Expert: Greg Scholl - 8/4/2010

Question
Hi Gregg,

I've found your page and found it to be a fabulous resource.

I just happen to be one of "those guys" that strip out of their garage and have turned a hobby into a money making venture. I would say I can do 80% of the work that comes to me. Some work such as veneering I will recommend to a local shop in the area. I have limitations with that and do not want the person I am dealing with to be unsatisfied with my work and quality.

Like yourself I have been doing this for years and always learn something new in the process. I do find it sometimes difficult explaining associated costs with the stripping of paint. I recently gave a quote on two front doors of a century old home. These were old oak doors with probably 20 coats of lead based paint on them, front and back. The doors also had numerous ornate carvings on both sides. I quoted $1200.00 a door and that would include pick-up %26 delivery. I figured that was a fair price with all the stripping involved. Basically the lady was down right rude in follow up emails saying she went with someone else who gave her a price of $400.00 a door. I just do not see how the job could be done for such a low amount. I was called greedy and a few other things.

I've always had positive responses and recommendations for my work. Could something like I've described actually be done for $400.00, the math just does not add up to me? Or am I really over charging? I was honestly estimating about 35 hours of works to completely strip, sand, stain, %26 seal one door. Because of the paint, and we all know how hard and difficult removing that much paint can be, I was charging $30.00/hr. I figured on about $150.00 for all the stripper, brushes, steel wool, sandpaper, stain and urethane

Respectfully yours,

Jim


Answer
Hey Jim, 70 hours to do 2 doors? That's almost 2-40 hour weeks... I think that is a little extreme....Frankly. To me, $400 per door does sound low, as there is also the work of removing and rehanging the doors, the prep and finishing, (done properly) and other assorted tasks related to this type of project. Perhaps that was the price just for the stripping, as that sounds about what a stripper in my area might charge per door for this type of ornate, Antique door.I recently had 2- 6 panel Antique doors stripped, that had at least an 1/8" of paint on them, and they charged $175 per door and did a beautiful job in less than 4 days. If I was looking to get those done, I wouldn't even think to have them hand stripped, as a stripping shop, who used a flow over system, is set up to do this type of work, and probably would need 4-5 hours, at the most, per door to strip these clean...even with 20 coats of paint. Then another 4-5 hours per door to sand, stain and finish, so 10- or even let's say 12 hours per door is not unlikely, IF everything goes well, (and it usually doesn't go perfectly smooth)...I guess my other issue is, how are you disposing of large amounts of stripper and lead paint, (and other) residue working from your garage? This type of toxic waste is, and should be fairly restricted, and a reputable stripping shop has to conform with proper environmental disposal...I'm assuming, (and hoping), that you are being conscientious and responsible about handling your waste, and also protecting yourself from undue exposure to these chemicals.I find that there's almost always someone who will low bid or under bid a job, and often there either screwing themselves,(because they don't know any better or are inexperienced) or they're counting on their ability to get the job, and then convince the customer as they go along that the job, all of a sudden, has become tougher than they thought, of course due to no fault of their own, and therefore it will be more expensive then they first thought....but don't worry, it's going along fine and will be beautiful when it's done. Very often, the customer then gets a lesser job, lower quality and care than you would have provided, and in the long run, ends up paying right around what you were estimating the job at in the first place....in a case like this, you shouldn't get offended,(although it's tough not to) especially in this economy, where everyone is looking to save money. Hope that helps a little...please feel free to post back if need be- regards- Greg