Before you start your measure and building out your quote, it’s important to consider any site elements that could effect your price. Estimating accurately is the key to grow your painting business.

During your initial survey identify any hazards and safety requirements that will impact on the costs. Notes regarding this can be used when compiling your quote. Bring these issues to the attention of customers, especially if they greatly impact on the overall project cost. For example: overhead powerlines, traffic management, gantry and public protection requirements, pedestrian access, OH&S requirements and council permits can impact paint projects significantly.

If you don’t allow enough time for the measure and take shortcuts or make assumptions, it will only lead to you to taking on a badly measured job that will impact your painting business financially.

Here are several things experienced painting businesses look out for and take into consideration when estimating projects:

• Where possible, make sure you review the entire area/project and familiarise yourself with the site before putting pen to paper.
• Break the job down into smaller portions where required e.g., elevation by elevation or by level. If the all elevations are similar establish your production rates on the first elevation as this will save you time.
• Work out your access requirements as you move around the project. Where access is complex, arrange access advice and obtain a quote from a professional.
• Are site inductions required and if so, how long does the process take.
• What are the working hours, are there any restrictions, will the job require any out of normal working hours or weekend work? 5-day, 6 day etc.
• Trimming of trees, shrubs etc. that hinder access to painted surfaces, do you need to allow for this or will it be done by others?
• Paint fumes, is it an issue? For internal areas where people will be working while painting is taking place, this will more than likely be an issue so an allowance for low VOC paint will need to be considered and discussed with the customer.
• Is spraying allowed?
• Protection of gardens, pathways, drives etc. need to be considered and allowances made in setting up scaffolds, protective sheeting and moving EWP equipment. In all circumstance where EWP’s are involved, you must establish in writing whether there are weight load issues.
• Downtime must always be considered if you feel it will impact productivity on the job. Consider downtime due to restricted access to the site, or the use of access equipment in regards to set up and move times. If it’s a tower project, up to one hour a day can be lost just having to access the higher floors.
• Access to the work place, carrying of material and equipment to the work place needs to be considered. This is relevant in commercial Office Blocks, Shopping Centre’s and restricted sites where setting up may be repeated at the beginning and end of every day.
• Preparation times, excessive drop sheeting on large internal jobs, additional costs for disposables required for paint stripping, lead removal and protection etc.
• Signage removal and replacement requirements, especially vinyl lettering on doors. In some cases, customers expect the removal of door hardware prior to painting; this can be a costly miss.

Remember measuring jobs and formulating quotations takes time and time is a direct cost to your painting business, especially if the job is lost, so be diligent and methodical in your approach.

As a painting business, taking this approach, having fully considered the project, will help customers understand what’s involved. Taking this consistent approach may help further educate your customers and improve your relationships.