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