$ Rates for painters

[Luck e 1]

Hey guys...question about painting here.

I have a friend who is painting the interior of his house...ceilings, walls...the normal stuff.

He wants to hire me to do it because I painted my house and it looks fine.

The question comes in at what the price would be...he wants to pay me hourly.

By no means am I a professional...but I can do a nice job, and I don't want to take advantage of my buddy so my question revolves around the hourly rate.

What would an hourly rate for painters be that is an honest fair price?

He threw out $20 an hour...but that seems low?

[skolfoppa]

Actually $20 may be high. There are probably a few professionals that would work for $20 these days. If you have all your own hand tools, drop cloths, ladders, insurance, experience, timeliness, etc. you could ask for $30-40. If your buddy is trying to throw you a bone then take it and work nice and steady for your $20/hr. Skol.

[mikemac]

Here is my insite on the question asked:

My Rule #1 is that I do not work for family or friends anymore. Odd jobs, lawnwork, painting, working on cars, etc. There are just to many things that can happen that could ruin a friendship or cause family friction. I feel that I can do plenty of favors for people, even large jobs, but if money is involved see Rule #1. I have even tried swapping work with friends and now refer to Rule #1.

Just my opinion. Good luck!!!

[krinkle]

$20 a hour. Is the guy looking for a handout? Tell him that will buy him a $20 per hour paint job. Give him a set price. Make sure to go over what is included and what is not included up front. IF you have never bid a job before take what ever you think it will cost and double or triple it. We take our employees hourly rate x5 for a simple rule of thumb. Make sure your material is atleast 100% mark up to.

If the guy bickers to much about the cost walk away. More than likely he will bicker threw the entire job and if he is your neighbor you may hear about it for as long as you live next to him.

Family, friends and neighbors can be the worse to work for. Most times they seem to want every thing for next to nothing and when it does not work out they never shut up about it.

[BobT]

Quote:

Hey guys...question about painting here.

I have a friend who is painting the interior of his house...ceilings, walls...the normal stuff.

He wants to hire me to do it because I painted my house and it looks fine.

The question comes in at what the price would be...he wants to pay me hourly.

By no means am I a professional...but I can do a nice job, and I don't want to take advantage of my buddy so my question revolves around the hourly rate.

What would an hourly rate for painters be that is an honest fair price?

He threw out $20 an hour...but that seems low?

Why does it always come down to comparing ourselves to others? What does it matter what others get paid or what others think is a fair price?

He's your friend. If you feel you should get paid for the work, and this is understandable, then charge him what you feel you need to help a friend. Keep in mind that there is likely to come a time when you may need his abilities in the future.

Personally, I would not set a price. I would do the work and not say a thing. If he makes an offer, perhaps I'll accept it or counter with something like, "I will need your help some day too."

It'll all work out in the wash.

[Whitey97]

I am a professional in the drywall and painting trades. My opinion is this, don't do it for two reasons 1. it's not your profession. What happens when something goes wrong? are you insured? 2. Don't work for friends or family.

[Smoker]

I have never charged any of my friends to help them out. I have helped with cement work, building garages. additions on houses, and many other things. I know I will have help when ever I do things. A few times they would give me some nice gift cards to buy things for hunting and fishing, but that was up to them.I guess I was brought up to help your friends and neighbors. That way you know they will always be your friends.

[redseal]

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[Steve Foss]

Quote:

Hey guys...question about painting here.

I have a friend who is painting the interior of his house...ceilings, walls...the normal stuff.

He wants to hire me to do it because I painted my house and it looks fine.

The question comes in at what the price would be...he wants to pay me hourly.

By no means am I a professional...but I can do a nice job, and I don't want to take advantage of my buddy so my question revolves around the hourly rate.

What would an hourly rate for painters be that is an honest fair price?

He threw out $20 an hour...but that seems low?

Why does it always come down to comparing ourselves to others? What does it matter what others get paid or what others think is a fair price?

He's your friend. If you feel you should get paid for the work, and this is understandable, then charge him what you feel you need to help a friend. Keep in mind that there is likely to come a time when you may need his abilities in the future.

Personally, I would not set a price. I would do the work and not say a thing. If he makes an offer, perhaps I'll accept it or counter with something like, "I will need your help some day too."

It'll all work out in the wash.

+1!

[Gordie]

when I paint interiors I ussally charge .50-75 cents a square foot

Its tough to work for friends but I look at it like well you need the work done by somebody thats going to charge you so I will do my best to charge you the same fair price.... if thats not good enough find someone thats not a friend to do it.

[BobT]

I think it should be pointed out too that a true friend wouldn't ask a professional friend to do a project for him in his profession and expect to get any special cut deal or rate. If it gets offered then fine but otherwise expect no special treatment.

Likewise a contractor accepting contract with a friend is best warned not to take undue advantage of the relationshihp by expecting the friend to have a more leniant understanding about delivery or workmanship. Treat the project as you would any other.

It goes both ways.

[bak2MN]

He threw out the $20 an hour I dont think that is to bad of a price for freinds If you are looking to get rich off your freind I would say dont do the job you will lose more than what its worth. Just my .02.

Good luck.

[311Hemi]

I have never charged any of my friends to help them out. I have helped with cement work, building garages. additions on houses, and many other things. I know I will have help when ever I do things. A few times they would give me some nice gift cards to buy things for hunting and fishing, but that was up to them.I guess I was brought up to help your friends and neighbors. That way you know they will always be your friends.

My thoughts exactly!

Have him pick up a couple cases of beer, maybe get some ribs cooking early afternoon on a Saturday......and get to it. Finish the beer over a bonfire that night!! At least that works for me.

[BobT]

Do we have to do a job first or can we just stop in.

[Redlantern]

Hemi, if I knew that's how you roll I'd been helping you out with the kitchen remodel you did a year or two ago. Need help with anything else?

[311Hemi]

Hemi, if I knew that's how you roll I'd been helping you out with the kitchen remodel you did a year or two ago. Need help with anything else?

LOL...I should have spoken up earlier! I guess you could always stop in.....seems like there is always something that needs to be done and all if it can include a few beers! Ribs only supplied for large projects though!

Just spent the last two months finishing my basement including a new I-beam with new footing to remove a vertical beam where a bedroom is now and replacing all the existing plumbing and roughing in a new bathroom including new backflow protectors in the floor...it was a big project!! Just getting the finishing touches on most of it now. Oh, and in the past two weeks totally remodeling an upstairs bedroom to the baby's room!

I have not been on the ice once this winter....DOH! Hopefully will in the next few weeks.....

[Hafnutz]

I used to help my friends for beer...some of them wish they would have paid me instead. If it's a good friend I'd help him do it for my expenses. That's what we do...

[11-87]

Do the job with several buddies over a few 12paks..forget the money... and the favor will be returned to you tenfold.

I know a guy who had a contractor buddy come over to help him square up and pour a slab for a garage.. one thought it was friends helping friends.. the other Drove 45 min to get their, and had all equipment..

when the bill was received.. the friendship disolved and they still don't speak... that's 10 yrs ago....

[Neighbor_guy]

Here is my insite on the question asked:

My Rule #1 is that I do not work for family or friends anymore.... There are just to many things that can happen that could ruin a friendship or cause family friction.....Just my opinion. Good luck!!!

I HAD (key word, had) a very good friend for many, 25+, years, best man @ each others weddings, god parents to each others kids and everything, that was destroyed permanently over a painting job. Full repair/repaint, the lid, the walls, touch up varnish on some doors, all of it.... finished and billed on Christmas eve, so they could move in 2 days later..... At a horibly reduced rate ($1200 wrather than a $4500 tag)..... Then my (ex)wife and his wife get into it hard about it, it spill's over to involve he and I and his wife and I. Some things were said that can never get unsaid.... Long story short, dont work for friends.

I was a painting contractor for 16 years, $20 an hour is more than reasonable if you have all of your own equipment but do not have the over head of being a contractor. There are cheaper out there right now, a lot of people sitting on the bench would be happy to have $20/hr thats for sure.

But what it comes down to is are you willing to do it for $20/hr. If you are then there you go. If you need the money go for it.

But experience tells me to step back on this one......

[BoxMN]

Great advice Neighbor Guy! I am not painter, but have seen what friend job can do, and it usually involves the other friend's significant other. I personally would do it for free or trade or future assistance on something... but with that said, I am in my 40's now and I won't ask for help from friends on stuff like this, it is cheaper (in terms of expected "favors" etc.) to pay once for a pro to do it or do it yourself.

When you are younger and maybe more cash strapped, then I did it all the time. I.e. helping moving... haha! Better to hire "two guys with a truck" than the pizza and beer and rental truck and some wimpy buddy complaining that he hurt his back I now would never ask help in moving, and I just tell people if they ask me to help, call two guys and truck, it will cheaper and easier in the long run.

I do have good buddies that we help each other, but there are no $$ or strings attached.

sorry for the long rant... but you are right on Neighbor Guy. Do it if it works for you, but "friend-worker beware"

[Big A]

Forgiveness is divine..

A true friend is for life. Regardless..

I have 3 people in my life that I consider a true friend. People who I know for FACT will drop everything to be at my side when needed. regardless. and no man, woman, or beast will ever change or get in the way of that.

I will always help those whom I consider to be my friend. Thats what friends are for.

For me its worth the laughs and good times over a couple beers while doing the job, right or wrong, good or bad, doesnt matter. Its what makes us even better friends in the long run.

If a friendship can be jeapordized over some remodelings at home.... then it sounds to me like there are some major errors on both sides. Life is to short to carry an ax around. Regrets are actions left untaken.

If he is your good friend. I wouldnt hesitate at all. I also wouldnt be willing to take any cash.. Id go for a fishing trip or a good steak dinner. But for me.... cash is for strangers.

just my .02

sorry to slide a little of topic.

[SFC]

The key word here is you said u were not a profesional.If u need the money do it for what he offered, if not get him involved with the painting & wait to drink some suds when job is completed. You should not expect to get paid the same price as a pro. actually at the hourly rate he is offering it may cost him more than having it contracted out. I am not a painter, I work in a different trade & have painted some. I have seen a lot of pros paint over the years,and they can make time by, tricks of the trade,repetition,mistakes made over the years & learning from them. Watch a pro paint & it might shock u how fast & easy they make it look.

[Surface Tension]

I tell my friends they can't afford me.

Burgers Brauts and Beers will do though.

[LightningBG]

I think the key here is "He wants to hire me".

Doesn't sound like they're going to be painting side by side.

To me $20 sounds fair, but I guess it depends what you make at your regular job. If you make $12/hr at work, quick take the job if you like painting or need the money. If you make $80/hr at work, I would pass on the job and go fishing.

"if" you were going to painting together, then some beers and steaks doesn't sound to bad.

I'm always willing to help a friend, but I'm not willing to just work outright for a friend. In a worst case senario you say beer and a walleye dinner in return for painting, so you paint while he goes out fishing. comes back with the walleye you requested.

[LightningBG]

I think it should be pointed out too that a true friend wouldn't ask a professional friend to do a project for him in his profession and expect to get any special cut deal or rate. If it gets offered then fine but otherwise expect no special treatment.

This is very true.

I do have a friend that gives me a break from his professional price, but I also keep him busy and let him do the work when he's slow. I also probably have him do more work since its cheaper. (ie. instead of having him work a week for me at $50/hr, I hire him for 2 weeks at $40/hr.) Helps us both out, but this doesn't work in all situations.