San Diego, CA · Member since 2015 · 273 posts · 226 votes
It's 10pm. I'm about to start washing gross bathroom walls in the apartment we're renovating to prepare to sand and paint. I'm on BP because I don't want to do it...
I see people talk about hiring painters that can knock out a job in a couple of days all the time. However, the prices I've gotten for painting are so expensive! Hence I do it myself. The only solace is the amount of money I'm saving. Where do you guys go to get it good and inexpensive painters? I've been quoted from $2000-$3000 for a 750 square-foot apartment ( that includes ceiling, trim, doors, walls). I don't doubt they are worth it, but that's money that goes into the non-DIY line panel replacements.
Side note, I love doing DIY while listening to podcasts about scaling up and hiring out; oh, the irony!
If you can cut in free-hand, do it. I don't even bother getting interior brush and roll painting bids anymore. I would if I lived in Akron, though. Sheesh that's cheap! Exterior spraying I do hire.
I do all I can to make sure I'm cutting in as much as possible. That's my highest and best use. I hire my 2 boys and their buddys for washing, floor protecting and first coat rolling. Gives them experience and the all important principle that work = money. They will NOT end up in my basement :)
@Jon Q. I agree and have. I just haven't found the right people yet. Working on it, but you don't develop your team overnight. And, given that painting is something I can do well, I focused on finding all of the other subcontractors for tasks I cannot do. Your tips have been great though, and I will definitely use them as I continue to find a painter that does good work at a good price. Thank you for all of your advice!
Well, actually yes if you know what you're doing you can build a locate good contractors over night.
The key is knowing what to look for and how to screen them.
Hiring someone to spray one color is usually a lot cheaper. I had someone do a 3/1 1400 sqft home before and also patch some cracks a holes for about $500 plus cost of the paint. Had another crew painting by hand for $10 an hour and I swear the spray job was cheaper in the long run.
Pretty aggressive pricing. How's the quality of the job?
Yes that seems very aggressive. How are you finding paint labor that inexpensive?
I've been doing this for 10+ years. Read my comments above. You know material cost, then figure out what prevailing hourly labor rate is. Then negotiate. It's common sense.
I'm with you @Sarah D.. My current goal in life -- be able to hire out a painter! I could afford it right now, but its something that's so easy that I usually do it myself. Unless it's a REALLY big job, and then I would hire out.
I loathe painting, and always tell myself I'll never do it again but always end up back with a roller in my hand--for the reasons you mentioned. You can pay a crew to do it pretty quickly, but it feels stupid because it's easy work and it's never as cheap as I want it to be. Plus, it's always at the end of a project that I've hemorrhaged money on and can't stomach spending more.
During my last project, I signed up for a pro account at Sherwin Williams. Their paint is simply the best and the colors stay true for the longest. I can use a year old can of paint to do touch-ups and can't tell afterward. With other brands I can always tell where the touch ups are.
But yeah, it's incredible how much you can save on paint when you're a member. I almost don't understand it. Seems like every time I go in, I get 40-50% off.
I loathe painting, and always tell myself I'll never do it again but always end up back with a roller in my hand--for the reasons you mentioned. You can pay a crew to do it pretty quickly, but it feels stupid because it's easy work and it's never as cheap as I want it to be. Plus, it's always at the end of a project that I've hemorrhaged money on and can't stomach spending more.
During my last project, I signed up for a pro account at Sherwin Williams. Their paint is simply the best and the colors stay true for the longest. I can use a year old can of paint to do touch-ups and can't tell afterward. With other brands I can always tell where the touch ups are.
But yeah, it's incredible how much you can save on paint when you're a member. I almost don't understand it. Seems like every time I go in, I get 40-50% off.
Is this some sort of membership?
I agree with the SW paint, I use it on rentals. I have also used Valspar.
I loathe painting, and always tell myself I'll never do it again but always end up back with a roller in my hand--for the reasons you mentioned. You can pay a crew to do it pretty quickly, but it feels stupid because it's easy work and it's never as cheap as I want it to be. Plus, it's always at the end of a project that I've hemorrhaged money on and can't stomach spending more.
During my last project, I signed up for a pro account at Sherwin Williams. Their paint is simply the best and the colors stay true for the longest. I can use a year old can of paint to do touch-ups and can't tell afterward. With other brands I can always tell where the touch ups are.
But yeah, it's incredible how much you can save on paint when you're a member. I almost don't understand it. Seems like every time I go in, I get 40-50% off.
Is this some sort of membership?
I agree with the SW paint, I use it on rentals. I have also used Valspar.
It's a membership but not exclusive or anything.
You just say you want an account and that's it. Also kinda cool cause they save all your paint purchases so you can make sure to get the same grade and finish for touch ups down the road.
As others have said, it is just a time vs money calculation that you need to made based on your current situation. When I am short on time, I hire out. When I have a lot of lag time between parts of the rehab, I will tackle parts myself. It has also been great to have my 14 year old son start to help. I can cut in free hand (taping annoys me) and he can roll the rest. This is especially efficient and great practice for him if we paint prior to pulling out the carpet.
@Sarah D., what I do is buy my own paint and tools, then head over to the Day Labor Center and ask for people with painting experience. These are usually the same guys who are working on painting crews for the professional paint companies... You tell them exactly how many hours you need for that day and the type of work and the pay for that work. Everything is set up there at the DLC, so there is no confusion at the end of the day and there is a record at the center. I will usually paint along side the guy for part of the day to see if he knows what he is doing. If he is good, I will ask him to come back the next day. If he is not that great, I ask the center for a different person. This is usually an all cash transaction, so you won't get any receipts. I have found that the work is just as good as the professional painting crews. ALL of the guys that I have hired through day labor centers have been extremely hard working, polite and professional and usually tip and provide lunch. YMMV
I am not going into the legal, safety or political points of hiring these guys and using them. I am just pointing out another option for you that has worked well for me.
Good luck to you!
-Arlen
What do you mean by DLC? People outside of homedepot or big store?
@Mak J. not Home Depot guys, actual centers that have people who are registered to do day labor type of work. This is substantially safer for both the person hiring and the person working, as both people need to register. Therefore, there is some small level of accountability. It is a good way to screen workers for the specific job type you need. You can probably google "day labor center" in or around the city where you need work and find an organization. You will probably need to provide tools, but sometimes they have their own tools. They might need to be picked up and dropped off, but many have their own cars too.