Paint Ain’t Cheap No More

[Jim_in_PA]

That's quite a bit of markup on the paint. I have a contractor discount at SW and even the best paint is about $50 tops; less if purchased in 5 gallon containers which is what should be done for such a large job. That said, labor is what it is and a good painter doesn't work fast. When we put a 2200 sq ft addition on our old property back in 2008, the painters were the single most expensive subcontractor for the project. It was about $25K but keep in mind that was from bare drywall and trim, not repainting existing space. But their work was meticulous; all the cutting in was dead straight...with zero tape used...and the end result was stunning. Even then, the paint was not chump-change. I do my own work normally, but no way would I paint a whole house myself. A room? Yea.

That said, me things some additional quotes are in order. And for this particular job, being able to schedule before you move in will reduce the labor required.

 

[scrapyardblue]

What I find with contractors is some are only interested in the "gravy" jobs. They bid high and dont want to be competitive.
I had a small cement job done many years ago. Got 3 bids. One was near $5000, the winner was $800 and did a fine job.

Agree there's more than a handful that roll this way. Lady friend of mind couldn't get her outside compressor to start. One contractor wanted $3,500, one wanted $300 and third guy swapped out a wire and charged her $90.

Same gal had bids to remove a tree n stump. She got it done for $4,000, but the other two bids were $8,500 and $12,500.

Got a quote from a roofer for my daughter, guy said he was real busy, but could do it for 14 grand. She had it replaced for $4000. Submit a ridiculous bid when you're real busy. If somebody bites, it's like a real nice bonus.

 

[old wrench]

Commercial painting contractors don't go to Home Depot or Lowes to buy their paint

Do-it-your-selfers might pay $70 bucks a gallon for paint, but painting contractors don't

I think those $20,000 dollar quotes came from outfits who were already busy with as much work as they wanted

I might be a little out of touch with the market, since I retired 15 years ago from general contracting - but I surely wouldn't hire anyone who came at me with that sort of price - especially with a 2 week time frame

A little more info would help too -

Is this just walls and ceilings, or is there extensive painted trim like crown, chair rail, and paneled doors that needs paint?


.

 

[scrapyardblue]

Oh, and that $32 gallon of Valspar at Lowes is Sherwin-Williams paint.

 

[telleutelleme]

Repainting Interior I've always done myself, because I care how it comes our. Exterior I hire and they have to be bonded, so it costs. Those prices are too high.

 

[Marc Morfei]

Paint is indeed expensive. I think I paid $25 or more for quart at SW not long ago. A gallon is easily north of $60. Of course there is cheap paint out there, but good paint is unquestionably better. It’s worth the cost premium.

But still, any time you get a price quote that is unreasonably high it just means they don’t need the work so they’re just throwing a high number at you. Shop around. But nobody in the trades needs work these days. There is way too much demand out there. That’s what causes inflation.

 

[moosie]

Having no idea where you are in the purchase process, is there a chance you can throw it back to the original owners? Tell the realtor you'll pay price + $10k, as long as the house is fully painted interior by move-in. Depending on how quickly the house sold, and how it's presented, they might take on the responsibility. When they find out the cost, perhaps the selling broker chips in.

Lots of things can be negotiated if you haven't yet closed.

 

[Preacher]

My wife had a bid to paint her botique interior. Bid came in at $4800 for less than 1200SF.

Called a buddy who was a painter, had three guys come and do it in two days, $1500.

 

[Lowspeid]

I would say that they're somewhere between $10-14,000 too high for 3200 sq ft

That was my thought too.

 

[Lowspeid]

Does it have crazy high cathedral ceilings or something?

Nope slightly vaulted ceilings in the living room and kitchen, but a 5’ extension pole should get a roller to the peak.

 

[Lowspeid]

Having no idea where you are in the purchase process, is there a chance you can throw it back to the original owners? Tell the realtor you'll pay price + $10k, as long as the house is fully painted interior by move-in. Depending on how quickly the house sold, and how it's presented, they might take on the responsibility. When they find out the cost, perhaps the selling broker chips in.

Lots of things can be negotiated if you haven't yet closed.

The paint in the house isn’t in bad shape, it’s just “designer colors” aren’t our thing.

The owners are already paying for Radon mitigation (we live in an area where it’s a known issue), and are paying to have the AC unit completely replaced, so I’m not going to push it.

 

[Lowspeid]

Commercial painting contractors don't go to Home Depot or Lowes to buy their paint

Do-it-your-selfers might pay $70 bucks a gallon for paint, but painting contractors don't

I think those $20,000 dollar quotes came from outfits who were already busy with as much work as they wanted

I might be a little out of touch with the market, since I retired 15 years ago from general contracting - but I surely wouldn't hire anyone who came at me with that sort of price - especially with a 2 week time frame

A little more info would help too -

Is this just walls and ceilings, or is there extensive painted trim like crown, chair rail, and paneled doors that needs paint?


.

Just walls and ceiling. No trim, no doors, no fancy woodwork. No ceilings on the lower level (1400sf).

 

[dsutton24]

There's no pleasing some people.

...And some people will never understand.

 

[loudboy]

It seems like a lot of people seem to think construction workers don't deserve to make a decent living. After all it's just manual labor. Concert tickets are $200 and up, they're just playing songs, athletes are just playing. When I first started going to concerts they were $4. They were worth it and they are still worth $4. I can buy any CD for $5 or less. I can play any sport with my pals on the weekend. These high dollar activities are non essential and at best athletes and musicians should make minimum wage.

Compensation is generally determined by how much income they can produce for the owners/stockholders. If Michael Jordan can bring in $XX million in tickets/TV/merch sales per year, his $X million salary is justified.

Taylor Swift can sell out stadiums in minutes at hundreds/thousands of dollars a ticket. Does she deserve to only make $7.00 an hour?

As Chris Rock said - Charles Barkley is rich, the guy who signs his check is WEALTHY.

 

[Milspec]

The paint in the house isn’t in bad shape, it’s just “designer colors” aren’t our thing.

The owners are already paying for Radon mitigation (we live in an area where it’s a known issue), and are paying to have the AC unit completely replaced, so I’m not going to push it.

Not to derail this, but that radon mitigation is often just a scam....I know, I was a licensed Radon contractor before I realized what a rip off it really was. Just because you live in an area that tests high, doesn't mean your home has any radon that needs mitigation. You often find a single house on a block with elevated radon and nobody else because it is the home that pulls in the radon so it depends on the thermal stack effect of the house more than the location. Multi-story homes have a greater effect than a ranch for example.

What I discovered very early on was that real estate agents use that radon test result for leverage in the deal. If they are representing the buyer, they will tell the tester to make it fail. If they represent the seller, then make it pass.

Just make certain that it gets installed correctly if you decide to go through with it. The standard method requires you to punch through the foundation (and waterproofing liner) to install the pvc pipe which is not always a good idea...especially if you live in an area with a high water table or frequent rains. Also make dang certain that the person installing the mitigation system isn't the same one that does the follow-up radon tests...a major problem with the industry validating their own work.

Truth be told, a lot of elevated radon levels are correctable without having to install the pvc piping and fan. Sealing cracks and especially sealing around any floor drains (an area that most builders fail to seal) with radon sealant solves the majority of the problem.

I understand that the seller is paying for the install, but those mitigation systems are ugly and need to be routed really carefully to avoid it from becoming an eye sore. Ideally, the fan goes into the attic and that means installing electrical service to run the fan. What I found was that a lot of shady companies would skip that part knowing the owner is unlikely to go into their attic to look, or just running a single hot wire off the bathroom exhaust fan to power the radon fan. Again, accomplishes nothing except steals money from the homeowner. You are also going to need to check the fan often to make sure it is working and re-test for radon levels every 6 months to a year to verify the levels remain below 4.

Personally, I wouldn't install the mitigation system without verifying the levels are elevated (not doctored) and only after other sealing was accomplished first. I guess I like having a dry basement more than a pvc pipe running up through my house.

 

[Red Ryder]

Compensation is generally determined by how much income they can produce for the owners/stockholders. If Michael Jordan can bring in $XX million in tickets/TV/merch sales per year, his $X million salary is justified.

Taylor Swift can sell out stadiums in minutes at hundreds/thousands of dollars a ticket. Does she deserve to only make $7.00 an hour?

As Chris Rock said - Charles Barkley is rich, the guy who signs his check is WEALTHY.

There's an old saying that goes along with paying hundreds/thousands for a ticket.
A fool and his money are soon parted.

 

[Mike Eskimo]

Being a tile and stone mason I look at painting as pure hell.

I’ve taken on a number of painting jobs for customers immediately after finishing their bathrooms/kitchens whatever.

They all tell me they can’t get anybody to call them back re painting and ask if I know anybody . If I don’t have anything really pressing booked - I’ll do it .

I just mean that labor-wise there’s no comparison. To me . And I’m old !

 

[Red Ryder]

Well Mike being a tile mason I'm sure you've come across the same problems as I have in the past 40 years. When involved in remodels it's always easier to fix it yourself than to wait on someone from another trade to show up.

 

[Red Ryder]

I’ve taken on a number of painting jobs for customers immediately after finishing their bathrooms/kitchens whatever.

They all tell me they can’t get anybody to call them back re painting and ask if I know anybody . If I don’t have anything really pressing booked - I’ll do it .

I just mean that labor-wise there’s no comparison. To me . And I’m old !

Ad I'm old too!

 

[Old Deaf Roadie]

Were the bids for nitro or poly?
I’ll show myself out