How to Create a Budget for Your Next Paint Job

Painting may seem like a relatively simple undertaking, especially when compared to larger commercial or industrial projects. However, whether you’re planning for a large or small paint job, ensuring your investment will last for the long term starts with proper budgeting.

Where to start when creating a painting budget
There are a few considerations to make when planning for your painting budget. We suggest starting by calculating the overall square footage that needs to be painted, then thinking about the following:

• What are the surfaces you’re planning to paint like? Are they smooth, rough, or hard to reach?

• What sorts of exterior influences do these surfaces see on a day-to-day basis? Do they see lots of traffic? Are they in full sun or damp areas?

• How easily will crews be able to access the areas you’re looking to paint? Will they require equipment such as lifts, cranes, or scaffolding?

Choosing a Contractor
Perhaps the single most important factor in planning for your budget is the contractor you choose.
While it may seem budget-friendly to work with a contractor with the lowest price, selecting who you work with on price alone can sometimes mean a lower quality job, added safety risks, or unexpected costs down the road which actually end up costing you more. Focusing on the contractor’s expertise will help you determine who has your best interests in mind. Any contractor you work with should have high standards in safety and technical training to protect your business, staff, and customers and be able to provide recommendations to assist in your project while also being forthcoming about issues your project may face and how they could impact your budget.

3 Steps to Get Started
With these tips in mind, here are 3 steps to create the budget for your next painting project:

1. Choose your approach.

Either from the bottom up or the top down. Starting at the bottom means talking to contractors first and requesting quotes. Working with a top-down approach means setting your budget figure first, then aiming to fit the contractor’s services into that estimate. The advantage of the first approach is that it should be relatively accurate, while the second strategy makes it easier to remain within a fixed target.

1. Know your area specs.

Having the most accurate information about the area you’re covering, accessibility issues, and coating requirements will help you understand what to expect. The more data you have in the beginning, the more on-target your plan will become once you involve the contractor.

1. Budget

Even the best planning can’t always account for things that may go wrong. Setting up a small contingency reserve in your budget to cover unexpected issues is always a good idea. Plus, if you don’t need it, you’ll come in under budget or be able to relocate those funds to something else.

The Alpine Promise
With over 4 decades of experience in commercial and industrial painting, our professionals understand how to ensure your paint job goes as smoothly as possible. It is our mission to protect and enhance your space through great people, processes, and communication. In fact, it’s why no other contractor can boast more about their repeat customer rate than Alpine. Contact us today to get started on your estimate. We look forward to working with you on your next project!