Do you think you would like to try your hand at refinishing furniture for profit? Do you seek a job that allows you to be creative, maintain a flexible schedule, and has great personal rewards? Following these tips will help lead you towards success.
1. Have a contract!
Listen up, this is majorly important!!! If you do commission work, start out with a contract. Protect yourself and get paid for all the those inevitable add ons and all of your hard work. Your clients will respect you for being professional, don’t be afraid to be clear from the beginnings that you are paid according to specifications outlined in the contract. Most of us have had that difficult customer with 20 change orders and you don’t want to go into that relationship without some backup. Specify costs for paint, distressing, glazing, finishing products and size and detail of piece. Don’t forget to include no refunds and costs for touch-ups down the road if available. Communicate with your clientele by setting clear terms and expectations as well as negotiating the ever important factor… price. Send updates, keep them abreast on the schedule if you are ahead or behind, and reassure them that their piece is in good hands.
2.Do not Cut Corners!
Us furniture painters, we are a breed that is one in the same usually. We have a touch of ADD, love starting a project but sometimes dread finishing it, and many of our at home projects may be waiting on something as simple as putting on the hinges (I am totally guilty!) I painted my buffet 2 years ago and I never put the hinges back on. You cannot skip the small stuff with a paying customer. Consider lining the drawers, making repairs so that your project is solid, painting the back of a piece even though it wouldn’t likely show when pushed up against a wall, and replacing loose, or damaged hardware. Small upgrades on hardware can dramatically affect the value and curb appeal of your restoration. And most importantly FINISH THE PROJECT! Do not give to your customer saying you just need to wax it, or they will need to fix the drawer slides. Give them a solid, beautifully finished piece that keeps them coming back for more of your creations.
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