Author: Andy Folmer

Prior to the launch of the Commercial Painting Industry Association’s quarterly magazine publication, Commercial Painting, and monthly newsletter, the CPIA partnered with PaintSquare to host a public webinar series.Focusing on all aspects of the commercial paint and coatings industry, future installations of the series—along with the magazine and newsletter—will only be available to members.Encompassing a strong emphasis on how to better grow your business, the webinars are an easily accessible tool , curated to better educate professionals within the coatings community on technical issues, operations, safety, financial/accounting, legal and insurance issues, among other topics.Become a CPIA MemberJoin NowPrevious WebinarsHow to Grow Your Commercial Painting Business with a Project Lead Service Officially kicking off back in February, the CPIA and Paint BidTracker presented, “How to Grow Your Commercial Painting Business with a Project Lead Service.” The webinar described how using a lead service could save you time and money, while also helping to grow your own business. In the archived presentation, viewers can watch as Paint BidTracker’s General Manager, Julie Birch, explores the benefits of subscribing to a lead service as a commercial contractor. Paint BidTracker is the only project lead service designed for the coatings industry, with tools to help users quickly target projects within their specified wheelhouse. A public sector service, Paint BidTracker’s commercial coverage includes municipal-, state-, and federal-owned projects. This archived webinar can be viewed here. Successful Email Marketing Campaigns for Commercial Painters In April, Aaron Hockel, Partner & Vice President of Digital Marketing at AltaVista Strategic Partners presented “Successful Email Marketing Campaigns for Commercial Painters.” A contractor marketing expert, Hockel has presented on a wide range of marketing topics at major trade shows and conferences including the International Roofing Expo, International Sign Expo, IFMA’s World Workplace and the American Fence Association’s FenceTech, among others. A full-service marketing agency and Google Partner, AltaVista’s expertise is working with commercial contractors to grow and scale their businesses using targeted email marketing and digital advertising campaigns. Supporting more than 250 customers in 36 states, AltaVista will send over 4,000,000 million marketing emails in 2021. In his webinar, Hockel presented strategies to build and execute successful email marketing campaigns for their commercial painting business. Additional learning objectives included:- Email data aggregation and management;- Comparing email marketing platforms;- Developing email marketing content;- Understanding email deliverability; and- Email marketing best practices. To watch the archived webinar and/or download the presentation slides, click here. The Top 4 Growth Strategies That You Probably Don't Know About Most recently, Jim McBrayer, CEO of McBrayer and Associates presented “The Top 4 Growth Strategies That You Probably Don't Know About” in May. McBrayer was asked to present this webinar (which has a correlating article in the Spring Issue of Commercial Painting) for his dedication to helping organizations in the painting and coatings industry exceed their revenue goals in three different ways: sales training, one-on-one coaching (for sales reps and managers) and consulting. The foundation of all three of these is customizing sales collateral content that resonates with their customer segments. McBrayer started his career in outside sales for PPG. After rising to Sales Director, responsible for 150 sales representatives and a dozen regional sales managers, and being appointed to PPG’s sales leadership team, McBrayer left PPG after 20 years, in 2009, to pursue his passion of helping others optimize their sales effectiveness by launching his own sales training company, McBrayer & Associates. In his webinar, McBrayer discusses how leaders can identify the few, quality team actions that will lead them to growth. Additional learning objectives included:- How to identify the critical few growth strategies and avoid the trivial many;- How to stop wasting time on bidding work that you are unlikely to win; and- How to concentrate on the best strategies for your organization's growth. To watch the archived webinar and/or download the presentation slides, click here. What is the True Value of Your Business? In September, Peter Holton, Managing Director of Caber Hill Advisors, presented “What is the Value of Your Business?” Holton has more than 20 years of experience in business development, operations, sales management, and is a Certified Mergers and Acquisitions Adviser. His services include helping business owners buy and sell companies, assisting them with exit-planning strategies, providing business valuations, and supporting owners with tailored consulting services. Holton is known for his expertise in negotiating complex contracts and developing successful business strategies. In addition, he also has extensive personal experience working with and advising family businesses. Holton attended the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio, where he received his undergraduate degree in Bachelor of Arts in Communication in 2003. In 2011, he received his master’s degree in Management and Leadership from Webster University. In Holton’s webinar, attendees learned about the four critical aspects to consider when calculating the value of their business. By understanding each component, owners of painting businesses can improve their position in the market and the return on their investment. Attendees also learned how to calculate the value of their business, identify crucial aspects of valuations, and understand risk factors that affect their company. Other learning objectives include:- What Key Aspects buyers are looking for in a painting business;- Risk factors in acquiring a business; and- Simple tips for enhancing value. To watch the archived webinar and/or download the presentation slides, click here. Best Practices in Communication Strategy In October, Living Proof Creative presented “Best Practices in Communication Strategy.” Founded and rooted in Austin, Texas, Living Proof Creative is a full-service digital agency operated by those who not only think creatively but live creatively. Composed of artists, writers, builders and makers, the agency is dedicated to making beautiful, intelligent designs and developing bigger and better ways to approach digital marketing services. In this webinar attendees learned about the necessity of digital transformation for traditional business owners, primarily in the coatings industry. Specifically, the webinar covered a variety of communication channels that traditional painting businesses use and explain how communication within these platforms can be further improved to attract more leads. This webinar was presented in two sections, where attendees saw the pros and cons of traditional communication channels and understand why it is necessary to implement modern communication channels in their business model. Other learning objectives included:-Pros and cons of traditional communication channels;-Modern communication channel implementation; and-Digital marketing tips and lead generation. To watch the archived webinar and/or download the presentation slides, click here. Differentiated Performance & Long-Life Architectural Coatings This webinar took place on Thursday, November 11. In this webinar attendees were able to learn about how the coatings industry has come to rely on weatherable coatings to provide long-term weather protection to buildings. With an increased focus on performance and durability, water-based Kynar Aquatec fluoropolymer-based coatings can help painting contractors exceed their client’s goals. Specifically, this course covered the key components and function of weatherable fluoropolymer coatings and how they compare to other coatings. The archived webinar can be found here. Recruiting & Selection Strategies There are signs everywhere – Hiring Now! This past year we’ve seen record numbers of people leaving their jobs; and we are currently experiencing a low number of applicants. Hiring committed and skilled talent is imperative for business growth. Employers are having to get more creative with their sourcing methods and also ensure they have objective and consistent processes for evaluating and selecting candidates. Thoughtful organizations and leaders build strategy around acquiring talent to meet both current and future business needs. Having a clear sense of the strengths and opportunities within your team will allow you to make a more calculated decision about your next hire. And while there is no exact science for guaranteeing the perfect hire, you can improve your chances of hiring right the first time through a well-planned and executed process. In this webinar, attendees learned how to:• Identify talent acquisition strategies based on business needs and objectives;• Implement techniques to fairly and objectively assess skills and commitment; and• Establish a standardized interview and evaluation process. The archived webinar can be found here. Coatings Panel: A Look Ahead Earlier this year, the Commercial Painting Industry Association hosted its inaugural CPIA Leadership Conference in conjunction with Technology Publishing Company’s hosted-buyer event, Commercial Contractor Connect. During the co-hosted event, Jim McBrayer, CEO McBrayer & Associates, moderated a Coatings Panel on Wednesday, Oct. 20. Speakers for the session included Commercial Marketing Director Nate Wolff and Protective and Marine Coatings Specialist Richard Pickering, both from Sherwin-Williams; Joseph Dellafave, Senior Manager, Professional Segments for Benjamin Moore; Paul Lavalee, Global Market Manager, Kynar Coatings for Arkema; Sheldon Roth, Senior National Corporate Accounts Manager for PPG; Matt Waszkowski, Vice President of Professional Products and Services for Behr Paint Corp.; and Pat Noble, Director of Roofing Solutions Business Unit for Uniflex. In this recording, attendees can watch as the panelists and event attendees discuss: • Project delays and supply chain issues;• Potential business growth in 2022;• New coating systems and products; and• Customer and coating supplier relationships. To watch the archived webinar click here. Creating Your Risk Mitigation Scorecard In following up with his recent feature in Commercial Painting, and his presentation at the inaugural CPIA Leadership Conference, Laurence Pearlman discussed what goes into making a risk mitigation scorecard for your business. By identifying risks in your industry and categorizing them internally and externally, you and your business will be better equipped to plan and mitigate potential downfalls. To watch the archived webinar click here. Do Something Different - Soft Skills are the Difference In March, author of Soft as Steel, Dennis Doran presented a webinar on soft skills. Every day, in all parts of our lives, we interact with people. Whether it be in person, on the telephone, or on Zoom, among other forms, our avenues of communication are always expanding. However, with all these different options to communicate, sometimes we fail to get our message or what we are trying to say across successfully. There are several reasons why this could be, but the main reason is you. Unfortunately, it’s something we don’t think about as much as we should, or it’s the last aspect we consider when reevaluating a missed communication. This archived webinar can be viewed here. Building a High-Performance Culture In April, John Chisham of gpac presented a webinar on high-performance cultures. While trying to recover from COVID-19 setbacks and economic downfalls, contractors are now facing another hurdle: labor shortages. From skilled craftworkers to painters, the workforce is reporting an employment decline despite new work opportunities and design contracts. In this presentation, Chisham shows attendees how to develop a culture that attracts and retains the very best talent in the industry. This archived webinar can be viewed here. Contract Horror Stories In May, Karalynn Cromeens of The Cromeens Law Firm and The Subcontractor Institute covered several contract horror stories. In her presentation, viewers were taught about varying examples of what different problem-area clauses look like, how to negotiate your contracts and the clauses within them, and what can be eliminated from those clauses to protect themselves and their business. This archived webinar can be viewed here. What If: Fast Formulas for Profit Forecasting In Hiring, Pricing, Labor, Material, Marketing/Advertising and Technology In June, CEO of Estimate Rocket Tom Droste introduced a spreadsheet specifically designed to help contractors see their top profit structures at a glance. The spreadsheet also allows the input of incremental changes in key areas that make big changes in bottom lines. Areas for input that influence the bottom line include hiring, pricing, labor, materials, job number, job size, new positions, marketing, advertising and technology. This archived webinar can be viewed here. Commercial Painting Websites that Attract and Convert Visitors In July, Partner and Vice President of Digital Marketing at AltaVista Aaron Hockel shared actionable digital marketing strategies designed to help commercial painters' websites attract more visitors and convert them into sales opportunities. This archived webinar can be viewed here. Changes in Coating Application Tools and Why They're Better In August, Assistant VP of Contractor & Business Development at The Wooster Brush Company Larry Schwartz discussed the development of application tools that ensure proper application of all types of coatings—and save labor costs in the process. This archived webinar can be viewed here. Addressing Infrared Heat Reflective Coating Systems In September, Tex-Cote VP of Sales Terry Wallace addressed Infrared (IR) Heat Reflective Coating Systems for the exterior walls of a structure and how this important technological breakthrough can offer new advantages and opportunities in commercial, healthcare, institutional and transportation applications. This archived webinar can be viewed here. Paint Tools and Caulks: Productivity, Mobility, Storage, and Organization In October, Thad Bradley, Field Training Specialist at The Sherwin-Williams Company's Consumer Brands Group, looked at how Purdy and Sherwin-Williams caulk brands can help drive profitability by addressing organization, speed and efficiency on the jobsite. This archived webinar can be viewed here. High-Performance & Long-Life Exterior Architectural Coatings In November, Ron Partridge, Sr. Account Manager, Fluoropolymer Coatings for Arkema, discussed how long-lasting performance and durability, water-based Kynar Aquatec fluoropolymer-based coatings can help painting contractors exceed their client’s goals and provide the long-lasting beauty that many building owners are looking for. This archived webinar can be viewed here. Compensation Basics for Leaders In December, Suzi Wear, VP of People Development & Culture at Xenium HR, discussed how employers can develop their compensation strategy and pay structure, so employees can feel confident that their knowledge, skills and performance are valued and rewarded. This archived webinar can be viewed here.Become a MemberCPIA is the first and only trade association created exclusively for commercial painting professionals. Our mission is to nurture a peer-based community of industry experts dedicated to learning and development through collaboration. As a CPIA member, you will have access to all the relevant resources and guidance required for further business growth.Our Members are our most valuable asset because their knowledge, expertise and network form the very core of the association. Take a proactive role in your industry and elevate your business through the following membership opportunities and benefits:- Peer Support Network;- Industry and Networking Events;- Industry Partner Discounts and Free Product Offers;- Members Only Access - Monthly Webinars;- Key Employee Management Training Videos;- Free Access to Technical Support Consultant for Products and Troubleshooting;- 12-Month Access to PaintBid Tracker - for Commercial Structures;- Quarterly CPIA Magazine;- Members Only Access to Yearly Commercial Industry Survey Results;- Monthly Newsletters; and- Federal & State Employment Law Updates.Find out Why CPIA is the choice for industry leaders, how to invest in development of your business, and more about our sponsors and our upcoming events and webinars.If you’re not already, become a CPIA member! While the digital copy of our inaugural magazine is free, the upcoming editions will be available only to our members. Visit our “Why Join” page to see everything that comes with your CPIA Membership!Why Join

This October, the Commercial Painting Industry Association will host its inaugural CPIA Leadership Conference in conjunction with Technology Publishing Company’s hosted buyer event, Commercial Contractor Connect.The events are slated to take place from Oct. 19-22 at the Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Palm Coast, Florida.Register HereConference InfoFocusing solely on the commercial painting industry, the three-day event promises guaranteed face time with top commercial painting contractors, and meetings between leadership teams of some of the most successful commercial painting businesses in North America.Specifically, the dual conference will bring together Contractor Connect Sponsors (suppliers) for private, one-on-one time with a curated selection of the country’s leading commercial painting contractors (buyers), as patterned from TPC’s already-established Contractor Connect events, which have paired industrial painting contractor attendees with sponsor vendors.“We didn’t think we needed help to talk to customers, but Contractor Connect was more cost-effective than doing our own event,” said Doni Riddle, recently retired Senior Vice President of Technology and Integration at The Sherwin-Williams Company, regarding previous industrial-focused Contractor Connect events. “We gained valuable insight on what was important to the contractor, strengthened relationships, and learned about new opportunities. We’ve sponsored every year since.” In addition to bringing together CPIA members and possible future members alike, as well as industry partners, experts and your TPC hosts, the commercial-focused event is slated to feature three days of intense networking, and education sessions. These sessions focus on new products and technology, and sales all wrapped up in the resort stay.To break down the event happenings:- On day one, a mixture of contractor and vendor attendees will be able to mix over activities, educational sessions, meals, cocktails and cigars;- Day two is slated to involve the aforementioned one-on-one meetings with contractors and additional networking activities; and- On the final day, attendees can expect additional meetings and networking opportunities over meals.“The event increased my awareness and understanding of the vendors who attended, resulting in new friendships and professional relationships,” said Dave Odnokon, Park Derochie Canada, on prior events. “Now we’ll focus on setting up the participating suppliers as preferred vendors.”Register for the EventClick HereRates & Sponsors  A few of the event’s current sponsors include The Sherwin-Williams Company, McBrayer & Associates, Benjamin Moore, Purdy Professional Painting Tools, The Wooster Brush Company, Titan, Uniflex, and Graco. If your company is interested in purchasing an ancillary sponsorship or becoming a Gold or Platinum sponsor for the event, please reach out to Mike Stanley at mstanley@thecpia.com. Want to attend the event? Conference rates are as follows: For Supplier Sponsor Members, attendance is $499 for one delegate, while additional delegates can attend for $399; and for Event Sponsors, one delegate may attend free, while additional delegates can attend for $499, Asset Owners/Facilities Managers can attend for $399, Non-Supplier Members and Manufacturers/Other may attend for $999 and spouses/significant others can attend for $200. To participate in a la carte networking events, attendees are required to pay $200 if interested in the golf outing, $50 for a golf club rental, $200 for the fishing trip, and $150 for a kayak eco-tour.About the CPIA The Commercial Painting Industry Association is the first and only trade association created exclusively for commercial painting professionals. Its mission is to nurture a peer-based community of industry experts dedicated to learning and development through collaboration. CPIA members have access to all the relevant resources and guidance required for further business growth.Created just a couple of years ago, the CPIA has grown to an epic group of some of the most important commercial painting organizations in North America. In total, the CPIA member companies represent over $150,000,000 USD in yearly commercial project work and are large buyers of products and services specific to the commercial coatings market.CPIA members, themselves, are the organization’s most valuable asset because their knowledge, expertise, and network form the very core of the association. They take a proactive role in the industry and elevate their business through membership opportunities and benefits.

As we head full steam into the second half of 2021, industry groups and analysts are crunching the numbers and trying their best to estimate costs and confidence for the rest of the year, with many outlooks yielding stagnant or positive results despite high material prices and rocky employment ratings.The American Institute of Architects, for example, gathered numbers from Dodge Data & Analytics as well as Moody’s Analytics and Wells Fargo Securities, among others, to look at numbers for the next two years.Nonresidential vs. Residential ConfidenceThe AIA Consensus Construction Forecast Panel in its mid-year update first noted that the industrial economy grew by about 6.4% in the first quarter of this year, paving the way for heightened expectations. According to the AIA, the strongest performers are expected to be health care facilities (up 1.4%), and others that should see modest declines (retail, -1.3%; religious, -0.9%; and education, -2.1%).“… in 2022 virtually all the nonresidential building sectors are expected to see healthy growth, paced by the lodging, as well as amusement and recreation, both of which saw steep declines during the pandemic,” the AIA noted.The AIA panel had also noted that construction spending declined about 2% last year, as a whole. And while it does project that that spending on nonresidential buildings will decline an additional 3.9% this year (an upgrade from the 5.7% decline forecast at the beginning of the year), it adds that 2022 should see a 4.6% increase in spending.The Associated General Contractors of America also honed in on, not only the dip in nonresidential construction spending but the divergence between subsectors of the industry.“The pandemic has created a tale of two construction industries, a residential market where demand continues to surge and a nonresidential market that is struggling to gain traction,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the ACG’s CEO. “The federal government has a real opportunity to boost nonresidential construction bypassing the bipartisan infrastructure measure as quickly as possible.” Image SourceAccording to the AGC’s numbers, construction spending in June totaled $1.55 trillion at a seasonally adjusted annual rate, an increase of 0.1% from May, and 8.2% higher than the pandemic-depressed rate in June 2020. Residential construction saw monthly and year-over-year gains (as is the trend) while non-residential construction spending lagged.The residential construction segment climbed 1.1% for the month and 28.8% year-over-year. The non-residential construction segment fell by 0.9% compared to May and 6.6% compared to June 2020.Challenges Across the BoardThe residential side has its own adversity to overcome as the surge in homebuying is prompting inflation and the worry about a house price and stock market bubble.The AIA noted that consumer price inflation has been running below 2% for most of the past four years, and even dropped to around 1% or below in parts of 2020. However, as fear over the COVID-19 pandemic has eased, consumers have begun spending more.As of the second quarter of this year, consumer prices are growing at a 4% pace compared to the prior year. Because of this, producer prices have accelerated even faster, increasing almost 6% in the second quarter.Complicating this further, of course, is the global supply chain disruption that the pandemic has caused. This has particularly impacted materials such as softwood lumber products, metals, and energy products.“Builders continue to grapple with elevated building material prices and supply shortages, particularly the price of oriented strand board, which has skyrocketed more than 500% above its January 2020 level,” said National Association of Home Builders Chairman Chuck Fowke. “We are grateful that the White House heeded our urgent plea to hold building materials meeting with interested stakeholders on July 16 to seek solutions to end production bottlenecks that have harmed housing affordability.”“Builders are contending with shortages of building materials, buildable lots and skilled labor as well as a challenging regulatory environment. This is putting upward pressure on home prices and sidelining many prospective home buyers even as demand remains strong in a low-inventory environment,” added NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz.The strong buyer demand, though, is helping to offset some of the supply-related challenges and builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes, which shrunk down just one point to 80 in July, according to the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index.The survey gauges builder perceptions of single-family home sales and expectations for the next six months as “good,” “fair” or “poor.” The survey also asks builders to rate traffic of prospective buyers as “high to very high,” “average” or “low to very low.” Scores for each component are then used to calculate a seasonally adjusted index where any number over 50 indicates that more builders view conditions as good rather than poor.In the latest data set, from June, the HMI index gauging current sales conditions fell one point to 86, the component measuring traffic of prospective buyers dropped six points to 65 and the gauge charting sales expectations in the next six months posted a two-point gain to 81.Finally, employment numbers are also a concern, as construction employment declined or stagnated in 101 metro areas between February 2020, the last month before the pandemic, and June 2021, according to an analysis by the AGC.“Typically, construction employment increases between February and June in all but 30 metro areas,” said Ken Simonson, the AGC’s chief economist. “The fact that more than three times as many metros, as usual, failed to add construction jobs, despite a hot housing market, is an indication of the continuing impact of the pandemic on both demand for nonresidential projects and the supply of workers.”80 metro areas had lower construction employment in June than February 2020, while industry employment was unchanged in 21 areas.More Broad PredictionsDespite the trials, the AIA’s confidence predictions are echoed by other associations—even ones from across the pond. The British Coatings Federation, for example, released its latest business confidence index numbers in early July.The figure came in at 70.4, compared to 63.5 when the survey was conducted in the fall of last year, and 61.6 in the last survey conducted pre-COVID-19, in fall 2019. This contrasts with June 2020, when business confidence was at rock bottom during the first lockdown, with a BCF index of only 37.1.The BCF echoed that the first half of 2021 has delivered positive sales results for both the decorative and industrial coatings segments and, in the U.K., paints, and coatings sales were 24% higher than the same period last year.“BCF’s business confidence survey for Spring 2021, conducted in April and May this year, asked paint and printing ink manufacturers about their forecasts for 2021 compared with their results for 2020. In the latest survey, the results have improved and there has been a general shift upwards,” the federation said.“The largest change is that a quarter of surveyed businesses are ‘very confident’ about their performance. The improved result is not surprising given that in October 2020, the last survey period, the U.K. was approaching a tightening of restrictions over winter, whilst this latest survey was conducted when there was the prospect of further easing on the horizon.”The BCF noted that these responses were recorded despite the global price issues, as well as trade agreements and chemical regulations, which also impact the industry on a global scale.

Offering additional services that’ll complement ongoing projects can help to improve your revenue significantly. McKinsey suggests that a properly executed cross-selling strategy can lead to a 20% increase in sales and up to 30% in profit raise.In this post, we outline 15 additional service ideas that can be easily combined with commercial painting. By implementing them, you can boost your average project value and earn more for each client project.1. Commercial Epoxy Floor Coatings Image SourceUsing epoxy for interior decoration seems like a trend that’s here to stay. Opting for epoxy floor coating has many advantages. The material is durable, shock-resistant, easy to clean and maintain, and has an appealing glossy look.The smooth surface is resistant to various deterioration and can boast a long lifespan, making it a reasonable choice for commercial use. Thus, you can offer your clients to enhance their floors with such an enticing solution.2. Commercial Awning Replacement & RemovalAwnings are used for various commercial purposes. Some of them include improving the property's aesthetics, brand recognition, and protection from the sun and rain. In most cases, fabric, plastic, and metal are used for awning creation. And as time passes, they tend to become dirty, change color, fade, and often get damaged and worn out.Awning removal and repair services are another add-on that you may suggest to your customers. Its replacement can freshen up the look, provide shade, and make the outdoor spaces cozier.3. Brick Waterproofing Image SourceThe exteriors of numerous commercial buildings are made of brick and mortar. Although the classic look is very pleasing to the eye, the major drawback of the material is that it isn’t waterproof. Due to its porosity, mortar is exposed to moisture that can leave white stains on surfaces, cause leaks, and lead to cracks.Brick waterproofing can help to prevent the negative effect of water and moisture on brick and mortar walls. This additional service may be of interest to clients who have exposed walls.4. Commercial Concrete Ceiling RepairsConcrete ceiling maintenance and repair are among the common problems for commercial property owners. Using this construction material for ceilings and walls is a long-established choice because it is soundproof and, importantly, capable of bearing loads and reinforcing the structure.Nonetheless, concrete ceilings often face deterioration and can get ruined because of moisture that leaves unpleasant stains and cracks. To preserve their due condition and prevent further wrecking, business owners should invest in its timely maintenance and patching. Postponing or taking shortcuts can result in additional costs, which you can warn your clients about.5. Light Carpentry Repairs & Painting Image SourceCarpentry repair can simply go hand in hand with painting services. Because wood is a material that’s commonly used both indoors and outdoors, there are many cases when wooden elements might need restoration, replacement, or could use a fresh layer of paint.Ask your customers if they have any carpentry troubles. They might have wooden boards, floors, stair elements, ceiling or wall molding, or even shelves that require some attention. After all, quality carpentry concerns safety too.6. Business Parking Lots Line StripingKeeping parking lot space organized is highly important. After all, with proper parking lot line striping, you can manage traffic, make sure space is used rationally, and keep employees and visitors safe.To increase the lifespan of the lining, prepare the surface before applying the paint. The type of paint used matters too, as it should withstand various weather conditions and not fade away quickly. These are a couple of points to bring up when you offer your clients to apply line striping as an additional service.7. Pest Control Using Mesh or Elastomeric Caulks Image SourcePests are unwanted “guests” on commercial properties for multiple reasons. Infestation can be hazardous to health, jeopardize sanitation, and may even result in heavy fines. Property owners should be proactive and think about safeguarding their environment from insects, rodents, and other pests in advance but applying pest control chemicals on your own can be very dangerous. So, don’t hesitate to propose these essential sealing services with the use of mesh plugs or elastomeric caulks to your customers.8. Commercial Building Power WashingPressure washing isn’t only about keeping the exteriors clean. It allows for maintaining the condition of walls and various surfaces for a longer period of time. As such, grime and different types of pollutants can contaminate buildings and floors, wearing them down.On the contrary, regular commercial building power washing can save businesses money on repairs that may follow. Besides, clean exteriors are good for health, so investing in such professionally executed services is rewarding.9. Commercial Signage Painting Image SourceThere are many practical applications of signage painting. It may, for instance, be used for branding, advertising, design, or just for attracting attention. Companies can paint their logo, motto, slogan, inspiring phrases, well, anything!However, to reach a quality result, suitable paint should be selected based on the surface on which it’ll be applied. As professionals who know paint inside and out, you can suggest your customers include eye-catching and cost-effective signage to their order.10. Elastomeric Roof Coating ApplicationPreventing the building’s roof from leaking and making it heatproof is crucial. Quality roof coating seals the surface, preserves its condition, and shields it against water and other possible damage.As such, applying light-colored, special-purpose, UV-resistant coating can reduce the effect of heat. Similarly, elastomeric roof coating is water and weatherproof, it protects the underlying roof layers.11. Commercial Stenciling Image SourceApplying commercial stencils is an outstanding multi-purpose and multi-surface solution for businesses. Be it for painting signs, putting up warnings, or designing the surroundings, say, with a custom logo, you can attract your audience’s attention, organize spaces, or notify others about rules. Usually filled with paint, quality stencils are reusable and may be crafted according to individual needs.Therefore, aside from the products or services you provide, you can encourage your customers to get additional stencils for interior and exterior use.12. Urethane Joint Expansion Sealing SolutionsConcrete is a material that’s liable to contracting and expanding. This is mainly influenced by weather conditions and implies having well-sealed joints that connect slabs. Whether it’s the floors, walls, or other surfaces, sealant like urethane is a suitable solution that lasts long and is temperature persistent.Urethane sealing can protect the vulnerable concrete joints from erosion, edge damage, and penetration of moisture. This is a useful service that you can try to offer your clients additionally.13. Commercial Vinyl Siding Repair & Repainting Image SourceThe exteriors of lots of commercial properties have vinyl siding. It’s rather inexpensive and gives buildings a neat, clean-cut look. Such siding comes in many textures and can imitate logs, wood, bricks, and tiles. Nevertheless, it can wither in the sun after some time, not to mention possible denting, moisture stains, and scratches.Luckily, instead of costly replacement, you can suggest to your clients the budget-saving “remedy” of repairing or repainting their vinyl siding.14. Waterproof Coatings For Commercial PropertiesWater permeation may cause lots of damage to buildings and people. As such, mold and mildew that occur due to humidity can be harmful to the respiratory system, cause allergies, and become a health hazard. In addition, staining, rotting, and other structural defects can pose safety threats. So, if such a problem exists, the risks are high.Without due protection, moisture seeps through surfaces. This is why making walls, ceilings, doors, windows, and other exteriors of commercial buildings water-resistant is a necessity. Therefore, your customers should take the matter into serious consideration and may definitely benefit from waterproofing.15. Ask Your Clients How Else You Can Help Image Source“Maybe we can help you with something else”? As simple and obvious as it may sound, you’d be surprised to find out how often businesses make the rookie mistake of not asking their clients this question.This is a way to show your customers that you care, that you’re there for them. Not to mention that you’re simultaneously building lifetime value and are not depriving yourself of the chance to sell more.Summing UpAs you can see, the 15 best practices that we’ve covered in this article can pave the way for your business to earn more. Remember that pitching personalized offers to your customers is a win-win for both sides. With a little extra effort, you can grow your revenue and bring additional value to your clients.Want to discover more useful industry-specific information and tips on improving your business?Apply Now

PaintSquare and The CPIA have joined forces once again to deliver another webinar for our leaders, company owners, our peers and partners. Learn how to manage your organization’s development and how to motivate and focus your team on a trajectory that will lead you together to growth. Learning Objectives: • How to identify the critical few growth strategies and avoid the trivial many; • How to stop wasting time on bidding work that you are unlikely to win; and • How to concentrate on the best strategies for your organization’s growth. For this webinar, you will get a chance to learn from Jim McBrayer, the CEO of McBrayer and Associates. With an impressive career in sales, Jim has helped countless teams and professionals to improve and optimize their sales strategies. Register to Access the Webinar Here: Register Now   Download The Presentation Here: Download Now