Customers want to know they’re in good hands and that you, as a trusted contractor, can answer all their questions and get the job done right. So, in the name of customer service, you need to be nimble and anticipate a variety of questions and concerns—and be prepared to assist on color…

We all know the trades are experiencing an unprecedented labor shortage, and many painting professionals are desperate for good help. New hires know they have other options, and it’s frustrating for a painting business owner to train a new employee only to watch them leave for another company. If you’re running into…

A surprise day of rain, wind or snow can mean lost income when you’re painting exteriors. Late-season painting—which Andy Roe, owner of Roe Painting in Boise, ID, talks about in this month’s ‘Ask A Pro’ column—can be tricky in four-season locales. Roe works on many homes in the mountains, “where the weather…

Myths can take flight when hatched from ignorance. For instance, fuzzy shadows and doctored photos can perpetuate the lore that a hairy giant roams the Pacific Northwest. However, where’s Bigfoot when you need someone to paint those high ceiling areas? Nick Slavik certainly understands myths. He spends quite a bit of time…

Think for a few moments about the relationship between competence and confidence. It makes sense that if you know a lot about a topic, you’ll be confident in your ability related to that topic. And if you don’t know a lot about something, you’ll be less confident in your ability. Turns out,…

In residential and commercial painting work, it’s not enough to conclude some colors are hot and others are not. Now, more than ever, designers and painting professionals need to have an eye on trends and an ear for customer input to realize what color choices really work best for a project. A…