Why some paint specifications are dangerous!
I was pricing a painting project for a Client. Bill of quantities with over 10,000m2 of plaster walls.
M60 specification read as:
'Prep, 1nr. mist coat, followed by a 2nd mist coat, 1nr Undercoat & 2nr Coats Dulux Diamond Eggshell'.
FIVE coat system: Alarm bells immediately sounded!
Why?
This spec. is really there to cover the following:
1. Poor plastering, so that when the plastering has been put right, the surface is effectively covered with 'ames', the painter can't ask for more money to apply 2nd mist coat.
2. Painting works that get damaged after the 2nd finishing coat. Stops the painter asking for more money to 'touch up' damage and dirty marks.
So what's the problem?
1. Most painters will see the specifcation and simply price on mist and 2nr. Coats only, thinking, "I can get it to cover easily". So if YOU price to the full specification, you have ZERO chance of securing the project.
2. Price to mist and 2nr Coats only and you have a good chance of securing the project, but will get 'hammered' by the Contractor when the issues of poor plastering and damaged finished decorations occur.
As I said, a 'dangerous' specification!
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