Painting The Town

Who says an artisan must carry the burden of management, advertising and customer service while still concentrating on quality work? Certa ProPainters is whitewashing this do-it-all-yourself mentality with a painting franchise that puts business in the hands of the businessperson and leaves the skill to the craftsperson.

Franchisees pay $20,000 for an exclusive territory and computer software, and about $15,000 for a van and painting equipment. Annual royalty fees are $9,250 the first year and $12,000 thereafter, and there's a 3-percent advertising fee with a $6,000 cap. Franchisees are taught the ins and outs of paint technology; how to give precise, consistent estimates; and how to hire painters.

After two weeks of training, franchisees receive ongoing support and assistance in a "flying start" program, in which they start out painting home exteriors and move up to more difficult commercial interior jobs.

Certa emphasizes customer serv-ice, say president Charlie Chase and vice president Tom Wood, in an industry that hasn't traditionally put customers first.

For more information, call (800) 452-3782.