"Cost" is the amount paid for a product or service, and is always a key element to consider when spending money. The cost
of anything involves the "Value", and/or the fair return on your investment on the price that you pay.
The cost of
hiring a professional painter is similar to the cost of hiring an electrician, a plumber, an HVAC technician, an auto mechanic,
a home stager or a home inspector.
For us to post pricing, estimates, guestimates, hints, or ideas of what you might pay for any service we provide;
would soon fill the world with "expert painters" running around; using our pricing, and not delivering your
expectations.
When purchasing a particular model of television or automobile; you can easily compare prices as you can shop around on
the internet, or go to dealers, making sure that you get the best deal for that same exact particular model you want.
However, Shopping for
Painting Contractors The Fake Painting Company
The COST of anything, is based on everything that is involved in delivering your expectations. If you are
expecting the best that there is, you should also expect to pay for it.
This is one of those questions that has no immediate answer, and the question might as well be;
How tall does a tree grow?
or
How
long is a piece of string?
This is because not all small rooms are the same, and not all people have the same expectations.
The cost of painting a small room varies depending on all thats involved to deliver your expectations.
Since our proposals are all based on time and material, we need to see the area(s) you want painted so we can determine the
amount of time that's involved in completing the work to your satisfaction.
Applying paint is only the "icing on the cake", so we need to know how much time is involved or invested in preparing the
walls to accept the finishes.
Preparation prior to applying finishes is the most important aspect of any paint job.
Preparation prior to applying
finishes is the most important aspect of any paint job.
The amount of preparation will determine how the final finish looks, and the amount of preparation involved adds to the
over-all cost.
Color is part of the equation; If you stay with the same color that is currently applied, one coat of paint might
be sufficient, however, if your walls have not been painted in a long while, or you're changing color, you might require two
(or more) coats.
The finish type of paint you choose, and the Quality of paint adds to the cost.
Chances are, your small room has a door or two, and it has some other type of wood trim, and possibly a closet.
To paint a small room, you will need several gallons of paint (or more).
Our Company prefers not to use cheap "box store"
paints, so this example is based on premium quality paints, using a "flat" white for the ceiling, an "eggshell" finish for
the walls, and a "semi-gloss" finish for the trim; one coat of paint on the ceiling, two coats on the walls, and one coat
for the wood trim (window frames, baseboards, doors, etc..).
You will need at least one gallon for the ceiling, two for the walls and one for the wood trim (a quart might do the trim,
but the cost of one quart is half the cost of a gallon; a gallon ends up to be cheaper in the long run).
If a gallon of quality paint has an average cost per gallon of $40 dollars, you're going to be spending at least $160 just
on the paints alone.
The cost for labor varies by contractor, however cost comparison shouldn't be the only reason you choose one over the other.
How much does it cost to clean & seal a deck or fence?
There is actually a proper method to applying sealers and finishes on lumber, and following the directions on the package
is only the beginning of what a person needs to know in order to do it correctly.
Although there are many contractors who
advertise deck sealing, the truth is; many do not have qualified employees who know how to seal lumber the right way. Alot
of the time, their way means your deck is bright and clean and they spray on your color choice of sealer, and boy does it
look good - but that's just it, it looks good - it looks like it was sealed.
Just so you know, we can seal your lumber just like they will, and we can charge the same amount of money that they will charge,
or, we can seal your lumber the right way, but it will cost more.
*The word ″Deck″ could easily be replaced with the word ″Fence″
The cost of having a professional clean and seal a deck is based on:
How old is your deck?
What type of lumber is your deck?
Does your deck have built in trellises, benches or planter boxes?
Does your deck have any privacy lattice?
When was the last time you had your deck cleaned and stained or sealed?
What was your deck stained or sealed with?
Is the old finish on your deck peeling or flaking?
Will we need to strip off the old finish?
Are there factory ink stamps, stains, tree sap, etc..to be removed?
Does any lumber on your deck need to be replaced?
Is the lumber on your deck cracked, splintered, warped or cupped?
Would you want any of the lumber sanded?
Does your deck have railings / balusters made of the same wood?
Are the ballusters sandwiched between two pieces of lumber?
Other than vertical generic ballusters, are your ballusters decorative in any way?
What are your deck's dimensions?
How high does your deck stand off the ground?
Does your deck (not your house) have stair lights or any other kind of lighting?
What is underneath your deck?
Is your deck enclosed with lattice?
How many support posts are underneath your deck?
Are there any levels to your deck?
Does your deck have a landing?
Does your deck have stairs?
How many steps?
What type of landscaping surrounds your deck?
Do you have a fish pond immediately near the deck?
Would you say that your deck sits in the shade or in the sun most of the time?
What type of sealer or stain do you want to put on your deck?
...and now, the final question:
Do you want your deck sealed properly, or do you just want it to look
like it
was sealed?
People are often surprised to see what a gallon of anything costs these days, and paints and lumber sealers are no
exception.
Due to the ever increasing cost of the ingredients used to make the material, the price of paints and sealers keep going up.
The cost of paint and the cost of deck sealers and stains, depends on what goes into the mix from the manufacturer.
Better quality products will cost more because they have a better mix. A better mix makes the product lasts longer, and offers
better wear protection, color retention, and durability - this applies to to paints, sealers, and stains alike.
Quality
Paint
Sealer/Stain
Cheap
< $35 Per gallon
< $35 Per gallon
Premium
> $45 Per gallon
> $45 Per gallon
Best
> $60 Per gallon
> $100 Per gallon
Since (Both deck treatments and paints) are high dollar sales for any store that carries them, and since most homes are built
these days to include a deck or fence, and since people like decorating their homes more often than they used to
...every
manufacturer out there creates their own brand of sealer, stains, and paints,
...and every manufacturer out there claims
that they have and/or are the best,
...and the store shelves are stocked with sooo many choices,
...and when
you ask the salesman which product to use
OF COURSE their product is the one you need to purchase.
One might
think that a non-biased scientific analysis in a laboratory would prove (beyond a shadow of a doubt) which one
product is superior over another,
however,
(keep in mind) it is a laboratory technician, in a laboratory, applying a
sample, dissecting and testing the sample makeup and ingredients, and comparing it to other products of the same sort,
AS
OPPOSED TO
someone who applies finishes for a living (in the real world).
...And although a "rating" on a product might be somewhat true (and should have no bearing on which manufacturer sells the
most in yearly sales at box stores due to expensive advertising campaigns), the product you ultimately should choose should
depend on your individual circumstances as well.
Your parents probably told you stories of what it was like when they were young (mine did), and how much everyday, ordinary
life / (things) cost when they were growing up.
A couple bucks for a double feature movie, penny candy, 15 cent canned
sodas, loaf of bread for a dime, burgers for a quarter, a new car for less than $1,000.00, etc...
...and you will also tell
your children similar stories...
As years roll by, prices keep going up, and have increased dramatically, and it's all
due to the ever decreasing value of the American dollar.
"Supply and demand" make up part of the equation in the
(lack of) purchase power of the dollar, and the word INFLATION is one we associate most often with the ever increasing
"cost of living".
The "Daily Grind"
Most people have a ritual of getting up in the morning, drinking a cup of coffee, eating their bowl of corn flakes, putting
some gas in the car, and heading off (to get stuck in traffic) to go to work, so that they can pay the bills, bring the bacon,
make memories with their families and friends over the weekends and on holidays.
...so that they can do it all over again
on Monday.
Pretty much everyone knows the price of gas, but most people are only vaguely aware that food costs have risen dramatically,
but that's only because manufacturers have been
shrinking packages on us
, and no one seems to notice.
Very sneaky... but it would be more of a shock if you knew how much the price increases
were.
We are no different than anyone else, we have to go to work too.
We enjoy our cup of coffee in the morning, and some food
is always a great way to get the day going,
The E250 work van loaded with all the tools and ladders just loves gasoline.
...and all those FREE estimates we do (where people are only just curious, looking for the lowest price, kicking tires, etc...)
...and SINCE we are very much aware that the cost for a cup of coffee, a bowl of cornflakes, and a drive to work in today's
world is a whole lot higher than it used to be,
...we thought we would share this bit of information regarding inflation,
because the cost of living DOES influence our costs, so it affects yours.
This Equates that a higher cost involves a better product,
while denigrating less expensive, inferior, or free.
Not just a fancy little saying that's been around for a long time, but it is indeed, good advice, and a it's fact of life.
...and it is our promise.
While everone always wants the lowest price they can get, there is not one person (with intelligence) residing on this entire
planet who wants poor quality.
Everyone wants the steak and lobster tail, everyone wants the four course meal complete with
never ending soup and salad bar and fine wine.
...but if all you have in your pocket is $5.00, your more likely to be going
for the dollar menu at the drive thru.
...and still we hear from people all the time; "I really don't want to spend
a lot of money..."
(Really?),
(...and without even taking another breath):
"...I want it to look really nice and I want you to use the best products available." ("I really don't want to spend a lot
of money..." )
...
Every project we do has a different cost.
The difference in cost is based on individual needs, expectations, and the quality
of materials chosen for the project.
Some people just want a quick fix, with cheap paint, while others want Quality, and detail.
Cheap work is inexpensive because it doesn't require skill, it can be completed quickly, or uses low grade materials. The
less you put into it, the less it costs, the less you pay. - "you get what you pay for".
Quality and detail will cost money.
Spending time to repair drywall irregularities and making the surfaces look good, prior to applying paints, takes time, time
is money, the more time involved, the higher the cost.
The quality of material reflects in the overall cost, and sometimes a different material ivolves a more extensive application
method.
A person can not walk into a car dealership with only a few hundred dollars and drive home in a brand new Mercedes, and on
the same note, you shouldn't have to settle for split pea soup if you ordered the prime rib and lobster tail either.
"You
Get What You Pay For" - it's a fact of life, and it's our promise.
The cost to do anything, requires knowing all thats involved to complete it.
Some people only want a fresh, inexpensive coat of paint, while others might want extensive drywall repairs, multi-colors,
and expensive quality paints.
Not every project is exactly the same, and therefore, two rooms of the exact same dimensions (or two decks of the same size)
may have a difference in price, depending on all that's involved to get the work done.
Most often, it is the Customer who sets the cost of their own project.
When a Client wants inexpensive, quick, unskilled work, using low quality materials, the cost is low.
If the customer
wants Quality materials, Detail, and Precision, the cost is higher.
The cost is all about time and materials.
To say;
"I want you to paint the inside of my garage, and keep the cost low",
and in the same breath add;
"...and
I want you to repair this, and this, and all that... ...and I want to use good quality paint..."
...Kinda defeats the
first purpose of painting the inside of your garage at a low price.
A contractor's rate, and/or pricing methods are considered trade secrets, although there are some web sites out there that
actually quote numbers and amounts, but they aren't everyone's pricing or rate.
We choose not to post our rate because knowledge
on how much something costs in this trade, would create unqualified competition, so to actually post an amount on the internet
would create a bazillion so-called "contractors" popping up over night, who would know what price they have to come in on
/ or under.
The rate of a painter is not a set number anyway, it rises and falls with the economy, the time of year, the
season, what State you live in, the type of job to be performed, the cost of fuel, insurance rates, painters wages, whether
or not the contractor really wants the job, etc...
The rate a painting contractor charges is whatever the contractor determines must be made, in order to keep the company alive,
pay the bills, and make a profit.
The rate of all painting contractors is different. Not every painting contractor is going to have the same rate, and not
every painting contractor has a method to finding a rate.
"Painting franchises" have software that comes with their franchisee investment that will price their projects by the square
foot (which is not possible).
Many contractors will pull numbers out of thin air, simply based on the neighborhood you
live in, and the car you drive.
"Wanna-bees" find out what the real professionals are charging, and then advertise services
at half that cost, by taking advantage of undocumented, unqualified, workers and delivering a truly cheap experience in more
ways than one.
Often times, a contractor uses "the going rate", and that has a wide range, depending on who you get, the
services they provide, and who actually is doing the work, because there really is no such thing as a "going rate".
Contractors with higher experience levels in the trade, and those with better reputations usually are the ones to set the
ceiling for the rate, and then everyone else tries to find out what those contractors are charging, and then adjust their
rate so they can do the same, even though they may not offer the same craftsmanship.
It's a sad fact, but it's just the way it is, so just because one contractor has a higher or lower price; doesn't necessarily
mean that one contractor is better or worse in quality than any other.
Many contractors might be able to do the work at a lower price.
If pricing is the only
reason you choose one contractor over the other, then we are glad you found a bargain.
We are not in competition with
anyone on price.
Either you want a real professional,
and you're willing to pay what it costs to hire a real professional,
or
you're under the impression that all contractors are the same, and you're simply looking for the best
or lowest price.
If your only concern is price, please don't include our company to bid on your project.
Our pricing
is exactly what it costs to get your project done by someone who is qualified, our work is priced fair, and our unqualified
competition is charging the same amount we would charge anyway.
...and what about that other contractor?
Are they QUALIFIED?
Do they have a License?
Do they carry proper Insurance? (if they don't, then YOU
are responsible if they get injured or destroy your property.)
Who, exactly, will be doing the work? (Are you sure about that?)
What is their experience?
Are they legal to work?
What type of materials will they use?
Will they be applying the material per manufacturer's specifications?
If the above questions are answered on a positive note, and their price is reasonable for the service they are providing,
go with your gut feeling, and good luck!
It's pretty easy to compare costs when you're choosing
between two identical things :
A bag of apples might cost $2, while a bag of oranges might be
$6.
While you might be able to save $4 dollars by purchasing the bag of apples, you still
haven't compared the cost between two identical things.
If you're going to compare painting contractor pricing,
just make sure that you're comparing oranges with oranges,
and apples with apples.
Painting Incorporated is not in competition with any college painting franchises - we are not in competition
with any painting franchises.
None of them are working their way through college, none of
them are certified, none of them are your educated choice, and none of them are rated five stars.
They are painting franchises. They make their money on mass sales
during the painting season, often times under bidding projects to
stay busy, hiring unskilled, unqualified, cheap labor, or most
often, sub contracting to anyone who has a license (qualified or
not).
You only know of them because you see their poster signs on telephone poles, or hear their (financially
backed by investors) radio advertisements telling you that they're the "best", .
They are not the best,
They are not painters, most often, they know nothing of the painting trade,
they are marketers and salesmen tapping into the painting industry to make quick money.
We are not in competition with general contractors, or any
contractor that advertises "we do it all", or any
company that sub contracts their work (this goes for power
washing contractors as well).
Yes, hiring a single contractor to take care of all your needs is convenient, but this only
works if they are a major company, with different departments. - "A jack of all trades is master of none."
If you needed a heart surgeon (Lord forbid), wouldn't you look for a qualified heart surgeon? What person in their right mind
would hire a high school janitor to perform their heart surgery?
Comparing the work of a real painter, to any of the above unqualified contractors, is like comparing apples with oranges.
...And the sad part is;
these scam artists charge the same rate as a professional painter would.
Square foot pricing does not work for everything...
It does not work for deck cleaning and sealing
it does not work for lived in homes or offices.
Any contractor that prices the above work by square feet, has no idea what he's doing. This should be your RED FLAG that this individuel is completely lost.
ONLY New construction painting is priced by the square foot, or building a brand new deck, or installing a hardwood floor,
etc...
This can be done because there are blue prints to look at and "see" the entire structure. There is nothing to
trip on, work around, or interfere with in the application of paints, sealers, stains, etc... and there is no need for preparation
or repairs.
House painting (homes where people live in them) can not be priced by the square foot. There are too many variables involved.
Deck (and fence) cleaning and sealing can not be priced by the square foot. There are too many variables involved.
Sorry, no, We don't offer discounts, but we will price your project fair.
In order to have our qualified professional painters come to work highly motivated, with a great attitude, and take personal
pride and ownership on your project;
1.) We pay them for their service and dedication to our clients and company. 2.)
We pay them for their commitment to providing quality craftsmanship on any project they do.
3.) We pay them to create satisfied, happy customers, that are overjoyed that they chose our company
to do the work.
Not to mention...
As a Professional, Qualified, painting contractor, we have to pay licensing fees, insurance, web site, vehicle maintenance,
tool up-keep, advertising, payroll, and chemical disposal - and since we actually hire only REAL painters, we have to pay
our employees a respectable wage.
Material Costs
Our material costs are the same price you would pay if you went and picked them up yourself.
We don't "mark up" material costs to make a profit.
Some dealers (but not all), offer our company a "discount" because we do business with them all the time. People often
ask if we can pass our discount to them, but, In the long run, we do not actually get a "discount"; since it requires our
time and fuel to visit the store, shop around, place the order, wait for it to be mixed, etc...
If you would like to supply the materials, we can deduct the material costs from our agreement, and you can supply them.
The quality or fact of being honest; uprightness and fairness.
Truthfulness, sincerity, or frankness.
Freedom from deceit or fraud.
Botany: A plant, Lunaria annua, of the mustard family, having clusters of purple flowers and semitransparent, satiny pods.
Who wouldn't want to deal with honest people?
Can you think of any instance when dealing with a dishonest person was acceptable?
Honesty is the single most important factor in any relationship. People who demonstrate honesty continue moving forward in
a relationship, while people who demonstrate dis-honesty, are immediately placed on the do not call list.
We are honest in our pricing methods.
We are honest in dealing with our clients.
We honestly deliver exactly
as promised.
Other than a plant from the mustard family, "Honesty is always the best policy",
Just know upfront that we are going to
be honest with you in our relationship.
It's not only a good business practice, but it's a way to live by.
Please be
honest back! We do not tolerate dishonesty within our company, and we reserve the right to work for people who are dishonest.
When we ring your doorbell, please don't allow your attack dog to be the first one to greet us when you open the door.
All too often, we are "un-welcomed" by the homeowner's territorial "cujo", racing out the front door with threatening growls,
and barks; defending it's turf,
- and then, to be accepted, we are held hostage until it is finished sniffing our shoes,
legs, crotch and, well, you know...
I can't tell you how many times we've met with a potential client and while trying to do an estimate, had thier dog bumping
his nose in "un-mentionable" areas, or jumping up on our clothing.
Putting together an estimate costs money. It requires us to set time aside from our schedule so that we can drive out
to your location to view and take notes. We burn fuel and accumulate mileage to get there and come back, and then we spend
additional time in the office to put everything all together.
"Guess work" can not happen. Knowing exactly what you
would have us do will help us to price your project accurately.
Interior painting
Here's what you do BEFORE you call us out to give you a price on your interior painting needs:
Put your large attack dogs away.
Open the curtains, lift up the blinds, get those window shades up, let the sun shine in; We need to see what we're
pricing.
Be prepared to give us your complete attention, we will be asking questions.
Think about what
it is that you really want; tell us your expectations, your vision. We want to know what you want before we begin,
not when the project is almost over. "I want to paint my house" doesn't say much.
It is very helpful to us to know what color or colors will be applied, and what type of finish(s).
Pricing the entire interior of a house in one color and finish is less expensive, while using 15 colors gets extremely pricey.
The
more furniture a room has, the more it will cost to have it painted
If the house is empty, and/or the carpets are
coming out, the cost will be cheaper.
Exterior painting
If you are having us price your exterior, please let us know what we are supposed
to price.
How many coats of paint do you want? Are you changing colors? Will we be replacing ALL of the rotted lumber,
or just a few areas?
Painting Inc is a Northern Virginia Painting Contractors. We are Licensed & Insured / power washing contractors
/ office painters, Residential house / home painters & Commercial painting. Service include; Drywall repairs, water damage,
water damaged drywall, mold remediation, water damage restoration, Interior painting, Exterior painting, power washing of
composite decking, brick, siding, patios, concrete, walkways, apartments, community associations, gas staions, lots, store
fronts, swimming pools, pool decks, fences, cedar, IPE, House power washing, Deck / fence Cleaning, and composite Decks /
fence Staining / sealing.
