[jeff08]

hi all,

brand new to these boards


First i wanted to say thanks for all the insightful information that I've spent the last 4 hours enjoying.

I recently decided to get out of the marketing industry and looked into purchasing a business, one business really caught my eye and that was a painting company operating for eight years working exclusively with apartments.

The genteleman i met who owned it made over 250.000 sdc and didnt paint or really market much and in all honesty could barely speak english(im in florda)...to make a long story short i offered him close to his asking price and he received a better offer.

So my statement is this..

The idea of a service business managing people is right up my alley but i do not have enough experience in the painting industry to muster up enough to start one from scratch.


Ive looked at freshcoat painting franchise for a few weeks now as a possible alternative (they are either great at sales or seem to know a few things)


Anyone have experience with freshcoat or any other franchise?

Are they just out to make money and all talk?

Would i be better off not spending the 30k fee and 5% royalties and trying it on my own?

Any feedback would be appreciated...

Thanks.

 

[painttofish]

Have you ever worked for a professional painting contractor?

 

[bikerboy]

hi all,

brand new to these boards


First i wanted to say thanks for all the insightful information that I've spent the last 4 hours enjoying.

I recently decided to get out of the marketing industry and looked into purchasing a business, one business really caught my eye and that was a painting company operating for eight years working exclusively with apartments.

The genteleman i met who owned it made over 250.000 sdc and didnt paint or really market much and in all honesty could barely speak english(im in florda)...to make a long story short i offered him close to his asking price and he received a better offer.

So my statement is this..

The idea of a service business managing people is right up my alley but i do not have enough experience in the painting industry to muster up enough to start one from scratch.


Ive looked at freshcoat painting franchise for a few weeks now as a possible alternative (they are either great at sales or seem to know a few things)


Anyone have experience with freshcoat or any other franchise?

Are they just out to make money and all talk?

Would i be better off not spending the 30k fee and 5% royalties and trying it on my own?

Any feedback would be appreciated...

Thanks.

A little background fisrt. All of us boys (my brothers) are in the trades. We grew up around it and have done alright. One brothers friend owned a bike shop (Bicycles) and sold it. He now owns a Certa Pro franchise and has done extremely well.
Yep...Imagine that. A guy who has NEVER worked for a painter pocketing 6 figures. Some here will tell you gotta be a painter first. Franchises do away with that and assume you are a businessman first.

Moral: You do not have to be a painter to run a successful paint contracting business, but you do have to be a businessman. (I also know a successful electrical contractor who has never worked in the field)

 

[painttofish]

I agree biker, but his last question was... "Would i be better off not spending the 30k fee and 5% royalties and trying it on my own?" Buying into a franchise and starting out on your own are completely different ventures. That's why i asked if he had ever painted.

 

[bikerboy]

You are right. If he has not painted, he should buy a franchise.

 

[jeff08]

No, ive done a little painting around the house, but not a professional at all. The business side yes i think i can handle that and have alwys been good with sales and marketing. The franchise told me the interior painting industry is "a little" down but not suffering as bad as i might think....thats probably sales...imo it looks as though everyone is suffering right now.

The Certa Pro franchise mentioned wants so much more upfront (something like 60-120k) as opposed to 25-31k. That is reassuring however that you would say he didnt have past painting experience and bought a franchise and is doing well..

 

[bikerboy]

No, ive done a little painting around the house, but not a professional at all. The business side yes i think i can handle that and have alwys been good with sales and marketing. The franchise told me the interior painting industry is "a little" down but not suffering as bad as i might think....thats probably sales...imo it looks as though everyone is suffering right now.

The Certa Pro franchise mentioned wants so much more upfront (something like 60-120k) as opposed to 25-31k. That is reassuring however that you would say he didnt have past painting experience and bought a franchise and is doing well..

Cost of the franchise should only be a part of your considerations. If you spent less and receive less (not saying you will) support, leads, advertising ect, what have you saved. Don't just look at price, look at the value.

 

[Brian]

First i wanted to say thanks for all the insightful information that I've spent the last 4 hours enjoying.

That is a very good start. Many have tread before you. You are doing so in a more responsible manner by reading first.

I recently decided to get out of the marketing industry and looked into purchasing a business, one business really caught my eye and that was a painting company operating for eight years working exclusively with apartments.

Your marketing background could serve you well. IMO, a lot of what makes a successful painting contractor is marketing. Also, a lot of what makes a successful painting contractor is sales, administration, and production. But marketing is a very good start.

The idea of a service business managing people is right up my alley but i do not have enough experience in the painting industry to muster up enough to start one from scratch.

Ive looked at freshcoat painting franchise for a few weeks now as a possible alternative (they are either great at sales or seem to know a few things)

Anyone have experience with freshcoat or any other franchise?

Are they just out to make money and all talk?

Would i be better off not spending the 30k fee and 5% royalties and trying it on my own?

I like franchises in general. They are a great way for someone to start a business. They generally have proven systems and provide support.

I’m not convinced that any of the franchises in our industry have done a good job. Both Freshcoat and CertaPro have been through numerous franchisees in Houston. I don’t see their (or that of other contracting franchises) model working. I think it can work, but I don’t see it working yet.

Starting a business isn’t easy. It doesn’t matter what kind of business it is. Franchises can make it a lot easier and safer, but I haven’t seen it in our industry. I think the primary reason is that our industry is more difficult to systematize. Not impossible, just more difficult.

You don’t need to know how to paint to have a successful painting company. I would bet dollars to donuts that everyone on this forum (except for you ) can paint better than I can. But I know the industry and the business well and that is how I make money.

If you can market, sell, and manage people, you can do well in any business.

Brian Phillips

 

[Dmax Consulting]

Be careful with the franchises

Jeff08,

When I was a Sherwin-Williams sales rep, I had several Certa-Pro franchisees as customers. Their failure rate was high. I only saw 1 that lasted more than 3 years. He had extensive construction and painting industry experience. All the guys who bought the franchises and didn't know paint had 1 good year and then failed.

Be careful if you get into these franchises. They have a great sales pitch. They tell you that they have a computer program that does your estimates, they give you leads, they do your marketing, they give you special pricing at the paint store, etc. They probably show you a success story of some guy who was an accountant and now he make a million dollars a week. They make it seem that you don't need to know about painting to run a successful franchise.

Once you have paid them the 30,40, 60k for the franchise, they don't really care if you do well. They do offer good post-sale service, but if you don't know a lot about painting, you will run into so many problems that you'll probably get burned out.

You should go work as an estimator for a paint contractor in your area, like a certa-pro guy. Go learn how to estimate, the products, run a crew. Then, take the 30k you have and use it to hire a knowledgable painter/crewleader and your own marketing/advertising and start your own gig.

Good Luck

 

[MPH31]

Jeff,

I am also looking into FreshCoat as well as Five Star franchise. How far along are you in the decision process?
Mike