Customer Reviews

Painter's Handbook

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I have had my copy since 2001 when I first went out on my own and it has become a bible for my business and my painting. My friends who are painters also own and swear to this book. This book covers the business from structure to employees and then from estimates, proposals, promotions, and sales. The author doesn't assume you'll be starting off with an office, two crews of eight painters, two pressure washers, and sprayers, a fleet of white vans, and a reserve account of thousands of dollars but he tells you how to get there if that is what you want. The book also offers insights into specialty area's were one might focus exclusively from old house restoration to sign painting to textured ceilings to murals.

The second part of the book is about the craft of painting and covers all the basics from prep to clean up, special equipment, recipes for removing every stain imaginable, and tackling tricky problems. This book doesn't have a lot of glossy pictures but it is well organized and packed with info. This part of the book is an excellent reference and I use it when I am not a hundred percent sure that my way is the absolute best way.

The only problem with this book is that it was written in 1988 and prospective users will have to refigure the financial examples used in this book to fit the present day. The craft section of this book is still practical although there have been a few new trends since 1988 such as faux finishes. But all in all this is the only great book available for the professional and while we could use an updated and expanded version this is the most complete and single source out there as of today.

Honestly, this book has every single thing you would need to know. Job quoting, how to manage funds, how to paint, how to hire out, how to advertise, how to do pretty much everything. The only thing that is outdated in this book is the prices. Prices rise, and so should your quotes. But this book is an absolutely invaluable resource if you are starting your painting business or are looking to grow your biz and make it more efficient.

This book should be taken out of print. If you have worked as a professional painter for six months to a year you could write a better book than this. Horrible pictures and almost everything is completely out of date including estimating data, product information, and design and color recommendations. You would be better off buying an up to date book on running a general contracting business and asking a very knowledgable paint rep. on what products to use for specific situations.

This book needs an updating. It was written in 1985 I believe. Alot of things have changed since then, so the book is not totally accurate. It definitely is not up with the times.

The book shipped to me was so old, the pages started falling out shortly after I started reading it. I ended up taking it to staples and getting it spiral bound. That is way more handy.

There is however helpful information to be taken from this book, so it was not a total waste.

In retrospect I would say try the painting manual by Dennis Gleason. It was atleast written more recently (1999). It would be worth a try.

This book is packed full of info for someone that has been painting for more then six months. Yes, some of the info is outdated by 20 years but if you know about painting you know what you still pertains to today. I wish it had more charts, graphs, and things that would help with estimating and bidding.

This book was probably a lot better a decade (or more) ago. It's still a good enough book to help you understand some of the basics of being a painting contractor, but much of it is outdated. Paint, painting tools, and painting styles have changed quite a bit since this book was first published, and anything in the book relating to prices / costs, or anything about money at all in the book are not even close to today's.

Very good book with many helpful hints for starting up a painting business. As other reviewers have mentioned, though, the book could use an updating--the pictures are black & white and not very clear, and some of the facts/numbers were current back in the '80s.

The book contains a wealth of information. However, within a week of receiving the book the pages started falling out and within two weeks I had to remove the pages, punch holes in them, and insert them in a binder.

Not worth the trouble or the cost involved.