Everything comes with instructions, why not a painting company? Call it automating your business, any time you can automate a procedure you free up your time. An automated business can run without a manager, you. Can your company run for any length of time without you? Can you take a vacation?
Did you ever see a McDonalds go out of business?
Certainly one reason that helps them to succeed is their operations manual. Go in any McDonalds from Alaska to Florida and they are the same. Another reason for McDonald success, no matter where the McDonalds is in the US, you can get the same burger, and that makes people feel safe, so that they know they can fell assured that they will get what they ask for. The next really smart thing about McDonalds Policy manual is that they can take totally inexperienced people and have the store function consistently by just following the manual.
And while a painting company has many jobs that need specialized skills, there are many tasks that are repetitious and can be laid out in the form of an instruction manual. Estimation, payroll, sales can be almost totally formulated. Even a foremans skills of running the job will benefit from policies or directions describing the way we do it.
Imagine how large you want your business to be in a few years, then by establishing relationships and then by visualizing the flow of work or information between the relationships. Now define these relations with job descriptions. Such as Sales manager, marketing manager, accounting, and then when you know the people you need to hire, create a detailed job description for each one. Of course you won't need to hire these people immediately; because, you will still be doing most of the work.
Here is an example of an outline of a business operations manual:
1. Plan, mission statement
2. Your Flo-chart
3. Employee Information
4. Human Resources (hiring/firing, vacations, overtime, payroll, etc.)
5. Services
a. The Industry
b. Our Organization
c. Business Management
d. Daily Operating Procedures
e. End of Week, End of Month, End of Quarter and End of Year Procedures6. Sales, Policies and Procedures
7. Customer Service, Policies and Procedures
8. Marketing
9. Reports & Records
10. Safety
11. Legal
Consider the manual a work in progress. Use it and keep modifying it as you use it.
Making changes and simplifying the manual will improve it. Although a lot of work can go into this, be assured that the rewards are well worth the effort.
How To Start Painting Business
Does it cost a lot of money to get a fast start in the painting business? In all truthfulness, it will cost you a fortune if you go about it the wrong way. Going into any new business without knowing what you are doing is scary. Believe me, I know from experience. I did it the hard way and it was a bit rough at times.
I did O.K. stating out. I actually started my painting business with just a handful of tools from my basement. I had a step ladder and I borrowed an extension ladder for a while when I needed it. I used the trunk of my car until I could afford to get a van. No one seemed to care, so that was cool.
One small glass shop owner owner told me, "Buy tools as you need them or as the jobs come in." That was good advice. Each job may require a new special painting tool - so I would just buy it with my down payment when new work came in.
Where I really lacked was not knowing how to effectively estimate new paint jobs. This can cost you a bundle if you consider the amount of money you could have made vs all the lost labor spent from under-bidding. There is nothing more pathetic than seeing new painters giving away their work and eating up hours of low or no pay. It happens all too often. Especially with exterior work.
Plus, there is nothing worse than making good money and then suddenly having business dry up on you. Especially around the Holidays. Having consistent work lined up keeps you profitable. It also adds to your estimating confidence. So knowing how to advertise your new business effectively is also as important.
So if you really want to know the least expensive route to go for starting a new painting business or any service-type business, it is to get educated in the art of effective advertising and estimating. This way you can make a nice income right from the start and keep your business running smoothly and on a consistent basis.
Ideally this is the first painting tool you need to purchase. Business start-up information from a good source. The right tools speed up any job. As a matter of fact, I have never invested in a single painting tool yet that didn't make me more money. So don't be afraid of spending a little money on your painting business. Most of the tools are not that expensive anyway. Your work vehicle will cost you the most.
Just as having the right painting tools will help you turn your jobs faster, having the right business knowledge will help you make better and bigger money faster. And you will be making it on a more consistent basis. Not just busy this week and slow the next. Instead, we are talking about having jobs booked up for as much as 6 months in advance. And you can still take a day off here and there if you want to.
Getting a good manual written by a professional painter is the first tool I highly recommend that you should invest in. It only makes sense (and dollars). If it highlights on estimating and advertising secrets it is a tremendous shortcut to profits. This type of painting tool will definitely put your painting business on steroids.
It is a sound investment in your painting business that you definitely won't regret. It will pay for itself over and over again. My first few years as a painter were rough but you don't have to go through that same amateur learning process.
Give yourself a fast start to profits today. Your customers be impressed with your expert service. Your friends and family will be amazed at your success also. Especially your wife. And as the old saying goes, a happy wife is a happy life!
Both Patrick Cavanaugh & Lee Cusano are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Patrick Cavanaugh has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pearls, Painting and Sales and Negotiation. Patrick Cavanaugh has 30 years+ running a , and helping others improve their business, and raising the standards of painter. Patrick Cavanaugh's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.
Lee Cusano has sinced written about articles on various topics from Acid Reflux, Painting and SEO Search Engine Optimization. Lee Cusano has owned his own successful for over 16 years now. He also has helped others to start their own painting business with his "Paint Like a. Lee Cusano's top article generates over 18100 views. to your Favourites.
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