[Nathan]

When do things start to slow down in your area... or has it already started?

 

[Humble Abode]

We are busy painting and still have a lot of work. The phone calls have slowed down. The work won't slow down until January 1st.

 

[Slingah]

after Thanksgiving ......

 

[slickshift]

Early For Me

I'm not sure if it's just me, or if it's the credit crunch, but usually there's a little rush after the summer people go home (Sept/Oct)
I've had three big projects cancel or postpone...that's a lot for a little guy
Foreclosures are at an all time high out here, even on "summer homes", and many houses bought in the last few years are worth less today
That may have made people a little tight
I'm sure the more established guys are doing OK...could just be me
I'll have to chat some of them up and find out

 

[varybarry]

I find my business slows down towards the end of November. My calls usually stop coming in about the 2nd week of October.

 

[DelW]

I usually slow down about mid November and don't pick up again until mid January. Luckily last year I had plenty of shop work to keep me busy and this year I have some offices to do over the holidays.:thumbup:

 

[Nathan]

I usually slow down about mid November and don't pick up again until mid January. Luckily last year I had plenty of shop work to keep me busy and this year I have some offices to do over the holidays.:thumbup:

Wow... that's a pretty short slow season.

 

[Rich]

well it wouldn't be fair to generalize my winter seasons since this is my second in business...but last winter I had nothing the whole month of February

I'm noticing things slowing down already, but I keep lining up work and I've decided to not stress about it...so we shall see

 

[DelW]

Wow... that's a pretty short slow season.

Yeah, and actually this year I was slower from July thru Aug, vacation time I guess.(gonna remember that for next year)

 

[painttofish]

Busy until the snow flies, November here in N. Michigan. Then its a bit dicey until March. Usually have 2-3 weeks off total.

 

[NuView Painting]

Hurricane Season it slows down here ... people that built cant get Ins. the Ins note is as much as the Mortage...so yes its get slow real yearly here

 

[Workaholic]

The past few years i never really got to slow, this year has been a slower year all the way around.

 

[Tmrrptr]

Central coast ca very slow. Few permits pulled.
Unsold specs.
Halted work on tract phases.
A number of once popular builders now in foreclosure.
Pro material suppliers slow, and HD even seems slow.
RE office had 22 agents 2 months ago, now has 4 + boss.
Less than a page rental listings at property management office now 3pages.
Some of our best even admit to being slower than usual, but still working.
r

 

[Ethan]

We're still rolling along fine here in Virginia it seems, but last year we were very slow in January and February. We decided this year to go ahead and offer a special deal to interior jobs that if they book now with deposit and can be flexible on when they go jan - feb we will give them a 20% discount. We have already lined up 3 nice sized jobs and will run this special most likely from now until christmas. All of them I probably wouldn't have won, but that special price was the kicker!

We haven't started advertising this, just use it as a special when we get price resistance and somebody that doesn't have to go tomorrow... We'regoing to advertise itthough all next month and hope to have my slow period booked up with plenty of work.

its a big discount, but I know we'll be hungry for work then and I never turn down deposit checks for cash flow now...

What other strategies are you employing?

i was thinking about cold calling business owners with the "right after christmas is usually slow for you, that would be a great time to get that much needed painting done and wouldn't be very disruptive for you, also, we can give you a killer deal... " sort of approach.

any ideas out there for what a good target market is in the winter?