Spring is just around the corner and this article is all about giving the exterior of your house the painting it deserves. As a professional house painter I would like to lay out four imported tips that most people get wrong when painting their home.
#1.) House Wash - I like to give the house a good wash before I paint it. I don't wash all four sides at once though. I usually do just one side (the side I plan on painting first) at a time because I'm going to be there for a week or two anyways probably. That way by the time you get to the next side there isn't a bunch of webs or sand or dirt built back up. MORE
When doing painting estimates, courtesy can help them decide to hire you. Things like good grooming. Don't go do an estimate with a dirty face or being unshaven. If you have been working all day, at least try to clean up a little.
Don't smoke in people's homes is a given. I like to take my shoes off in people's homes out of respect. Once on the job and you have drop cloths set up shoes are O.K. Some painters will wear rubbers during the winter time.
Always being on time for an estimate is good business. I have heard of being 15 minutes early but I'm usually right on the dot.
I got this letter from Tom today that says:
Lee,
I was excited to see your sight and the great price you offer. I've always had a strong interested in this type of work but thought it was ridiculous that some places were charging thousands for it. My question for you is because the economy is in such a mess right now, is this type of business one where most customers won't be interested in because it might be viewed as a clever novelty? I'd hate to pay and find out I can't find enough business to make it worth my while.
Thanks for your help!
Tom
I wrote back:
Hi Tom,
People are still spending money on things they "WANT" - more than what they NEED to spend money on. Your job is simply to develop that desire in them to want an awesome star mural on their bedroom ceiling to look forward to.
(Picture someone with a nice house and an awesome bedroom having just paid you $500 for the star mural you put on their ceiling and now they can hardly wait for bedtime!)
Thanks for writing,
-Lee Cusano
Make $250 - $500/Day Painting Stars on Ceilings! http://AmazingStarMurals.com
I had a customer ask me today, "What I am getting at is what does my painting company provide that my competition does not have? And the customer choosing me?"
ANSWER: Hi John, Paint Like a Pro is only an instructional manual of course but it can help you be a better painter.
You can determine what you yourself can offer customers to woo them over to your side. A cheaper price, better service, better references, courteous service, etc.
Personally, I have never had trouble with competition as a painter. I welcome it though because competition is healthy and makes people do a better job.
As one of the older painters once told me, "There are a lot of painters in this town but very few good ones. Just be one of the good ones".
He was right. I see a lot of shoddy work. Just be a good painter and you will beat most of your competition by a mile.
I got an e-mail from someone today saying: I agree with you that this is a good business (painting business) to be in. The only problem is the High cost of advertising and beating the Competition. Especially the high cost of Yellow Page advertising. What would you think?
Thanks,
John
I wrote back:
Hi John,
Advertising in the Yellow Pages isn't real expensive. It depends on the size of your ad of course. But you don't really need the Yellow Pages to stay busy as a painter.
I have stayed busy as long as two years without the Yellow Pages or worrying about advertising. But when I do advertise it's basically free and it only takes about an hour and a half a day until the phone starts ringing and then momentum picks back up again.
As far as competition goes, if you don't have any you are in a dead town. And if you do have competition there is still enough work to go around for everyone.
Thanks for writing,
Lee Cusano
http://Painting-Business.com
There is no excuses if you want to do something. It's only the lack of knowledge that can hold you back.
