Paint Contractor’s Manual
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Paint Contractor’s Manual

Book Overview
The Paint Contractor’s Manual is written for painting contractors. If you’ve been working as a painter for several years and want to go into business for yourself – finding clients, selling the job, supervising the work, and collecting the money when it’s due – this book is for you. If you’ve been running a paint contracting business for several years and want to compare notes with another paint contractor, this book is also for you.
The Paint Contractor’s Manual covers the following:
Starting & Organizing Your Painting Business
- Guidance on launching a paint contracting company – covering choosing a niche, securing start-up funding, understanding licensing and insurance, advertising effectively, and managing budgets and paperwork.
Estimating & Profit Maximization
- Extensive tables of man‑hour estimates, formulas, sample forms, contracts, and cost‑tracking tools. Helps contractors estimate labor and material, set profitable pricing, and use ads efficiently.
Step‑by‑Step Job Planning & Execution
- In‑depth instructions on surface prep and painting techniques—roller, brush, spray—including selecting tools, primers, coatings, and color prep.
Troubleshooting Paint Failures
- Covers common issues such as adhesion failure, blistering, chalking, peeling, stains, color mismatches, and corrective techniques.
Key Features & Benefits
The Paint Contractor’s Manual offers a deep dive into the practical and business aspects of running a successful painting operation. Here’s a breakdown of its comprehensive coverage:
Business Setup & Management
- How to start and organize a profitable paint contracting company
- Tips for handling volume work efficiently
- Strategies to avoid common mistakes and maximize crew productivity
- Guidance on advertising and promotion for better ROI
Estimating & Planning
- Detailed manhour estimates for residential, commercial, and industrial jobs
- Sample estimating forms, take-off checklists, and pricing strategies
- Techniques for accurate surface preparation and painting cost estimation
Painting Techniques & Tools include:
- Step-by-step instructions for brush, spray, and roller applications
- Advice on selecting the right tools and avoiding unnecessary purchases
- Charts and tables to guide material usage and labor planning
Practice tests aligned with state licensing exams, including reference locators for efficient study. Instant PDF downloads with answer keys for self-assessment and targeted review. If you’re prepping for a license exam or just want to sharpen your business and technical skills, this manual is a solid resource.
Includes ready-to-use contracts, job costsheets, proposals, and tracking forms—practical tools praised by many contractors.
Book Details
- Publisher: Craftsman
- Edition/Release Date: January 23, 1985
- ISBN: 9780910460460
- Pages: 224
- Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.5 x 11
- Format: Paperback
- Target Audience: Professionals
Pricing & Purchase Information
• Price: $58.99
• Shipping: Free shipping on orders over $250.
• Formats Available: Physical Book
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