It never goes perfect - Paint Talk

jason123 · 07-15-2009, 08:50 PM

Is it me or does something always go wrong with a job. Being ,paint needs a third coat, Customers a ****, the lock box freeze's, sprayers filter gets jammed, your guy doesn't show... Its always something??? I find myself getting upset because I am hoping all will go smoothly.. If I just accept somethings gonna happen then I wont be surprised...

onthecoast · 07-15-2009, 09:00 PM

I concur.

No matter how great a job you do, something is always seem differently in every other mans eyes.

johnpaint · 07-15-2009, 09:09 PM

It happens, but I have found that if I plan, and prepare, and go through my check list before the job, plus work on my equipment, keep it in good shape, get a good night sleep. All of this and more.
When I come home I still have another two hours of work getting ready for the next day. I get may truck ready for the next day so I don't have to hurry through everthing in the morning.

Rick the painter · 07-15-2009, 09:09 PM

Welcome to the world of contracting Jason.My only advice is no more that two cups of coffee in the am!

Slingah · 07-15-2009, 09:18 PM

sh!t happens......
usually if something goes wrong and it bothers me it is most likey because it is costing me money......

George Z · 07-15-2009, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason123

Is it me or does something always go wrong with a job. Being ,paint needs a third coat, Customers a ****, the lock box freeze's, sprayers filter gets jammed, your guy doesn't show... Its always something??? I find myself getting upset because I am hoping all will go smoothly.. If I just accept somethings gonna happen then I wont be surprised...

Jason, depends how you see it.
Doing interior of a townhouse (523 hours)
Customer is a ****? The job manager, customer and me had a "communication session" they now love us.
Crew runs out of paint (after 40 gallons Natura ordered), ProGlo delivers.
Painter paints final coat on room that still needs prep, he still has 10 hours left on budget for room anyway. A pat on the back, some encouragement and he is doing fine now.
Meanwhile my new "star painter" is showing leadership qualities I never knew she had and she is pulling everyone behind her.
Life of the Paint Contractor...so good.
Point is, it depends how you see it and what you do about it.
It is not that bad at all. Hang in there, it can get better.

nEighter · 07-15-2009, 09:57 PM

One thing I learned the hard way with repaints (townhomes) is that you need to take the time and clean your equipment, and keep everything together.. not that you have to keep it 100% organized, but that you have everything together that you are going to need and get your systems down so you can be efficient and get it done. Go work on your stuff right now, tomorrow will be better on you and tomorrow night you will feel like a new man again!

**Workaholic** · 07-16-2009, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slingah

sh!t happens......
usually if something goes wrong and it bothers me it is most likey because it is costing me money......

My thoughts too.
We need the thanks button around here.

jason123 · 07-16-2009, 12:19 AM

Much appreciated!!!! I can tell there is a huge resource here!!! Thanks

1977corey · 07-16-2009, 05:30 AM

"Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong."

Rick the painter · 07-16-2009, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by George Z

Jason, depends how you see it.
Doing interior of a townhouse (523 hours)
Customer is a ****? job manager customer and me had a "communication session" they now love us.
Crew runs out of paint (40 gallons Natura ordered), ProGlo delivers.
Painter paints final coat on room that still needs prep, he still has 10 hours left on budget for room anyway. A pat on the back, some encouragement and he is doing fine now.
Meanwhile my new "star painter" is showing leadership qualities I never she had and she is pulling everyone behind her.
Life of the Paint Contractor...so good.
Point is, it depends how you see it and what you do about it.
It is not that bad at all. Hang in there, it can get better.

Thats some great advice George.Be positive.Negativity breeds negativity.

The Painter Guy · 07-16-2009, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason123

Is it me or does something always go wrong with a job. Being ,paint needs a third coat, Customers a ****, the lock box freeze's, sprayers filter gets jammed, your guy doesn't show... Its always something??? I find myself getting upset because I am hoping all will go smoothly.. If I just accept somethings gonna happen then I wont be surprised...

Yesterday my job foreman called and said the can that he just opened was the wrong color. I said open up the rest of the case and check those. Sure enough the other three gls were wrong too. Im at the guilty store where they were mixed and quickly figured out the store had run out of yellow base the sample was first mixed in and they substituted with a white base. Point of my story is that if I had checked labels when I picked them up it all could have been avoided.

ewingpainting.net · 07-16-2009, 02:31 PM

MAN! It's depresing in this thread. Im going back to the 4:20 thread.
BTW changing an attitude can change the direction of your job. REGROUP!

TooledUp · 07-16-2009, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ewingpainting.net

BTW changing an attitude can change the direction of your job. REGROUP!

Isn't that supposed to be a secret?

andruszko1 · 02-05-2010, 02:31 AM

When you face adversity Jason you need to briefly ask yourself why is this happening? Can I come up with a solution to the problem? Am I a part of problem or a part of the solution? I have found in my own life most circumstantial stuff that happens to you is God's way of trying to get your attention. Yeah we can blame our circumstance on Crap Happens or I'm losing money so now I'm pissed off or you can choose to take responsibility for your own actions and realize that this is a part of the process of growing into a contractor that is humble and you don't just get to your destination on your journey during one day. Be patient and humble regardless of the circumstances.

chrisn · 02-05-2010, 04:29 AM

Here you go

high fibre · 02-05-2010, 06:15 AM

Learn to sail in all winds.

and yes, cut back on the coffee, maybe have a brewski about 11:00.

have regular safety meetings.

slow down, and plan better.

learn to laugh at yourself.

and remember>>>>>all of these little hassles you deal with sure beat a day at a factory or office.

johnpaint · 02-05-2010, 01:22 PM

You know it, John

sir paintalot · 02-05-2010, 03:33 PM

Just finished a job. Bedroom ceilngs walls and trim. 8 hallway doors. Kitchen touchup. Here's a list of what went wrong:

1. Used customers old(1 year) paint for bdrm doors and trim - it was still wet 24 hours after application. Now my plans and workflo for that day had to completely change. When it did dry it was like sandpaper so I had to sand all the trim before recoating with new paint i bought of course after another trip to the paint store, more gas more time.

2. Had to touch up some repairs in the kitchen. 1 small gouge in wall turned into a 4X4 ft repair (lathe and plaster) 3 coats mud sanding vacuming etc. major pain in the ass.

3. After primimng and paint kitchen wall, bubbles appeared most sucked back in but some didn't. Call from home owner complaing. Go back scrape out the bubbles, fill. Filller takes time to dry so go back again next day sand prime paint. Another sleeve and brush to clean more time.

4. 2 coats hallway doors, customer calls complaing that the doors feel rough. mmmmm go back look at doors, VERY minor lint on some doors. This guy is ANAL. OK, he's anal thats all there is to it. I ALWAYS keep the customer satisfied. So I sand and recoat all doors. Used a new 5mm lint free sleeve, inspect doors after recoat, first 2 doors have lint sooooo let them dry 5 hours and go back again sand both doors and recoat again (4 coats).

At this point I am very frustrated and feeling ****ty about how this job went. But thast's onlt because my original quote had me making 50 bucks per hour. When the dust settles I made 42 bucks an hour AND MOST IMPORTANTLY customer calls me says it looks fantastic, thanks me profusely a pleasure having you in my house bla blah blah and tells me his neighbour wants his exterior done in the summer by me!

Bottom line: SUCK IT UP AND KEEP THE CUSTOMER HAPPY! IT MAY BE SHORT TERM LOSS BUT ALWAYS ALWAYS LONG TERM GAIN!!!
pROVISO: Unless the guy is an unreasonable a**hole...then just walk and cut your losses.

johnpaint · 02-05-2010, 10:54 PM

yeah, just live for the good ones, put up with the bad ones.