delpainter

I have a business near my home (gas/conv. store) that sits on the corner of a very busy intersection, traffic from 3 directions plus a few hundred customers in their place everyday. I was thinking of approaching the owner about painting the exterior of the building, it is in pretty good shape some peeling paint but otherwise just dirty, it would take 2-3 days to wash and paint with maybe 15 gallons of material. I would want at least 6 months of space with a sign on both sides and front and a couple closer to the road. Given the cost of labor, materials and the signs it should be a great investment.
Any thoughts or has anyone worked out a similar deal?

Thanks
Delpainter

zerowned

I did this at a church that was on a Y of a road, on a busy highway, i asked for 7-8 signs total for an entire summer. its worth it. you book 2 jobs out of that gas station and youve made your money and then some, do good work and you get referrals from the gas station too.... if they are down for it do it.

Damon T

Why not see if you can do it work a "discounted price"? That way you still cover your costs, and get some great exposure.

Brian

I agree with Damon.

If you figure 3 days labor at $40 an hour, you are giving up $960. Include 15 gallons of paint at $20 a pop, and there is another $300. You have at least $1,260 invested, with no promise of a lead, let alone a job. It would be one thing if this was a proven advertising media, but you don't know what to expect. You could wind up working weeks--if not months-- to make up for that money.

I think it's a creative idea, and it could be a home run. But it could also be a huge disappointment. Minimize your risk.

Brian Phillips

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high fibre

brian, i disagree.

he said 2-3 days,,,,and its a barter deal, so youd jam it out as quick as possible to stay on top.

so figure 2 days

and not at $40 per hour,,,,,,keep your crew out making you money, and put some el-cheapo labor on the grocery store at $8 per hour,,,,2 guys would cost $256

and dont get the $20 per gallon paint

instead go to big lots, or get free mistints,,,,,you might get away with anywhere between $0-$120 for materials

256+120= $376 out of pocket.

now thats some good stuff, and worthwhile.

times are tough all over, this gives you the competetive edge.

daArch

I like the creative marketing. I've oft sat in a professional's office (doctor, dentist, etc) and thought about installing wallpaper for free as long as I could install a little plaque with "Wallcovering Installed by Bill Archibald, Norfolk MA" with contact info.

It can't hurt !

John, I would strongly disagree with cuting ANY corners on a job on which he would be using as advertizing.

Or just tell the owner, "I'll paint your building for free as long as I can put up signs for six months, or until the paint falls off ..... whichever comes first"

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high fibre

with todays technology, even the cheapest paints last longer than those placards will be up.

todays tight market calls for drastic measures.

ewingpainting.net

Come on guys, reread what you posted. If one has to work months to make up for that "$1200" then you shouldn't even be considering this.

If your going to go get the cheapist paint and labor to make it work,
creative idea or not. Your burning the consumer of a quality paint job. Just because you got cheap on your advertiseing money. Again if you feel you have to be a cheap skate then you need to reconsider your marketing methods. Put it towards something that shows your integrity, passion, and quality.

If I have learned one thing in this business that has paid off. That is never cut corners NO MATTER how bad or good the profit line is.

I forget who, but I remimber reading a post or thread on here. They talked about offering services for advertiseing on their storefront. If I recall right it got his phone ringing more. He said you couldn't drice through town without seeing his logo. I thinks its a great idea. Even if you didn't get a job through it, at least you are getting exposure. And that my friend will land you more jobs.

ProWallGuy

That would be Kelly Painting. I remember the picture of his monster banner.

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delpainter

Thanks for the constructive replies, I am going to go forward with this idea.
As far as the quality of the job I may go a little overboard to make sure everything is perfect. There is the potential of several hundred to thousands of people seeing my work everyday and I want to be able to bring this job up to every prospect I see for the next several years. In talking to my accountant all the costs can be written off as an advertising expense so I think this is a win/win so we will see how it goes. The weather isn't good for a couple more months so I have plenty of time to work out all the details.

delpainter

ewingpainting.net

Try talking to your paint rep, he might throw in the paint or sell it at cost.

cy hundley

Hey Del....Sounds like a great idea, and yes please put your best foot forward. In the end our work IS our advertising, cutting corners and doing a hack job for any reason seems ridiculous, regardless of what someone does for a living. Good luck!

TooledUp

Ask for 2 years and then come down to something reasonable if he haggles. Can't hurt to aim high and find some common ground.

NEPS.US

What is wrong with you?

Thats a great idea ....paint it with lousy labor and lousy paint. Nice job I bet you'll get alot of referal business that way. I guess now I know why your postong here from 8am to 11pm 7 days a week.

high fibre

profit is king.

ewingpainting.net

A king is a head of state, who may or may not, depending on the style of government of a nation, exercise monarchal powers over a territory, usually called a kingdom or a realm. A king is the second highest sovereign title, surpassed only by emperor.

And who or what is you Emperor? If I may ask Lord fibre?

Brian

That was exactly my point. There is much more to the actual costs of doing this than the cost of materials and labor. There is overhead that is not recovered, there is profit that is not made, there are lost opportunities, etc.

Another way to look at this is-- he is paying the station owner $1,200 to put up signs. At the end of the day, this is exactly what he is doing. He is, in effect, increasing his advertising budget by $1,200. Where does that money come from?

We can't look at gross revenues to see the impact this could have. Some might think that if he gets one $1,200 job the signs are paid for. This is far from the case. He will still have overhead and direct costs on that $1,200 job. If his costs are typical (50% overhead and 35% direct costs) he has $180 left to "pay" for the signs. If his actual costs are higher, he will have even less. He could easily have to do $10,000 or more just to break even.

Brian Phillips

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"Reason is not automatic. Those who deny it cannot be conquered by it." Ayn Rand

high fibre

profit is emperor didnt sound good, but now that i know the king is second in command, its a go.

delpainter

Sometimes the way topics get spun really amazes me.

My total investment will be over $2000 by the time the signs are made and the permit cost for the signs next to the road.
I already know I am not guaranteed any return on my investment, but there never is on any type of advertising. If I spend the same amount on mailers who knows how many calls I would get or jobs I would land. Like any investment you try to minimize your risks while maximizing your potential gain and I think the potential huge gain on this project is worth the risk.

Delpainter

zerowned

its saturation, you need to get people to see your name. combine your mailouts and any signage you have and people will have to see your name, even if it doesnt strike them that they want YOU to paint they see the sign and when they eventually want to paint they will say "where did i see that sign, oh i got a flyer too... ill give that a call"