Look, Fenner, this is how poor my customers are

[plainpainter 217]

You see, Mr. Fenner, I told you my customers are freaking poor!!!@@@!!

This is probably considered a shed in your area!

[welder 22]

Interesting thread. Giving pro's and con's on a couple different issues.

[neps.us 14]

Chris you've been in business how many years? Possibly even a 2nd generation painter if I am not mistaken? You've taken the route of doing commercial large projects and all - and that takes time to build up to that level. But I've seen plenty of big guys in the last year that were doing millions in commercial work from all different trades - and they lose that one account - and they're all done. I know a guy that made millions running cable for Comcast, after having a very successful landscaping company, then someone came along and underbid him by a couple tenths of a penny per mile - and now his truck sits stagnant in some commercial lot - while he is passing out fliers for snow plowing, hoping to make a few bucks this winter.

10 years and no other painters in my family. I am the only blue collar worker. I own everything in my business and have never had a business loan. I have grown from the sweat off my own back and have walked away from my largest customer several times in my career for the growth and for the betterment of my business. I have more than one iron in the fire Dan.

[plainpainter 217]

Chris, I know about the bluebook - even met with those guys. But I don't have the know how to approach commercial work, first of all I would have to learn how to estimate from blueprints - and I'd rather not think about that now. Perhaps your perspective is correct that a true painting business is one that does commercial work, and the residential guys are just a bunch of hobbyists. I'd like a few years with a few reliable guys working for me before even thinking about commercial.

[neps.us 14]

I know your a smart man Dan but you have a mental block. You just cant believe that anyone can do what your doing legally, successfully and while being profitable. You think you are so smart that it is impossible for anyone to do better than you. Your very close minded. If you opened your mind to learn from others you just might make some money.

You understand that posting on internet forums at 9am doesnt pay?

[neps.us 14]

Chris, I know about the bluebook - even met with those guys. But I don't have the know how to approach commercial work, first of all I would have to learn how to estimate from blueprints - and I'd rather not think about that now. Perhaps your perspective is correct that a true painting business is one that does commercial work, and the residential guys are just a bunch of hobbyists. I'd like a few years with a few reliable guys working for me before even thinking about commercial.

Now we are getting somewhere ..... you have to have a mix to grow. Small commercial is very easy to get into. Very easy. Reading blue prints is very easy as well.

ANd I do not think Res guys are just hobbyists. I know many very successful guys that are strictly res painters.

[plainpainter 217]

Chris, not to go off topic, but was that you who emailed Archibald from Newburyport High school computer and told him he sucked at wallpapering? Supposedly the email went something along the lines of 'You call yourself a hanger? I wouldn't pay you to wallpaper my doghouse'. We all think it was you. LOL!!!!!!!

[JFife 14]

Chris, I know about the bluebook - even met with those guys. But I don't have the know how to approach commercial work, first of all I would have to learn how to estimate from blueprints - and I'd rather not think about that now. Perhaps your perspective is correct that a true painting business is one that does commercial work, and the residential guys are just a bunch of hobbyists. I'd like a few years with a few reliable guys working for me before even thinking about commercial.

Hello NEPS,

Is this a correct statement as to your opinion, or is Dan off? I'm curious---not offended in the least bit. Would love to hear move if that is indeed your opinion. I've heard others say that of different trades....always intrigued by it.

BTW, what is "Bluebook?"

[JFife 14]

Now we are getting somewhere ..... you have to have a mix to grow. Small commercial is very easy to get into. Very easy. Reading blue prints is very easy as well.

ANd I do not think Res guys are just hobbyists. I know many very successful guys that are strictly res painters.

Okay, just read this. But I'm assuming you do believe large comm/industrial, etc. is better. Why? Aside from larger jobs, what other benefits?

[neps.us 14]

Chris, not to go off topic, but was that you who emailed Archibald from Newburyport High school computer and told him he sucked at wallpapering? Supposedly the email went something along the lines of 'You call yourself a hanger? I wouldn't pay you to wallpaper my doghouse'. We all think it was you. LOL!!!!!!!

No Dan it wasnt. I have a family and a real business to run. Go ask a few mods over ther who it was. I am a man and not a child.

Edited December 5, 2009 by neps.us
retract statement not wanting to break forum rules

[neps.us 14]

Hello NEPS,

Is this a correct statement as to your opinion, or is Dan off? I'm curious---not offended in the least bit. Would love to hear move if that is indeed your opinion. I've heard others say that of different trades....always intrigued by it.

BTW, what is "Bluebook?"

Dan is off as usual.

If you want JFife, pm me about the Blue Book and other commercial avenues and I'd be more than happy to give you my opinion.

[plainpainter 217]

No Dan it wasnt. I have a family and a real business to run. Go ask a few mods over ther who it was. Sorry Dan but if I wanted to mess with Bill I would knock on his door. I am a man and not a child.

If you would like to continue spreading silly rumors about me then I 'd like a face to face with you as well little man.

I wasn't spreading rumours, Chris, I was asking you - is there harm in asking?

[neps.us 14]

Okay, just read this. But I'm assuming you do believe large comm/industrial, etc. is better. Why? Aside from larger jobs, what other benefits?

It depends on what you want your company to become.

[plainpainter 217]

Jon - BlueBook is a directory for mostly commercial contractors - here is Chris' ad

[neps.us 14]

I wasn't spreading rumours, Chris, I was asking you - is there harm in asking?

Dont back down now Dan. You were being accusational.

It's funny how a few mod's came to my defense because Bill has a axe to grind with me because I have called him out on many occassions. Go read the thread little man. It clearly states it was not my doing. Your assumptions are just like your pretend business model. Fake.

[neps.us 14]

Jon - BlueBook is a directory for mostly commercial contractors - here is Chris' ad

I admit it's not as impressive as your yard sign but it works.

[plainpainter 217]

I don't know Chris, I was always taught from early on in grade school that sentences that ended in a question mark was interrogative - which clearly my post has. Or does it? LOL

[plainpainter 217]

I admit it's not as impressive as your yard sign but it works.

Oh come on, even I'll give you your ad is better than my yard sign - heck you did 3 mil in sales, and I did 30k. So that's a 100 fold difference, but then again if I put a hundred signs out like mine - who knows?

[JFife 14]

Oh come on, even I'll give you your ad is better than my yard sign - heck you did 3 mil in sales, and I did 30k. So that's a 100 fold difference, but then again if I put a hundred signs out like mine - who knows?

Hahahaha:D I agree Dan, no way to know unless you try. 100 of your signs strategically placed in your town is honestly about the most awesome thing I could ever imagine. Are you two in the same town?

[neps.us 14]

Oh come on, even I'll give you your ad is better than my yard sign - heck you did 3 mil in sales, and I did 30k. So that's a 100 fold difference, but then again if I put a hundred signs out like mine - who knows?

True Dan. Good luck with what you have. You obviously know better.

[neps.us 14]

Hahahaha:D I agree Dan, no way to know unless you try. 100 of your signs strategically placed in your town is honestly about the most awesome thing I could ever imagine. Are you two in the same town?

If we were I wouldnt even notice. Unfortunately.

[topcoat 14]

Okay, just read this. But I'm assuming you do believe large comm/industrial, etc. is better. Why? Aside from larger jobs, what other benefits?

JF

I didnt even know you were a fellow painter. Nice! I like the new avatar btw.

[plainpainter 217]

If we were I wouldnt even notice. Unfortunately.

Yes you would, you'd say 'now there is a guy fit enough to paint my dog house'

[plainpainter 217]

Hahahaha:D I agree Dan, no way to know unless you try. 100 of your signs strategically placed in your town is honestly about the most awesome thing I could ever imagine. Are you two in the same town?

No no no Jon, Chris is in Hanover - I am in Andover. Sounds similar I know.

[topcoat 14]

Dan

What is your 40' yard dash time these days?

[plainpainter 217]

Dan

What is your 40' yard dash time these days?

Why do you ask? When I was in grade school and jr. high - I beat all the track records for the 50 yard and 100 yard dash. Even to this day - I can catch up to my nephews trying to ride their bikes away from me, even after giving them a head start - and I mean 16 and 17 year old boys.