[NuView Painting]

I have been painting for 10 years started my business over 2 years, since I've been in the business I've learned alot and have seen alot., Recently with the market in our area and the enormous amount of cut throats I have been forced to change my way of placing bids or getting a pay check, there have been people in this area that have been working for way under the National Average im trying to maintain a wage crisis and not bid under to try to keep the market for painters fair but I lose the work because of people that will work by the hour.. so recently I have tried to come up with an hourly wage that would be sufficient for me and still not let the General Contractor off to easy, but im not sure what to charge I am licensed and do have Ins.. I did look at the 2007 National Construction Estimator but wasn't positive at what it all ment.. Im also trying to get everyone I know that are legal here to get on the same page so we can all benefit from a wage increase... Oh ye its pretty sad that I live in an area that was struck by Katrina and I cant even get work only 2 years later... with 75% of the homes still in ruins ...

 

[slickshift]

Well, I'm mostly re-paints but my advice would be....

Stop using other peoples bids to price yours
Yes, it sounds difficult because that's what you've been doing
But stop it...now

Don't use Price to Close
It's an easy way out, and a great excuse when you don't get a bid, and you don't have to be a "salesman"

Guess what, if you are trying to get the customer (or GC) to sign a contract, you're a salesman, if even for a moment

The cheapest customers are NOT the best customers (especially GCs)
As a matter of fact, they are the worst possible customers
They will drop you like a hot potato the second some crackhead with a brush says they'll do it cheaper

There will ALWAYS be someone more desperate, more hungry, more illegal, more addicted than you...always

Stop thinking like a paycheck collector
You are not one of those anymore
You are a Small Business Owner
There is a hella dif between the two

Figure out what you need to charge to keep and grow your business, then find the market for it

 

[NuView Painting]

thanks for the advice.. around this time of the year "Hurricane Season" the building market goes to crap cause people cant get Ins for their homes and that puts a damper on everything..I mean theres work,, but not as much and you still have the competition and cut throats.. I was trying to figure out a way to be competitive and still gain more work... I guess I could adertise more..cause at the moment im running Word of Mouth and the GC that i know..
thanks again

 

[Rich]

Well, I'm mostly re-paints but my advice would be....

Stop using other peoples bids to price yours
Yes, it sounds difficult because that's what you've been doing
But stop it...now

Don't use Price to Close
It's an easy way out, and a great excuse when you don't get a bid, and you don't have to be a "salesman"

Guess what, if you are trying to get the customer (or GC) to sign a contract, you're a salesman, if even for a moment

The cheapest customers are NOT the best customers (especially GCs)
As a matter of fact, they are the worst possible customers
They will drop you like a hot potato the second some crackhead with a brush says they'll do it cheaper

There will ALWAYS be someone more desperate, more hungry, more illegal, more addicted than you...always

Stop thinking like a paycheck collector
You are not one of those anymore
You are a Small Business Owner
There is a hella dif between the two

Figure out what you need to charge to keep and grow your business, then find the market for it

word

advertising is the way you will get business and keep your business going-I wonder why so many contractors don't do it more and treat it like gold...a GC will only pull for you so much...get your name out there on your own-don't count on anyone...use a GC for extra work!

 

[NuView Painting]

and I know thats true... Im really feeling it now trying to do more home owner work instead of new construction ...thanks guys I needed that boost :thumbsup:

 

[Dutchman Painting]

There are GC's who are cutthroats and there are GC's who allow you to earn a fair wage and treat you as an equal...when you find that GC treat him with all the energy, intelligence, and humor you can muster.
i had a wonderful GC for 15 years and while occasionally he was a pain-in-the-ass, 95% of the time he as good as GC's get...we are still friends....so find that GC with decency and who is not just a slavedriver.

 

[Workaholic]

There are GC's who are cutthroats and there are GC's who allow you to earn a fair wage and treat you as an equal...when you find that GC treat him with all the energy, intelligence, and humor you can muster.
i had a wonderful GC for 15 years and while occasionally he was a pain-in-the-ass, 95% of the time he as good as GC's get...we are still friends....so find that GC with decency and who is not just a slavedriver.

This is very true, i have been fortunate enough to have had good builders and gc's. They are as i am told hard to find.