It’s been ten years since our house was painted last and the mold and sun has taken the luster off the rose. Last year when we tiled the front of the house it looked good, until your eyes looked up and saw the rest of the joint. So I guess it’s time, oh hell I’m not guessing, Mayang told me it was time.
My friend has a set of staging made of galvanized pipe that I can borrow. But again, that idea was shelved, as my workers want Bamboo, not pipe. So I bought 10 pieces of 25 foot long Bamboo for them to use, remember what I said last week about; “Let them do it their way?” I’m slow but I’m learning! The next thing I know, is to buy the best paint, cutting cost on paint will be the difference between painting the house every ten years or every four or five years.
My painting “Guys” are willing and happy to use my power washer to aid in the prep work, and I showed them the best way to remove paint from railings on the roof (which are made of pipe) is to use a chain wrapped around it, and just pull back and forth on it. That’s the Kano idea they really liked! I learned it in the Navy. Now I’ll shut up and go to “The Man Cave.”
19 Oct. negotiation day, Edwin and Boy-O sit down to talk over the price of labor. We explain exactly what we want, and they quoted us a price of 95,000 Pesos for the three week contract. I politely declined. Then we talked some more, and I found that the six employees salary at P400.00 per day X 6 came out to P 2,400.00 per day. So one week is P14,000.00 times 3 weeks equals P43,000.00 total labor, leaving them P52,000.00 profit This is where I said I’d agree to the P43,000.00 amount for labor, now let’s talk about your profit. I offered P10, 000 extra when the job was finished, and we were all happy, with me paying P 53,000.00 Total and them making a well deserved profit. Does any of the above make sense?
Okay Saturday 22 October we start the prep work, my foreman Edwin found out I had a power washer and it would save him time, I pointed out that as I was paying the labor, they could rent my labor saving machine. That caused a major head scratch, I then explained that I would be also paying for the electric and the water he used. An agreement was reached between us that he would lower his cost by P 3, 00.00 which was fair for both of us. They are using my two grinders with brush attachments to bust off the paint on the molding. And, since they arrived with not one tool or even a paint brush, I thought there was nothing odd about that, I mean we all lend our mechanic’s our wrenches so they can charge us to fix our cars. It makes sense to them! But then it’s my turn to scratch my head.
Heady times on the mountain, I watched the St. Louis Cardinals’ trounce the Texas Rangers in the World Series while hearing the grinders roar and my power washer humming and spraying water everywhere. Then bamboo staging is all over the house and the Guy’s are up and down working their butts off for P 400.00 a day. I know I pay slightly more than most people in this area, but I know all the workers and have watched them all grow up. Good guys everyone!
Due to weather (Rain) and visits to cemeteries, the painting is 85% finished. So why am I sending this to Bob Martin this week? That’s the easy part, it’s Saturday morning, and it’s all I had for this week. Anyway I figured you were all tired of reading about my projects anyway. I know I am, and I’m sitting in the middle of it all with a beer in one hand and my wallet in the other! Believe me, the beer is in my favored hand.
Its money well spent, my wife is happy, I admit that I was tired of looking at that old paint too. Now I won’t be surprised when they raise my property taxes next year, no good deed goes unpunished.
Hey; now I’ve got something to write about next week, the completed paint job. (Yes Ricardo, you guessed it right last week!) And a surprise section that I think you’ll find interesting, (I hope).
Paul.
I enjoyed your painting experience.
I like the colors you chose… mmm…asawa, chose…
Roughly it appears like it cost you about $800.00 usd.
I presume that did not include the cost of the paint.
Can you elaborate on this?
My approx. 2000 sq ft house soaked up about 8, 5gal or 17.51 liter buckets at $100.00 per bucket, or $800.00 for the paint alone, when I painted it last spring.
Glidden “Cover the World” was the best, thick and robust, ‘Behr’ at a premium price of $125. per gal was inferior, watery and separating…
Jade
P.S. I’ve still got paint all over everything…
Jade;
Total labor and staging (Bamboo) approx. $1,150. (USD)
The paint, and brushes, rollers and other things was approx $800.
5 gal. of the good paint cost Pesos 2,100 per.
The rain is slowing down the work but the contract remains the same.
And yes I had very little to say about the color, albeit I did say it had to match the tile on the front of the house.
So for less than $ 2,000.00 I got the entire outside repainted. I’m pleased! with both the price and the job the “Guy’s” are doing. Plus, and most important; My Granddaughter likes it.
hi paul,
you forgot the most important part of the equation :
beer in your favored hand, priceless!
cheers,
Biz Doc;
You are so right about that! (lol)
Hi Paul – At 85%, I’d say the job is done. It’s hard to find any house in the Philippines that it 100% totally finished. Why be the first? 😆
Paul,
What a deal! Less than $2000.00 total for everything. About $50.00 per 5 Gal is really cheap for a color that takes alot of colorant to make. Paint job looks top notch. Really like that tile accent in the front. Makes the house really stand out. Paying that extra money for labor will pay off for you now and in the future. Paul, 2 things i’ve done to extend the life of a paint job in hot and wet tropical climate is a high gloss paint, easier to pressure wash and keep clean and put plenty of mildacide in the paint to keep mildew and mold down. Take care and don’t work too hard with those 12 ounce curls.
Jade;
Two good ideas you’ve got there, but if I did that my nephew Jeff won’t have a job power washing ever November. Taking food out of his mouth! If I had enough money I would have tiled the whole house, then my wife could wax it once a year!
Well….that would have been a great idea if you could have put tile on all of the house and your Wife wax it once a year….that keep her busy and cut down on new ideas a little maybe……I can just see her waxing a whole house!, or for that matter any woman waxing a house…..
Dan;
House waxing would become a new type of project, again involving staging and a work force to accomplish that task. You hit the nail squarely on the head, “No wife would do it!” I hope they don’t burn up my Black & Decker Buffer I bought for the car.
hahaha! you’ve got a point there. You always make sure you take care of the family. Waxing tile would just be a new indoor project, which is womens territory. Be safe.
Papa Duck;
I stay away from the ladies area of responcibilty (which covers most of everything) The beer ref it truly mine, yet I do find some stuff she sneaks into it. I’ll never win!
Paul;
That sure is the truth; I don’t think Mayang will ever run out of projects. I see the gears turning even now. I told her that I was too old to go back out to sea, so she’ll have to wait until next year.
Looking good & improving the neighborhood.
Big P;
Thank you, and I hope we can get together soon, this should be over this week, or the Guy’s will be working into their profit margin.
I guess I’m a cheapo. I paid P200/day for the painters, except for Obert, who detailed my colums so they look like marble. He got P400/day. My nephew provided the scafolding, no bamboo was used. We had 5 guys sanding, primming and painting our house and fence for 3 weeks in 2010. Can’t remember how much the paint cost, wasn’t too bad though.
Your house looks good Paul. Do you or anyone on LiP know anyone who does concrete staining, or designer concrete?
My move is being pushed back another year or so, while I pay restitution to Uncle Sugar and his long arm of the IRS.
Mike;
Welcome to the new and improved Philippines, as I said I had free staging but it was nixed by the crew. I went with the contract because if you pay daily the job will go on forever. I have six Guy’s working and the big rain we had yesterday slowed us down again.
I do believe I can help you find the concrete artist you’re looking for.
Pay your taxes and get out of there!
Paul,
Just a thought, but on the rainy days they could paint your New/Old Honda the same color as the house with the same paint. Matching car and house might be nice. Bush marks don’t show much from a distance anyhow.
Charlie
Charlie;
Put a lock on the beer ref. Their almost done and leave my New/old car alone! (lol)
But I do have some paint left….
Opps ! Brush marks :o)
Senior,
House is really coming together and that color kinda gives it a manly look. Did you have any input in the color by subliminal message? Thank God you didn’t paint it coral pink and white and place pink flamingos out front. :0
By the way duaghetr moving to Tampa w/ the grandkids 16 Dec. Freedom party on the 17th. Best Christmas present ever!!! 🙂
mispelled daughter. Daughter is moving Senior. Did I mention my daughter is moving to Tampa Paul. That means we can go vacation in the PI anytime we want. We can move there as soon as we can retire 20 months. Did I mention my daughter is moving to Tampa?? I can barley controll myself. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Bruce;
Daughter moving to Tampa, what a surprise! You almost forgot to mention it. (lol)
Bruce;
Believe it or not, when I came in from a ship in 2000 the house was white with pink trim, I repainted the trim Spanish Red right after I retired. But thank my stars “No Flamingos”.
Tampa is nice! (lol)
Senior,
Just wondering when they get done with the house are they going to paint the iron gate and wallss too? sure would bring the whole thing toaether.
You know you should put a couple of Chinese lions outside your door it would really add the manly touch to the place and show the neighborhood who’s really incharge of the house?? Not a Hair on your Butt to do that!! 🙂
Bruce;
Next Monday your questions will be answered. If I put Lions in front people will assume I’m British, which nothing is wrong with that, but Eagles would work better for this old Yank!
Boss of the house! (LOL) (LOL) (LOL) (LMAO)
Senior,
Eagles or anchors would work quite nicely!!!
By the way do they have Bingo at the Freeport That’s a wife’s question.
She loves her bingo.
Anchors, my buddy beat me to that idea!
Bingo, according to information central (Mayang and her sister) there is no Bingo that they know of. But tell Mrs. Bruce Michels to hold on, as we are getting two new malls here within the next year, and a lot of the malls in San Fernando have Bingo Halls in them. So we’ll see!