4 comments about 2006 National Painting Cost Estimator.

1. If you are a medium to large sized company without an estimator this book is for you. I am a sole proprietor without employees and want to stay that way. In some areas the costing methods for me are inflexible. For example, all the cost books are made up with contractors getting 20, 30, or 40% discount on their paint. I have to pay retail. The program won't allow me to modify the cost sheets for me. However there is a wealth of information in here primarily all on how to cost out a job and add in overhead, profit, and a burden rate for payroll. It is very well written. Just not for the little guy.



2. This book is extremely difficult to understand. Examples used are repeated throughout every page of the book and it doesn't make much sense. I believe the person who wrote the book understands it (I hope) and anyone that owns a company may. If you are a free-lancer, this book is not for you.



3. I am also a sole proprietor, this book is a serious Maths/Process approach to Painting and probably will be a daunting effort to understand. I kept reading this book, at first it annoyed me allot but I soldiered on through, and now incorporate varying hourly rates into my quotes & estimates. Concerning the 20, 30, or 40% discount on your paint as stated in the manual I agree with Reviewer: Sirwriter "Small paint contractor" (New Orleans) this part is inflexible, so I type my quote/estimates using Lotus word pro and add these percentages back in to the Math. After reading the manual I realised how cheap I was selling my services so I called Lawyers, Car dealers, Accountants, other industrial tradesmen and men/women who work in different industries, this gave me an idea on what the other Trades are getting on an hourly basis and then I typed this information into an easy to read format, so if I'm asked why I charge the rate I do, I give them a printout on what everyone else is getting, It soon sorts out the ambiguity of my pricing structure. All in all this book gave me an Idea as to how I perform my practice, now I break everything down into a process and look for ways to streamline my work.



4. It makes my blood boil when I hear youngsters today complaining that they have failed to accurately estimate their painting costs. There are simply no excuses for such ignorance. They should make this book part of the national curriculum!

5 comments about Trompe L'Oeil Bible.

1. Good book but I have found a good site that offers free online tutorials for Trompe L'oeil at http://www.creativeevolution.net/school/howto.php



2. The book lacks both technical details and inspirations. Contains several basic boreing projects so meticulously drawn line after line as for to be copied. The "trompe l'oeil" title is too ambitious either. Sorry to admit but very like other books offered.



3. If you want some trompe l'oeil tips along with photographs of finished work, this is a great book. Step by step instruction of many illusions.



4. Calling a book a "bible" is an affectionate term usually reserved for highly regarded works that many professionals turn to for help and/or inspiration. Like Ralph Mayer's "The Artists Handbook".
   This book is not a "bible". It is more like a primer suitable for beginners and hobbyists. Very disappointing to find it so elementary.



5. Good book to help beginners to professionals. I used some great tips from this book to paint one of my doors.

No comments about Wallpaper Design (Agile Rabbit Editions).

1 comments about Meditative Spaces.

1. My order was well-packaged, shipped quickly and item was just as described.

No comments about Family Circle Painted Furniture: 100+ Home Decorating Projects (Family Circle Easy...).

No comments about Painted Garden Decor (Banar Design).

No comments about 365 shortcuts to home decorating,.

No comments about Black & Decker Complete Guide to Floor Decor: Beautiful, Long-lasting Floors You Can Design & Install (Black & Decker Complete Guide).

1 comments about At Home with Pictures: Arranging & Displaying Photos, Artwork & Collectibles.

1. This book is clear, creative, and beautiful. It is a wonderfully written how-to book that makes hanging collections seem exciting rather than intimidating. I love the format, which gives "rules" for display closely followed by a section entitled "breaking the rules and getting away with it". The author gives great tips on color, frame types, and the effect of various environments on artwork. I first got this book at the local library, and 2 days later decided I needed to own a copy.

1 comments about Decorative Painting for Home & Garden.

1. If you love to create your own painted projects to decorate your home & garden then this book is for you! Easy to follow step by step directions and great color photos.