Hi everyone
Just thought I would see if anyone out there knows how much I should charge for interior painting. There is such a big gap between different painters so I really do not know how much to charge. I have been painting for about 7 years and am trying to raise some extra cash for school. Do I charge per hour or do I charge for per square foot, most of the people that want painting done buy thier own paint. I just want to make sure that I am not under cutting myself or over charging anyone. Thanks alot
Replies
Charge double for private painting. Public painting is much cheaper.
"A job well done is its own reward. Now would you prefer to make the final payment by cash, check or Master Card?"
There have been quite a few discussions over the years on how to price your work etc. I'd suggest a search or the archives
I would also suggest you order a copy of:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0966571916/sr=8-3/qid=1143952350/ref=sr_1_3/002-4274133-7154444?%5Fencoding=UTF8
I recently read it myself and it has a lot of usefull information to help you.
Bottom line is you shouldn't charge based on what your competition is charging, you need to figure out a few things on your own and base your price on that.
In my own opinion, I would not price painting by the square foot. There are to many other factors to consider such as how much cut in, what kind of paint are you using, flat, eggshell, semi-gloss, prep work will vary by job etc.
If you're allowing others to supply the paint I would also want a clause to protect myself against their paint. There is a big difference in the quality of paints out there and I would not allow customers to supply the paint for that reason.
Another clause I would also put into any contract, you are going to have some sort of contract right?, would be something like
"Above price is based on two finish coats of xxyy paint, certain colors will require additional coats for adequate coverage. Additional finish coats will result in a charge of $xxx.xx per coat.
Unless you know going in you'll be using a deep red, light yellow, etc. you're better off being protected.
Whats your market where do you live what does the best painter charge how much better is he been painting 26 years and get the highest price but.... I'm insured,experienced. and too damn old to be worried . Where we work is the highest market in the States.vacation homes go for as much as 10 mil. and I get $50 an hour and 23 a sq. ft. most of my competitors are as exp. as me also..
$50 per hour AND $23 per square foot!!!
Like drbgwood, I don't get very many of the painting jobs I bid on so I must be too high, but keep bidding high because that's what it is worth to me to do it.
If they want me, fine, if not, fine.
In this case, you need/want the work so bid it at what it's worth to you.
Grunge on.
charge as much as you can get. If nobody want's you to paint anything, your probably charging to much.
I can get a painter for about $10 per hour... but she's pretty slow. I've been quoted $50 per hour by a few others... didn't use them though.
sometime's I charge a couple hundred an hour, but then i wind up working a lot of hours for free.
Edited 4/1/2006 11:46 pm ET by drbgwood
If they are buying the paint don't forget an upcharge for Behr & other big-box paints!
I have an idea of how much I can paint in one day. Basically, it's 1 room. That includes ceiling, walls, trim, minor repairs, and moving furniture. I also know how much I'd like to make per day. There you go.
When there are multiple rooms, I start factoring in efficiencies. Especially if the ceiling and/or trim are the same color. In other words, 3 rooms might only be 2 1/2 days.
If it's hallways, foyers or other spaces that do not neatly fall into the definition of a "room", I still think in terms of rooms. For example, I'll as myself "how many rooms is this stairwell?"
How much am I looking for per day? I'd rather not give actual numbers. There are too many variables. For example, the cost of living is high where I live. Also, I charge more when it's more than just painting (repairs, etc). I expect my customers to pay for my skills. So my price is not just just a function of what I need, but also of what I feel I can command.
When I started, the number was lower because I was hoping to get a large percentage of the jobs I bid. Now that I have a larger customer base and can afford to lose a few jobs, I charge more and STILL get most of the jobs I bid. References are everything!
-Don
A s
Said you need to invest in some books .
Review the business section here and you should gain a wealth of information.
Too many times tradesmen become businessmen and fail because of the transition. Or,.. they dont reach their true earning potential.
ABCs of small business are about the same . You may get there in a different way but the priciples are always the same .
First you have to know your true cost of doing business and be able to put it on a spread sheet. You may find that you are not including all your costs when you actually build a spread sheet. A few things some people do not consider ;
Insurance . There are many types and you need to reseach whats right for you. You will need liablility insurance for sure to work on anyones home or it could ruin you otherwise.
If you hire someone then you will have to have workmans comp and pay your part of ss. Or else hire temps as helpers. One accident non covered could ruin you .
No business that operates does not succeed with out your salary being figgured in as a cost . Otherwise you can loose sight of your standards. So never leave it out or lessen it and stand on it as a common business principle.
You will pay self employment tax which is higher . All of your taxes with ss will total 49 percent after deductions.
No business would be a successfull business if you didnt cover your family with health insurance and dental. At least your self if you are single . If you are covered else where then you still dont need to give that away to your customers as its a legit cost of doing business .
I beleive every business should have a fund thats standard for retirement. Very few tradesmen are able to work in their golden years and many are disabled in one way or another . You are in a dangerous business to your health. Your lungs are taking a beating not to mention job site risks. I had an airless ingury to my hand that cost 15,000 and that was small change to what Ive spent. Ive lost part of one lung doing your trade for many years. Youll fing that drywall dust really isnt good in the lungs as well . <G> Just the vapor from coatings such as laquer and oils are harmful even if the solids are strained out through quality masks . [not the paper ones] If I had my life to live over I would invest in fresh air mask solutions. You need to be paid for the trouble and the risk.
Finally disablility insurance temp and perm. Some Ive known tried to make it on ss disability, but starve before its won and then its not enough.
Next we could go to tools and transportation which is also a business expense. Your pickup is no longer personal.
You will find fixed costs and variable which is hard to figgure until you have ran for a while but they should be estimated. This is where some people stumble if they dont know their family obligation costs which translates to part of your salary costs, not profits.
No true business runs long with out a profit and is considered just that which can be saved or invested but not eaten in things like food and beer costs. <G>
You may choose to give your self vacation pay as if you worked for someone else you could probably get it included in your salary, so dont short your self. All too often in the contruction business its needed for "dry" times. You still need to be in business after a hard winter in the painting business . Making your money in 9 months is what I practiced. Yea, Ive been caught short til I learned better. Theres nothing wrong with working 7/12s in the summer when you are young as long as you have a reward in the winter. Its actually more productive but thats another thread subject. Theres a roofer here that does that very same thing . I did it for years till I started up a drywall crew in addition to a painting crew. Eventually the painters trained the tapers/hangers and the tapers trained the painters . Ill have to say those painters never wanted to become hangers. <G> Profits generate growth .
If you dont want to become the business part of the trade the unions pay the best wages and offer all those bennnies I mentioned .
Tim
Good post.
'Nemo me impune lacesset'No one will provoke me with impunity