Impressionist Painting

Painting Business Management – Job Costs and Estimating Paint Jobs

admin — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 14:11:46 +0000

Job costing is a technique for evaluating performance on individual jobs. It is also a way to maintain historical data, to use to estimate future work. The calculation of costs on a job by job basis helps to take our financial temperature. How is this crew doing? How are we doing on this type of work? If we are using a certain price per hour to estimate and we find that after job costing our rate per hour is much less then we need to find out why we aren’t making our hourly rate as planned. Is it because the estimate is wrong, or is the crew failing to meet expectations? And if things are not performing as expected then we can hopefully pinpoint the areas that need improvement.

Not often mentioned as a beneficial tool to use, the data that comes from Job Costing is a real benefit in estimating special types of work. For example, we usually have an easy time calculating estimates for a 2 coat bedroom repaint, but when we try to estimate wallpaper removal, we might find that the range of hourly performance is greater. What if we have the same type of paper, and sizing etc, but we add the height of a 20 foot tall foyer. Or as so much of our market is 200 year old homes, what do we experience in the various complications. So when we record historical job costing data, it adds to our ability to accurately estimate unusual jobs.

Most people will just do something like this in their heads just to check the pulse of our jobs, formal job costing will open your eyes the first couple of times that you do it. And saving the data will provide long term help in estimating.
Create a simple form:

Job Name:
Estimator:
Contract Price:

Expenses:
Wages:

1) Employee hours worked hourly rate total
2) – - –
Material costs total
Job total

If we take the contract price and divide it by the man hours on the job we get the rate per hour that we achieved on this job. Obviously if we came out pretty close to the rate that we estimated this job at, then we are happy. If this job was estimated at $55/hour and we only managed to hit $35/hour. Then we need to find out why this job exceeded the budget that we established for this job.

By: P E Cavanaugh

Wallpaper VS. Painting

admin — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 06:45:36 +0000

Paint

Paint is one of the most common forms of decorating walls. It is simple and comes in a wide spectrum of colors. Every shade you can think of is possible. The variety is truly astounding with shades within shades and subtly different hues. Perhaps, this can become a problem: too much choice. Even among the whites, there are various shades: pearl, off-white, cream, eggshell, chalk, Queen Anne’s lace. One book listed some fifty different shades of white for a would-be decorator to choose from.

In addition to the shades or hues, painters are allowed a selection of types. This applies beyond interior and exterior paint and extends to glossy, matte and flat and anything in between. Glossy captures the light and reflects it, enhancing the color; matte is dull, neutral, letting the color speak for itself.

All these characteristics of paint must be factored in. You need to decide the purpose of painting a room, the colors required to best present your theme or intention and whether painting is a practical means of accomplishing your decorating task.

When considering painting a room, do not forget the tools needed. Rollers, trays and brushes are the very basic means of getting a room done. Step ladders and/or scaffolding (in rooms with high ceilings) are also part of the necessary equipment. Preparatory work requires sponges, putty knives (to fill in holes), scrapers and sanding blocks (to smooth down the putty-filled holes). You can sanely do anything without a drop cloth or two or three. The cost of these items can add up, but, except for some expensive brushes for fine work, you can always purchase the rest at dollar stores.

The cost of paint can very. Sales and end-of-lines can reduce costs and, for a small area, you might be able to pick up paint at disposal sites.

Besides price, paint is easy to apply, durable and not difficult to clean.

Wallpaper

Wallpapering used to be a very messy and frustrating job. Sheets of easily torn paper had to be pasted and then held up to the wall. If the paste was applied to thickly, there were lumps under the surface; apply the paste to lightly and the paper would slide off the wall.

Today, much has changed and it is all for the better. Wallpaper, now referred to as wall coverings is made of a variety of different substances. It is vinyl, fabric, grass cloth and foil as well as paper.

The new paper does not tear or rend as easily it did in the past. A plastic coating ensures it is both durable and easy to clean. As with paint, there is a myriad of different choices. You can decide what to pick based on suitability, both to the location and you and your family’s preferences.

Like paint, the quality will vary according to price and manufacturer. Unlike with painting, however, wallpapering is really not a solitary chore. You do need that extra pair of hands and eyes, the latter to inform you whether you are hanging the piece straight.

Wall preparations for papering are similar to painting. Flaws must be removed. The walls must be sanded and all holes filled. If the wall is already covered, strip it. And do not forget in either papering or painting to remove or protect the wall plates.

In the end, whether you choose to paint or paper depends on a number of factors – including preference. In today’s retail world, there are a multitude of stores offering advice related to each of these and handling a wide-range of products. Before you decide, examine the work to be done and consider what will be the best suited method. And do not ignore the possibility of combining the two methods. Painting and wallpapering are not exclusive methods of decorating but can be very complementary.

By: Hunter Pyle

Painting? Don’t Forget the Paint Supplies

admin — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 02:23:47 +0000

Whether you are painting your home, or working on your own personal artistic masterpiece, it’s easy to forget the basic items needed beyond the paint that will result in a successful and great looking project. Before you start your project, sit down and make a list of all the paint supplies that you will need, so that you can compare prices, and make one trip to the store – not several.

Start with paint preparation; do you need to sand, scrape, or prime walls, edging, or rough spots? Inspect the entire painting area, and make sure it is clean, smooth, and free of cobwebs, dirt, and debris. If you are applying a lighter color paint over a darker one, or working on an unfinished wall, a primer may be needed to insure paint coverage and no bleed through. Spackle and patch any areas that are not smooth well in advance of painting so that the material has time to dry. A well prepped paint surface makes a huge difference in how the finished project will look and what paint supplies you will need.

Next is paint application – do you have the proper brushes, paint sprayers, rollers, and paint supplies tools? If you have large surfaces to paint, you may want to consider an electrical paint sprayer that can spray paint quickly and evenly. If you choose to use a roller or brush, make sure that you consider the kind of paint you will be using. Brushes and roller covers are designed for different types of paint, and the best, most professional looking result will be obtained when you use the proper brushes.

Remember that the cheapest brushes and rollerpaint supplies aren’t always the best when you re looking to obtain a professional finish, so compare cost versus materials. Cheaper brushes can often leave paint streaks, or lose their bristles while painting. If you are using rollers, don’t forget the extra covers, extension poles, or the trays.

Ask yourself what kind of spill and cleanup materials will be needed. Stock up on plastic sheeting, tape, and drop cloths so that carpet and non-painted areas are well protected from accidental spills. Determine if you will be using tape or painting edges around window treatments, ceilings, and other non-painted surfaces. Professional painters pay strict attention to edges to ensure they are neat, and to make sure there are no accidental splatters. Paint cleaners for brushes and roller paint supplies are a must on your list. Also, don’t forget your coveralls and other personal clothing protection!

Personal safety should not be forgotten when painting with dangerous paint supplies. Make sure you have ladders that are stable and usable, not broken. Respirators and dust masks should be used in unventilated areas and all areas should be well lit if you are inside. Put these items on your list if you don’t have them.

By doing a bit of pre-planning and preparation, thinking about your painting project, and making a list of all paint supplies, you can limit your trips to the local home store or internet website. You can then be sure that you have all of the paint supplies that you need to ensure completion of a beautiful, professional paint project.

By: Cathy Seiler

Painting Business – How to Know What to Put in Your Painting Estimate

admin — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 08:52:15 +0000

Do you go to a client’s house with your head full of ideas about the way things should be done? I know some painting contractors do it that way, because I have gone to a client’s home and had the client tell me that the contractor told them such and such.

When I go to a client’s home the first time to get the scope of the job they want, I go to measure. I want to measure the job: walls, ceilings, count doors, windows etc.

The idea that I have is to go to the Measure Call with a blank mind. I don’t want to push my ideas on the client. I want the client to talk. I ask questions and try to get as much info as I can. I try not to answer any questions on the Measure Call. Oh I am not rude when a client asks a direct question, I usually say that I will answer that when I give them the proposal, or I might give a generic answer.

What this approach does is two-fold. Number one, it allows me to measure and not lose track of my purpose. Now even though I keep this in mind, the occasional client will get me to step up on my soap box and I go on and on, wasting time and being an unpaid consultant. Usually the info given at this stage will be used against you and provided free of charge to the next painter in the door. And secondly, the client probably won’t remember, which painter gave them that advice, when the time to make the buying decision comes up. So even though I still sometimes get side tracked, it is easier and easier to remind myself what my purpose is. My purpose is not to be an unpaid consultant.

So what do I ask? Of course I ask about the job, but I also want to know how many estimates the client is going to get (if they tell me they are getting 5 or more estimates I usually will walk away, after politely telling them that I am not interested) usually to me that many estimates mean the client is just beating the price down. I had a client tell me that they were getting 8 estimates. I asked if they were providing a specification as to the description of the job. My idea was that everyone would be bidding the same specifications. But no they told me that they would follow whatever the painters said. Wow, so if they got some stumblebum painter to give them this low price and that painter convinced them that his way was right, then that was who they would go with.

I also want to know when they will do the job. I ask them if they have a budget for this job. Have they ever used a contractor before? Is there a time or date that they need to finish by? Are they painting to sell or rent, and just what is their motivation to paint. Basically I want to know a whole lot of stuff. Sometimes I may tell them that this is not a good match for us and them and politely turn down the estimate. You have to be careful and not blow off a good job, but sometimes it is just not a good match. I would rather not spend 2 hours estimating a job that I don’t want. I don’t provide an estimate just because they ask for one. My estimates are free to the client, but not free to me.

Most importantly, I leave with more information on the measure call than I give to them. That information is only for the time that I return and sit down at the kitchen table to go over the estimate and either I get the job or I don’t. I would also rather have them say “no” instead of “I’ll think about it”. That is the subject for another article.

By: P E Cavanaugh

Fabric Painting – A Unique Form of Painting

admin — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 14:31:13 +0000

Fabric painting is a unique form of painting that finds vibrant expression on the fabrics. Painting on fabrics has now become a popular homemade handcraft and is practiced by many whether as a hobby or as a part of livelihood. With simple techniques and procedures alluring paintings can be carved out in an affordable cost. It is due to these reasons fabric painting has a demanding market nowadays. Here we are from ethnicpaintings to furnish interesting information on fabric painting and display some lovely paintings of this genre.

Fabric painting is used in vogue in men shirts, ladies kurties, hand bangs, cushion covers, curtains, upholsteries, wall hangings and more. You need not have to be very adept in painting to become a fabric painter. What you require are some creative skills and sound knowledge on the various methods of fabric paintings. The rest happens automatically.

Fabric painting is all about mixing colors and applying heat in proportions. The work of a fabric painter is like that of a chemist mixing colors and perceiving the reactions. The fun lies in the fact that he or she should know what amount of color and heat to use in order to create a particular form of fabric painting. The most popular forms of fabric paintings are batik painting, dyeing, shibori, silk-screening, watercolor painting and layering.

Dyeing is one of the most common and simple forms of fabric painting. In dyeing some parts of a fabric are tied and merged into colored dye solutions while some other parts are abstained from dyeing. When folded in a particular shape, this helps to form a design integrating the colored and the uncolored segments. Batik Painting made by blending wax and dye is one of the most favored among the fabric paintings. Having its origin in the Indonesian island of Java, batik painting mesmerizes with its unusual tapestry, ensemble of colors and freedom of art. In Batik painting first the fabric is waxed, then dyed and finally de-waxed. Shibori is a typical Japanese tie-dye painting that lures with its creases, pleats, stitches, loops and colorful motifs. This type of painting is a bit complex and involves a series of processes like stitching, folding, creasing, dyeing, pleating and embroidering.

For comprehensive information on paintings and related topics, please visit Ethnic Paintings.

By: Rajneesh Dubey