Painting Contractor Programs - Regulatory and Cost Recovery

The purpose of this page is to define for painting contractors the most efficient method of managing waste from jobs and at the same time insuring that environmental management costs do not adversely affect bids.

REGULATORY CHALLENGES

Many industries now charge fees separate from the cost of goods and services specifically to cover regulatory expenses.  Painting contractors are usually on the list of businesses to be inspected by local enforcement agencies.

 

You may not be compelled to account for cleaning water. Usually you are required to establish an impound (small swimming pool) to capture the water. On large jobs the storm water people will want you to compete a SWMBP document indicating what you will do with the water.

COST RECOVERY CONCEPT

Have you ever paid a disposal fee for used oil or tires when you have had your vehicle serviced?  These charges are designed to cover the cost to meet environmental regulations and have nothing to do with the actual repair or cost of products.

Painters should consider the same concept.  Determine what it costs to dispose of waste material from a job and list that cost as a separate line item.  By doing this, you are informing your customer that you are doing the right thing with the waste.  Another reason is to differentiate yourself from competitors that violate the law and toss the waste into a trash bin. 

By separating the cost, your time and materials bid can stand alone against a competitor.  If the competitor did not list the environmental disposal fee separately you can point this out to a potential customer.  You may be awarded a job and at the same time increase your profit margin.

Call us for more information about our programs 888-449-3733 ex 107 or email haz4smallbusiness@wm.com.