hey i am doing the same thing also a painter here too. i have had the biggest problem underbidding just to get the job (cuz im broke right now) so always go high just a little... yea good luck man!! \ I will be starting up again soon to dead this time of year where im at...
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<--This fuckin guy
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Prisoner#1
Even Dumber ThanAdvertized!


Registered: 01/22/03
Posts: 193,665
Loc: Pvt. Pubfag NutSuck
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Quote:
Easyriding123 said: Any advice from any painters/business owners?
contracts, everything needs to be stated in a contract, what you will do and what you wont do, what the services will cost of you have to do additional work, make sure to take photographs of everything before and after for your protection, if you have to move furniture you need to photograph ant existing damage to it in the unpainted setting and point it out to the home owner so they cant come back and claim you did some damage to their shit. photograph ant damage to walls and if you do any damage make sure it's repaired and easy to cover so it doesnt look like a repair, for instance, if the wall was painted with a roller before the damage you'll need to run a roller over the repair a few times before a final coat to it blends with the rest of the wall and tarp the fuck out of everything, you can never over tarp shit in someone elses home
determine how you're going to price, you need to know a square foot pricing for interior and single story exterior work, multiple floors and steep grades on exterior require added charges just as it will for tall spaces such as 2-3 story foyers and great rooms
measure the rooms before giving an estimate and dont lowball yourself, sell your services at a normal price, in my area about $3.50-$4/square foot is normal, sanding and priming will run that cost up to around $6 per square foot. I always recommend at least sanding the surfaces for better adhesion.
let me reiterate, everything goes on a contract, everything.
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Prisoner#1
Even Dumber ThanAdvertized!


Registered: 01/22/03
Posts: 193,665
Loc: Pvt. Pubfag NutSuck
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Quote:
The Influence said: underbid...
no.
people dont take you serious if you underbid, they see you as shadier, I've gone out to fix a lot of shit where the person under bid, they got 50% upfront which purchased materials and supplies, they half assed the jobs and bailed in the middle because they realized they bid too low to make anything. never sell your work at a discount unless you have a promotion that allows you to
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rackem



Registered: 11/27/09
Posts: 14,024
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Re: Starting a painting business [Re: Prisoner#1]
#24016302 - 01/17/17 12:07 AM (7 years, 13 days ago) |
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Quote:
Prisoner#1 said:
Quote:
The Influence said: underbid...
no.
people dont take you serious if you underbid, they see you as shadier, I've gone out to fix a lot of shit where the person under bid, they got 50% upfront which purchased materials and supplies, they half assed the jobs and bailed in the middle because they realized they bid too low to make anything. never sell your work at a discount unless you have a promotion that allows you to
voice of reason.
also, take into consider consumables, and any possible over head,and apply the proper mark up
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The Influence
Free Sheeks



Registered: 03/30/11
Posts: 6,067
Loc: Not Wisconsin
Last seen: 4 months, 3 days
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Re: Starting a painting business [Re: Prisoner#1]
#24016311 - 01/17/17 12:11 AM (7 years, 13 days ago) |
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Quote:
Prisoner#1 said:
Quote:
Easyriding123 said: Any advice from any painters/business owners?
contracts, everything needs to be stated in a contract, what you will do and what you wont do, what the services will cost of you have to do additional work, make sure to take photographs of everything before and after for your protection, if you have to move furniture you need to photograph ant existing damage to it in the unpainted setting and point it out to the home owner so they cant come back and claim you did some damage to their shit. photograph ant damage to walls and if you do any damage make sure it's repaired and easy to cover so it doesnt look like a repair, for instance, if the wall was painted with a roller before the damage you'll need to run a roller over the repair a few times before a final coat to it blends with the rest of the wall and tarp the fuck out of everything, you can never over tarp shit in someone elses home
determine how you're going to price, you need to know a square foot pricing for interior and single story exterior work, multiple floors and steep grades on exterior require added charges just as it will for tall spaces such as 2-3 story foyers and great rooms
measure the rooms before giving an estimate and dont lowball yourself, sell your services at a normal price, in my area about $3.50-$4/square foot is normal, sanding and priming will run that cost up to around $6 per square foot. I always recommend at least sanding the surfaces for better adhesion.
let me reiterate, everything goes on a contract, everything.
Pretty badass advice opQuote:
Prisoner#1 said:
Quote:
The Influence said: underbid...
no.
people dont take you serious if you underbid, they see you as shadier, I've gone out to fix a lot of shit where the person under bid, they got 50% upfront which purchased materials and supplies, they half assed the jobs and bailed in the middle because they realized they bid too low to make anything. never sell your work at a discount unless you have a promotion that allows you to
I can agree with some points there...i do get my materials through my boss at a discount compared to Menards and home depot... if they wanted to pay a contractor price they would hire a contractor you know what I mean? There are a lot of scabs out there in every trade professional and fly by nighters. I won't get on a roof for less than $125 a square..thats starting price for a one story 4- 6 pitch tearoff and re- shingle. Any higher or steeper the price goes up...but that's roofing not painting. My boss on the other hand charges $60 an hour for each one of us to be there and that's just shingling...we spealize in epdm, tpo, modified bitnum, and hot tar roofs commercially and I don't know how to bid those jobs...but I seem to secure a lot of side jobs with my bids and make a nice chunk of change...just my experience
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Shroomslip
Architekt



Registered: 11/25/12
Posts: 23,651
Last seen: 3 minutes
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I would say what's already been said. Don't underbid just because you're afraid that giving a fair bid wouldn't get you the job. If you're not going to make enough for it to really be worth the effort, then there's no point in winning the job anyways. Also I'd expect every new job to be a bit nerve-racking for awhile. It's a lot of pressure to be the sole one responsible.
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With my face against the floor I can’t see who knocked me out of the way. I don’t want to get back up but I have to so it might as well be today. Nothing appeals to me no one feels like me, I’m too busy being calm to disappear. I’m in no shape to be alone contrary to the shit that you might hear. You can't wake up, this is not a dream. You're part of a machine, you are not a human being With your face all made up, living on a screen. Low on self esteem, so you run on gasoline
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Adden

Registered: 06/04/03
Posts: 39,201
Loc:
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Don't hire people just because they're friends.
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zZZz
jesus


Registered: 12/28/07
Posts: 33,478
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Id say just relax and learn as u go, just be prepared to answer those questions such as about pricing and how long the job will take, etc., etc.,
Hopefully u get sum cool peeps who just let u do the work and give u ur space. Expect those assholes tho, try to work with them and not against them, be nice to everyone and dont sweat the small stuffs.
Treat people like people cuz thats all we are mang
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Niffla



Registered: 06/09/08
Posts: 46,489
Loc: Texas
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Quote:
lighthouse09 said: hey i am doing the same thing also a painter here too.
I saw on National Geographic once that painters will hunt and eat other painters to eliminate competition.
That true?
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HAIL OUR NEW OTD KING
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stzacrack
Stranger


Registered: 05/07/05
Posts: 3,871
Loc: United States
Last seen: 5 hours, 30 minutes
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Quote:
Easyriding123 said: I'm in the process of starting a painting business.
I'm stressed.
I've been working remodeling homes the past couple weeks, to make more money I've been lining up side jobs (painting) for the weekends. These jobs were given to me by my employer but I would take in all the cash from the job rather then working hourly for him.
While I was doing this I started advertising for painting, and received a lot of responses.
I have to go give a bunch of estimates/bids this week, something I've never done before.
I'm a little nervous on how to be professional and seal the deal sales wise and be as personable/likeable as possible.
So what started as a weekend thing might be a full time opportunity and if I execute this right I can be making some pretty good money.
Any advice from any painters/business owners?
Me and plenty of my pals do sidework. Two buddies actually own businesses and one other is very talented and sells work on the side A LOT for his weekends
All of them have different approach, and different behavior while giving an estimate, and they all win bids all the time
I've found that KNOWLEDGE is your closest ally when giving an estimate, and if you don't have it, don't over compensate with BS
Keep it simple stupid!
Under promise and over deliver with your work, just make sure you CAN complete the job, and be as fair as you can be with your bid, but DEFINITELY leave yourself room to make money
My trade isn't painting, but all the same I have definitely been on tons of estimates, and confidence will go a long way when approaching and dealing with customers
Its none of my business, and I don't know how your boss would handle it, but don't shoot yourself in the foot selling work in your boss's neighborhood, if that's something that would bother him
Otherwise good luck bro!
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badchad
Mad Scientist

Registered: 03/02/05
Posts: 13,372
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Depending on the job, I might ask for proof of insurance and your contractor's license. I'm less inclined to hire day laborers nowadays.
-------------------- ...the whole experience is (and is as) a profound piece of knowledge. It is an indellible experience; it is forever known. I have known myself in a way I doubt I would have ever occurred except as it did. Smith, P. Bull. Menninger Clinic (1959) 23:20-27; p. 27. ...most subjects find the experience valuable, some find it frightening, and many say that is it uniquely lovely. Osmond, H. Annals, NY Acad Science (1957) 66:418-434; p.436
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RobZombie68
The Shaman's Apprentice


Registered: 06/22/14
Posts: 820
Loc: Palookaville, US
Last seen: 30 days, 11 hours
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If you want to message me, I can send you over some spec sheets, sample bids of my prices etc. Had my own for 13 years now
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Easyriding123
Extra ordinary


Registered: 02/25/16
Posts: 744
Last seen: 6 years, 10 months
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Re: Starting a painting business [Re: RobZombie68]
#24016933 - 01/17/17 09:58 AM (7 years, 13 days ago) |
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Great advice guys. I need to learn how to write up contracts/bids on paper . I messaged you Rob.
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Patlal
You ask too many questions



Registered: 10/09/10
Posts: 44,797
Loc: Ottawa
Last seen: 12 hours, 3 minutes
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Quote:
Easyriding123 said: I'm in the process of starting a painting business.
I'm stressed.
I've been working remodeling homes the past couple weeks, to make more money I've been lining up side jobs (painting) for the weekends. These jobs were given to me by my employer but I would take in all the cash from the job rather then working hourly for him.
While I was doing this I started advertising for painting, and received a lot of responses.
I have to go give a bunch of estimates/bids this week, something I've never done before.
I'm a little nervous on how to be professional and seal the deal sales wise and be as personable/likeable as possible.
So what started as a weekend thing might be a full time opportunity and if I execute this right I can be making some pretty good money.
Any advice from any painters/business owners?
Dude. Congrats. Fuck th rat race and the high taxes that comes with. You've just become your own man.
You have a bright future ahead of you
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JvF
Fletcher Detcher


Registered: 02/13/14
Posts: 2,662
Loc: Chicago
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You said you started advertising, how did you advertise?
Im a locksmith and lookig for side gigs
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Prisoner#1
Even Dumber ThanAdvertized!


Registered: 01/22/03
Posts: 193,665
Loc: Pvt. Pubfag NutSuck
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Quote:
The Influence said: I can agree with some points there...i do get my materials through my boss at a discount compared to Menards and home depot... if they wanted to pay a contractor price they would hire a contractor you know what I mean?
if you're bidding a job for a home owner then you're a contractor, know what I mean?
if they just want paint slapped on the house then they'd hire neighborhood kids or people off facebook
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