HOW INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS HELP MAKE A PROFESSIONAL PAINTING CONTRACTOR

One thing that differentiates the painting industry from other types of businesses is its lack of professionalism. By this I don’t mean that there aren’t many highly skilled painters in the market—because there are; being a great painter, however, does not make one a good business owner.

When I started my company in 1985 I was privileged to have a group of men who volunteered to oversee my first year in business. One of the first things they recommended was to find out what associations represented my trade and join them. So I did a little research and found two: the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA), and the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).

I quickly became a member of these two organizations and from that point began to build my company on the resources they provided. While not trade specific, ABC provided me with materials to write my first employment manual and safety program. Not long after, it helped me craft an apprenticeship program for my workers. Too, my involvement with ABC helped me learn leadership skills, as I quickly took roles on committees and in 1989 became an area chapter president.

PDCA has provided the greatest benefit. Virtually everything we do at T. L. Hart has been directly or indirectly shaped by this outstanding organization. From writing policies and procedures, to marketing my firm, to reading blue prints and writing estimates, to knowing our costs—our company has been built upon a foundation that has helped establish tens of thousands of contractors during PDCA’s 129-year history. It has helped T. L. Hart become a truly professional painting contractor.

This is why industry associations should matter to the customer, as not all painting companies are equal in their approach to business.

A case in point is the estimating process. Because PDCA has such a rich history, it provides the member contractor with the tools to compile an accurate bid proposal to the end-user. It provides not only the information on how to accurately measure and accumulate the data for an estimate, but also the approximate time it will take for a skilled painted to complete a given task. In other words, PDCA has long set the norm for measuring and calculating painting costs.

Another example is standards. PDCA is the only trade group representing the painting industry and, as such, has produced a set of standards that define what professionalism is in real time. From what constitutes a properly painted surface (PDCA-P1), to a method for providing samples (PDCA-P5), to procedures for pressure washing (PDCA-P22), these standards establish benchmarks for the contractor as well as the customer, thus ensuring a satisfactory end-product.

This sets T. L. Hart apart from the competition, in that, being one of only 47 contractors in the State of Michigan—and only one of two in the mid-Michigan area, it operates on the basis of established and certified-professional operating principles that govern its approach to business.

This is a true benefit to the customer because the information they receive from T. L. Hart is not based on a whim, or a subjective feeling of how long something should take or how much it should cost, but on sound information derived from a trusted knowledge base—PDCA.

Whether or not a painting company is associated with an industry trade group may not seem important to the buyer, but if professionalism matters, then a contractor member of PDCA or ABC is the best choice.

Written by Terry Hart

Terry "TL" Hart is President and CEO of one of mid-Michigan's largest painting companies. Entering its 29th year, T. L. Hart, Inc. has served thousands of customers both in and out of state. It's projects ranges from large industrial facilities to private home owners. In each and every instance TL and the firm m<>aintains a firm commitment to customer satisfaction. TL resides in Lansing, Michigan with his lovely wife of 41 years. The couple has five grown children and ten grandchildren, and are active in their local church.

< Older Post Newer Post >

Three Keys to Prospering in Your Work

By Terry Hart • January 13, 2023

“And every work that [Hezekiah] undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered” (2 Chronicles 31:21). There are here in this one verse three keys to prospering in your work. One, whatever you do should be in accordance with the word of God. God’s will is revealed in his word; it is to be found in no other place. I realize the Bible does not tell us whether we should be a carpenter or a financial advisor, a realtor or a nurse, but it does tell us to do what we do as unto the Lord. So if what you are doing can be so done, it is well and good as far as God is concerned. Better yet, find out what God wants you to do, and do that. I teach that a person should get a word from God as to his occupation. It could be that God puts a certain thing on your heart, to be and do such and such a thing. This is also good in God’s sight, as he gives us the desires of our hearts. He is in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure. That said, let it be “in accordance with the law and the commandments.” Two, seek God. He is a rewarder of them that seek him. Jesus taught, “seek and you shall find.” Having sought God as to what he wants you to do, keeping seeking him as to how to do it. This is a never ending endeavor. There is a verse in Scripture that goes like this: “As long as he sought the Lord, he prospered” (see 2 Chronicles 26:5). So if you are seeking God and prospering, if you want to continue to do so, keep seeking God. Three, do what you do with all your heart. The Bible says, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (Colossians 3:23). What is to be noticed here is who you are working for. You may think you are working for the government, or the auto-maker, or the real-estate broker. Or, if you are self-employed or own your own business, that you work for yourself. The Christian, however, is to work for the Lord. Verse 24 of this same book and chapter says, “You are serving the Lord Christ.” So, if you think a half-hearted approach to your job pleases the Lord, then go for it. Otherwise, you had better up your game. There is another verse in Ecclesiastes that addresses how you work. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might” (9:10). In other words, in everything you do, whatever it is—your job, your service to your family or church, or even mundane things like mowing the yard or shoveling snow, give it all you have. Do it as for Jesus, as this greatly pleases him. It should be apparent, then, that if you wish to prosper, be applying these principles. And if you want to keep on prospering, don’t let up. I have found that after enjoying a measure of success, it is easy to ease off on the intensity with which you approach your work. Jesus says it best when speaking about prayer: keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking. The key words here being “keep on.” The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

What Goes into the Cost of a Paint Job

By T.L. Hart • December 8, 2020

While you can get your property painted for just about any amount, hiring a reputable commercial painting contractor will ensure you get a quality end-product with a firm that stands behind its work. To provide this, there are three cost-factors that go into a good commercial contractor’s price: labor, materials, and profit.

Keep Your Commercial Property Watertight

By T.L. Hart • November 12, 2020

Moisture is among your commercial property’s greatest enemies. Wind-driven rain, leaky gutters and downspouts, old, deteriorated caulk or glazing, plus improperly painted substrates are all factors in moisture penetration. The result of water getting into unwanted places include peeling paint, damaged substrates, and—worse yet, mold and mildew. This is why you want to keep your commercial building waterproofed. While no one can prevent unwanted weather, and leaky gutters and downspouts are outside the scope of this article, proper preparation and a good quality paint job can go a long way in preventing moisture penetration. The following will contribute to a watertight building: Caulking. It is surprising how much damage a little water can do and how small an area allowing access will allow a lot of water in. Gaps in building materials, open joints, holes, plus splits and cracks may seem insignificant, but they’re a major entry point for moisture. This is easily solved by installing a good quality caulk. Since building components vary, caulks vary as well. They can be as simple as latex caulk, acrylic, siliconized acrylic, polyurethane, butyl, and pure silicone. The key is to seal up points of entry. Painting. Your commercial building is properly painted when all the paintable substrates have an adequate and cumulative amount of coating on them. I say adequate and cumulative as typically one coat of paint applied too thin will typically not do the job. Every substrate, that needs to be protected from moisture penetration, must have the right amount of millage installed. The proper mill thickness can be found in the manufacturer’s product data sheet (PDS). Of particular concern are those commercial buildings comprised of concrete masonry units (CMUs), or block. Concrete block is extremely porous, and unless coated properly will allow a huge amount of water into the walls of your building. The most important aspect of waterproofing a masonry building is filling the pores of the CMU. This is done by applying a block-filler as a first coat, with no more than ten pin-holes (the pore) per square foot. Once this is achieved, a good quality topcoat of any sort will provide water tightness. Best for CMUs are elastomeric coatings. These are rubber-based paints that, once dry, form an impenetrable rubber film over the substrate, and are the best for preventing moisture penetration—even wind-driven rain. Another advantage to elastomeric coatings is that they expand and contract, and will actually bridge small cracks in the masonry that may develop over time. There are other options for waterproofing—actual waterproofing sealers, stains, and cementitious coatings, all of which we have applied over our 36 years in business. In summary, to keep your commercial building looking good and free of moisture damage, keep it sealed up and make sure it is properly painted. Here at T. L. Hart, Inc. our goal is to ensure your commercial property is always in excellent condition. Our team of professional painters stands ready to keep moisture out of your property. Contact us today to request a quote.