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tpatburk · Jun 13, 2009, 08:10 AM

I have just started a handyman business. It seems there is a need in this area for painters as well, and I need help knowing some type of formula to use when estimating a job. Appreciate any advice!:):)

tickle · Jun 13, 2009, 10:09 AM

I hope you can access this website, tpa, it may help you with your estimating requirements.

http://www.house-painting-info.com/h...id-a-paint-job

You may not be able to access this site in its entirety but you can still get the information you want by doing a search within the site, follow directions please.

Tick

Clough · Jun 13, 2009, 03:08 PM

Hi, tpatburk!

A couple things that I do for a living is that I'm a handyman as well as a house painter. I would love to discuss with you about what you're wanting to know!

I do have a question for you, and that would be how much experience have you had painting for others in order to make a profit for yourself, please?

Thanks!

tpatburk · Jun 13, 2009, 06:07 PM

I do have experience painting, but I am on my 1st bid job as a handyman in the private sector. I really do not know what to think as this has been a learning experience for me. My client has changed paints on different rooms 3 times in spite of the initial painting sample on the wall, so she is wasting all of this paint. She also has me stop painting so her friends can come over and talk about a color. She comes out crying if she decides that is not the color after all. I have used a lot of time going back and forth to the paint store as well as stopping to talk to her. She also asks that I place things back on top of the cabineets and high places when she is putting the finished rooms back together. The initial estimate was based on PAINTING the house with the paint she chose, not the stops and starts that have been included. On the bid it clearly states it is a best guess estimate. It would have made the estimated the time frame contracted for had the customer had a more definite decision. She told me yesterday she really could not afford to pay me for the extra hours I will have to spend to finish. Yes, she is pleased with my work, but doesn't understand why I did not make my 40 hour bid in spite of the obstacles. Help!

tpatburk · Jun 13, 2009, 06:19 PM

I know how to figure based on the measurement of the rooms and square footage. How do you figure in your prep time on a home full of doors and windows and what is the norm as far as helping the homeowner to replace the items?

Clough · Jun 13, 2009, 06:25 PM

Hi, tpatburk!

Whenever I have a paint job, I have a signed contract specifying everything that's promised and expected on the part of myself and the customer.

Did you and she have a contract?

Thanks!

Clough · Jun 13, 2009, 06:29 PM

Rats! I think that I must have responded when you were getting ready to log-off!

Clough · Jun 13, 2009, 07:51 PM

When you do return sometime tpatburk, there are a number of things that we can address if you would like, such as: the wording and formatting of contracts and estimate/bid forms, advertising in print and on the Internet, insurance, expectations and responsibilities of both you and the customers, supplies to always have on hand, ready to be used, safety for both you and your customers, things to say and not to say to customers, getting referrals and references, timeliness when doing jobs, pricing of handyman work as compared to how to price paint jobs, sub-contracting if you need help doing a job, business account at your bank in addition to your regular account, keeping and maintaining lists of customers, taxes, deductions for taxes, the business use of any room or garage on your property, business use of a vehicle, etc.

I'll look forward to communicating with you sometime when you return!

Thanks!

tpatburk · Jun 14, 2009, 01:48 AM

I have an estimated bid form I use that I have the customer sign. I base the bid on the discussion I have with the client on the services rendered, the material that will be used, and add 10% of the total cost of the material for procurring materials before the job begins. During that meeting we discuss the job and what the expctations are for the job as well as the materials, and then I research and show options so they can choose. We then decide and I make a bid we sign.