Tablets have come a long way since Apple introduced the iPad in 2010. Before then, estimators in the field all had to use a hybrid tablet which were basically a full computer that allowed you to write on the screen with a tablet pen. (example: Motion Computing or Toshibas).

When the iPad and Android tablets hit the market, it forced users to get used to built-in apps only. This was a real challenge if you were trying to communicate with your MS office servers or cloud programs like Google Apps, or even to save files to cloud services like Dropbox. Read More

As you know, getting photos of your work is crucial. If the marketing budget allows for it, you can always hire a photographer to go around to job sites to get some nice action and finish shots. Yet it can get pretty expensive to have a photographer available on a regular basis.  Read More

I have been working with a painting contractor on the west coast for a couple of years now whose main source of leads came from door hangers, customers and referrals when I started. I was a little surprised that he was receiving leads from door hangers. I had mix results from other painters passing out door hangers.  Read More

Wouldn’t it be nice if you had an app that managed all of your photos of your jobs in one place?

It has been a real challenge for painting companies to take pictures of projects, organize them, share them with other members of the team, collaborate and store them. In this post, I want to share a little bit about the features and benefits of a cloud program called CompanyCam and see how this could be a good solution for painting contractors.

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Let’s be honest. You typically hire painters when you’re swamped. Right? You filled up your pipeline and have 8 weeks worth of work on the board. You put your hand on your head and say to your team, “We need to hire some painters! Let’s get to it!”

Most painters are very busy when the economy is strong. Right now, this is definitely the case; especially since we’re entering into the late spring months. Is it easier or more difficult to find painters when they’re all busy? It’s much more difficult. All the good painters are working right now — or at least should be working. Read More

I got a quote to replace my sliding back door with a new unit. I asked the guy doing the estimate a fairly simple question, and it will sound familiar to all you estimators out there! “I know you have to work up the numbers back at the shop, but do you think it will cost more than $2k or less than $2k for a ballpark.” Fair question, right? I did not want to waste his time…as I had a budget figure in my head. Read More