The Online Resource for the Painting Industry
I am really impressed with how well this mid range paint performs. This flat red was applied over high build primer in white, and it was close to 100% coverage. Pleasing to see an affordable paint perform this well. This flat red easily sanded today, it was painted yesterday morning. So about 12 hrs cure. […]
Read my recent article in American Painting Contractor, The Agony of Estimating
It’s easy as A, B, C, D … and maybe E. I’ll show you how. THE FOYER Choosing color for your home can be a challenge. Here I can show you where to place color and also offer you some color suggestions. When I design a color palette for my clients, I refer to the […]
Nobody enjoys a dispute with a customer. However, no matter how diligent and conscientious you are, disputes will occasionally occur. While these situations can be stressful, they can also represent an opportunity to improve your business. I recently concluded a three-month dispute with a customer. I will spare you all of the gory details, but a brief summary of the […]
No matter what style you choose, color you pick, or finished look you desire, you always want the interior of your home to have the perfect finish. One you are proud to show off. The difference between professional painters and Do It Yourselfers is time. While there is nothing wrong with the DIY attitude, professional […]
1. Appointment times are set in stone. Its a given to avoid being late at all costs. Your salesperson should give the customer a warm introduction and make small talk prior to running around with a tape measure. In his hands are a laptop and a picture presentation binder. He should look like a contractor. […]
Are you interested in closing more business? If the answer is yes, a good place to start is with the business you didn’t get. I am not suggesting that you should be going back to customers with revised pricing or asking for a second chance. But you should be doing a follow-up on every estimate […]
No, I am not talking about hiring good looking painters to work for you, in the hopes of keeping customers happily distracted. I’m talking about the photos on your company website. Have you wondered if the quality of pictures on your website matter to a customer? You bet they do. And in a big way. […]
As a result of the myriad of home makeover, D.I.Y, lifestyle and design shows on digital TV these days a new word has become fashionable… up-cycling. What this means, in terms we can all understand is taking an old, worn out piece of furniture or ornament and restoring it to suit your current interior decor […]
Everyone wants their home to be the envy of the street. Popular DIY shows spend countless hours and dollars working the landscaping and really trying to bring curb appeal to the property, but often the home itself is overlooked. Painting the home is an integral part of having that “pop” that sets your home apart. […]
I was talking this week with fellow one-man band master decorator, Jonathan Graham, about the challenges of taking on bigger than normal jobs. For most UK painters, normal means redecorating a lounge or bedroom, which to be honest, is like falling off a log. From quoting, to ordering materials, to doing the work, to getting paid, it […]
At the moment everyone is thinking about costs. Money is a bit tight for most people. So how can we still achieve high end finishes on a budget. You can’t have everything but if your willing to spend a little time you can take a standard piece of pine furniture and create a show house […]
This week I bought two nice pieces, one from a charity shop and one from a local market. In this post I thought I would give you a run down of process and exactly what goes into creating this kind of finish on furniture. The first thing that I do, and I recommend that you […]
Most professional painting contractors understand the importance of developing systems for their business. For those who want to get out of the bucket, it is absolutely imperative. Unfortunately, developing systems can be a very imposing task, and many contractors don’t know where to start. However, it doesn’t have to be a daunting task. If they use a system, the process can […]
On October 4, 2011 Certified Renovators will be allowed to take paint chip samples as allowed by the Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule. What has not been discussed is how to properly take a paint chip sample … until now. Warning: Paint chip sampling is a destructive test. It will produce small quantities of […]
