New to the Residential and Commercial

Whats up guys I've been doing the automotive thing for a little over 3 years now. I have and opprotunity to try my hand in the residential commercial side. I'm going by tomorrow to look at the windows and meet with the owners. They are familiar with my automotive work, but I don't know how to approach them. I have a sample pack of flat glass film that I will take and show them. What do I need to look for and what is the general rule of thumb for pricing. Is it per sq foot?

Thanks in advance for the help

Personally I think you need MORE than a day of reading and preparing before going out to do an estimate and try to sell tinting on a flat glass job.

Thers 's many more factors than just per sq. foot.

Do you know anything about absorbtion factors ? is it thermopane ?

do windows need to be spliced ? ladders needed? what kind of edging around windows(eg wooden framed or aluminum or vinyl)

yeah, there is a lot to flat glass,,,hec, I'm still learning stuff all of the time,,,,,,,

I've been reading specs on the film. I've been reading on stress on windows, the amount of shade and heat abosorbsion. I didn't realize how much was involve. I have a great deal of respect for flat glass tinters.
Thanks

Good luck! ...if nothing else your going on the job sight a bit wiser

Agreed!!! Installation is the easy part , have to find out what the customer needs/wants verses the type of glass but more power to ya for trying the flat glass!!!! Good Luck to ya!!

dont you dare put auto film on a residential/commercial glass, dont you dare!

seen it happen once to many times, be careful and good luck!

good luck

The approach I took on my forst residential job was:

Hi,

The only film i am familiar with is graffitti film.

I would love to tint your home, but I don't Know what the market rate is, so I feel that after i buy the film, I thinik --- bucks more if fair for my time.

Got the job (in retrospect) for about $x a SF below market.

Best fstuf I gave away. Good customer experience.

Just charge what you think your time is worth untill you get a good feel for the business.

where are you located TINT POSER?

Austin, TX

It was about 2 and a half years ago.

Honestly, there is no set market rate for film. You just have to charge what you feel is right for your business. Look at your growth model and charge accordingly.

Thanks for the support guys. I decided to wait until tuesday to go. This will give me more time to do research. Don't worry about me putting automotive film on, I've read were it causes windows to crack. So far I know to look for shading and how close blinds are to the windows. I'm having trouble on the type of film. My company offers 3 lines of films. I would guess that the highest price film will work well on any glass with respect to heat absorbsion. Am I wrong on this. Lastly figuring out what king of glass it is. I'm just use to say hmm that back window is really curved going to take a while to heat out or I need to put tape on those felt seal. Glass type is new to me.

Thanks for all the feedback guys love the site.

The cost of the film has NOTHING to do with the absorbtion.

Talk to your distributer about it. if they sell flatglass film they should be willing to offer some guidance and info about their products and what if any limitations there are for thremal stress and or seal failure issues if the film to glass application is approved by them.

One thing is for sure though if you put film on the windows and something does happen you can bet your azz the guy is NOT going to call the distributer he's going to call You

You may not be a full fledge flat glass tinter...but by this statement you just made shows your going to be a smart one.

Suggest you bring out your medium performance films..usually the safest. Check on the warranty from your film supplier. I would not sweat it too much. Most residential customers are not that knowlegeable about choices of films..they want something for the fading protection, some heat reduction and a good warranty. Show them two, maybe three films, and steer them to the one you think is the best..afterall you are the expert. Good luck.

33 years in the field???? where ya from goomba?

Been instaling 3M for way too long here in the SF Bay Area. I always have fun...best times are always with customers...never cut my prices....I leave it for the other guys to go broke.

Where in the SF area? I go there atleast once (if not more times) a year.

hmmm i know someone who 's been around that long, but im not gonna shout names out in a public forum.

welcome!

I call Bull

3 -3M guys here in the bay, Haven't seen any old guys tintin for em.