Recently, a couple of my painting contractor clients contacted me to say that they were being offered the painting contract to a large residential site.
Apparently the current painters had either 'walked' or there were major 'quality' issues with the painting.
Usual scenario: The Principal Contractor tells the 'new' painter how poorly the current painter is performing and that if he can match his prices, they'll give him the project.
The 'new' painter thinks his luck is in, but let's stop for a minute to consider.
Why would the existing painter 'walk' and why would there be 'quality' issues?
This is not 'rocket science'!
The only reason a painter would 'walk' from a project is if he cannot 'make it pay' and there are only two possible causes for this:
1. The painter under priced the project at tender stage.
2. The project is being so bady run by the Principal Contractor, the painter cannot work efficiently.
1. Under Pricing:
This happens all over the UK, on all types of painting project.
Usual Cause?
The painter does not know how to accurately price and simply 'guesses' on the number of labour days and materials required.
This is a particular problem with very small/inexperienced painting contractors who are not used to tendering for larger painting projects.
The problem here is that by pricing a project too low, the painter is spoiling it for everyone (including himself).
The Principal Contractor is happy because they have their 'cheap as chips' price. The painter awarded the contract is happy because they have secured the project. The ones not happy at this stage are the other painters who tendered for the project.
So the painter starts the job, happy in the knowledge that he has the work.
But wait, he soon realises that the project is taking longer than he anticipated and he hasn't got enough money in for the job.
What does he do?
Simple he tries to work quicker and 'cuts corners' (less prep & less coats!)
Result: Quality of Work Issues!!
Finally, the painter gives up and 'walks' and here we are, back at the beginning with the Principal Contractor offering the job to a new painter.
I've spoken about 'under pricing': Let's look at poor site managment and how this can affect the painter on a 'tight price'.
If the painter has already realised that he has 'under priced' the job, to then find that the PC cannot organise the works so the painter has a 'clear run' at each plot only adds to the problem.
The painter is usually in plots with all other trades working around him. Works are being carried out 'out of sequence' and the completion date is 'set in stone'.
Result: 'Quality Issues'!
Of course the site manager cannot blame himself, so it has to be the "fault of the painter"!
Site relations deteriorate.
Result: The painter 'walks' and here we are again, looking for a new painter.
In conclusion: It is hard when tendering to legislate for how well a site is run, but when will painters learn that they need to price works accurately?
Until painters do this, the only people that benefit are the overall Client and Principal Contractor with their 'cheap as chips' prices. And the poor painter? Same old story!!!