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.  

Determining whether one coat or two coats of paint are needed for an exterior repaint depends on several factors, including budget, condition of the surface, paint types and quality, and desired longevity and appearance. Let’s explore when it’s appropriate to opt for one coat vs two coats of paint.     ONE COAT   Good Surface Condition: If the existing paint is in good condition, with no significant damage, peeling, or discoloration, a single coat may be sufficient to refresh the appearance and provide adequate protection.     High-Quality Paint: Using a high-quality paint with excellent durability may allow for one-coat application, especially if the color change is minimal and the surface is properly prepared.     Maintenance Coating: In some cases, a single coat may serve as a maintenance coating to touch up areas with minor wear and tear, extending the life of the paint job without the need for extensive surface preparation.     TWO COATS   Weathered Surfaces: If the existing paint is weathered, faded, or peeling, applying two coats is generally recommended to ensure proper coverage, adhesion, and protection against moisture and UV damage.     Drastic Color Change: When changing the color significantly, especially from dark to light or vice versa, two coats are typically needed to achieve uniform coverage and prevent the previous color from showing through.     Porous Surfaces: Porous or uneven surfaces such as bare wood, stucco, or masonry may require two coats to seal and provide adequate coverage, promoting paint adhesion and preventing moisture intrusion.     Longevity: For long-lasting results and enhanced durability, especially in harsh climates (e.g., coastal areas) or high-traffic areas, two coats offer better protection against the elements, extending the lifespan of the paint job.     Ultimately, the decision between one coat and two coats of exterior paint application for an HOA depends on factors such as budget constraints, desired durability and appearance, surface condition, and manufacturer recommendations. By understanding the specific needs and preferences of the community, you can make a more informed decision that best suits the property. Contact your local BEHR® Pro Rep or consult with a painting professional for additional questions.  

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.  

When paint starts to fade, it’s easy to attribute it to the usual suspects — UV exposure, harsh environments, low-quality paint, etc. — but there’s another culprit. It’s the quiet one. And it’s often right in front of you.   Color selection.     It’s true! While it may not be widely known, color has a considerable impact on the life expectancy of paint. Let’s investigate further:   How Color Affects Longevity   Color is a powerful tool in enhancing curb appeal. However, it is critical to look beyond aesthetics and make durability a high priority when choosing exterior colors. This is why your first meeting with a client or owner provides the perfect opportunity to discuss the following:   Light or Dark? The reality is that lighter colors last longer and fade less than darker colors, as the latter absorbs more sunlight, which accelerates fading. Therefore, if longevity is the goal for a paint job, choosing a lighter shade is the best bet.   Pigments (aka colorants) can make a world of difference when it comes to color retention. When advising clients or property owners, consider discussing the role of inorganic versus organic pigments. Explain colors made from inorganic pigments — such as beiges, tans, browns, and other earthtones — are far more resistant to fading than those with organic pigments, such as blue, green, yellow, red, and other brighter/richer colors.     Additional Considerations In addition to color, other factors that contribute to the wear and tear of exterior paint include:   Low-quality paints have fewer of the all-important ingredients — such as binders and prime pigments — that allow paint to hide better and last longer. As a result, they are more susceptible to the elements, which requires maintenance much sooner.   Applying paint at a lower-than-recommended film thickness can accelerate the aging process of the coating system, allowing more UV to penetrate through the film, causing it to degrade rapidly and change color.   The coastal environment can wreak havoc on exterior paint. Salt-laden mist blown in off the ocean creates a layer of salt on all nearby surfaces, which is known as “ocean breeze corrosion.” These salt deposits have a damaging effect not only on paint film, but also substrates such as metal, concrete, and wood.   Extreme application temperatures can be detrimental to paint. If it’s too cold outside, paints cannot properly form a film, which makes them vulnerable to premature failures such as peeling and fading. The same is true in hot weather — except that the inability to form a film is due to the dry conditions, which cause water to evaporate much faster, resulting in rapid dry times. This is especially true when paint is applied by spray.     Extending the Paint Lifecycle Thankfully, there are ways to prolong your exterior paint job’s aesthetics and longevity.   Color Choice: Have a discussion with your client/owner and suggest they consider color schemes that offer optimal fade protection. Tips on color selection can be referenced above.     Proper Preparation: Thorough surface preparation is the cornerstone of a successful paint job. This includes using a quality primer. Excellent options for both residential and multi-family exterior projects include:   BEHR® Multi-Surface Stain-Blocking Primer & Sealer — A versatile acrylic that provides excellent stain-blocking, adhesion, and sealing. It’s also tintable, which makes it ideal for color changes. BEHR® Metal Primer — An innovative, water-based primer for clean and sound rusty metal surfaces that effectively prevents corrosion. BEHR® Bonding Primer — Designed to bond to a variety of “tough-to-paint” surfaces, providing a powerful base for topcoats, while reducing the need for sanding dense and glossy surfaces.   Paint Quality: Recommend high-quality paints for better overall long-term durability. High-quality paints are made from high-quality ingredients, so they stand up to the elements more effectively, providing a longer lasting finish. In addition, ensure the paint repels UV and is formulated for exteriors.   For multi-family and HOA communities, consider choosing quality exterior paints such as:   BEHR PRO® e600 Exterior Paint — Providing superior hide and uniformity, this professional-quality, 100%-acrylic exterior paint offers high-level dirt pick-up resistance and can be applied in temperatures as low as 35°F. BEHR PREMIUM PLUS® Exterior Paint — Durable and long-lasting, this low-VOC paint and primer resists fading and staining, as well as mold and mildew. It is also tintable to a wide array of colors. BEHR ULTRA® Exterior Paint — A stain-blocking paint and primer that delivers excellent durability and hide in fewer coats. It also provides rain resistance as quickly as 60 minutes after application. BEHR MARQUEE® Exterior Paint — With expanded durability and adhesion, this 100%-acrylic paint and primer includes antimicrobial properties that protect against mold and mildew. Tintable to a full range of colors, it can be applied in temperatures down to 35°F.   For residential projects:   Consider BEHR premium paints such as BEHR PREMIUM PLUS, BEHR ULTRA, BEHR MARQUEE (described above). Be sure to take a look at BEHR DYNASTY® Exterior Paint — A game-changing, fade-resistant, and long-lasting paint that boasts UV and early rain-resistance. BEHR DYNASTY takes color longevity to a new level with its 10-year color fade protection*.   Scheduled Maintenance: Establish a consistent inspection and service plan. It should include exterior surface cleaning, as well as spotting and tackling common paint problems, such as peeling and mildew growth, before they become big issues. In addition, routine upkeep is time- and cost-effective, as it eliminates the need to start from scratch every time.     In the world of paint, knowledge is power. By guiding your clients or property owners in making good color choices, you can not only extend the longevity of their exterior paint job, but also expand your reputation as a dedicated and valued painting professional.      *Valid only when tinted to colors from the BEHR DYNASTY® specially curated Exterior Color Fade Protection Palette. Based on predictive lab testing with a color shift less than Delta E of 5 as measured by CieLAB. A primer coat may be needed. Two coats of BEHR DYNASTY Exterior Paint are recommended for optimal durability. Individual results may vary. See back label instructions for details. Behr Paint Company can provide project-specific warranties. Ask your BEHR Pro Rep for details. The Lifetime Limited Warranty does not apply to or cover BEHR DYNASTY 10-Year Color Fade Protection or professional projects.