Running a painting business is a lot easier once you know some basic guidelines. Some are common sense and others take the knowledge of an experienced painter.
For instance...
1. DO - be on time for an estimate - It's all right being 15 minutes early, but never 15 minutes late. At least call if you are being held up.
2. DO - be clean and presentable. Be courteous and polite to customers (you don't want to scare away business).
3. DON'T - use sales pressure tactics when selling a job. Give prospects and customers a choice of days for doing an estimate. Let them tell you yes or no to go ahead with a job.
4. DON'T - charge customers more than estimated unless more work has been added and a price is agreed upon. If it's small stuff I do it out of courtesy.
5. DO - use the best quality paints and primers in people's homes. Would you want to pay for a paint job and have someone show up with anything less than the best for your home?
6. DO - store your tools. Once on the job it is acceptable to store your tools on the job site (interior jobs) as long as they are out of the way and stored neatly on a drop cloth (this saves set up time and having to constantly run out to your vehicle).
7. DON'T - start too early when painting residential. Don't show up at 7am while people are still in their underwear. 8am - 5pm (I work 9am - 4pm) are normal working hours for contractors.
8. DO - the best work possible. This is how you get "callbacks" and referrals.
9. DO - use drop cloths and plastic to protect their furniture and carpet. Protect plants and shrubs around the outside with plastic also if necessary (when doing heavy sanding or scraping).
10. DO - keep a work radio around for noise. People hate quiet painters (you don't have to blast them out of their homes with heavy metal).
11. DO - try to be consistent. Sometimes an estimate comes up that you have to do first thing in the morning. Otherwise try to be on time to the job site each day. You don't have to punch a time clock, just try to be consistent.
12. DO - try to turn your jobs quickly so you don't tie up people's homes too long. Having a dependable partner will help a lot.
13. DON'T - "guesstimate" your bids. Learn how to estimate correctly. No sense "eating" your paint jobs when you can make real money. Anyone can underbid and get work. Be a man, not a beggar.
14. DO - Qualify your prospects. Get a down payment just before starting a job. I ask for at least a third or half down (unless it's a job under $500). If they cannot give you a down payment, don't work for them.
15. DON'T - be afraid to buy tools. Tools help you turn your jobs faster and give you the ability to do better work. I can honestly say that I never bought a painting tool that didn't make me more money then and later on in other jobs.
16. DON'T - run your business blindly. Start out on a good foot by getting knowledge from other painters. Get tips on estimating, advertising and painting from professionals.
17. DO - get yourself a D.B.A. ("doing business as"). If you call your business something like "Joe's Painting Service" go down to the county court house and register it. This way you will be able to cash checks made out to your business name.
------
Lee Cusano has owned and operated his own successful
painting business since 1991. He has also helped many others to start their own business with his "Paint Like a Pro Estimating and Advertising CD-ROM". Lee also offers a new free report titled "How To Quit Your Day Job This Week and Double or Triple Your Income". To get it please click here:
http://www.Painting-Business.com
