inPAINT Magazine Winter 24/24

inPAINT

®

TH E M AG A Z I N E FO R PRO FE SS I O NAL S | WIN T ER 2024/2025

DECK COATINGS & STAINS pros like for new decks and challenging repaints

+

Year-end strategies to reduce your tax burden Vehicle wraps: take your brand to the next level

WE PUT MORE IN, SO YOU GET MORE OUT Everything we do is designed to help Pros save time and money.

From paints formulated to help you get great coverage and hide to free job site delivery, and preferred pricing for Pros, that’s how you get more out of every gallon of BEHR® Paint.

TALK WITH A BEHR PRO REP AT BEHR.COM/REP

your skills are needed to help families in your community.

Join Habitat for Humanity and help families near you build affordable places to call home.

Volunteer or donate at habitat.org.

CUTTING IN

“Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes …”

PUBLISHER

Edward McAdams

—David Bowie, English singer, songwriter, musician and actor

MANAGING EDITOR

L

ike many businesses, the end of year is a time when we at inPAINT reflect on where we’ve come from and where we’re going.

When we published our first issue in 2013, our aim was to provide information and insights in a format that would help and inspire paint contractors across the country. In the decade-plus that followed, we honed our approach and content, introducing new topics and features, and taking content online—all to better serve you, our readers.

Heading into 2025, we’ll be embarking on our biggest change yet: going fully digital.

While we won’t be appearing in your physical mailbox, we’ll still be present in your email inbox. We’ll continue to produce our most popular articles, including Pro Picks, and we’ll keep you up to date on the latest trends, news, products and practices. We’ll just be doing it in a format that’s easier to access and share, and one that keeps you connected to all the content we’ve ever created. Want to take a deep dive into tax tips, direct-to-metal products, color trends, or best practices for hiring? We’ve got you covered.

As always, we’re grateful to everyone who has contributed to and stood by us as we’ve transformed over the years. We’re eager to keep changing for the better right along with you for another decade and beyond.

Cheers,

Amanda Haar

DESIGNER

Carl Bezuidenhout CREATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR

Cindy Puskar

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Brian Sodoma

CONTRIBUTING EXPERTS

Dan Antonelli KickCharge Creative David Delgado Cendales DC Professional Painting Lauren Fink Apex Painting Alex Garvall Rock & Rollers Painting Mike Gidich Honey Dudes Handyman Daniel Honan Bookkeeping for Painters Jason Nance B & M Painting

Amanda Haar, Managing Editor, inPAINT amanda@inPAINTmag.com

Jacob Singrey Singrey Painting

EDITORIAL

amanda@inPAINTmag.com ADVERTISE

2024 EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Ryan Adamski Production Manager, CertaPro Painters

Jen Frey Co-Owner, MJ Painting & Design

Rich Purnell Owner, BASE Painters

Bryce Benfield Owner, South-East Paint & Protective Coatings Co.

Jeremy Fyfe Owner, GLS Painters

Steve Spinelli Owner, Uni Pro Painting

Melissa Caperton Co-Owner, MJ Painting & Design

Larry Marler Owner, The Works Remodeling and Finishing

©2024 REM Publishing Group LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of content in any manner without written permission by the publisher is strictly prohibited. Opinions expressed in signed columns and articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. Publisher assumes no liability for any damages or loss of any kind that might arise from the use, misuse or inability to use the materials or information contained in this publication. All material and information appearing in this publication is distributed and transmitted ‘as is,’ without warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied, and is subject to the terms and conditions stated in this disclaimer.

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inPAINT | Winter 2024/2025

602-296-5391 ed@inPAINTmag.com SUBSCRIBE

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publishing group REM Publishing Group LLC 8924 E Pinnacle Peak Rd, Suite G5 #575 Scottsdale, AZ 85255

CONTENTS

inPAINT® Winter 2024/2025

FEATURES Branding that Stands Out

14

Pro Picks

18

Leveraging a clear, strong identity to accelerate growth

The coatings and stains four pros turn to for challenging deck projects

18 Courtesy of B & M Painting

DEPARTMENTS 10 The News Industry ins and outs 11 What’s New New tools and coatings for the trade

Cover Image Courtesy of B & M Painting

12 Trends A fast look at the forces at work in our industry

22 Upcoming Events The what, where and when of the industry’s leading events 23 Bottom Line Tax planning is key to managing your tax liabilities

Winter 2024/2025 | inPAINT

5

BUILT TO PERFORM

The products for pros.

To get the job done right the first time, go with the products that work as hard as you do. Painter´s tapes that seal strong. Abrasives that refuse to quit.

Safety gear that keeps you on the job, day after day.

3M pro paint products are built for the way you work.

They're built to perform.

TM

3M Aura Particulate Respirator 9205+, N95 TM

TM

Fits a wide range of face shapes and sizes. Designed to help reduce eyewear fogging and conform to the nose and eye contours.

3M.com/9205+

2090 ScotchBlue Original Multi-Surface Painter´s Tape TM

The versatile tape pros have loved for more than 30 years.

Stays on surfaces up to 14 days and removes easily without residue. scotchbrand.com/painterstape

3M PRO GRADE PRECISION Faster Sanding Block Sponges TM

TM

Premium mineral grits for effective hand sanding and foam that keeps its shape for lasting use.

3M.com/ProGradePrecision

©3M 2024. All rights reserved. 3M, Aura, ScotchBlue and PRO GRADE PRECISION are trademarks of 3M.

Winter 2024/2025 | inPAINT

7

The Best Paint Jobs Start With Scotch® Painter’s Tape.

Painter’s Tape

Every job is unique, but they all start with the right preparation. Prepping with a painter’s tape from Scotch® Brand means you have a family of tapes specifically designed for your surfaces. By choosing to use the right tape, you’re choosing to create a better result.

W

hatever the surface, Scotch® Painter Tape has got you covered on the job. n ScotchBlue™ Original Painter’s Tape Designed for use on multiple surfaces such as smooth or lightly textured walls, trim, baseboards, tile and glass.

ScotchBlue™ Sharp Lines Painter’s Tape Multiple surface tape with Edge-Lock™ Technology to seal out paint to deliver sharp paint lines.

n

n Scotch® Rough Surface Painter’s Tape Designed for use on concrete, brick, stucco, and rough wood.

SBLU-20-1286 production R1-1 10-08-20

Scotch® Delicate Surface Painter’s Tape Designed for use on delicate surfaces such as painted drywall, freshly painted walls (at least 24 hours old), wood floors, wallpaper, veneers and cabinets. Features Edge-Lock™ Technology to seal out paint and deliver sharp paint lines.

n

Find the right tape for your project at ScotchBrand.com/painterstape

Spt — half page Ad client: Emily Browing ae: Ng pm: ss ad: sj cw: MB pa: sj pub: inpaint magazine issue date: Nov/dec 2020 trim size: 7.458" x 4.979" ink: 4c l l l l

The best paint jobs start with No two surfaces are alike — that’s why starting with the right prep can make all the difference. With a family of tapes designed specifically for your surface, Scotch® Painter’s Tape helps you prep right for professional-looking results.

© 3M 2023. All rights reserved. 3M, Scotch, ScotchBlue, Edge-Lock and the BLUE color of the tape are trademarks of 3M.

8

inPAINT | Winter 2024/2025

inPAINT

®

REIMAGINED

WATCH YOUR INBOX 2025 Winter 2024/2025 | inPAINT

9

THE NEWS

Dunn-Edwards spreads north

Budget-friendly business opportunities

> In the wake of the closing of Kelly-Moore

> According to FranchiseClues.com, the following companies offered the lowest investment cost to launch a paint franchise business in 2024.

Paints in 2024, Dunn-Edwards announced the opening of 17 retail stores in Northern California (listed below). The expansion supports Dunn-Edwards focus on strategic growth in key markets to provide services for area customers.

North Bay Bay Area Brentwood Albany Fairfield Alum Rock Livermore Cupertino San Ramon Fremont Milbrae Oakland Redwood City San Francisco Bayshore

South Bay Gilroy Santa Cruz Seaside Sacramento Chico El Dorado Hills

Paint that peels, but in a good way > Sustainable materials company Glasst Innovation Company recently launched what it is calling the world’s first peelable architectural paint, UNPAINT, which is built on Glasstommer technology, forming a durable, peelable film that’s carbon-negative and biodegradable.

Designed to be a solution for renters who want to personalize their space without risking their security deposit, UNPAINT can be easily applied by brush, roller or sprayer to wood, drywall, metal, concrete and glass.

When dry, it forms a durable film that can be peeled off by hand without leaving residue or damaging surfaces.

It also has applications for quick and easy refreshes of interior retail environments, exhibition spaces and any space where a temporary transformation is desired.

The coating is available in 800 colors and in satin and matte finishes, and can be color-matched to most major brands. Available at select retailers in the U.S. and online. Glasst.co/en/unpaint_eng

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inPAINT | Winter 2024/2025

Five Star Painting Initial investment range: $61,600 – $136,150 Initial franchise fee: $40,000 Royalty: 6% Fresh Coat Painters Initial investment range: $54,045 – $76,945 Initial franchise fee: $45,095 Royalty: 6% Color World Housepainting Initial investment range: $72,260 – $143,200 Initial franchise fee: $49,500 Royalty: 6%

Take your business to new heights: the 2025 PCA EXPO > The only annual national convention dedicated to the painting industry, the PCA EXPO is now just weeks away.

With attendance expected to peak at 1,000+, the 2025 EXPO agenda features ample opportunities to learn how to grow your business and connect with others who are looking to do the same or have successfully walked the path you’re on.

Whether your focus is commercial, residential or industrial coatings—or all of the above—you and your team will walk away with new ideas and information thanks to educational intensives, panel discussions, peer-to-peer contractor round tables, and nightly networking events.

PCAPaintEd.org/EXPO

WHAT’S NEW

3M™ High Strength Color Changing Hole Repair Eliminate the guesswork and reduce the chance of errors. 3M™ High Strength Color Changing Hole Repair goes on blue and dries white, helping identify when a repaired surface is dry and ready to be sanded and painted. Its ready-to-use formula dries quickly and provides professional-looking repairs.

3M.com/wallrepair

Mr. LongArm Long-Handled Tool Storage Rack Compact tool storage rack is available in black, yellow or blue. Sturdy, lightweight design is 18.5" high and at 17" x 17" square, requires minimal floor space. Holds up to 24 extension poles or other long-handled tools, with handles up to 1.375" in diameter. Easy assembly requires only a rubber mallet, just six total parts. Better than wood, unaffected by water and humidity. Easily cleans up with soap and water. Proudly made in the USA. Buy direct from Mr. LongArm at: MrLongArm.com/product/tool-storage-rack-0079

Winter 2024/2025 | inPAINT

11

TRENDS

2025 colors of the year revealed Once again, paint manufacturers have unveiled their color picks for the coming year. Here’s what customers may be asking for in the months and year ahead.

Behr Paint

Rumors MQ1-15

Benjamin Moore

2025

Dunn-Edwards

Cinnamon Slate 2113-40

Caramelized DET687

Wood is the new white Dutch Boy

Mapped Blue 429-5DB

PPG Paints

Purple Basil PPG1046-7

Krylon

A recent bathroom trends study from Houzz found that the majority (33%) of homeowners renovating bathrooms are choosing to go with a natural wood color for vanities. This preference displaces white (29%), the previous top color choice.

Minwax

Hammered Black (textured paint)

Violet

Valspar

Encore 8002-45G

aka: Epic Adventure V073-6 at independent retailers nationwide

While most manufacturers typically choose 1 color, Sherwin-Williams opted for a 9-color collection they’re calling the 2025 Color Capsule of the Year.

Click here to view it.

And for those who like to think way ahead, Coloro, one of the world’s top trend forecasting agencies, revealed its COTY prediction for 2026:

SOURCE: 2023 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study Coloro

Transformative Teal

Remodels on the rebound According to the latest report from the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, national home improvement and repair spending to owner-occupied homes will reach $466 billion through the second quarter of 2025 after a slowdown in the 4th quarter of 2024 ($450 billion).

Sure the pay is low, but the stress is high According to the career website Zippia, here’s how being a painting contractor compares to careers in 22 other industries in the U.S. Painting Contractor U.S. Average Salary

$41,303

$59,228

Stability Level

Growth rate 1%

Growth rate 0.3%

Stress Level

Very high

High

Complexity Level

Challenging

Challenging

Work-Life Balance

Poor

Fair

Show me the money According to ServiceTitan’s report Seeking Profitable Growth: A Roadmap for Commercial Contractors in 2024, here’s how service contractors report the timeline for invoicing and collections.

60% send invoices the same day work is completed 20% send invoices 1+ week after work was completed 67% collect payments on time and on the terms set

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inPAINT | Winter 2024/2025

Falling behind According to a recent Houzz Subcontractor Backlog Index, residential painters are experiencing more than a month delay (4.2 weeks) before they can begin a new project.

Houzz cites labor shortages as a leading driver of delays.

EXPERIENCE AIRLESS

LIKE NEVER BEFORE NEW FOR 2024

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INDUSTRY’S M O S T A D VA N C E D ELECTRIC-POWERED G U N E V E R B U I LT

SEE THE XT DIFFERENCE MADE IN THE USA WITH GLOBAL COMPONENTS

graco.com/ContractorHub

©2024 Graco Inc. 3J0479B 3/24 Product covered by issued and pending patents, see graco.com/patents. DEWALT® and the DEWALT Logo are trademarks of DEWALT Industrial Tool Co. and are used under license. With respect to 20V MAX, maximum initial battery voltage (measured without workload), is 20 volts. Nominal is 18 volts.

Winter 2024/2025 | inPAINT

13

PAINTING THE PICTURE:

REBRANDING FOR CONTRACTORS A look at how unconventional, strategic branding can accelerate growth

BY DAN ANTONELLI

Painting is a craft that thrives on aesthetics and precision. This makes it all the more ironic to acknowledge one simple truth: Many painting companies have horrible (or nonexistent) branding. Their work might be phenomenal, but you’d never know it by looking at their bland, white work vehicle.

But here’s the good news: Companies that choose to brand with intention will do more than just stand out.

They’ll dominate in the one area that often drives purchasing decisions: emotion.

BEFORE

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inPAINT | Winter 2024/2025

AFTER

The foundation for rock star recognition

Most painting companies fit the same mold— unwrapped vans, a business named after the owner, an outdated website (or no website at all). Rock & Rollers Painting, in Orange County, CA, decided to go a different route.

Previously named Orange County Painting Company, this business was limiting its growth and potential with a geographic name. A full-fledged rebrand started with a new name, Rock & Rollers, that creatively merged painting with rock and roll.

The goal of the new name was to make painting feel fun, which is the signature of an effective and memorable brand. This type of strategy is what separates hollow brands from emotion-based brands—the ones that stick in people’s minds and get the phones ringing.

The new name paved the way to the company’s iconic Buddy Holly-inspired logo. Owner Alex Garvall reflects on how the new name and look became an instant crowd-pleaser: “It’s awesome to see our brand have an emotional impact on the customer when they see it for the first time. And, while smiling, they bring up a positive memory from Buddy Holly’s era. That’s when you know your brand is much more than a name.” Who is Mrs. Jones more likely to call when she needs painting services—the company named after the owner’s initials or the company whose name and image conjure happy memories and feelings? The answer is clear.

Rock & Rollers Painting experienced a 40% increase in revenue within a year of rebranding.

A company that once struggled with recruitment and visibility has reached rock star status since rebranding. Garvall did not mince words when it comes to the impact the new brand has had on his company:

“The rebrand was the best thing we ever did. It was the foundation for our plan to grow and change. We really redesigned the entire company, from our culture to our operating procedures and processes. But without that branding component [the graphics], we never could have built the company to what we did. That was the missing piece. Before, we couldn’t find people to work with us and now the phone won’t stop ringing from people who want to work with us.”

Winter 2024/2025 | inPAINT

15

Average job tickets are sweeter than ever

A brand directly impacts how the company is perceived and, therefore, how much money people are willing to spend. When the perceived value is higher—which is exactly what strong branding is designed to achieve—painting companies can expect higher average job tickets.

This has certainly been the case for Honey Dudes Handyman in Lorain County, OH. Formerly MDG Maintenance, the company was renamed to Honey Dudes with a lovable bear and bee duo.

Since rebranding, the company has also seen a tremendous shift in sales, as explained by owner Mike Gidich:

“Our average job tickets are skyrocketing … this really set the team down a path that I couldn’t have imagined. We have buy-in from the start now. We’re attracting stronger candidates because our brand reflects a team with a vision. People now see their future in the company, and they see stability … [the rebrand] has helped our closing rates, it’s helped our average job tickets, and it’s helped put people at ease when we arrive at their homes.”

The perception of the company has changed so drastically that Honey Dudes employees have become more invested and involved than ever before: “My employees are now trying to live up to the brand,” says Gidich. “They see more value in the team, and they feel more value within themselves.

I’ve seen what it’s done to build their confidence.

And to top it all off, we are more engaged with the community than we’ve ever been.”

DAN ANTONELLI is the president and creative director of KickCharge Creative, an award-winning branding and marketing agency that specializes in “Legendary Home Service Branding.”

He is the best-selling author of Branded Not Blanded: KickCharge Your Home Service Brand, and has also written Building a Big Small Business Brand.

KickCharge.com

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inPAINT | Winter 2024/2025

Rolling billboards + branded searches = lower marketing spend

To reiterate, most painting companies do not have wrapped vehicles, let alone any indication of effective branding. So the companies that do invest in professional branding and vehicle wrapping will really stand out. For these companies, their vehicles become so much more than a means of transportation. They become rolling billboards.

Branded, professionally wrapped work vehicles can be so distinct and memorable that they can make companies appear larger than they actually are. Garvall has witnessed this firsthand: “We have five wrapped trucks on the road right now, but people still say to us all the time, ‘I see you guys everywhere!’ The vehicles make our brand look even more professional and, at the end of the day,

they allow us to immediately gain the customer’s trust because our vans are so widely recognized throughout the neighborhood.” Gidich has made the same observation with his newly wrapped Honey Dudes vehicles: “We have nine total vehicles right now and people think we have 50!”

Creating a purposeful, memorable brand is about more than increasing a company’s visibility, strengthening its internal culture, and nurturing customer loyalty. It’s also about lowering the company’s long-term marketing spend. The stronger the brand, the more likely it is to produce organic branded searches. So instead of searching for ‘handyman services in Ohio,’ which comes with a higher cost-per-click, people will search for ‘Honey Dudes Handyman.’ Over time, this results in lower cost-per-leads because the branded vehicles, billboards, door hangers, etc., are putting the company at the top of people’s minds. Rather than pouring money into the search engines (that profit and thrive on weak brands, by the way), companies can lower their marketing spends and allocate that money elsewhere.

Change the perception, own the future

Professionally crafted branding is an upfront investment. But it’s also an investment that, when leveraged, will pay for itself quickly. Perception drives action. So, when painting companies choose to break free from the mold and build a brand that reflects their actual value, it’s like taking something that was once black and white and seeing it in color for the first time. The entire perception changes and, therefore, so does the response. n

FROGTAPE OFF. FIVE-STAR REVIEWS ON. ®

When performance cannot be compromised, FrogTape® – the brand that reinvented painting with PaintBlock® Technology – delivers professional results you can trust – when it matters most.

FROGTAPE.COM/PRO

©Shurtape Technologies, LLC 2024/ASW00730

PRO PICKS

OUR PROS

1

JASON NANCE B & M Painting BandMPaintingaz.com

2

JACOB SINGREY Singrey Painting SingreyPainting.com

3

LAUREN FINK Apex Painting ApexPainting517.com

4

DAVID DELGADO CENDALES DC Professional Painting DCProfessionalPaintingllc.com

1 JASON NANCE

4 pros discuss deck coatings and stains To many homeowners, decks are the ultimate outdoor living space. They’re great for gatherings or simply lounging around; but to paint pros, they are challenging structures that see a lot of wear and tear from weather, outdoor furniture and foot traffic. Whether it’s a recoat or new deck project, many paint pros also take on the role of educator on deck projects with clients, sharing insights about maintenance and how to get the most out of the coating used to protect and enhance the aesthetics of the deck. With decks, choosing the right coating or stain starts the customer relationship off on the right foot. Here, four pros share which deck coatings and stains they’ve come to rely on and why, and also a little about how they navigate customer expectations with these sometimes-tricky projects.

BY BRIAN SODOMA 18

inPAINT | Winter 2024/2025

B & M Painting operates in northern Arizona, a four-season climate, unlike the dry desert in the southern part of the state. Here, decks see their share of moisture and, with higher elevations, very strong UV rays.

“You have to be cautious with what you put down out here,” Nance says. “Horizontal surfaces are going to get weathered very quickly.”

For new decks, he likes Sherwin-Williams SuperDeck Exterior Waterborne SemiTransparent Stain. He also uses its Solid Color version, but mostly on recoating projects.

“I like it because the application process is pretty simple. You can do multiple coats and get different types of colors and looks—and it’s durable,” Nance notes, adding that the solid stain product is self-priming and he likes how it “bites into just about any surface.”

Nance tells his customers a recoat will likely be needed every three or four years for a semitransparent coating and up to five years for a solid stain, but they should be monitoring the surfaces closely depending on the structure’s sun exposure.

For older weathered decks, he also uses PPG FLOOD PRO CWF-UV Penetrating Oil Wood Finish. The product can cover up graying or sunbleached surfaces, he adds.

“More than anything, the key to any job, I say, is getting the customer to understand maintenance.

Out here, you even get people buying log homes and the builder doesn’t tell them anything about maintaining those surfaces. It’s something we really try to emphasize with our customers.”

Photo Courtesy of B & M Painting

2 JACOB SINGREY

Singrey’s company has been in business for over 15 years. When it comes to decks, the Oklahoma pro likes semi-transparent oil-based stains for their ability to bring out the natural wood grain and to penetrate deep into the wood for lasting coverage.

“With a semi-transparent, it soaks in really well and protects from the UV rays and from graying.

I’m not a big fan of film forming on wood with solids. Even though they call solid stains a stain, they’re kind of like paints, and I’ve seen so many fail so I end up sanding them off,” he says.

His go-to product is Benjamin Moore Woodluxe Oil-Based Waterproofing Exterior Stain + Sealer (semi-transparent). He likes how well it holds up to UV rays and moisture.

After applying Woodluxe on a new deck, Singrey recommends a recoat every three to four years.

He also likes the product because it recoats very easily. While he prefers the oil-based option, he respects customers’ requests for a water-based coating, and for that he will opt for the coating’s water-based version.

Woodluxe does have a solid stain option that Singrey will use on very weathered surfaces or if a customer requests it, although he does try to persuade them to stick with a semi-transparent, if possible. With aged and poorly maintained decks, he has also tried PPG FLOOD PRO CWF-UV Penetrating Oil Wood Finish.

“I’ve done a couple decks with FLOOD and it seems to really be holding up well. I used it when I was dealing with shortages during COVID, and I really liked it,” he adds.

B&M Painting chose Sherwin-William SuperDeck Exterior Waterborne Solid Color Stain to protect this deck from damaging UV rays, dry desert heat and a fair bit of moisture.

“I think the biggest challenge is keeping customer expectations really honest and helping them understand what they should expect to get out of a coating, and how to handle deck care.” –LAUREN FINK, APEX PAINTING

EDITOR’S NOTE: As with all inPAINT articles, the pros featured in Pro Picks articles are selected based on their areas of expertise, geographic location and reputation. inPAINT has no prior knowledge of their product preferences nor do we filter their responses in any way.

The content represents the genuine responses shared with our writer.

inPAINT®

PRO PICKS Paints, primers, stains, tapes, abrasives ... you name it.

Each article covers a different type of product type and real pro opinions on what they prefer and why.

Watch for Pro Picks in your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE NOW: inPAINTmag.com/subscribe

IT’S FREE! Winter 2024/2025 | inPAINT

19

3 LAUREN FINK

This southern Michigan-based pro started her company in 2021 and focuses primarily on residential work. Her teams also tackle their share of restoration projects, and this work brings them into contact with plenty of challenging wood surfaces; but Fink says decks are still by far some of the most challenging surfaces out there.

“Decks are kind of a battle, and they are not set up for longevity with our weather,” she explains. “I think the biggest challenge is keeping customer expectations really honest and helping them understand what they should expect to get out of a coating, and how to handle deck care.”

For new decks, Fink turns to Cabot Australian Timber Oil. The transparent oil-based product comes in four natural wood tones and does a great job of highlighting the natural wood grains on a deck, plus it touches up well, the pro says.

“I also like it because it’s a 1-coat system, and for customers, that’s great for doing touch-ups through the years,” she adds.

On new decks, Fink will sometimes even recommend customers use a composite on the horizontal surfaces, and wood for vertical structures. In these situations, she’ll use the Timber Oil on the vertical surfaces and get plenty of years out of it.

“Vertical surfaces don’t see nearly as much wear, and that stain will hold up really well,” she says.

For neglected or older decks, she likes a solid stain to “mask a lot of the wear and discoloration.” In these situations, she prefers BEHR Premium Solid Color Waterproofing Stain & Sealer.

“It’s just a matter of performance. I get no call backs with it; the price is good, and it’s highly rated on Consumer Reports.

My customers have been really happy with it,” the pro adds.

Sherwin-Williams SuperDeck Exterior Deck & Dock Coating’s durability and ability to repel water makes is an easy choice for DC Professional Painting when tackling older decks.

David Delgado Cendales is confident with giving his customers a five-year warranty on his deck projects in large part due to his approach to surface prep and how he applies the SuperDeck products.

4 DAVID DELGADO CENDALES

Company owner David Delgado Cendales trusted SherwinWilliams SuperDeck Exterior Deck & Dock Coating to finish this cement porch.

20

inPAINT | Winter 2024/2025

Delgado has been painting for more than two decades and is currently entering his seventh year in business. The Lancaster, PA-based pro’s go-to deck coating is Sherwin-Williams SuperDeck Exterior Waterborne Semi-Transparent Stain or its solid-color version. For older, unmaintained wood and concrete decks, he turns to the brand’s SuperDeck Exterior Deck & Dock Coating.

“SuperDeck is the number one choice for us. I’ve used it for over a decade. I really like how Deck & Dock works on cement, too. I recently had a customer whose deck was made of mahogany; a harder wood prone to mildew. Deck & Dock worked great on that one too,” the pro says.

Delgado is confident with giving his customers a five-year warranty on his deck projects in large part due to his approach to surface prep and how he applies the SuperDeck products.

His process involves pressure washing to remove mildew, algae, stains and old peelings. After the surface dries, he inspects it before sanding. It’s not uncommon for him to pressure wash a second time. After that, he scuffs the surface with a sander, sprays the first coat, then back rolls it before spraying a second coat.

“We can spray the second coat because we know the surface is already penetrated with the stain from when we back rolled the first coat. With this process, we’re able to make sure the stain really gets into all the wood fibers,” he explains. n

KNOWLEDGE the ultimate power tool

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UPCOMING EVENTS

ADVERTISER INDEX

2

7

3M 3M.com Pages 6, 7, 8 & 11 Behr Behr.com Page 2 FrogTape FrogTape.com Page 17 Graco Graco.com Page 13 Habitat for Humanity Habitat.org Page 3 National Hardware Show NationalHardwareShow.com Back Cover Mr. LongArm MrLongArm.com Page 11

6 4

3 5 1

What, Where & When JANUARY

MARCH

1

23–25: Painting Profits Summit, Chattanooga, TN paintingprofitssummit.com

2

25 & 26: 2025 Build & Remodel Expo, Madison, WI buildremodelexpo.com

5

9–11: Construction Management Association of America Focus25, Las Vegas, NV cmaanet.org/conferences

6

18–20: National Hardware Show, Las Vegas, NV nationalhardwareshow.com

FE BR UARY 3

4

APRIL

3–7: PCA EXPO, Colorado Springs, CO pcapainted.org/expo

7

8–10: AGC 2025 Annual Convention, Columbus OH convention.agc.org

25–27: Associated Builders and Contractors Convention, Las Vegas, NV abcconvention.abc.org

2025 National Hardware Show March 18-20 l Las Vegas

The National Hardware Show is the only industry event that unites the entire home improvement community. Reconnect with customers and colleagues, explore cutting-edge products, and discover the latest market trends—all in one place.

Visit NHS2025.com/INPAINT and use code NHSINPAINT to register for a free exhibit hall pass!

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inPAINT | Winter 2024/2025

BOTTOM LINE

Six year-end tax moves every painting business owner should know

A

s the year ends, painting business owners should consider strategies to reduce their tax burden. With success comes larger taxes, so taking proactive steps before December 31st can save you significantly. Here are several strategies to consider: Accelerate expenses For cash-basis taxpayers, one way to reduce taxable income is to accelerate expenses. If you’re planning to purchase supplies in January or February, consider buying them now. You can use a business credit card to take the deduction this year while paying it off next year. Just be mindful to only buy what you truly need to avoid unnecessary spending.

Defer income Deferring income can be an effective strategy to manage your tax liability as a cash-basis taxpayer. This involves postponing the receipt of payments for work completed this year until the next year. For example, you could offer special deals to trusted, repeat customers for work done in November or December, but delay collecting payment until January. This shifts revenue to the next tax year, giving you more control over taxes. You can defer income as often as needed.

You might choose not to defer in a year when your revenue is lower, allowing you to take advantage of a lower tax bracket.

Review officer compensation for S-Corps For S-Corp owners, reviewing your officer compensation is crucial. Your salary needs to be high enough to meet the IRS’s definition of ‘reasonable’ compensation, but not so high that you end up overpaying on payroll taxes. If your role has shifted— perhaps from active operations to more of an advisory or leadership position—consider adjusting your salary accordingly. Keeping compensation reasonable ensures IRS compliance and avoids excess payroll taxes. Additionally, consider adding fringe benefits like health care to maximize deductions without further increasing payroll tax obligations.

Strategic vehicle purchase Purchasing a business vehicle before year-end can yield significant tax savings, but it’s important to understand the nuances. Only the business portion of the vehicle can be deducted, and luxury vehicle limits apply. For vehicles over 6,000 pounds, the deduction is more flexible, but be aware of depreciation limits and potential pitfalls like depreciation recapture.

Depreciation recapture happens when you sell an asset for more than its depreciated value. If you claimed depreciation to reduce taxes, the IRS will ‘recapture’ that deduction upon the sale. You’ll need to report the amount of depreciation you claimed as taxable income when you sell the vehicle, so it’s important to understand that you can’t take the deduction and avoid taxes altogether if the asset is sold shortly after.

Maximize health savings accounts (HSAs) HSAs provide an opportunity to ‘double dip’ on tax savings. Contributions are tax-deductible, and withdrawals used for qualified medical expenses are tax-free, allowing you to benefit on both ends. To qualify for an HSA, you need a high-deductible health plan, which suits those with minimal ongoing medical costs.

Be sure to make your contribution before filing your tax return to maximize this tax benefit. Additionally, once you reach retirement age, your HSA can be converted into a retirement account, allowing you to use it for non-medical expenses without penalty.

DANIEL HONAN is a CPA who specializes in the painting industry. He has helped more than 300 painting business owners with revenues from $0 to $10 million over the last 8+ years understand their numbers and save big at tax time.

BookkeepingForPainters.com

Contribute to individual retirement accounts Finally, don’t forget about retirement savings. Traditional IRAs offer immediate tax deductions, while Roth IRAs provide tax-free growth. The contribution window closes when you file your return, so act now if you haven’t maxed out.

The bottom line Being intentional about your tax planning is key. These strategies can help you manage your tax liabilities and keep more money in your pocket. Speak with your tax professional to find out which moves make the most sense for your specific situation.

Winter 2024/2025 | inPAINT

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RSVP FOR NHS!

March 18-20, 2025 Las Vegas Convention Center

The ONLY Industry Event That Unites The Entire Home Improvement Community Whether you’re looking to connect with customers and peers, discover the latest trends in the home improvement industry, or explore the newest products and innovations – your experience at NHS will provide you with the tools to grow your business. Join us for an event focused on celebrating innovation, deepening industry connections and growing our global community.

RSVP for NHS 2025 at www.nhs2025.com/RSVP