FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
For some projects such as whole house interior repaints, it's based upon square footage. Unfortunately Thumbtack does not ask the potential customer for specific square footage which is why a brief phone call with the customer can clear things up and make the process much smoother for them. Typically I price by the number of man hours required (one painter for 2 hours is 2 man hours) and add material costs. As for material, I get a contractor's discount at Sherwin Williams and I do not mark up my materials and supplies. I sell my time, not my paint. I leave any paint that is not used with you and label it with date and room/area it was applied. The potential pitfall with a customer supplying paint is that as a professional I know what materials work best and those I can trust. I have to stand behind my work and that means I have to use materials that I can trust. All paint is not created equally.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Well painting is a bit different then most of the services here on Thumbtack. For lawn service, it's square footage. For tile, the same. With painting it's very difficult to propose without actually laying eyes on the project. I will give a general number in my initial quote but I really need to see work before I finalize. That really is the standard procedure for a paint bid.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have completed a 4 year apprenticeship program in Painter's Local 781 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. My home town. I've been in Jacksonville about 8 years. And of course over 25 years of field experience.