Paint Contractor's Manual

1 Organizing Your Business, 5
       Getting Organized, 7
       Company Goals, 7
       Money to Meet Your Goal, 8
       The Organization Board, 11
       Company Meetings, 13
       A Good Policy, 15

2 Finding and Keeping the Right People, 19
       Buying Experience and Skills, 20
       Rewards and Incentives, 23
       Taxes and Insurance, 24
       When to Give Pay Raises, 25
       The Chain of Command, 25
       Accidents, 26
       When to Fire, 26
       Employee Dishonesty, 27

3 Putting on a Good Face, 28
       Trust is Basic, 28
       Show Them You're a Professional, 29
       Rely on Written Agreements, 33
       Keep a Job Log, 33
       Write an Operations Statement, 34
       The Contractors' Image, 34

4 Getting the Word Out, 40
       Know Your Company, 40
       Know Your Public, 42
       Writing Promotional Copy, 45
       Promotional Avenues, 46
       Mass Mailings, 53
       Promotion and Gross Income, 55

5 Introduction to Estimating, 57
       The Basics of Estimating, 57
       Custom Jobs, 59
       Time and Material Estimates, 60
       Estimating Steps, 60
       List Prices, 62
       Estimating Tips, 63
       Estimating Labor, 65
       Estimating Stainwork, 68
       Estimating Forms, 69
       Reading Blueprints, 78
       Estimating by the Square Foot, 92
       Sample Estimate, 93
       Manhour Tables, 111
       Checklists, 123

6 Planning the Job, 135
       Work Schedule, 135
       The Role of a Foreman, 136
       The Field Supervisor, 139
       Job Scheduling Board, 141
       Satisfying the Client, 142
       Plan for Safety, 145
       Plan for the Right Equipment, 148

7 Preparing to Paint, 150
       Paint Selection, 150
       The Right Tools, 152
       The Right Brush for the Job, 152
       Rollers, 156
       Setting Up the Shop Area, 157
       Getting the Room Ready, 157
       Preparing Specific Surfaces, 163
       Exterior Preparation, 166

8 Doing the Painting, 172
       Painting with Flat Paint, 172
       Brushing on Flat Wall Paint, 173
       Rolling Flat Paint, 176
       Spraying Flat Paint, 178
       Painting with Enamel, 179
       Painting Doors, 181
       Painting Windows, 187
       Staining, 192
       Stripping, 196
       General Painting Tips, 196

9 Planning for Your Company, 198
       Financial Planning, 199
       A System of Accounts, 201
       Setting Up Your Accounts, 202
       Payment Ledgers, 205
       Collecting Your Money, 205
       Job Financial Summary, 208

10 Planning for Growth, 209
       Grow Gradually to Avoid Overextension, 209
       Expansion is Limited by Resources, 211
       Taking Gradient Steps, 211
       Increasing Profits, Not Volume, 212
       Find Your Level of Competency, 212
       Look for Profitability, 212
       Learn to Say "No", 212

Blank Forms, 213
       Paint Shopping List, 213
       Common Materials Estimate, 214
       Equipment Estimate, 215
       Estimate Summary, 216
       Payment Ledger Sheet, 217
       Job Financial Summary, 218

Index, 219