Business has picked up, Any one else? Options

[Kevin Nolan]

Not much happening on this site. Maybe it's because everyone is too busy.
I have been visiting this site and it's predecessors since 1996 when it first got started. I guess it will disappear the next time the PDCA web site is updated.

The phone is ringing off the hook and the weather is fantastic. No lie. We just booked the next two months in the last 2 weeks. We got more calls in the last two weeks than we got all of 2010 winter. I lost a couple of jobs to: " you were twice as expensive to the two other estimates I received," but I got a ton of jobs at my price. I hired 8 people to start tomorrow.
Shades of 2005? I don't have that confidence yet, do you?
Has biz picked up ? Anybody out there?
All the best,
Kevin

[Frank Campanelli]

Not much happening on this site. Maybe it's because everyone is too busy.
I have been visiting this site and it's predecessors since 1996 when it first got started. I guess it will disappear the next time the PDCA web site is updated.

The phone is ringing off the hook and the weather is fantastic. No lie. We just booked the next two months in the last 2 weeks. We got more calls in the last two weeks than we got all of 2010 winter. I lost a couple of jobs to: " you were twice as expensive to the two other estimates I received," but I got a ton of jobs at my price. I hired 8 people to start tomorrow.
Shades of 2005? I don't have that confidence yet, do you?
Has biz picked up ? Anybody out there?
All the best,
Kevin

We have had a similar pickup in calls as well. A higher percentage than usual of prospects make it clear that they are getting a large number of quotes, in order to participate in the price slashing bonanza. Just have to keep reminding oneself to push the benefits of a premium service over the commodity-type providers so that people who are not just shopping for the heck of it have something to chew on. ( I have had a higher number of calls looking for a squarefoot-of-floorspace 'ballpark' number) Had a prospect tell me that her 6 room interior (3 of which involved stripping paper) was quoted at one third of my estimate.

Frank

[Chris Murphy]

Glad to hear things are moving so well on the Mainline, Kevin. Your report, and this one in today's NY Times, may be a sign of future good news:
Jumbo mortgages
Frank, I get the same thing, constantly. And while I understand people wanting a deal- heck, I like them myself- some folks are still trying to get something for nothing, which got us into the financial mess in the first place.
Happy Easter! Turn the speakers up, and enjoy this gem:
Oh Happy Day

[sgrillo]

never really had a problem with a work slow down, However have had enough of the painting business. tired of being the boss and getting people to work. I have a nitch market in a northern suburb of Atlanta Ga. have a client base of over 220 thousand with a household income of over 150 grand per year, prime pickins for someone who wants to pick and choose who they work for. I have exhausted all trainable or so called professional painters in my area... I have paid into workers comp,matching state and local taxes,unemployment Insurance. I am a PDCA accredited company, Just recognized by my local community as painter of the year,can get work every month of the year however last 2 years only had 3 Job in January,have all local leads and referrals in place. phone rings non stop(even when I wish it wouldnt) example 5 calls in voice mail on Easter Sunday. 40 thousand in signed contracts 2 vans 18 ladders, 1 sales vehicle,1 ford ranger equip t with pressure washer and accessories 5 spray rigs,1 finish pro barley used nail guns the list goes on.company reconised every where in surrounding community. the business plan fails when you only want to use documented workers and you dont want to sub out the work. unlimited money potential for the right person. my personal believes and integrity have brought me to here. Retiring from business at 41 my loss your gain. all comments and feed back would be enjoyed. my books are open to those interested.

[joel j]

never really had a problem with a work slow down, However have had enough of the painting business. tired of being the boss and getting people to work. I have a nitch market in a northern suburb of Atlanta Ga. have a client base of over 220 thousand with a household income of over 150 grand per year, prime pickins for someone who wants to pick and choose who they work for. I have exhausted all trainable or so called professional painters in my area... I have paid into workers comp,matching state and local taxes,unemployment Insurance. I am a PDCA accredited company, Just recognized by my local community as painter of the year,can get work every month of the year however last 2 years only had 3 Job in January,have all local leads and referrals in place. phone rings non stop(even when I wish it wouldnt) example 5 calls in voice mail on Easter Sunday. 40 thousand in signed contracts 2 vans 18 ladders, 1 sales vehicle,1 ford ranger equip t with pressure washer and accessories 5 spray rigs,1 finish pro barley used nail guns the list goes on.company reconised every where in surrounding community. the business plan fails when you only want to use documented workers and you dont want to sub out the work. unlimited money potential for the right person. my personal believes and integrity have brought me to here. Retiring from business at 41 my loss your gain. all comments and feed back would be enjoyed. my books are open to those interested.

I love this message board, may it endure, thanks for getting a topic going Kevin.

Sgrillo, I'm 40. I hear you. The hell with it has occured to me too many times to count. My gut feeling is stay the course. Things that we do not deal with now will plague us in other adventures.

This economy blows, but those cutting every corner, it blows more. You have to have margin to fuel your dreams.

I'm going to let this post soak in & probably post back. Any deeper details would be useful of "the problem"

Joel J

[sgrillo]

I love this message board, may it endure, thanks for getting a topic going Kevin.

Sgrillo, I'm 40. I hear you. The hell with it has occured to me too many times to count. My gut feeling is stay the course. Things that we do not deal with now will plague us in other adventures.

This economy blows, but those cutting every corner, it blows more. You have to have margin to fuel your dreams.

I'm going to let this post soak in & probably post back. Any deeper details would be useful of "the problem"

Joel J

Joel just tired of dealing with so called painters with to much baggage to show up for work and produce what I sold ... ready to sell a great name and reputation or just move on to less head aches and watch my son grow up.

[Kevin Nolan]

Steve,
Are you independently wealthy? What would you do? You gotta make a living, at least your working for yourself. You gotta get your attitude up fella. No more stinking thinking.
I hope it was just a bad day. Good luck. Kevin

[joel j]

Steve,
Are you independently wealthy? What would you do? You gotta make a living, at least your working for yourself. You gotta get your attitude up fella. No more stinking thinking.
I hope it was just a bad day. Good luck. Kevin

Steve,

Attitude really is everything. I think you have maximized complaining. Drop that gear & switch to dealing with it. Although, I'm affraid that you sound like you are at the point of no return, but a few questions:

How are you planning on selling this business?

Most businesses that are for sale are buying someone's problem - from the little you have revealed, yours has a lot of unhealthy problems. When businesses are cash cows, no one is too often looking to sell.

How's your data looking on job cost info?

How are you dealing with the fact that your production is faster (it sounds to me that this is part of the problem equation) than those you currently employ in your bids?

If your reputation is so good, why are you not selling a higher margin?

You could work less & make more. Have more time to work on your business, instead of in it. Spend more time with the kids.

How about a career as a top field painter for a larger outfit in Atlanta?

You could leave you head aches behind at 3:30pm, not everyone is cut out to deal with managing a business.

I really see a lot of unsuccessful projects in my neighborhood on residential repaint. The man hours look enormous & I know my neighbors are not paying top dollar. It is hard, but we do not want to end up in the unsuccessful category of contracting, which is most. We must deal with our data. We must have more wins than loses. The "good stuff" is in the margins!

Joel J

[Damon]

Hi Kevin and all
I haven't been on this board in months! Good to see your name again. While calls are picking up somewhat here, it's still been very tough selling...constantly hearing we're twice the other guy, even when trying to be competitive. Relationships continue to be key in keeping busy.
All the Best
Damon

[Steve Hobson]

Hi Kevin and everyone

Business interest has picked up as far as opportunities to bid work. We have spent our slow time redirecting our focus. We used to be only a commercial contractor, bidding, bidding, bidding. We used to think if we threw up enough nails at the ceiling some would stick. We are now focued on property managers, facility managers, buding owners, home owners and a small group of general contractors who have made the cut. We do less work, but we have more profit. We are still licking our wounds that we took the last 2 plus years, but we are healing with our new direction. We now have clients with relationships versus being just low, low bidders. We still have alot of room and space on our schedule, so we offer more then just painting, we have put together one stop shopping for our clients.

Who says old dogs can't learn new tricks, after decades in the painting business, we are still learing.

All the best my friends!

Hob

[SNLPainting]

We had a similar bump to Kevin. We went from 200 hours on the board to 1800+ in 2 weeks. I ran an ad for painters (only high-ethic people, of course), and received 60+ applicants in 3 days. I had to shut it off! After weeding out the "I just need a job, any job" and "25+ years of experience, but no one will keep me" candidates, I found 4 great guys-with experience-who are hungry to work-and know the market is bad. It's like manna over here!

We're going to ride this wave and squeeze this lemon as long as we can. However, I have a bad feeling that things are going to get worse before they get better. Probably really worse.

Plan for the worst and expect the best. That's how we made 2009 our best year yet.

PS - I'm glad to call many of you my friend. Painting has brought me more reward than just money through our few years. Miss you guys.

-Art

[sgrillo]

Steve,
Are you independently wealthy? What would you do? You gotta make a living, at least your working for yourself. You gotta get your attitude up fella. No more stinking thinking.
I hope it was just a bad day. Good luck. Kevin

Not Independently wealthy, sell something else, working for myself isnt all that its cracked to be. my attitude is positive looking forward to starting my new job May 10 . It's been fun thanks to all who have helped me over the years. Kevin especially you and your people. Thought I had a buyer but backed out last minute. Just gonna let the name and reputation fade away. Looking forward to a more stress free life and when the day is done so am I, no more sleepless nights I hope. Take care all and God Bless.

Steve

[sgrillo]

Steve,

Attitude really is everything. I think you have maximized complaining. Drop that gear & switch to dealing with it. Although, I'm affraid that you sound like you are at the point of no return, but a few questions:

How are you planning on selling this business? word of mouth to my so called compition

Most businesses that are for sale are buying someone's problem - from the little you have revealed, yours has a lot of unhealthy problems. When businesses are cash cows, no one is too often looking to sell. mine could have been and has been lately

How's your data looking on job cost info? Labor killing me

How are you dealing with the fact that your production is faster (it sounds to me that this is part of the problem equation) than those you currently employ in your bids?

If your reputation is so good, why are you not selling a higher margin? my bids are typically 50% higher than my competators still book up though

You could work less & make more. Have more time to work on your business, instead of in it. Spend more time with the kids. sounds good but I have to babysit grown men

How about a career as a top field painter for a larger outfit in Atlanta? Not into doing the manual labor anymore

You could leave you head aches behind at 3:30pm, not everyone is cut out to deal with managing a business.

I really see a lot of unsuccessful projects in my neighborhood on residential repaint. The man hours look enormous & I know my neighbors are not paying top dollar. It is hard, but we do not want to end up in the unsuccessful category of contracting, which is most. We must deal with our data. We must have more wins than loses. The "good stuff" is in the margins!

Joel J

[Steve Hobson]

We had a similar bump to Kevin. We went from 200 hours on the board to 1800+ in 2 weeks. I ran an ad for painters (only high-ethic people, of course), and received 60+ applicants in 3 days. I had to shut it off! After weeding out the "I just need a job, any job" and "25+ years of experience, but no one will keep me" candidates, I found 4 great guys-with experience-who are hungry to work-and know the market is bad. It's like manna over here!

We're going to ride this wave and squeeze this lemon as long as we can. However, I have a bad feeling that things are going to get worse before they get better. Probably really worse.

Plan for the worst and expect the best. That's how we made 2009 our best year yet.

PS - I'm glad to call many of you my friend. Painting has brought me more reward than just money through our few years. Miss you guys.

-Art

Art Buddy
Way to go.........actually we are seeing more opportunities. Prices are down but we are not bidding much to general contractors. We have really consentrated on business direct with property managers, building owners and owners direct. We have done alot less volume but have received more profit on the work we have done this year. I am spending half my time in the field making sure we bring the jobs in on time. I do it with my lap top in hand so I am still connected. Painting life is better but not good yet. I am encouraged with the opportunities we are getting right now however. We are still looking at ways to do things better and things that can save us money.

I am glad you are having a surge in work...........go make some money.

Your Friend

Hob

[SNLPainting]

Hob -

A past mentor of mine shared a statement that has stuck with me:

"There are only a few ways to make money; by your own labor, by the labor of others, or by the money you've made"

The first seems to be the most powerful, as I'm sure you're finding working alongside your painters.

Keep it up - this will be over soon (one way or another)

Art

[Kevin Nolan]

Great to see some activity on this BB. Thanks Art.
So is business better than it's been in the last two years?
We think it is! I am not sure that the recession is over but pent up demand (not the same as consumer demand) has been strong for the past 10 weeks.
It's gonna take more than that to get over what happened the last couple of years but I'll take it.
Anybody else busy?
All the best,
Kevin

Hob -

A past mentor of mine shared a statement that has stuck with me:

"There are only a few ways to make money; by your own labor, by the labor of others, or by the money you've made"

The first seems to be the most powerful, as I'm sure you're finding working alongside your painters.

Keep it up - this will be over soon (one way or another)

Art

[ScottC]

Kevin

Business has picked up nicely after a slow 1st quarter.

We are out ahead of last year with about 6 wks work on the board.

Scott

[sgrillo]

since my last post in April on this same topic... I'm still trying to get out of the painting business. I have started a new job as a pain finder for someone else. so far so good! I'm loving the fact, that I get to be on a team again! Instead of the team against me. Only problem is that I found some desperet guy laid off from the housing industry that knows little or nothing about customer service and or painting. and is gonna make me wanna give up and throw my phone in the lake. I Have Quit advertising and the phone continues to ring? I miss or am late for appointments yet they hound me and hound me till I show up in shorts a wife beater and flip flops yet I give them a number then they hire me . when I wanted the work I would show up with pressed shirt,khakis,presentation folder,copy of insurance,references.etc,etc. Now not even trying to get the work and it keeps coming in I wanna stop and I cant stop helping these peoples pain because there is no one else to help them but me. But I dont want all the headaches anymore just wanna help them. Wanting someone to come in and take this whole thing over! I just ask for 15%. plus consulting fees, after the first 45 days. you will start making money immediately it's not about the money anymore for me its moving on and not having a regret that I let a good thing go. I'm Just not good at managing people,payroll,insurance,production,hiring,firing,book keeping,paper work,paper work..... Cant belive no one on this board dosent know someone who this would be perfect for? Why not expand your operation to take over my territory???

[SNLPainting]

Sgrillo,

I usually try to offer any advice or encouragement whenever I have some to all my messageboard friends here. I don't know what I could help you with. However, you seem to have real troubles right now and it sounds like you need someone to talk to. I'll send you an email with my cell number.

I don't know if I'd be a lot of help. Just know that you can call me to chat. I'm here for you and willing to try.

Good luck,
Art