How commercial painters estimate the cost of a project
When you hire a commercial painting contractor for a project at your commercial or industrial facility, the first step in the process is arriving at an estimate, or the final cost for the entire job.
Some contractors give “ballpark” estimates that may end up being inaccurate—often, the final cost is much higher than these loose estimates. Others offer detailed estimates that take every aspect of the project into account to ensure that the total cost matches the estimate. Make sure you find out which method your commercial painting contractor is using before you sign a contract.
What goes into an estimate? Here, we’ll discuss best practices for detailed commercial painting project estimates.
Consultation with the client
Your commercial painting contractor should sit down with you to discuss the project during the estimate phase, in order to have a clear understanding of your needs and your vision for the project. In addition to the project itself, this discussion should include concerns such as company shutdown times. A good commercial painting contractor will work with you to schedule evening and weekend work, or make other necessary arrangements in order to avoid disruption of your business.
Identification of equipment needs and compliance issues
As part of the estimation phase, your contractor should factor in the necessary permits, building codes, and other local regulations that must be followed during the process. This includes environmental concerns such as green-friendly laws in the state of California. Commercial painting contractors should have a strong understanding of the codes and regulations that apply to your facility.
Additionally, the contractor will identify any special needs for equipment on the site, and contact the appropriate rental companies to obtain accurate quotes for the equipment.
Material selection
Finally, your commercial painting contractor will identify the best type of paint for the project that will suit your facility’s needs, and consult with the manufacturers to ensure that the paint is compatible with the surfaces involved in the project.
Once the estimate is completed, you should receive detailed, written documentation that outlines the exact scope of the work, along with pricing details. Your contractor should be comfortable with answering any questions you may have regarding the estimate.
