What Goes into the Cost of a Paint Job

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.

Labor

While many ‘contractors’ have painters that work for them, not all painters are paid equally, and not all contractors pay the appropriate insurances and taxes. Painting contractors in all sectors are notorious for paying their help either ‘under the table’ or as 1099 subcontractors. This latter arrangement most always violates simple IRS rules stipulating who is, and who is not, an independent contractor. Reputable commercial contractors treat their painters as employees, pay a fair and competitive wage, and pay all appropriate insurances (liability, worker’s compensation, unemployment) and taxes (FICA). These additional costs are typically referred to as the labor burden, and can include health and dental insurance, plus contributions to retirement plans—all of which support those committed to the professional trades.


In summary, a viable commercial contractor pays his help well and covers all required insurances and taxes.

Materials

While it can vary, materials typically constitute about 15%-20% of the overall cost of the job. Paint products are available in various price ranges. Some can be very cheap, while others are extremely expensive. A good commercial contractor will avoid poor, unsatisfactory materials and use paints suitable for the substrates being painted. With most major brands, there are commercial lines that are appropriate for the usual commercial property. These are best suited for the conditions typical to commercial settings.

Overhead & Profit

Where non-professional painting contractors will work for wages, viable firms know that to stay in business they must cover their non-production costs and make a profit. So once labor and material costs have been tabulated, the commercial contractor will add an amount that exceeds the hard costs of the project. Profits go toward the purchase of equipment and machinery, provide for operating expenses, plus accruing cash on hand for the unforeseen and often, inevitable downturns in the market.

T. L. Hart, Inc. is in its 36th year and has built its company around sound business principles and practices. When providing a quote for painting or related work, you can be assured that the conditions and needs of your commercial property have been assessed, and a fair and reasonable proposal is offered you. Call us today to get a free estimate. We are currently booking work for 4th quarter 2020 and 1st quarter 2021.

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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.

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.

Regular Maintenance Extends Life of Paint

By T.L. Hart • October 8, 2020
On commercial buildings, maintaining newly painted surfaces will, in the long run, save time and money by extending the life of the paint job. Here’s how to keep your commercial property looking good. On exteriors 1. Begin with a professional contractor who will do things right the first time. Many painting projects fail because of poorly prepared surfaces or cheap paint. Professionals know to produce great and lasting results. Paying a little more up front will pay off in the long run. 2. Be sure to eliminate sources of unwanted moisture. Moisture penetration, whether it is painted wood or masonry, is a prime reason for paint failure. A sound roof, proper flashings, gutters and downspouts unclogged and in good shape, plus windows, doors, and joints properly caulked, all contribute to a water-tight building. 3. Keep your building clean. One sure way of maintaining the good looks of your commercial property is to have it power washed regularly. Most contractors offer this as a regular service, but few customers take advantage of it. 4. Touch-up the paint. Inevitably, and over time, paint will chip and peel. This is true especially in climates like Michigan, where temperatures can vary ten or twenty degrees in a day’s time! This means the expansion and contraction of the substrates. Even metal siding will expand and contract with temperature variations. The best practice is to review your commercial building’s painted surfaces once a year, noting if there are any areas that need paint repair. Then, contact a good commercial painting contractor to take care of the issues before they become a major problem. On interiors 1. When initially painting or repainting, be sure your contractor uses a good commercial grade enamel. In most environments, an eggshell finish is the industry standard. The goal is a durable and washable surface. 2. Regularly take care of the painted finish by washing when and as needed. Cleaning walls is far less expensive than repainting them, and in most situations, a business’s cleaning company can take care of minor dirt and smudges. For larger projects, your commercial painting company will typically provide this service, and if not, many cleaning companies offer wall washing as well. 3. As on exteriors, you can extend the life of your interior paint job by taking care of scratches, nicks and gouges by spot patching and touch-up painting. It is particularly effective if you have some of the original paint left in store. Of course, if you want a professional to do the touch-up work, call your commercial painting contractor. 4. Use protective measures such as corner guards. Outside corners are usually the first areas to become damaged over time; a good plastic corner guard will solve this issue. Also effective are chair rails, vinyl wainscotting, fiberglass reinforced panels, kick plates (on doors), and proper door stops. Of course, nothing lasts forever, and even great paint jobs need to be redone in time. In taking the above measures, you will extend the length of time before repainting is needed. Like a car, it is cheaper to maintain it than to neglect it and end up with an expensive repair—or, having to purchase a new one as a result. Maintaining your commercial property's paint job requires a lot of work, which is why you need the help of a professional painting contractor like TL Hart. Our team of expert painters use tried and tested techniques to guarantee the longevity of your building's paint job. If you're looking to repaint your commercial facility, give us a call today and we'll provide you with a detailed estimate on the painting project you have in mind.
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