Name:	David McCain -	Reply
Subject:	McCainPaintingLLC
Date:	6/2/2019 12:16:26 AM (updated 6/2/2019 12:17:45 AM)

Hello, My name is David and we service Lake Martin and surrounding areas delivering superior and reliable painting services! We have references and for the month of June we're giving FREE quotes!! We have availability!

                  - Interior/Exterior Painting

                  - Power Washing 

                  - Mold/Mildew Treatment

                  - Staining

                  - Wallpaper Removal

                  - Window/Gutter Cleaning

                  - Drywall Repair 

                  - And More.....

                  David McCain

                  256-794-1722 Call or Text

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	McCainPaintingLLC
Date:	6/2/2019 3:49:18 PM

David

Just wondering....how much is for an estimate if I wait until July? Thanks.

Name:	David McCain -	Reply
Subject:	McCainPaintingLLC
Date:	6/2/2019 5:38:36 PM

Hello, starting in July there will be a $60 consultation fee if I come out to the property.

Name:	PTClakefan -	Reply
Subject:	McCainPaintingLLC
Date:	6/4/2019 2:23:56 PM

Good luck with that.

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	McCainPaintingLLC
Date:	6/4/2019 3:44:56 PM

I was thinking the same thing.  Charging for an estimate is not going to go over well.  There are lots of good painters that provide free estimates.  Nature of the business.

Name:	wix -	Reply
Subject:	McCainPaintingLLC
Date:	6/4/2019 4:38:28 PM

Are you aware that this website charges for advertising?  Funny that you choose to cheat to advertise for free, yet you think potential customers will pay for your estimate.  Better think out your business plan...

Name:	MrHodja -	Reply
Subject:	McCainPaintingLLC
Date:	6/4/2019 5:27:18 PM

He is a paid advertiser.  Check out the business portion of the web page.  Agree with other posters though that a consultation fee for someone trying to break into the market is not a wise choice.  At least he could have said it would go toward the work if a deal were to be made.

Name:	wix -	Reply
Subject:	McCainPaintingLLC
Date:	6/4/2019 7:37:59 PM

Thanks, just assumed someone posting an ad on the forum was cheap.  He’ll learn something important soon...

Name:	John C -	Reply
Subject:	Why the instant negativity?
Date:	6/4/2019 8:18:44 PM

One thing I have noted over the years is the constant complaint of many on this forum for reliable, trustworthy, professional construction folks. The complainers ~mostly~ claim that they don't mind paying a little extra for good service. Is that an accurate claim?

Yet here is a new business on the lake that is proposing a new business model and some people just want to instantly put down the way he's doing things. Instant negativity. Without trying, without hearing him out - and (for one person at least) apparently, without even checking to see if he is a paid advertiser. 

I know David and he is a good guy and a pro. Those who are so quick jump to judgement are being unfair, in my opinion. 

And guess what - no one - and I mean no one - is going to come to your house to paint something for less than $60.

If you read his proposition and decide it's not a good fit for you, fine. Why not move along without comment? Why be instantly negative?

I admit, there are plenty of times I am quick to think negative thoughts and I am working to get better about it. This one was not one of those times. I read it and was happy that the lake was gaining a pro like David.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	McCainPaintingLLC
Date:	6/4/2019 8:19:04 PM

I think it is an outrageous amount to charge for an estimate.  I can only imagine how high his rates must be.  

Name:	MrHodja -	Reply
Subject:	Why the instant negativity?
Date:	6/4/2019 8:53:20 PM

When I first read his and the cleaning post the first thing I did was check on their advertising status and found them both listed. 

If you consider an objection to paying for a quote negative so be it. I disagree. 

Name:	lakeguy -	Reply
Subject:	McCainPaintingLLC
Date:	6/4/2019 9:21:05 PM

I wish him well.We never have adequate support for a variety of services. That said, reacting to a new variety of charge never before utilized with all he will compete with doesn't sound well thought out. My source of "negativity" is more related to what would get me to py for an estimate when I normally try to get 2-3 before deciding? I don't think that is being different, I think that is a bad first impression.

Name:	David McCain -	Reply
Subject:	McCainPaintingLLC
Date:	6/4/2019 11:14:46 PM

To be more specific.. Starting in July there will be a $60 charge if I'm requested to come out and consult at the property. I still give FREE quotes and consultations per call,text,email or Facebook. It's not out of the ordinary when requested to come out that I spend 2 hours.. If you never used my services, please don't judge. We are a rarity around here. We show up and go above and beyond our competitors with superior quality and it's affordable! Honest work goes a long way. 

Name:	lakeguy -	Reply
Subject:	McCainPaintingLLC
Date:	6/5/2019 9:58:09 AM

I truly do wish you success. I hope you understand that your policy to charge is. at the least, confusing. It seems to be a charge your competitors do not impose. If that is not the case, I think most would not be able to determine that.

High quality work is hard to find these days and I hope you are successful!

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	McCainPaintingLLC
Date:	6/5/2019 10:01:20 AM

David:  Don't take the comments personally and we are sure you do a great job.  It's just unusual for a painter to charge for an estimate.  I didn't read Gone Fishin's response to your original post as a request for consultation and I'm not sure why he wondered about the cost of an estimate if he waits until July or even what that means (wait until July to get the estimate or get an estimate now and wait until July to paint). Either way, some of us were surprised you charged for an estimate but I now understand you viewed that as a consultation although I'm still not sure why.

Most of the work I've had done at the lake is a direct result of referrals from others on this forum.  I have yet to be disappointed and that's by far the best way for you to get opportunities.  Sounds like John already knows your work and that is a positive in my mind.

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Why the instant negativity?
Date:	6/5/2019 10:05:23 AM

I can't speak to the others but my response was only about one thing, charging to provide an estimate.  As I said below, the exchange was a bit confusing since Goofy asked for an estimate, not a consultation, but he did ask how much.  I'm not even sure what a consultation is for house painting.  How much will it cost, which product do you use and why and what are my color options?  It isn't rocket science.  And I have no problem if paid advertisers make a pitch for their service or product using the forum, which is certainly the case here.

Name:	CAT BOAT -	Reply
Subject:	McCainPaintingLLC
Date:	6/5/2019 10:56:18 AM

David, this can be a brutal forum.  Mostly made up of really good folks though.  And, loyal ones at that.  If you do a good job, and conduct business properly and ethically as you say.......  Charge what you want to.   Good luck, and God Bless.

Name:	CRD -	Reply
Subject:	McCainPaintingLLC
Date:	6/5/2019 12:41:31 PM

Have to disagree with the majority on this thread as I am currently undergoing a major renovation at my Georgia home.  60$ would be a miniscule price to pay for an onsite painting consultation as, in my experience, the savings from proper planning and my painter's recommendations that went far beyond color, brand, glossy or satin, etc have resulted in savings far beyond 60$.  I would be happy to pay for your onsite expertise Mr. McCain, I have no problem with your business plan.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	McCainPaintingLLC
Date:	6/5/2019 6:41:22 PM

I think what has me confused is the difference between a consultation and just giving me an estimate.  In the past, when I have looked for a painter, I already know what I want and how I want it done, so I don't really need a "consultation", I just need to know what will be charged for the work I want done.  I wouldn't mind paying for the estimate, if I knew that money would be applied to the job.  I recognize time is money, but estimates can vary widely.  Scheduling is also important  But when someone charges me for an estimate, I wonder if their rates are going to be inflated  There seems to be a lot of contractors in the area that think that everyone on the lake is rich - and I have heard contractors say that they charge lake people more.  And that leaves a bad taste.  

Now, if this person says that they will show up when they say, actually provide an estimate, and then does a high quality job, that would be something and worthy of consideration.  I don't feel like I am being negative - I'm just saying how I feel about it, for better or worse.  I wish anyone entering this market well - but just understand that some of us have been "taken" in the past.  Last year I consulted with 4 different painters - 3 came out to the house, said they would give me an estimate and I never heard from them again.  1 came out and gave me such an outrageous estimate, it was clear to me that he was letting me know, he did not want the job.  So I ended up giving up and hiring no one.  

Name:	PTClakefan -	Reply
Subject:	McCainPaintingLLC
Date:	6/5/2019 11:33:41 PM

I agree that it was confusing, because the original post stated that June was free "quote' month.  To me, a "quote" is the same as a bid or an estimate, but a far cry from a "design consultation" which I could see would justify a seperate fee.  Having built 2 houses on the lake since 2010 I have dealt with many contractors and NONE have ever said that they would charge me a fee just for the privlege of allowing them to submit a bid; albeit most of the projects did not neccesitate an on-site visit.  That is just part of doing business as a contractor IMHO; but, if they truly are superior to everyone else, then by all means charge whatever you feel the market will bear.  We are a free market society, after all, so the market will ultimately decide if this is a wise business decision, or not.

Name:	jcope -	Reply
Subject:	McCainPaintingLLC
Date:	6/6/2019 1:24:59 PM

If I am going to hire a sub-contractor I would much rather pay a reasonable consultation/estimate fee than have my cost include paying for the contractors time that someone else used to get an estimate when they did not use the service.

It forces me to do my due diligence. 

That is one good thing that this forum can help with when people just give an assesment of a business based on actual experience.  Not a political rant, just a honest assesment.