With Help Like This...

One of the most common questions from new painting contractors is how to bid jobs. And there is no shortage of “experts” eager to share their “knowledge”. However, often that “knowledge” is inadequate, and sometimes it is downright wrong. For example, consider the advice offered here.

The first suggestion is: “Find out what your competitors are charging for the same service by having them come and do an estimate for you (I wouldn't tell them what you're up to, though).” This advice is wrong, both morally and practically.

Morally, this is dishonest. Such actions are misleading, waste the time of the competitors, and the information is gained under false pretenses.

Practically, the information gained is meaningless. What others charge does not tell us anything about what we should charge. This is a classic case of the blind leading the blind, or more precisely, the blind leading the dishonest.

Along the same lines is this little tidbit: “Going rate for painters is 29.00 if you roll and 31.00 an hour if you spray. I charge 25.00 hour but I roll. It keeps me in the ball game.”

Charging $25 an hour might “keep you in the ball game”, but what kind of game are you playing? Professional contracting is not a game—it is a business. If you treat it like a game, you will likely find yourself sitting on the bench.