A Guide to Efficient Production
Starting a painting business may seem simple, but ensuring it's profitable and sustainable requires a lot of work. Many painting businesses fail because they struggle with production, which can be overwhelming without a solid system in place. It's the final step in delivering on the services promised to clients, and it's where most painters fall short. Even established companies can struggle with production and spend a lot of time in this stage, slowing down their growth.
So, how can you efficiently manage production in your painting business and maximize your profits? Here are some tips:
Hire employees or sub-contract
You have two options when it comes to hiring people for production. You can hire employees or sub-contract. Hiring employees gives you more perceived control over your production, but it's a lot of work to manage them, train them, and pay payroll taxes. Additionally, mistakes by employees can be costly, and if they go over budget on a job, you still have to pay them.
Sub-contracting is the better option for most painting businesses. There are many painting companies out there that specialize in painting and don't do marketing or sales. These companies charge lower prices than most established companies, making them a perfect fit for sub-contracting. You can still sell jobs for competitive rates, such as $500 or $1000 lower than your normal rates, and hire these companies to do the painting work for you. This way, you don't have to worry about managing employees, and you can focus on growing your business.
Set up a system for production
Regardless of whether you hire employees or sub-contract, it's essential to have a solid system in place for production. This system should include all the steps involved in painting a house, from preparation to clean-up. You can break down each step into smaller tasks and assign them to specific people, ensuring everyone knows what to do and when to do it.
A good system will help you reduce time wastage and increase efficiency, allowing you to take on more jobs and increase your profits.
Production is the most critical aspect of any business, and painting businesses are no exception. By hiring sub-contractors and setting up a system for production, you can ensure that you deliver on the services promised to clients and maximize your profits. Don't overlook this aspect of your business, and always be looking for ways to improve your efficiency. With the right system in place, you can grow your painting business and achieve long-term success.