Step 1: Know What You’ re Looking At
Before you even open your trailer and plan to unleash your fleet of stripers, take a good walk around the lot. This isn’ t just a formality. This is reconnaissance.
Look for:
• Line count( don’ t rely on the customer’ s memory)
• Specialty markings and details( ADA stencils, arrows, numbers, custom stencils)
• Curb painting, fire lane, crosswalks
• Lot condition( is it dirty?)
• Cracks, potholes or trip hazards( address any liabilities)
“
Take pictures— not just for reference,
” but to cover your tail.
Pro tip: Take pictures— not just for reference, but to cover your tail. If there’ s damage that’ s not your fault, document it before the job starts. Also, this may open an opportunity for your sales team to add an additional service.
Step 2: Bid Like a Pro
There are two types of stripers, the ones who estimate based on gut feelings and the ones who stay in business. If you want to stay in business, build your estimate with precision:
Count Everything Every stripe, arrow and stencil. It might feel tedious, but the difference between 95 and 195 stalls can make or break your margins, especially when you’ re paying for paint by the gallon and labor by the hour.
Measure Specialty Work and All the Details Got a 1,000-foot fire lane with a six-inch curb? Measure it. Want to stencil custom numbers with a background? Measure those, too. Then charge appropriately. Specialty work should never be priced like basic striping.
Know Your Paint Usage How many linear feet per gallon does your machine get? How many ADA squares can you get out of a bucket? Are you using waterborne, acetone or chlorinated rubber? It all matters. Build a cheat sheet so you’ re not overspending or shorting the job. Remember, not every company’ s production rate is the same. Document your team to get accurate numbers.
1.800.210.5923
For More Information On This Advertiser Please Visit www. CallAPE. com / e-inquiry
[ 15 ] August 2025