Flying Solo
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I work alone. I don't do many repaints lately as the housing industry is booming here. But if there is something I can't handle moving, I have the customer help or provide help. I'm not a furniture mover I'm a painter 
I've never had a customer dis satisfied over it.
I used to run a crew, but I'm much happier both on the tools and in the office flying solo.
Cheers
I've never had a customer dis satisfied over it.I used to run a crew, but I'm much happier both on the tools and in the office flying solo.
Cheers
Pretty much all Alberta, BC and Sask are booming, though it has leveled here lately, we do no advertising, I have no signs on the truck, no yellow page ad, strictly word of mouth and we are booked for solid till august 2008.
Last I heard a lot of Canadians are flocking south buying real estate, my folks just bought a place in Mesa AZ
Cheers
Last I heard a lot of Canadians are flocking south buying real estate, my folks just bought a place in Mesa AZ
Cheers
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14,407 Posts
Sure is easy to stay booked when you work alone. After having had good crews for so many years I could never go back to that.
Ya see the problem here with lots of work is the lack of qualified tradesmen, and not just in our trade. This creates a whole new set of headaches I'd just rather not have. I'm probably getting old and cranky too lol Bottom line here is, if your qualified, western Canada would love to have you move here.
Cheers
Cheers
Cheers
Cheers
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14,407 Posts
It works for a while, but it does limit the scope of projects you can undertake and there is the danger of working yourself to death to keep people happy. Also, the physical toll it can take is surprising.
I like working alone too. Furniture and big jobs can be an issue.
Some people want the work done quickly and on a bigger job it's a problem.
Furniture isn't usually a big issue. I see what's there at bid time. Discuss with the customer, if necessary. I can move the piano, or they can have someone else do it.
I'm more worried about what's on the furniture. I always ask the customer to clear off everything so I can move it.
5 gal. buckets are made of the same material as furniture sliders.
Some people want the work done quickly and on a bigger job it's a problem.
Furniture isn't usually a big issue. I see what's there at bid time. Discuss with the customer, if necessary. I can move the piano, or they can have someone else do it.
I'm more worried about what's on the furniture. I always ask the customer to clear off everything so I can move it.
5 gal. buckets are made of the same material as furniture sliders.
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950 Posts
How do you get people to wait 8 months for a paint job? One of the reasons I keep employees year round is because when the busy season starts people want you to be done yesterday. Do you miss a lot of leads due to the extended wait period?
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188 Posts
I have my own BIZNESS work alone hire only when i need help...my dad is retired..
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4,698 Posts
5 gal. buckets are made of the same material as furniture sliders.
Do you 5 gal. buckets to move furniture?
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14,407 Posts
I'm lost...
LOL, no, you cut the bucket in to peices you need, glue on rubber or whatever.
Yes, it's the same material. Try it out.
I know a carpet layer, he goes into the customers house, tells them he'll move the baby grand for 100.00, but they can't watch. I'm not kidding. Known him since high school, but we get into bitter feuds, because......he ALWAYS wants to lay the carpet before I piant.
Most of these are new construction, a few of them are not out of the ground yet. Others are repaints to which I do my best to fit between some new const. jobs as schedules never work out... so if the cribber is a week late I know I can get a repaint in before I get to that project
I pretty much track every job as soon as they dig.I'm in a bedroom community here, don't work in the city much at all... everyone knows me and they like my work I guess, they are willing to wait in most cases.
Cheers
I am a lone painter. A friend of my wife's asked who did the painting inside our house. She said that I had done it all. She remarked about hiring me; I threw up a rediculous $$ and she took it.
I enjoy painting that's why I did it. I have been at it for almost two years, always alone. I am a retired or voluntarily furloughed airline pilot (I am 40) too much crap so I basically quit.
My jobs are interior only and almost exclusively trim. I use only brushes and rollers. 99% oil base and 99% Benjamin Moore. I paint for the painting, doing great work and sense of pride. I am a noob and try to keep it simple One employee, one brush, one bucket and one stroke at a time. I enjoy this forum and the wisdom and flow of ideas; glad to be part of it.
I enjoy painting that's why I did it. I have been at it for almost two years, always alone. I am a retired or voluntarily furloughed airline pilot (I am 40) too much crap so I basically quit.
My jobs are interior only and almost exclusively trim. I use only brushes and rollers. 99% oil base and 99% Benjamin Moore. I paint for the painting, doing great work and sense of pride. I am a noob and try to keep it simple One employee, one brush, one bucket and one stroke at a time. I enjoy this forum and the wisdom and flow of ideas; glad to be part of it.
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