Painter charged $2000 for 12 hours of work

[Anonymous]

That's his fee excluding materials. That works out to $167 an hour. I'm mad I agreed to the estimate, I assumed the work would be more time consuming. It involved painting some exterior walls (not tall) and one bedroom. I assumed he'd be sanding and repairing holes but we didn't discuss that in advance so I guess that's my fault. I don't mind paying fair wages, but I just hate this feeling of being taken advantage of.

[Anonymous]

yeah, that's high. After years of using my painter, I've realized that he basically estimates how many work days it will take him and he wants $500/day. So a 2 day job would be $1000. I buy all the paint.

[Anonymous]

Your painter shouldn’t have a middle class life? 320k is, according to the pundits of DCUM, right in the middle of middle class.

[Anonymous]

Painting sucks! If you don't want to diy you pay the premium for the folks willing to do painting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:yeah, that's high. After years of using my painter, I've realized that he basically estimates how many work days it will take him and he wants $500/day. So a 2 day job would be $1000. I buy all the paint.

This is about what I paid for 3 days of work, 3 colors of paint ,walls and baseboards. 1450. This included SW paint though.

[Anonymous]

I am amazed how many people don't get multiple estimates, aren't specific as to what is expected with the job, don't require a real contract, pay way too much up-front, etc.

That is a crazy high fee for the painting you describe. If you had interviewed a couple of other painters, you likely would have found someone for under $1,000..and likely closer to $500.

[Anonymous]

It included paint and he also had to go get it all himself too, plus supplies.

[Anonymous]

In my family, we call that a lesson learned.

[Anonymous]

It took years to learn how to do that much painting in 12 hours, you’re paying for those years, not the hours.

[Anonymous]

By any chance did you use a handyman? A professional painter would not skip prep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It took years to learn how to do that much painting in 12 hours, you’re paying for those years, not the hours.

This! Do you want it to take him longer for the same price?

The quote was for the job you wanted accomplished. It shouldn’t matter if it took 1 guy 12 hours or if it took 3 guys 3 days - and the price should be the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:By any chance did you use a handyman? A professional painter would not skip prep.

This.

[Anonymous]

Professional painters also want to sell you the paint, too.

Are they certified, licensed, and insured?

Never hire a contractor that isn’t all of the above.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Painting sucks! If you don't want to diy you pay the premium for the folks willing to do painting.

I DIY all of my painting. It is easy.

[Anonymous]

You are paying for the job, not hourly.

If you want a room painted, I will give you a quote, but it doesn’t matter if it takes me one day or four days it’s still the same price. Naturally, the sooner unfinished the better it is for me.