Hi, I'm a newer member to the PDCA. My name is Travis of TRK Enterprises [URL=http://www.trkfaux.com]My Webpage[/URL]. I've been in business for four years and specialize in Faux, Interior Painting and Stone Plaster. For the first time my crew did a job on their own (two man crew). Besides the faux, their coverage rate was horrible. I measured all the wall surface to be painted multiplied it by two for two coats, which gave me my sq/ft. My estimate was for 2696 sq/ft divided by 100 = 27hrs. They did the work in 54.25 hrs. Total frustration on my part.

First, I don't understand how anyone can cut in and roll out 300sq/ft per hour in an occupied residence, (which is what the PDCA cost and estimating book 2 recommends)

And second, what's wrong with these guys?

We do very good work, very creative and get great letters of thanks and referral from our clients, but I'm struggling a great deal in my business and could use a few points in the right direction.

Thanks to whoever of you respond.

Travis

Travis,
I am speaking as a customer and I can tell you most people will be willing to pay more for a quality job completed within the time boundaries discussed. Estimates I have received in other areas - ie, flooring, roofing, wallpaper, etc - often times discuss a potential for more time necessary due to unforeseen problems or because of the higher quality job performance. If I was told the crew I was hiring was slow but meticulous and it would take them a little longer and would cost more because of it, I would pay for it. BUT, with that said, you don't always get what you pay for. If your crews do a fantastic job, flaunt that skill to your customer. Tell them your home deserves the best and how you compare to others who might be trying to get in and out as fast as possible to make a higher profit margin. Have letters from satisfied customers advertising the quality of the work.
Hope this helps,
Lisa

300 sq ft can be rolled in a hour, when all the planets are aligned LOL and after all preparation is done. alot of prep in occupied homes. the book even says prep is the hardest thing to estimate especialy in repaints.
keep track of your cost over time and you'll develop a average. Why did you divide 2696 by 100 is that your average?
50 plus hours is way to much time.
A average room 12x10 8'to 10' ceiling has a wall footage of about 365' I estimate a occupied room with that footage to take about (depending on amount of furniture) 6 hours including : moving and replacing furniture, masking, unmasking, minor wall prep, followed by one full coat, and clean up.
Now that number reflects about 60' per hour sounds crazy,
If you were doing one wall only, The time between pulling the paint off your truck to loading the wet buckets back on your truck would actually take about a hour. However as you know time improves when painting several rooms same color. I would estimate around 90 to 100 sq per hour.including all prep. your number was right...

Hi Travis,
I think (as a customer) you should tell the customer the guidelines suggest less hours than you think it will take and they may receive quotes for less money but your primary interest is in getting the job done right, thus requires more hours.
I think most customers would prefer it be done correctly and not have a crew rushing through with potential inferior results.
Hope this helps!
Lisa