Paint Contractor's Manual
Starting and Running A Successful Paint Contracting Company

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How to start and run a profitable paint contracting company: getting set up and organized to handle volume work, avoiding mistakes, squeezing top production from your crews and the most value from your advertising dollar. Shows how to estimate all prep and painting. Loaded with manhour estimates, sample forms, contracts, charts, tables and examples you can use.

224 Pages, 8-1/2 x 11

ISBN: 0-910460-46-9

Table of Contents

1 Organizing Your Business, 5
       Getting Organized, 7
       Company Goals, 7
       Money to Meet Your Goal, 8
       The Organization Board, 11
       Company Meetings, 13
       A Good Policy, 15

2 Finding and Keeping the Right People, 19
       Buying Experience and Skills, 20
       Rewards and Incentives, 23
       Taxes and Insurance, 24
       When to Give Pay Raises, 25
       The Chain of Command, 25
       Accidents, 26
       When to Fire, 26
       Employee Dishonesty, 27

3 Putting on a Good Face, 28
       Trust is Basic, 28
       Show Them You're a Professional, 29
       Rely on Written Agreements, 33
       Keep a Job Log, 33
       Write an Operations Statement, 34
       The Contractors' Image, 34

4 Getting the Word Out, 40
       Know Your Company, 40
       Know Your Public, 42
       Writing Promotional Copy, 45
       Promotional Avenues, 46
       Mass Mailings, 53
       Promotion and Gross Income, 55

5 Introduction to Estimating, 57
       The Basics of Estimating, 57
       Custom Jobs, 59
       Time and Material Estimates, 60
       Estimating Steps, 60
       List Prices, 62
       Estimating Tips, 63
       Estimating Labor, 65
       Estimating Stainwork, 68
       Estimating Forms, 69
       Reading Blueprints, 78
       Estimating by the Square Foot, 92
       Sample Estimate, 93
       Manhour Tables, 111
       Checklists, 123

6 Planning the Job, 135
       Work Schedule, 135
       The Role of a Foreman, 136
       The Field Supervisor, 139
       Job Scheduling Board, 141
       Satisfying the Client, 142
       Plan for Safety, 145
       Plan for the Right Equipment, 148

7 Preparing to Paint, 150
       Paint Selection, 150
       The Right Tools, 152
       The Right Brush for the Job, 152
       Rollers, 156
       Setting Up the Shop Area, 157
       Getting the Room Ready, 157
       Preparing Specific Surfaces, 163
       Exterior Preparation, 166

8 Doing the Painting, 172
       Painting with Flat Paint, 172
       Brushing on Flat Wall Paint, 173
       Rolling Flat Paint, 176
       Spraying Flat Paint, 178
       Painting with Enamel, 179
       Painting Doors, 181
       Painting Windows, 187
       Staining, 192
       Stripping, 196
       General Painting Tips, 196

9 Planning for Your Company, 198
       Financial Planning, 199
       A System of Accounts, 201
       Setting Up Your Accounts, 202
       Payment Ledgers, 205
       Collecting Your Money, 205
       Job Financial Summary, 208

10 Planning for Growth, 209
       Grow Gradually to Avoid Overextension, 209
       Expansion is Limited by Resources, 211
       Taking Gradient Steps, 211
       Increasing Profits, Not Volume, 212
       Find Your Level of Competency, 212
       Look for Profitability, 212
       Learn to Say "No", 212

Blank Forms, 213
       Paint Shopping List, 213
       Common Materials Estimate, 214
       Equipment Estimate, 215
       Estimate Summary, 216
       Payment Ledger Sheet, 217
       Job Financial Summary, 218

Index, 219

Back Cover

This is the only manual ever written that explains how to start and run a profitable paint contracting business: getting set up and organized to handle volume work, the tools you'll need and the tools you shouldn't even consider buying, avoiding the mistakes most painters make, getting top production from your crews and the most value from your promotion dollar. Shows how to estimate all surface preparation and painting and includes manhour figures the author uses when estimating residential, commercial and industrial jobs. Suggests pricing strategies when bidding custom residential, tract and apartment painting. Includes sample estimating take-off forms and checklists so your estimates cover all costs on every job.

The authors emphasize ways to maximize profits by anticipating the problems that turn into expensive mistakes. They describe the best way to avoid customer complaints and handle them when necessary. And, of course, the book has step-by-step instructions for planning the job and doing the work, whether by brush, roller or spray. This manual has practical tips, sample forms, examples and suggestions that will save every paint contractor several times the cost of the book. It's essential reading for everyone in the painting business.

The Authors:

Dave Matis and Jobe H. Toole built a thriving paint contracting business from scratch in less than ten years. They started out handling odd jobs for whatever price was offered, doing all the work themselves and making all the mistakes new paint contractors make. After completing a few jobs, the authors realized that they didn't have the technical knowledge, estimating ability or business and promotion skills needed to succeed as paint contractors. More important, they discovered that there was no reference available that explained paint contracting from the ground up. The authors had to learn the hard way, making the mistakes, experimenting and solving each problem, before they could become experienced, successful paint contractors.

Today the company Dave Matis and "Jody" Toole started handles residential, commercial and fine custom painting and staining in the Los Angeles area. Regular clients include celebrities in the TV, motion picture and music industry. The authors compiled this manual so that paint contractors will have a complete, practical guide to the painting, estimating and management skills needed for success in the painting industry.

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