Daily rate for a painter

dok_golf

Just wondering what people think should be the daily rate for a painter in galway and it's surrounds.

ben.schlomo

dok_golf wrote: »

Just wondering what people think should be the daily rate for a painter in galway and it's surrounds.

Really depends on the job. Inside or out. Most will price the job rather than by day.

dok_golf

Ok. 2 doors to go from pine to white. Hall, Stairs and landing ( ceiling and walls only), Bottom half of walls is wood panelling to go from MDF to white. Bannister and spindles.

bobbyss

dok_golf wrote: »

Ok. 2 doors to go from pine to white. Hall, Stairs and landing ( ceiling and walls only), Bottom half of walls is wood panelling to go from MDF to white. Bannister and spindles.

I don't know the exact going rate but anything I can easily reach and is doable I do myself. I am not a professional but the job that i do is good enough for me.

When I need the professionals to come in, it is with a heavy heart.

biko

The going rate is what they will quote you. Get quotes from a couple places, it will take the guesswork out of it.

jam83

bobbyss wrote: »

I don't know the exact going rate but anything I can easily reach and is doable I do myself. I am not a professional but the job that i do is good enough for me.

When I need the professionals to come in, it is with a heavy heart.

That's not what the OP was asking at all though was it? I doubt they care what you are able to manage yourself! Nor do I either.

bobbyss

jam83 wrote: »

That's not what the OP was asking at all though was it? I doubt they care what you are able to manage yourself! Nor do I either.

I implied it was expensive but stated clearly I did not know the going rate.

(A little) subtlety would see that.

dok_golf

I'm a painter myself. I was interested in other opinions as I got vastly undercut on a job recently. The job ( see details above ) would take me 5 & a half to 6 days. I gave a quote of 650, which I thought was more than reasonable. Another crew of 3 men came in with a quote of 400 euro to do the job in 2 days. This works out at 66 euro per man per day. I was supplying an invoice but I'm pretty sure these guys weren't. I'm also extremely doubtful if they have insurance despite telling the client that they have ( not compulsory believe it or not )

ben.schlomo

dok_golf wrote: »

I'm a painter myself. I was interested in other opinions as I got vastly undercut on a job recently. The job ( see details above ) would take me 5 & a half to 6 days. I gave a quote of 650, which I thought was more than reasonable. Another crew of 3 men came in with a quote of 400 euro to do the job in 2 days. This works out at 66 euro per man per day. I was supplying an invoice but I'm pretty sure these guys weren't. I'm also extremely doubtful if they have insurance despite telling the client that they have ( not compulsory believe it or not )

Many people want the job done as quickly and cheaply as possible. We got the outside (end of terrace) done last Summer for around your price, it included window cleaning, full power wash outside,gutters cleaned too. He took about five days.

dok_golf

Did you get/look for an invoice? And did he show proof of insurance?

ben.schlomo

dok_golf wrote: »

Did you get/look for an invoice? And did he show proof of insurance?

No on both. Did an excellent job and was a couple of hundred less than another quote I got,no brainier really especially as he came recommended and i had seen some of his previous work.

Ursummupet

ben.schlomo wrote: »

No on both. Did an excellent job and was a couple of hundred less than another quote I got,no brainier really especially as he came recommended and i had seen some of his previous work.

There's so much wrong on both sides here.

worded

People will work for near nothing ...

Ursummupet

worded wrote: »

People will work for near nothing ...

What about the poor bastard that cant afford to work for nothing? Nor even compete cos he's legit?

Not arguing I think we share the same sentiments

worded

Ursummupet wrote: »

What about the poor bastard that cant afford to work for nothing? Nor even compete cos he's legit?

Not arguing I think we share the same sentiments

.

Agreed

And time wasted on quoting etc

dok_golf

It's infuriating!!! Most of these guys are drawing the dole on top of everything else. They hold all the aces really. Only thing with regards to myself is that I get a lot of repeat business, because once I do the first job for someone( and subsequent ones), I'm that pedantic about the finish and cleanliness, they very often won't go for someone else there after. (Sorry if that sounds like I'm blowing my own trumpet!:-))

ben.schlomo

Ursummupet wrote: »

What about the poor bastard that cant afford to work for nothing? Nor even compete cos he's legit?

Not arguing I think we share the same sentiments

Can't blame people who go with the best price. We were quoted close to 200 a day from a lad to do the hall,stairs, landing walls plus five internal doors. Daylight robbery, did it ourselves in the end and didn't take the time he said it would.

ben.schlomo

dok_golf wrote: »

It's infuriating!!! Most of these guys are drawing the dole on top of everything else. They hold all the aces really. Only thing with regards to myself is that I get a lot of repeat business, because once I do the first job for someone( and subsequent ones), I'm that pedantic about the finish and cleanliness, they very often won't go for someone else there after. (Sorry if that sounds like I'm blowing my own trumpet!:-))

That's competition for you though. You are probably a lot better in terms of quality than many out there but on price a lot are probably lower than you. At the end of the day it comes down to what the client values more. Nothing wrong with trumpeting one's own work either.

1641

ben.schlomo wrote: »

That's competition for you though.

Its illegal competition, though. And us law-abiding citizens have to be honest with ourselves - every time we engage one of these operatives we are actively facilitating theft.And helping to drive legal operators out of the market.

ben.schlomo

1641 wrote: »

Its illegal competition, though. And us law-abiding citizens have to be honest with ourselves - every time we engage one of these operatives we are actively facilitating theft.And helping to drive legal operators out of the market.

Theft?

Most of the trades I've come across have a large share of this happening, seems like something the government or revenue should be going after, until they do then people will continue operating and getting work. It makes financial sense for many people.

1641

ben.schlomo wrote: »

Theft?

Most of the trades I've come across have a large share of this happening, seems like something the government or revenue should be going after, until they do then people will continue operating and getting work. It makes financial sense for many people.

Theft from the tax take - which means higher taxes than there should be for everyone else and/or fewer services. I agree re the need for more crackdown but probably difficult to do. I believe in some countries that the people engaging such traders are made legally liable as well as the traders themselves. Perhaps this might work.

By the way - I am not having a go here, except maybe at myself, having transgressed from time to time.

ben.schlomo

1641 wrote: »

Theft from the tax take - which means higher taxes than there should be for everyone else and/or fewer services. I agree re the need for more crackdown but probably difficult to do. I believe in some countries that the people engaging such traders are made legally liable as well as the traders themselves. Perhaps this might work.

By the way - I am not having a go here, except maybe at myself, having transgressed from time to time.

You're grand didn't take it as anything bar a discussion. I'm the same, I've no issue using a licensed tradesperson but comes a point where the other option is just more viable, especially on jobs that I can do myself (just don't have the equipment). Holding the client responsible might be a decent deterrent alright. Do the likes of the tradesmen.ie type sites vet people I wonder.

Hitman3000

Brother in law sought a quote to paint his stairs, living room and a small bedroom. He was quoted 950 by one painter went with a Brazilian crew who charged him 650. Couldn't fault the work and all tidied up after. In both cases he was to supply the paint.

Hitman3000

dok_golf wrote:

It's infuriating!!! Most of these guys are drawing the dole on top of everything else. They hold all the aces really. Only thing with regards to myself is that I get a lot of repeat business, because once I do the first job for someone( and subsequent ones), I'm that pedantic about the finish and cleanliness, they very often won't go for someone else there after. (Sorry if that sounds like I'm blowing my own trumpet!:-))

Not everyone is as conscientious as you unfortunately. Word of mouth is great. Brother is a sparks, always charged a fair price and did good work. Has never had to sit at home even when things nosedived.

Got a gang of foreign lads in last year. 1200 sq ft apartment, all walls, ceilings, skirting and window sills. They were in and out in 7 hours with the place left spotless. 500 eur with the paint included and receipts provided l. Couldn't fault it and have passed on the phone number to loads since.

dok_golf

Could you pass on their number to me? ( Seriously). My own house needs painting badly and I just can't spare the time !

Your Face

dok_golf wrote: »

It's infuriating!!! Most of these guys are drawing the dole on top of everything else. They hold all the aces really.

We've had a fair amount of our well-established contractors go out of business. They're being undercut.

dok_golf

the contractors that are vat registered have no hope of getting work in private houses, whatever about those of us who aren't.

biko

dok_golf wrote: »

the contractors that are vat registered have no hope of getting work in private houses, whatever about those of us who aren't.

I'm a bit confused, I though initially you wanted to employ a painter and were asking what to pay them?
Now it seems you are an unregistered painter asking what to charge people?

Am I right so far?

Mrs OBumble

It's called market research, I think. S/he is busy, but has lost some tenders unexpectedly, so is wanting to check what the general public expect.

dok_golf

biko wrote: »

I'm a bit confused, I though initially you wanted to employ a painter and were asking what to pay them?
Now it seems you are an unregistered painter asking what to charge people?

Am I right so far?

No.

dok_golf

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

It's called market research, I think. S/he is busy, but has lost some tenders unexpectedly, so is wanting to check what the general public expect.

Thank you. That's exactly what I was doing.

pualbyrne

last year i paid 150 a day cash

dok_golf

biko wrote: »

I'm a bit confused, I though initially you wanted to employ a painter and were asking what to pay them?
Now it seems you are an unregistered painter asking what to charge people?

Am I right so far?

Also, don't know what you mean regards"unregistered"?? I'm registered for tax but not registered for vat. There is aworld of difference between being unregistered for both!!!

dok_golf

pualbyrne wrote: »

last year i paid 150 a day cash

Jaysus. I'm not even charging that with an invoice!

eurokev

dok_golf wrote:

Jaysus. I'm not even charging that with an invoice!

What part of the country are you in though. In my opinion it has a massive bearing

the_pen_turner

there is no way a one man band that is fully insured and tax compliant can work for anything less than 150 a day. 150 a day is barely giving you minimum wage and keeping the lights on. it doesn't give you any holidays, sick days, days off, money for tools or profit.

the_galway_fry

i too used to be a painter and 5 to 6 days for that ammount of work is ridiculous
you dont say what the bannister and spindling details are but even at the very worst you should be doing that in half that time, at the very most .
anyone ever asked me to work day rates and i charged minimum 200 per day most likely higher
work off the price better for everyone involved otherwise they can take the piss

Who says competition is a bad thing

the_pen_turner

Deleted User wrote: »

Who says competition is a bad thing

competition is good but undercutting each other and racing to the bottom is good for no one . especially the customer

fergiesfolly

the_pen_turner wrote: »

competition is good but undercutting each other and racing to the bottom is good for no one . especially the customer

How exactly is it bad for the customer?
If I'm supplying the paint and the painter the labour, surely it's in the customers interest to get the best price, as long as the standard of work is acceptable.

the_pen_turner

fergiesfolly wrote: »

How exactly is it bad for the customer?
If I'm supplying the paint and the painter the labour, surely it's in the customers interest to get the best price, as long as the standard of work is acceptable.

if I'm normally pricing at 200 but have to lower to 150 to get the job then the only thing that can change is quality .

dok_golf

eurokev wrote: »

What part of the country are you in though. In my opinion it has a massive bearing

Galway city and surrounds

dok_golf

the_pen_turner wrote: »

there is no way a one man band that is fully insured and tax compliant can work for anything less than 150 a day. 150 a day is barely giving you minimum wage and keeping the lights on. it doesn't give you any holidays, sick days, days off, money for tools or profit.

Yep, I'm very close to that amount in fairness

dok_golf

the_galway_fry wrote: »

i too used to be a painter and 5 to 6 days for that ammount of work is ridiculous
you dont say what the bannister and spindling details are but even at the very worst you should be doing that in half that time, at the very most .
anyone ever asked me to work day rates and i charged minimum 200 per day most likely higher
work off the price better for everyone involved otherwise they can take the piss

You are much faster than me then. The 3 man crew took 2 days to do it.

the_pen_turner

dok_golf wrote: »

Yep, I'm very close to that amount in fairness

have you allowed for holidays, sick days, days doing paperwork , days servicing and doe ing the van.

I worked mine out at 187 a day +vat and that is before profit. and I'm a one man show with no major over the top expenses

that's only to give me minimum wage and normal days off like a normal job

dok_golf

The thing is I don't want to be registered for Vat. It incurs more expense,more work and more worry imo. I'm happy charging 700 a week which keeps me below the threshold.

mickdw

dok_golf wrote: »

The thing is I don't want to be registered for Vat. It incurs more expense,more work and more worry imo. I'm happy charging 700 a week which keeps me below the threshold.

Yes vat will instantly make you uncompetitive when working for private customers.
I'm in a similar situation offering a professional service.

biko

dok_golf wrote: »

Also, don't know what you mean regards"unregistered"?? I'm registered for tax but not registered for vat. There is aworld of difference between being unregistered for both!!!

It's good that you explain these things because to me it sounds like the same thing.

1641

dok_golf wrote: »

The thing is I don't want to be registered for Vat. It incurs more expense,more work and more worry imo. I'm happy charging 700 a week which keeps me below the threshold.

Do you give receipts ? Accept payment by cheque?

dok_golf

Yes to both. Also accept payment via bank transfer which is becoming more common.