Need guidance for quote.

"Red"

"Red"

Graphic Designer
I'm on my way to inspect and measure for a quote of a shopping center for paint prep. The job entails washing all the walls of the store fronts and doing all the sidewalks.

Just by the visuals on Google maps, it appears to be about 900 linear ft.

Getting this job means new (or new to me) equipment so I don't want to screw up my bid. Any words of wisdom?

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This is one of those jobs that you need to see to bid it properly, unless it is time and materials. Good luck.
 
You need to find out exactly what the expectations are then decide if you can meet them on a timely basis. Paint preps are more time consuming than washes so charge accordingly. Get it in writing who is going to handle all the loose paint chips if any that can be a deal breaker. Is the center going to be closed during your work hours. Sidewalks are going to have gum do you have hot water your going to need it.
 
While compiling the following slideshow, I spoke with the painter regarding some specific points that needed to be addressed.


Per our original conversation, the painter didn't want any of the sides or backs done, now he does.


  • Washing all the ceilings (over the sidewalks) is to be done. This was a clarification.
  • Gum removal will not be performed.
  • Tile shingles will not be done (at this point). I informed him that when cleaning above the tile shingles, the mix will splash down leaving obvious clean areas on the tiles, he said to use just water on those areas. I suggested he up sell it.

Questions I have:


  • Will I get the height (30'-40') needed from a 3000psi / 4gpm machine with a 0040 tip?
  • Should I not use SH at all? There doesn't appear to be very much algae / mold / mildew.
  • What would be a good mix for this job?
  • Should I ask for a deposit on a job this size?

Anyone willing to guesstimate what they would quote for this job?
 
Is there any oxidation of paint?

Personally I quit doing paint preps years ago. IMO the painter should always do his own prep. 90% of any painting job is in the prepping. What I have found is painters want the prepping done dirt cheap and they want it done correctly of course, but unfortunately there is way more to prepping than cleaning. When I first moved here I had painters offering me 100-150$ to prep a house that I charge 300-400$ to clean.

What I would charge here for this is way more than what you can get there. I just don't like suggesting prices as regional pricing is do different.

Just make sure you CYA big time if you proceed with this.
 
greg/sd said:
You need to find out exactly what the expectations are then decide if you can meet them on a timely basis. Paint preps are more time consuming than washes so charge accordingly. Get it in writing who is going to handle all the loose paint chips if any that can be a deal breaker. Is the center going to be closed during your work hours. Sidewalks are going to have gum do you have hot water your going to need it.
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Apparently, the painter has already bid the job. He even threw in the flatwork for FREE! So I imagine he'll be footing the bill from me out of his quote. Getting paid is a question I forgot to bring up (too focused on getting the numbers), but rest assured that will be addressed in our next conversation.

I have no clue what he bid the job for, and have no clue what range it would be in just for the painting. Any painters out there care to guess at what his quote should look like? He said he's 90-95% sure he has the job, so he may have bid on the low side to get it (I don't know).

I've already decided this will be an after hours job, way too many people and lots of traffic.

I'll be adding pictures or video of all the back areas not covered in the slideshow tomorrow.

As far as paint preps go, I don't think he's one to go the extra mile when it comes to stripping the old paint. I think he's more of a 'splash and dash' kinda guy (no offense Greg).

Thanks for the thoughts, I'll toss them at him and see what he comes back with. He sort of has that 'it doesn't matter' attitude, so I'm sure he'll come back with "it doesn't matter". In the end, it's his rep that's on the line, not mine. I want to do the best job I can for those future referrals (oh, and I reaaally need the work).
 
"Red" said:
He sort of has that 'it doesn't matter' attitude, so I'm sure he'll come back with "it doesn't matter". In the end, it's his rep that's on the line, not mine. I want to do the best job I can for those future referrals (oh, and I reaaally need the work).
Click to expand...

That's exactly why I quit doing them.
 
"Red" said:
There's plenty of oxidation, but from our conversations, he seems to think that just washing away the obvious spider webs, egg sacks and wot not, that it will be ripe for painting. I've never done painting, so I'm pretty much in the dark here.
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Red, please don't take this the wrong way, but I'd run from this guy as fast I could. You sound like you care way more about it than he does, and it just doesn't seem right to me.
 
Doug Rucker said:
Red, please don't take this the wrong way, but I'd run from this guy as fast I could. You sound like you care way more about it than he does, and it just doesn't seem right to me.
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I'm already considering that option, but it's really hard to walk away from that size paycheck. If he just wants me to squirt water on the walls, and he thinks that's good enough, then who am I to argue?
 
I agree with Doug, run away. Most painters here have their own little pressure washers they use. The last time I did a paint prep job was on a 3 story home. It was actually the home owner that hired me though, not the painter.
 
Vince Wood said:
I agree with Doug, run away. Most painters here have their own little pressure washers they use. The last time I did a paint prep job was on a 3 story home. It was actually the home owner that hired me though, not the painter.
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Well, I know he doesn't have the equipment to do the PW work, so someone will end up doing it, especially since he included the flatwork for free.
 
Red, I would just figure how many days its going to take x $750 to $1000 a day. 50% up front. the other 50% halfway done.
 
Just from what your saying I would run the other way. Don't jump at a big payday just because you need the work that usually gets you in trouble. Trust your gut and you will never go wrong. If you do the work for him charge three times or more what you usually would an hour and get at least half up front. Good luck
 
Sounds to me like the painter doesn't want or has not budgeted for true 'paint prep'... I would get clarification in writing as to whether a 'clean' building is what he wants and can he paint on that.

I have no doubt you can and will get the building clean, however, I do doubt that there will be money in his bid for you to make money through proper paint prep.

If you do end up cleaning the building, and you work alone, step up the GPM... You won't regret it. Even if you can find another 4 gpm to tie together with your existing machine thus job will be quicker. Time is money, right?!

Plus, the added GPM will allow you to shoot higher, and with more impact.
 
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