How much of a backlog of work do you presently have? Are you turning away work, being more selective or charging more?
We have about a 3 to 4 month backlog, with some larger jobs to break soon after. We are being very selective, being careful to service our regular customers and general contractors. We still allow for very profitable jobs to slip into the schedule as best we can. The calls and requests for bids still flow in, the systems are in place and we get bids out within 24 hours.
PDCA and it's forums have helped build our company. Having over 15 employees and a staff to support them is such a good feeling. We have quite a few future employees ready to start as the need arises. We control our business and don't allow it to grow beyond what we can handle. Customers can wait or we educate them and help them find solutions to their needs with the help of other PDCA contractors.
How is the rest of the membership and country doing? The message board has been quiet lately. Let's hear from you out there!

Hey Joel,
We’re doing ok. We just finished up a week of rainy weather that bummed us out. I shouldn't complain we had nice weather for a month, but I wasn't ready for a whole week of paybacks.
We have a lot of people and a fair amount of work. We have found selling more challenging this spring. We have had to work for every sale.
Just yesterday I broke the cardinal rule and called a (very bad) competitor a crook, to a client. You know lots of cash and illegal workers. I got the job so I guess I got away with it, but I'll be trying to take the higher road from now on.
Insurance is a the killer. When people say you’re twice as much as so and so, it’s a dead give away. Crook.
I don'like the fact that they function with impunity, same fellows year after year. Starts ups are one thing but sooner or later illegal operations is supposed to catch up with these entities.
Ok, enough whinning, I feel better now. Perhaps a few can identify. (Breath Kev)
We do have a great team assembled, by far our best ever. So we got that going for us.
If the suns shine we’ll make hay. I am looking forward to a three day weekend.
Giddy Up!

Think about the brave American Troops and the sacrifices they make.

All the best,
Kevin
Havertown Pa.

Joel,
BTW to answer your question, 90 painters and 7 weeks backlog.
All the best, Kevin

Wow Joel, I wish I could get my customers to wait four months. We do raise our prices to regulate the flow during busy season. I found people dont want to wait more than a month two at the most. As far as those fly by night no comp no liability insurance painters. Nothing we can do about them, Howvever when something bad happen on there job and they loose there house and business. You and I will still be in busness. When clients ask me about price I expain all cost involved. as well as reminding them that the very thing they want painted is the thing they may loose by hiring a uninsured contractor. nothing more.