Faux Painting for Profit

Admittedly, I am a bit slow about responding to questions… but I do try to answer all your calls for business help. I know it's stressful to start a new Faux Painting Business, it does take time, patience and the passion to succeed. I have been helping Jennifer again…

Hi Debra!! I just want to thank you for all of your advice. It's been  really helpful.

I'm still in the process of converting my website but its  coming around (slowly but surely)   

And…… I FINALLY have my first mural job lined up. They actually found me through the pet portraits I do. It's for a doggie daycare franchise and they are opening one near me.

They are wanting their lobby painted. It's going to be a pretty extensive job because what they're wanting is really detailed. The biggest wall is probably about 25 ft long by 10 ft high and then they are wanting some side walls done too… I don't know even where to begin as far as the estimating goes!   

photo credit: jason.lengstorf

I called around a couple of months ago to some other muralists in my area and they charge anywhere from $75-$100 per hour. Never have done something this big, I'm not sure how long it will take!!   

Anyways, I went ther Monday for my "free 1-hour consultation", took some pictures of the wall, and am now planning on doing a "mock-up" of what the wall with look like using the photos I took.

When you are dealing with the payment is is best to have them pay 50% first and the rest when you're done. If so, how do you take the risk of showing them your ideas? How do you know they aren't going to just use you for the ideas and then go to another artist?   

I'm so lost!!! It's overwelming but I know once I get this one done I'll feel more confident in comfortable in quoting prices and getting what I want out of the deal. I'm just afraid I'm going to do something I'm going to regret! 

Like I said, you have been a great help and your honestly is much appreciated. Jennifer

And my answer……………………….

Hi Jennifer…

I don't charge by the hour… ever… it scares customers in my opinion.
I'm not a plumber, I am an artist… and it takes whatever time it
takes.

I charge by the job… if the job has more than one area… I give
estimates on each different area and then include a break in the price
if they have me do all the work at one time.

The idea of doing mock ups on actual photos is a great idea… my clients
loved that… they could really visualize the job.

I never asked for an up front fee… I know other artists that do… but
I always waited for payment until the customer was perfectly happy and
overjoyed to write the check.

Don't ever feel like you are risking anything by showing your ideas to
customers.  You need to get over the feeling that someone is going to
steal something from you… it's not worth the energy… and makes you
seem shady.

I just helped someone do an estimate for her first "real" job and she is
doing about as much footage as you are… the fee is $1000, and she provides
all the supplies. The walls are clean and painted with a base coat and all
the art work will be off the walls and furniture removed from the area…
This is all part of the contract.

Congratulations on your Faux Painting Business! 

Related Faux Painting Business Estimates Article. 

Technorati Tags: faux painting business, faux painting estimates, how to do painting estimates

Oh.. I went on a rant about this… sometimes you will be asked to do a mural painting for free… out of the goodness of your heart… Let me just be clear… don't ever… ever give away your mural or faux painting for free: 

Hi Debra! I just stumbled across your site and I love it!

Ok, so I really need some help.

I am a painter who is just starting out in the mural business. I've done a couple for myself and family, but haven't had a real client YET.

Recently, I found someone who will be opening a school for mentally handicapped children and is wanting the walls painted in all of the rooms (ie. bubbles, frogs, etc).

Since I looked at this as a way to build my portfolio I told her that I would donate my time.

Now, I'm starting to get second thoughts. I will be meeting with her in a couple of days and I know the rooms are going to be big and the work will be extensive.

How do I go about getting something out of the deal? I honestly look at it as advertising for myself and my business, but I don't want to run myself into the ground over it.    PLEASE HELP!!!

****************

And here is my rant about giving away your mural painting for free: 

No No No… you don't give away anything for free… even if they are a
non-profit group… they have money to spend.

You must present yourself professionally and present them with a
contract for the work you will be providing.. If you want to give them a
discount, because they are doing something great for the community…
great.

But… don't give a discount because you are new… or are doing it for
the advertising… or doing it because you want to build a portfolio.

The reality is… you need a contract. This protects both of you. You
will have a signed document that details exactly what you will do and
when the work should be accomplished.

The other party has a contract… so they can see exactly what you are
going to do for them and they can't ask for you to do more, unless they
pay more.

This paid contract will also cover all your expenses. Your paint, your
time, your gas…. etc.

Never ever give your mural painting for free. When I was new… I fell into this trap… and it didn't help me get one cent of paid work.

You don't have to charge a mint, just a fair amount for the work.

If they don't want to pay you… don't get depressed or discouraged. It
happens to all of us. We all have to grow a thick skin in business. It's
just business.

Move on…

If they do want you to work… contact the local newspaper immediately
and talk to someone in the lifestyle section or business section… a
reporter is best. Tell them what you are up too, and would they like to
come take some pictures for a story! Don't wait until the work is done
and the business is open. Then that day care business will be the new
story and you won't be.

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Technorati Tags: mural painting, painting for free, small business profit, business to make money

Write back if you need more help about mural painting for free.

Got a great email a while ago… and thought I would share:

My friend Dawn Papandrea-Khan is an artist and decorative painter out of Putnam County & Westchester County, NY. She does exceptional Faux Painting and Murals. This one is for a big— little challenge. Check out this Green Faux Paint Bathroom.

Dawn writes: 

"I have to say that this project was one of my biggest challenges yet.  It was a very small space.  I felt like I was actually getting claustrophobic at times.  It was extremely difficult to maneuver my ladder.  At points I gave up on the ladder and just stood on the counter top, until I fell off and almost broke my neck…. 

So, now three and a half weeks later, I have finally completed this wonderful project.  By the way, It would've only taken 2 and a half weeks, if my client hadn't gotten the flu midstream.  I never got it, thank God!

The color selection for the woodwork was not my idea, though I love how it came out in the end. 

The client had the bathroom faux finished over 15 years ago and they wanted it re-done… but exactly the same as they had it (same colors and everything)  So, I had to paint over the existing faux finish and mimic what they had previously.  I added my own personal touch of course and the clients love it, so that is all that really matters anyway."
 

Check out her other murals including this Mermaid Underwater Mural

 Be sure to let us know if you like the Green Faux Paint Bathroom