Author Topic: So it's SUPER slow here in the desert...  (Read 36152 times)

the PAINTSMITH

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Re: So it's SUPER slow here in the desert...
« Reply #15 on: November 22, 2008, 08:53:45 AM »
I've never done it Georgie, but I know some who do. They can actually make a good dollar now and then.

Xmas might not be the best time to establish yourself, with all the competition from all those Santas and their bell shaking and such, but heck yeah, give it a try. Main mall entrances would be a great venue (if you get there first  ;) )...

My little brother did a street artist thing in Greenwich Village NY back in the 80s...He played a feather (no, really). Made enough to pay for the trip...Dunno how long it took him though...

Offline readboutjc

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Re: So it's SUPER slow here in the desert...
« Reply #16 on: November 22, 2008, 10:44:06 AM »
i'm only a part timer, but like everyone else, i need cash.  the customer i have lined up for
december is behind schedule on his new office building due to the sheet rock guys so
i've been considering blanketing.  you know, make up some flyers and go to some different
cul de sacs, sub divisions etc.  any thoughts?

Offline spyder24

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Re: So it's SUPER slow here in the desert...
« Reply #17 on: November 22, 2008, 05:23:51 PM »
What's happening where you live??

I've been thinking about moving back to Minneapolis or even Seattle.

A month ago there were tons of ads for painters...

Now (at least back home in Mpls) it looks like roofers??? are in demand??? In winter???... How does THAT work???

My painting partner MattG is going to Seattle. A month ago there were a ton of want ads...

But no more.

I'd like to know the situation where you all are at?

The holidaze always slow down all of us... But this year it's hitting even earlier.

What's the state of mind in the state your mind is in?

Springtime can't get here fast enough...........................

It seems like almost every industry has slowed down dramatically, construction type work especially.  Unfortunately, because of some idiotic decisions from bank executives (i.e., credit default swaps, leveraged subprime portfolios), banks have been very hesitant to lend money to developers (especially single family residential) due to skyrocketing chargeoffs and nonaccrual growth within that portfolio.  Couple that with substantial vacancy rates in the office and retail sectors of the income producing property segments, it does not look good.

I know a few of you do residential interior repaints and unfortunately with depleting retirement accounts, people are very hesitant to spend money (or so it seems in my area).  Heck, the Dow was below 8,000 this past week.  Unbelievable!  I recently bought some paint from the local Sherwin Williams and had an interesting conversation with the store manager.  I asked how business has been, and his was reply was "business is dead in respect to DIYers and contractors."  Things are just not looking good. 

I feel for you guys and gals, I really do.  I frankly am disgusted that poor decisions made by highly paid CEOs are causing a lot of this mess.  Amazing to me that this TARP money, originally intended to unfreeze the credit markets, is not being used for that purpose.  Heck, look at mortgage rates, a week ago a 30 year fixed was still above 6%.  Not terrible by historic standards, but unusually when compared to recent times.  I know a lot of that comes from the almost extinction in the residential mortgage backed securities (RMBS) market. 

Anyways, that's my rant for the day!!!  Take care everyone, things will get better eventually.  I know it's just tough right now. 

     

Offline Full House Painting Inc.

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Re: So it's SUPER slow here in the desert...
« Reply #18 on: November 24, 2008, 12:32:21 AM »
It's slow here in Montana also Jake. Even Big Sky(the rich) has slowed way down hurting many in construction. Only one job in construction in the paper vs. 50 a year ago. I'm able to work with my old employer till spring and then I'll start     on the exteriors booked for next year. So the honest answer is yes its slow. Figured an honest answer not egotistical one was what you wanted not some BS about acclimation and it's always there and if you know the business.
 Rock on Jake and gl and keep up your good posts
« Last Edit: November 24, 2008, 12:40:30 AM by Full House Painting Inc. »

Offline PainterJan

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Re: So it's SUPER slow here in the desert...
« Reply #19 on: November 24, 2008, 10:43:30 PM »
Hey Jake I hope you can get where you need to be. Times are tough, for those of us trying to build a business it's definitely a challenging time to take that on; still I perservere. Just use all resources, skills, and contacts you can, I have been very busy up until the last month... Florida is bad for jobs overall and the construction market here is one of the worst in the country. I have been focusing on residential and rental repaints as well as artistic murals and faux finishes etc., sometimes you have to flexible. Good luck to you and if you have the desire you will find the work, be persistent.

Yer Sistah Jan  ;)
“I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best.” -Oscar Wilde

Offline Jake

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Re: So it's SUPER slow here in the desert...
« Reply #20 on: November 25, 2008, 04:11:32 PM »
So the honest answer is yes its slow. Figured an honest answer not egotistical one was what you wanted not some BS about acclimation and it's always there and if you know the business.

Thanks for the input everyone! :)

Yes... I was wondering if it was slow where we all are.

Winter here is always slow.... But this year it's not even moving.

They just shut down construction on a couple more casino's here, which means bad for all trades, not just painting.

My room-mate is a union journeyman plumber for commercial gigs. He was just laid off a few days ago on Friday. They told him to just get unemployment because the list at the hall is sooooooo long that's it's gonna be super hard to get hired right now.

Same with union painting gigs out here.

We (my company that is non-union) specialize in custom interior repaints....

No one wants em right now.

The other day (Sunday) a friend of mine and I were hanging out in my backyard when my neighbor lady stuck her head across the fence and asked if I was hiring, because her friend who is a painter wants to move here to Vegas. I told her to tell him that if it was a year ago, I would have told her to tell him to call me immediatly, but if that's what he's moving here looking to do now.... That he should stay where he is and not to even bother.

Sure there's work here and there if you know what to do to get it.

Ain't nothing like it was though........

Thanks for the honest answer Full House!  :)

I hope we all have a better/best year ever coming up!

Cheers everybody and Happy Holiday's!!!  :)

« Last Edit: November 25, 2008, 04:13:52 PM by Jake »
The only thing that separates Paint from Pain... Is a t.

Offline ProWallGuy

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Re: So it's SUPER slow here in the desert...
« Reply #21 on: November 25, 2008, 04:29:01 PM »
yeah, I was a bit worried about this winter, but so far it has been OK. Whenever it looked like nothing on my schedule, something would pop up.

My biggest score so far was yesterday I signed a deal with a corporate headquarters here in StL (no travel WooHoo!) to remove and install 18 murals. The last hanger was clueless and botched them pretty bad. The material is the easiest I've ever worked with so it should be a no-brainer. Only downside is it is night work. But it start December 18th, and that gig should support all my habits, good and bad, until at least the end of January in the event everything falls flat.

Vin

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Re: So it's SUPER slow here in the desert...
« Reply #22 on: December 18, 2008, 12:51:50 AM »
SEND OUT THOSE CHRISTMAS CARDS TO ALL YOUR CUSTOMERS maybe that will drum up some work after the first of the year I have all mine done ready to post tomorrow.

Works trickling in slowly my main job is keeping me pretty busy I have done about 6 side jobs in the last 2 weeks ranging from $200 - $500 thats it no big stuff the big stuff just went *POOF*   >:(

Offline readboutjc

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Re: So it's SUPER slow here in the desert...
« Reply #23 on: December 18, 2008, 07:08:13 PM »
sent mine out on tuesday.  another idea i have for 2009 is post cards. every quarter.  something to
the effect:

January - nothing like a fresh coat of paint after all the decorations are down
March - paint that room after spring cleaning
July - summertime is ideal for outside painting jobs
October - get painting done and be ready for the holidays


Vin

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Re: So it's SUPER slow here in the desert...
« Reply #24 on: December 18, 2008, 09:26:57 PM »
JUST LIKE MY DENTIST DOES  ;D He hits me about every quarter for $500 worth of work


I'm on the same page here with you jc

the PAINTSMITH

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Re: So it's SUPER slow here in the desert...
« Reply #25 on: December 20, 2008, 08:45:11 AM »
JUST LIKE MY DENTIST DOES  ;D He hits me about every quarter for $500 worth of work


Sounds like someone's using his teeth too much... ;)

Vin

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Re: So it's SUPER slow here in the desert...
« Reply #26 on: December 20, 2008, 11:26:46 AM »
JUST LIKE MY DENTIST DOES  ;D He hits me about every quarter for $500 worth of work


Sounds like someone's using his teeth too much... ;)


WELL I DONT KNOW WHAT THEY MAKE CROWNS OUT OF BUT I ONLY HAVE A FEW ACTUAL TEETH LEFT :o THE STRESS OF BEING A PAINTER HAD ME GRINDING THEM NIGHT AN DAY , TO THE NERVE :'(

Offline Jake

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Re: So it's SUPER slow here in the desert...
« Reply #27 on: December 20, 2008, 09:50:21 PM »
WELL I DONT KNOW WHAT THEY MAKE CROWNS OUT OF BUT I ONLY HAVE A FEW ACTUAL TEETH LEFT :o THE STRESS OF BEING A PAINTER HAD ME GRINDING THEM NIGHT AN DAY , TO THE NERVE :'(

Hence the all caps eh Vin!  ;D LOL  ;D

..... "the stress" of being a painter........ LMAO!  ;D
The only thing that separates Paint from Pain... Is a t.

Offline readboutjc

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Re: So it's SUPER slow here in the desert...
« Reply #28 on: December 21, 2008, 03:51:22 AM »
you do have a great smile vin...

Vin

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Re: So it's SUPER slow here in the desert...
« Reply #29 on: December 22, 2008, 12:30:15 PM »
IF you see me smile JC it's a $10,000 smile ;D I should'a got gold for that price hell platinum grill :'( :'(


LOL Jake  CAPS wasn't sure anyone was gonna get that yur sharp as a 5 n 1  :P