Are you looking to create accurate estimates, add precision to labor forecasts, and even level up your training and retention? Production rates represent the hours needed to complete a task or job, multiplied by your hourly rate, and they can be an extremely effective tool for building more predictability into your business.   Seasoned painters and estimators are typically comfortable eyeballing a job and projecting the labor hours. However, this process can be risky, requires years of experience and is difficult to hand off when you add a new estimator to your team. Production rates take experience and guesswork out of the equation by leveraging data collected from the field.   Here are some strategies for collecting, documenting and using production rates.     Where to Start Estimating software company Estimate Rocket* suggests starting by thinking about how you estimate. Calculate the production rates in the same units you’ll use on your estimates. For example, you may quote walls and ceilings per square foot; baseboards and other trim per linear foot; and windows, frames and doors by count.”   Next, consider whether you will group regular tasks under a single time (i.e., prep and paint a 100 square-foot room) or time each task separately (cut and roll a single coat in a 100 square-foot room). We like to create a standard prep and paint process and create a single time for that. For example, an interior project may include job site prep, spackling nail holes, primer, and two coats of paint. We time how long it takes to do that entire process and add additional tasks on a case-by-case basis,” says Chris Moore, owner of Elite Business Advisors.   Others take a more granular approach, timing each individual task so they can pick and choose the appropriate tasks for each unique job. This decision comes down to what works best for you.     Getting an Accurate Number Regardless of how you decide to group your tasks, there are some strategies to improve accuracy:   Test many people many times. Different people produce at different rates, and your averages should reflect that. “Repeat this procedure of timing your crew multiple times. A single run-through won’t suffice for obtaining accurate data to rely on,” says estimating software company Paint Scout*. It’s about accuracy, not speed. Brandon Lewis**, founder of the Academy for Professional Painting Contractors, suggests reminding everyone being timed that this is not a race. “What we are looking for here is repeatable accuracy. Too fast means that your feet are held to the fire on all future jobs. Too slow and you’ll be overpriced, potentially losing jobs.” Give yourself wiggle room. Whether you add in a buffer for each task or add in additional time when you estimate, don’t forget to account for breaks, setup/cleanup, potential substrate problems and unknowns. Consider details. Factor in the type of surface, color selected, number of coats, and other relevant aspects. By capturing these details, you can reuse the data for more accurate production rate calculations in the future.     Tracking and Documentation Now it’s time to be diligent about timing activities. When you’ve collected enough times, calculate your average to get your “standard production time.” Do this for each task or group of tasks until you establish a standard and repeatable picture of the time requirement of each job.   Keep this information in the format that best fits your needs. Some companies prefer keeping it in an Excel spreadsheet; others enter the data in their estimating and scheduling software. Note: Some estimating software comes with pre-loaded production rates. It is recommended that you test these numbers with your own crew before using them in an estimate.     Use The Data for Better Bids and Superb Scheduling Now that you have average tested standard production times, it’s time to put those numbers to work. Use your production rates to:   Create more detailed bids with better accuracy. Check out this article on “Detailed Estimates and Bids to Boost Profitability” for more tips on estimating. Schedule jobs with confidence. Set attainable production goals for staff. Ensure new team members are trained properly and ready to perform tasks within standard production times.     Remember, determining your production rates can help standardize your estimating, though certain factors, like prep, will still need to be evaluated on a project-by-project basis. While it may feel like a time-consuming task, production rates are an ideal starting point for building predictability and efficiency so you can grow and scale your business.     *This is being cited for reference purposes only. Behr Paint Company has no affiliation with and is not endorsing these tools. **There is no affiliation/partnership between Behr Paint Company and the individuals quoted.

Pro painters are experts in substrate, process and product, but they’re not the only ones committed to delivering a lasting and beautiful paint job. There’s another group just as committed to product performance, and it’s the paint chemists creating the product in the can.     The chemist’s job requires spending countless hours formulating and testing paint products in a combination of scenarios. Chemists work tirelessly to arm you with the right products and information that ultimately lead to a paint job that gets referrals and return business.   So, what do years of diligent work in the lab teach? And what can pro painters learn from chemists? Hint: A lot!   Research Fellow and Formulator Hai Nguyen has been innovating at Behr Paint Company for 17 years. Much of his time is spent researching raw materials and developing products. But when he isn’t in the lab, he’s working directly with pro painters onsite to tackle challenges and provide solutions. Nguyen shared some advice that can help contractors choose the right products, avoid coating failures and become an important resource for customers.   Hai Nguyen   Know what you are buying and why. Varying substrates and conditions require specific coating solutions for the best results. While many products are versatile and can be used on a range of surfaces, they may not always be the best choice for every application.”   As a pro, you need a deep bench of products and a strong understanding of where those products perform best so you can educate your customer and avoid coating failures.        Glossy surfaces need to be sanded, even when using a bonding primer. Painting or repainting a glossy surface is one of the more advanced jobs painters are tasked with. It’s the project most often botched by homeowners, and proper prep and product choice are crucial to success. While bonding primers are designed to bond to tough-to-paint surfaces, sanding creates a rougher surface that allows the primer to grip better, improving overall adhesion,” says Nguyen.   Alkalinity in new substrates is high. This means a primer for a new substrate is a must. A primer seals that substrate so that the final coating doesn’t blister or suffer from color burnout. Of course, you can use paint and primer in one, but you should apply two coats on a new substrate to avoid a coating failure.     When choosing premium paint, don’t just look at volume solids. Pro painters frequently talk about volume solids; however, the type of solids added is even more important. More solids don’t mean more premium pigments. Ask yourself what would happen if you were to put in extender, which is a low-grade pigment, versus titanium dioxide, which is a high-grade pigment. If you put in more extender, then you drive up volume solids, but that doesn’t mean that the product is more premium. Actually, it’s now the opposite because you’ve reduced the overall amount of titanium, which gives the wet and dry hide, and substituted it with a low-grade pigment that doesn’t hide well at all,” Nguyen explains.   Refer to a product’s technical data sheet (TDS) and safety data sheet (SDS) for additional details about the materials used in the can of paint.   BEHR® products aren’t just for the DIY customer. Behr has a long history of creating highly rated DIY products, which are often recognized as one of the best value products in the industry. The team has leveraged that expertise to create outstanding products for paint professionals as well. My job specifically focuses on paints designed for pro painters. We have a whole team of experienced pro formulators tasked with creating high-performing paint products for pros,” says Nguyen.     Chemists not only formulate paints that solve a host of challenges, but they also possess an abundance of information that can help pros achieve successful paint jobs and solve difficult coatings challenges.   If you have paint questions or want to learn more, contact your local BEHR Pro Rep.  

When you get color questions during the estimate, you may be tempted to say, “That’s not my area of expertise.” But before you do, consider that color is one of the most important decisions of any project and a motivating factor for homeowners wanting a new paint job. A painter who can help a homeowner with paint color selection may get the estimate signed and the job scheduled faster versus one who is lost in uncertainty.   So, what do pro painters need to know about color? Here are some color questions homeowners typically ask and some strategies to help you answer so you can close the paint job. Dining Room | Wall: Aerial View S530-3; Side Wall: Blank Canvas DC-003   What paint colors are trending? Erika Woelfel, VP of Color and Creative Services at Behr Paint Company, notes some exciting trends that we’re seeing in the industry.   Biophilic movement: Woelfel notes that blues and greens are color families that have been trending for several years, saying, “We’ve seen a biophilic movement (bringing nature into the built environment) in both residential and commercial spaces that plays a big part in this. These natural hues bring a relaxing aesthetic and often coordinate well with other colors, materials and finishes.” Behr offers a BioNature Collection which includes 50 colors to infuse harmony and wellbeing into built environments to elevate the human experience. Neutrals: For homeowners looking to keep their space cozy, she says to look for colors that are warm and enveloping. “You’re looking for some of those golden beiges and taupes.” Greige: Grays have been classic sellers for many years, however, Woelfel noted that the hues have been trending lighter. “They are more like light taupe than a gray. Grays have been evolving into some of those warmer, neutral colors.” Dramatic: Many are looking to add something bold to their space. “People have been using darker colors on their walls, including soft blacks like Cracked Pepper and deeper jewel tones like Rumors – our 2025 Color of the Year – as an accent color or a pop of color on doors and cabinets.”   Kitchen | Base Cabinets: Rumors MQ1-15; Walls and Upper Cabinets: Blank Canvas DC-003; Island: Oxford Street N270-4   To keep yourself up to date on trends, check out our annual 2025 Color Trends to awaken your clients’ spaces with endless expression. And be sure to regularly browse curated colors and trends with the ColorSmart by BEHR® tool, which includes a color wheel to explore color combinations and find the closest BEHR matched color. A little time studying can make you a treasure trove of knowledge for your clients.   What colors pair with the existing materials and finishes in my space? Finding complementary colors to existing items in a home can sometimes lead to indecision. Color tools can empower your client to make informed color choices.   Fan decks give the client a full range of choices to hold up next to materials and finishes in their space. Color cards at The Home Depot also provide inspiration for color and furniture pairings so your client can choose color with confidence. If you’re working on an exterior project and want to show your client before and after photos with their chosen color scheme, your local BEHR Pro Rep can upload images of the project to the BEHR Pro Visualizer. You’ll then be able to download the images and review the options with your client.   Will the colors look the same in different settings? Color is complex. As a painter, you know you can apply the same color in different settings, and it may look slightly different depending on the lighting and surroundings.   Remind your clients of this, and then use fan decks and drawdowns under different lighting conditions to illustrate how it will look at different times of the day. Sampling the color in different areas can also give a preview of the final result. Whether you provide those color samples or give your client instructions on what to pick up at The Home Depot, discussing and testing how light, sheen and surroundings play with color is smart business.   Do you remember what colors I’ve used in the past? Maintaining records of paint colors from previous projects in an organized system demonstrates your professionalism and dedication to your clients. Plus, it’s an effective way to encourage repeat business.   Behr offers color books that include every product and color used in a project. It’s an excellent option to keep accurate information in an attractive format. What color do you recommend? Many pro painters wonder what to do when homeowners want a color recommendation. No one wants to be on the hook if the color doesn’t turn out to their liking. The final color choice should be made by the homeowner, and you want them to sign off on that choice. But you can still provide inspiration and be a helpful guide. Consider these strategies to get the creative juices flowing:   Questions: Ask thoughtful and detailed questions to find out more about the purpose and desire for the space. Your portfolio: Don’t be bashful about using past paint projects and testimonials to inspire ideas. This demonstrates your knowledge of color and gives the client a peek at your past happy clientele, building further trust. BEHR® DESIGNER COLLECTION: “The DESIGNER COLLECTION palette has 30 colors that are tried-and-true best sellers. This is a great starting point for thinking about color,” says Woelfel.   Kitchen | Cabinets: White 52; Wall: First Snow DC-006; Island: N480-5 Adirondack Blue   Once your client has narrowed down the color scheme, help them use the tools and techniques above to make final selections and visualize their newly painted space.   In the end, color is just one more tool to help you close more estimates and build a reputable painting business.   If you have additional questions or want to learn more, contact your local BEHR Pro Rep.  

Color plays a pivotal role in your projects, whether you’re a professional painter, property manager, or designer. It’s often the final touch to attracting residents, enticing building occupants, or enhancing curb appeal. Behr Paint offers a variety of color services to help you and your clients see the potential of every color and combination for their project. Our services are designed to empower you, providing the support necessary to bring any job from vision to reality, no matter how big or small. From custom color matching to color renderings to full-size drawdowns, discover the many color services Behr has to offer.     Custom Color Matching Whether you need to match a corporate color scheme or a shade of carpet, we’ve got you covered. Our cutting-edge color matching technology will convert any sample into a digital color representation. We can also confidently match any competitive color for your job, including popular Kelly-Moore colors like Swiss Coffee 23, Bone 27, and San Francisco Fog 5822*. Simply bring a sample to your local The Home Depot store and we’ll match it.     BEHR® Pro Visualizer & Digital Color Renderings Visualize BEHR® Paint color schemes for your exterior projects in real-time with the BEHR® Pro Visualizer, an online color rendering tool to help speed up the color selection process. Your BEHR® Pro Rep will upload an image of your project, allowing you to select colors and schemes and see a “before and after” preview. Once ready, you can download a shareable document for you and your client to determine final details. Ask your local Rep about the tool here.     We also offer digital color renderings. Make your client’s color vision come to life with a digital mapping of their project. They’ll see digital renderings of different paint color combinations to help them make an informed color decision with confidence.     Full-Size Drawdown Samples If you need to show color to your clients in a larger size than a paint chip, we offer full-size drawdowns to help visualize colors on any given project. Whether your client is debating between shades or finalizing their color scheme, full-size drawdowns offer a more accurate representation of how the color will appear on a larger scale so you can better envision color on a larger surface area.     Color Books & Boards Our color books offer a complete archive of every color and every product used on every surface on your project, including coatings, specifications, and warranties to help streamline future maintenance. We also offer color boards, perfect for showcasing color schemes and palettes. These 20″ x 30″ boards are an impactful way to share the color story of a project so every stakeholder can understand the vision and align on the project direction.     Color Services for Your Every Need At Behr, we believe that color has the power to transform spaces and elevate experiences. With our comprehensive color services, we’re dedicated to helping you and your client’s vision come to life for any project. Contact your local BEHR Pro Rep to learn more.     *Kelly-Moore Swiss Coffee 23, Bone 27, and San Francisco Fog 5822 are names of Kelly-Moore, which is being used for identification purposes only. Behr has created a comparable color using industry standard technology.  

The U.S. property management industry stands at a pivotal moment with both challenges and opportunities ahead in 2024. From shifting financial conditions, to expanding prospects, to community maintenance and eco-leadership, property managers face an array of issues that can be resolved with ingenuity, resilience and adaptability.     Financial Trends & Forecasts The rental housing sector has long been intertwined with broader economic trends, and 2024 is no exception. Recent years witnessed a surge in demand for apartment living, driven by factors including a lack of inventory (NerdWallet) and post-COVID resurgence of multigenerational households (Generations United). As pandemic-era safety nets disappear and credit availability tightens, property managers continue to deal with moderate inflation and rates.     Acquisition Activity These moderate rates have made value-add acquisition deals less lucrative to potential investors. As a result, planned interior renovations have been scaled back significantly. Exterior paint is a cost-efficient way to freshen up the appearance of your property and make it more attractive to potential buyers without the expense and time needed for a full interior upgrade. In short, consider a new paint job as it has the ability to improve the image and value of your property, enhancing curb appeal and enticing residents.     Supply & Demand One of the biggest challenges facing property managers in recent years is the imbalance between housing supply and demand. The industry faces an uphill battle in tackling the long-standing inventory crisis, which, according to We Are Apartments, requires building 4.3 million new apartments by 2035 in order to meet rental needs.   In the last few years, the effort to expand apartment inventory has been front and center. From 2020 to 2022, a total of 1.2 million apartments were built (RentCafe), and 2023 added about 573,000 additional units — a 40-year record. While building is beginning to slow down, approximately 443,000 new units are expected to be in place by the end of 2024. (Matthews Real Estate Investment Services).   Chart: RentCafe; Source: Yardi Matrix   That’s good news, right? But here’s where it gets complicated. The influx of new housing has dampened rental prices, as we’ve seen in the last few months. Case in point: the vacancy rate in February 2024 was 6.6% (the highest since September 2020). This means that it’s possible — if not probable — that vacancies will continue through the end of the year (Apartment List), providing renters a wider array of housing options.   In response, properties are beginning to extend accommodations. For example, in January 2024, Zillow reported that nearly 32% of its listings offer concessions – or financial incentives for the renter – a trend that is expected to continue through 2024.   On the other hand, a recent slowdown in new construction permits is expected to reduce 2024 apartment build starts by 20% to 50% (Multi Pro+), which points to a return to lower inventory, renewed demand, and higher rents in 2025.     Drawing & Keeping Quality Residents Understanding target demographics and each of their evolving preferences is key to thriving in the property management landscape. From Gen Z poised to become the largest percentage of renters, to millennials starting families, to the growing number of older renters, these groups are the core of the rental market. This creates opportunities for property managers to draw high-quality prospective residents and retain current ones by meeting their wants and needs, such as:   Personalization — Every resident wants to feel a sense of home. Helping them to personalize their space will not only make them feel more comfortable, but they will also be more likely to rent your property long-term. Try offering new renters the option to choose a new paint color from a range of pre-approved hues for a room or an accent wall. For current residents, provide the same offer when they renew or after one year of tenancy.     Sustainability —With growing environmental consciousness, opting for low VOC (volatile organic compound) and eco-friendly paint options for your property is becoming increasingly important. More than 100 BEHR® and KILZ® products are GREENGUARD Gold Certified for low VOC, which contributes to cleaner indoor air. Behr Paint continues to invest in the innovation of sustainable products and resources for paint formulations of the future in order to bring products to market that address consumer needs while keeping the environment in mind.   Home Office —The advent of the remote/hybrid work model has profound implications for property managers, reshaping resident expectations and demand patterns. With many homes doubling as workplaces, renters seek flexible living spaces equipped with spare bedrooms and shared workspaces. The hybrid work model is not going away but rather a permanent reality driving demand for multifamily communities that seamlessly blend work and home life. Perhaps offer to paint a room or area that creates a space that fosters focus and productivity. Consider a calming ambiance with BEHR® Paint Colors Watery HDC-CT-26 and White 52, a modern motif using Morning Zen S380-2 and Cracked Pepper PPU18-01, or a more professional look with Lunar Surface N460-3 and Iron Mountain N520-5.   Featuring Watery HDC-CT-26 & White 52   Featuring Morning Zen S380-2 & Cracked Pepper PPU18-01   Featuring Iron Mountain N520-5 & Lunar Surface N460-3     Behr Paint offers a comprehensive Property Owners & Managers Program, providing on-site job walks, specification services, project submittal packages, job-site delivery, and color services such as digital color rendering, color boards, and full-size drawdown samples to help you and your residents better visualize paint colors.       The Road Ahead As we navigate through 2024, the property management industry must embrace change, from leveraging financial forecasts to catering to evolving resident needs. While uncertainties abound, the rental housing sector remains a strong pillar for continued growth in the commercial real estate landscape.  

As we begin a new year and look ahead to what it holds for the paint industry, it’s important to take a moment to reflect upon where we are, where we’re going, and what challenges and opportunities await us in 2024.   When COVID-19 emerged in the U.S. in early 2020, industries across the country were deeply affected by abrupt shutdowns followed by a wavering economy (Coatings Tech Magazine). While great strides have been made on the road to a full economic recovery, we’re still feeling its effects. That’s not to say the paint industry has been spared! Rather, it continues to grapple with pandemic by-products such as supply-chain issues, heading back to the office (or not), high raw material pricing, and a slew of rate hikes in 2023.   Despite these challenges, the U.S. paint and coatings industry continues to persevere, with 2024 production expected to total 798 million gallons, a 2.9% increase from 2023 (ACA Industry Pulse | Architectural Coatings). As we begin 2024, the industry is expected to forge ahead, overcoming challenges and adapting to the evolving landscape, offering the opportunity for expansion and innovation within the sector.   Source: ACA Industry Pulse | Architectural Coatings   Logistical Challenges Like many global manufacturers, the paint market depends on its partners to deliver the materials and products they need to serve customer demands. While the COVID-19 effect dwindles year after year, the following issues remain:   Price of Crude Oil — Many raw materials used in both oil and acrylic paints are petroleum-derived, for which crude oil is a key source; rising prices pose a significant problem. For perspective: a $10 increase in crude oil equals a 3% rise in paint manufacturing cost (Coatings Tech Magazine). In addition, fluctuating oil prices disrupt supply-chain consistency, forcing paint manufacturers to shoulder the burden of higher transportation, production, and inventory costs.   Raw Materials — As of mid-2023, most raw material providers were, once again, meeting demand, though typically with longer lead times than before the pandemic. Some suppliers are already out of stock through the end of 2024; therefore, paint manufacturers should have a strategy for maintaining supply. Both suppliers and paint manufacturers should be working with their Research & Development staff to prepare for any future shortages (Coatings Tech Magazine).   Supply Chain — During COVID-19, supply-chain disruptions prompted delayed imports, capacity shortages, and elevated shipping costs. In response, paint manufacturers began to raise prices. Despite efforts to streamline processes, global uncertainty and political priorities contribute to a fragile system. Recovery is expected but challenges will persist as long as the global landscape remains in flux.   Housing Market The sure sign of a solid coatings industry lies in the strength of the housing/construction market. The architectural paints sector accounts for 60% of the volume within the U.S. coatings industry and is expected to finish 2023 with a slight 1% increase. Looking forward to 2024, growth is anticipated to be 3% (ChemQuest).   Sources: The ChemQuest Group, Inc.; Coatings TraQr™   Higher mortgage rates and inflation have been pushing some potential home buyers out of the market, but that may change soon. According to CNN, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate fell to an average of 6.67% in the week ending December 21, down from 6.95% the previous week.   Lower rates are bringing potential homebuyers who were previously waiting on the sidelines back into the market,” Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist Sam Khater said in a statement.   As the homebuying market begins to start moving again, it’s expected that the demand for painting services — whether from owners looking to sell or buyers wanting to repaint — will start to recover.   Rental/Multifamily The rental/multifamily sector is headed for some challenges. For years, declining interest rates and low inventory made rental property ownership quite lucrative. However, inventory escalated in 2023, leading to a surge of 405,000 units built in the last four quarters — the highest in more than a decade (John Burns Research and Consulting).   Now, the landscape shifts. Owner costs have risen significantly, and construction starts are slowing. After the 2023 building surge, development will be substantially reduced in 2024, and apartment starts will be limited for the foreseeable future. Rising rates, insurance costs, and operating expenses further contribute to the sector’s difficulties (John Burns Research and Consulting).   The rental/multifamily construction boom has provided a revenue stream for the paint industry while the homebuying market has been tight. The construction slowdown doesn’t mean that work has dried up. Rather, opportunities may arise from pre-existing properties looking to repaint to remain competitive with newer communities.   Renovations/Remodeling While the renovation sector has been strong for a number of years, interest rates combined with low housing inventory is expected to weigh on remodeling activity, which is estimated to decline by 6.5% (from $481 billion in 2023 to $450 billion in 2024), according to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA).   Source: Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard Unversity   The upside to this scenario is that, when major renovations aren’t in the budget, homeowners often look to a fresh coat of paint for an easy, budget-friendly way to update and revitalize their homes. Expect opportunities for repaints to expand this year.   Side note: PRO vs. DIY — When it comes to home painting projects, the balance between professionals and do-it-yourselfers has tilted back and forth for years. This changed significantly, thanks to COVID-19. Case in point: From 2010 to 2019, professional work was steadily growing, yet it dropped in 2020, as homebound DIYers used this time to freshen up their spaces. From 2021 to 2023 professional work rebounded strongly, with a 2023 ratio of 63% professional to 37% do it-yourselfer, which was driven by a resurgent commercial building sector balancing out a weaker residential sector (Coatings Tech Magazine).   Source: The ChemQuest Group, Inc.   Looking Forward So how does all of this affect the paint industry?   According to a 2023 BBB® Industry Report, here’s what we can expect over the next five years:   Industry revenue will grow from $36.5 billion to nearly $38 billion (1.6% increase) through 2027.   Profit margins for the industry should grow from 7.1% to over 8.4% by 2027, which translates into $3.38 million in extra profits for painters.   Expansion is on the horizon — not only in the number of new painting companies but the number of working painting professionals. By 2027, the industry can expect another 4,600 companies and approximately 8,000 new employees to join the paint industry. Wages will comprise more than 35% of company expenses, as many painting business owners/contractors will pay higher salaries to keep key crew members such as project managers, estimators, and supervisors.   As we enter 2024, paint industry projections indicate growth, with increased revenue, profit margins, and expansion. Overall, despite ongoing challenges, the U.S. paint industry appears poised for a robust future and Behr Paint Company is here to help give you the support and guidance you need for any project, big or small. As the #1 Most Trusted Paint Brand in America*, BEHR® Paint has a complete portfolio of high-performing interior and exterior products coupled with experienced BEHR® Pro Reps to enhance your productivity and help you succeed on the job. Contact a BEHR Pro Rep today for your next project.     All of us at Behr wish you a happy and prosperous 2024!   *Voted most trusted Paint Brand by American shoppers based on the 2024 BrandSpark® American Trust Study.