When I started Davis Painting, I looked around at the competition and realized that most painting companies were leaving money on the table by being unprofessional. Customers were frustrated with contractors who didn’t show up on time, didn’t communicate clearly, and left job sites messy. I saw an opportunity to win just by doing the basics really well.
So we made professionalism non-negotiable. Our crews wear clean, branded uniforms. Our trucks are wrapped and maintained. We show up when we say we will, and if something changes, we communicate proactively. We give clear, written estimates with no hidden fees. We protect floors and furniture, clean up at the end of every day, and do a final walkthrough with the customer before we call the job done.
These aren’t revolutionary ideas. They’re just basic respect and attention to detail. But in an industry where so many companies skip these steps, it makes us stand out immediately. Customers feel the difference, and they tell their friends and neighbors. A huge percentage of our business comes from referrals, and I’m convinced that’s because we treat people the way they want to be treated.
Professionalism also shows up behind the scenes. We track jobs carefully, keep good records, and follow up after projects are complete to make sure everything is still holding up. If a customer has an issue, we address it quickly and without defensiveness. We’re not perfect, but we handle problems like professionals, and that builds trust.
This focus on professionalism has allowed us to charge fair prices and still win work in competitive markets. Customers aren’t just buying paint. They’re buying peace of mind, and that’s worth paying for.