Extra coats of paint may seem like a small inconvenience, but they can quickly eat into your time, labour costs, and overall profit.
In the painting trade, profitability isn’t just about winning more work—it’s about delivering every project as efficiently as possible. While an additional coat of paint may seem insignificant, it can have a measurable impact on your time, labour costs, and overall profit.
For contractors and professional painters, reducing unnecessary coats is one of the simplest ways to improve productivity and protect margins.
The Hidden Cost of an Extra Coat
Every additional coat adds more than just paint to the job. It also means:
- More labour hours.
- Increased paint consumption.
- Longer time spent on site.
- Delayed project completion.
- Less availability to start the next contract.
On a single project, these costs may appear manageable. Across multiple projects over a month or year, however, extra coats can significantly reduce profitability.
Time Is Money on Every Job
Whether you’re working on residential developments, commercial buildings, or maintenance contracts, every hour counts. When projects take longer than planned because additional coats are needed, the knock-on effects can include:
- Missed completion deadlines.
- Increased labour costs.
- Delayed payments.
- Reduced scheduling flexibility.
- Lower overall productivity.
Completing projects on time allows your team to move on to the next job sooner—maximising earning potential without increasing overheads.
Better Coverage Means Better Profitability
One of the most effective ways to reduce unnecessary coats is by choosing paints with excellent hiding power and coverage. High-quality professional coatings are formulated to:
- Deliver better opacity.
- Cover substrates more effectively.
- Reduce the need for additional coats.
- Produce a consistent, professional finish.
Less time spent applying an extra coat means less labour, lower material consumption, and a healthier bottom line.
Look Beyond Price Per Litre
It’s easy to compare paint products based on price alone, but the cheapest product isn’t always the most cost-effective. Professional contractors understand that the real measure of value is cost per completed job. A paint that costs slightly more per litre but delivers superior coverage can:
- Reduce overall paint usage.
- Lower labour costs.
- Improve project turnaround times.
- Increase profitability across multiple projects.
When calculating project costs, it’s important to consider the total cost of application—not just the purchase price of the paint.
Protect Your Reputation as Well as Your Margins
Every unnecessary coat costs time, labour, and profit. Choosing high-coverage, professional-grade coatings can help reduce extra coats, complete projects more efficiently, minimise rework, and protect your margins on every job.
Visit your nearest Universal Paints Direct outlet and speak to our team about professional paint systems designed for superior coverage, reliable performance, and long-term value. We’ll help you choose the right products to keep your projects moving, your clients satisfied, and your business profitable.
