Ghaster Painting and Coatings, Inc.

Ghaster Painting & Coatings September Newsletter

2011-10-03T08:10:00.001-07:00

Dear customers and friends,

We have a busy couple of months coming up here at Ghaster Painting & Coatings. We are happy to announce that we will be the Diamond Sponsor of the IFMA Golf Tournament which will be held this Friday September 23 at the Arizona Biltmore. We look forward to catching up with our IFMA friends there.

Next month, we will have a booth in the Facilities Decisions Trade Show in Las Vegas on October 11th and 12th. We are excited to be there to meet regional facilities managers. If any of you will be there, please stop by our booth #307.

Finally, don't forget to visit Ghaster Painting & Coatings on Facebook! If you are a Facebook user, simply click on the Facebook icon below and become a fan. You will be able to see what we are up to, be the first to hear about special offers and see photos of our recently completed projects.

This is a great time of year to paint now that things are cooling off so please call us for an estimate for any projects you may have.

Thank you and have a great week.

Brad A. Ghaster

Ghaster Painting & Coatings

3120 W. Carefree Highway Suite 1, PMB #347

Phoenix, AZ 85086

Ph: 602.277.8541

Fax: 602.277.8576

Toll Free: 888.277.8541

www.ghasterpaintinginc.com

Ghaster Painting & Coatings August Newsletter

2011-10-03T08:08:00.000-07:00

Dear customers and friends,

As the summer days wind down and we look forward to the Fall season, we are very excited to share with you some of the new services that Ghaster Painting & Coatings offers now for your consideration. This month, we feature Dry-Erase Paint, an innovating and environmentally friendly solution with multiple applications.

Dry-Erase Paint
IdeaPaint™ lets you turn virtually anything you can paint into a high performance dry-erase surface. IdeaPaint is literally and figuratively the most flexible dry-erase surface that exists. One roller-applied coat transforms any paintable surface into a canvas for creativity including doors, walls, table-tops, columns, pillars and bathroom partitions.

Benefits and Performance

IdeaPaint outperforms all other dry-erase surfaces. Period.
With IdeaPaint you can expect to see less of those annoying stains and shadows left by markers.
Use any dry-erase marker and feel free to leave marks on the surface for as long as you want.
Uses existing surface as substrate = fewer raw materials
Small box, low weight = low shipping impact
If the space is re-purposed, simply paint over IdeaPaint.
Use IdeaPaint to recoat old chalkboards and worn out whiteboards
Foot for foot, IdeaPaint is the least expensive commercial dry-erase surface

Did you know that we offer more services than just painting? Please consider us your one-stop shop for projects that often go hand in hand with painting:

EIFS/stucco repair
Parking lot striping and curb painting
Stenciling (no parking, etc.), numbering and lettering on doors, handicap and other sign painting
Carport painting
Professional color renderings for exterior color changes
Window cleaning after painting
Wallpaper and wall covering installation or removal
Interior design services and consultation
Tenant improvement work (removing/installing doorways, removing cabinets, install new walls)
Drywall repair
Installation of corner guards, chair rails, wainscoting and rigid vinyl sheeting (protects walls from damage due to pedestrians and wheelchairs etc. while enhancing décor)

This is the perfect time of year to plan your next project and you can benefit from our special end of the year pricing so do not wait to call.

We are new members of the Arizona Multihousing Assocation (AMA) as well as Arizona Commercial Real Estate Women (AZ CREW). We look forward to the opportunity to meet other members at upcoming events.

Finally, don't forget to visit Ghaster Painting & Coatings on Facebook! If you are a Facebook user, simply click on the Facebook icon below and become a fan. You will be able to see what we are up to, be the first to hear about special offers and see photos of our recently completed projects.

Thank you and have a great week.

Brad A. Ghaster

Ghaster Painting & Coatings

3120 W. Carefree Highway Suite 1, PMB #347

Phoenix, AZ 85086

Ph: 602.277.8541

Fax: 602.277.8576

Toll Free: 888.277.8541

www.ghasterpaintinginc.com

Ghaster Painting & Coatings March Newsletter

2011-04-01T09:02:00.000-07:00

Dear customers and friends,

We wanted to share with you about a wonderful charitable organization that we have had the privilege of working with over the past couple of years called New City. The founder, David Bennett, describes here their purpose and mission:

"New City - Barrio Nuevo is an inner city church and non-profit that seeks to revitalize the marginalized neighborhoods of South Phoenix through mobilizing community partners for spiritual, social and racial reconciliation. New City Phoenix desires to celebrate our diversity in Christ and enhance one another through our differences. Isn't that what heaven is all about? New City is a little piece of heaven right here in Phoenix! New City wants to minister to all parts of the person. We call it a holistic approach to ministry.

One of the ways that we build bridges between different racial groups is by forming partnerships with local businesses that help us make a difference. Over the last 3 years we have painted the exterior of 40 homes with the help of hundreds of volunteers. Ghaster Painting & Coatings has helped us supply over 50% of the paint we have needed.

We would invite anyone, whether it be an individual, family, church or business to consider partnering with us to help make a difference to our teens and their families. Please look at our websites or for more information to get involved and help change the life of a teen or single mom." David Bennett - founder of New City & New City website

This ministry serves the community in need through loving people as Christ loves them - completely. Jesus would meet the physical needs of people (hunger, thirst, healing) and the spiritual need (salvation). We are proud to be involved with this ministry and encourage you to be a part to any degree you are able. Have a great week!

Brad & Kirsten Ghaster

Ghaster Painting & Coatings

3120 W. Carefree Highway Suite 1, PMB #347

Phoenix, AZ 85086

Ph: 602.277.8541

Fax: 602.277.8576

Toll Free: 888.277.8541

www.ghasterpaintinginc.com

Ghaster Painting & Coatings February Newsletter

2011-03-01T12:55:00.000-08:00

Dear customers and friends,

We sincerely hope this new year has started out with positive results for you and your business. Thankfully we are busier than ever before. Some projects we are working on are the Petsense building at Raintree and the 101 (you may have seen our banner there), downtown at the Digital Realty Trust building, the City of Mesa Hohokam stadium for the Cubs (coming out for Spring Training), Costco in Arrowhead and at Forever 21 locations around the southwest. Thankfully, the weather is cooperating (for the most part) making it a great time of year to paint. Let us know if you need a bid.

We received this email from Advantec, an HR Management Firm, recently which caught our attention. It addresses the risks of classifying a person as an independent contractor who is technically an employee to reduce payroll taxes. This is also known as 'piece work' and is unfortunately a growing and all too common practice in the painting industry. It causes the worker to be forced to do high levels of production and skipping the most important part of the job…prep. It may work well for the contractor but at the expense of the worker, the customer and the quality of the job. When you hire a painting contractor (or any other contractor), make sure that the workers who will be on site at your job will be true employees and not independent contractors (legally an independent contractor has to have a license and insurance.) Please see the below article for more information on what the IRS plans to do about this issue from a tax standpoint:

White House, Congress and DOL Plan to Crack Down on Worker Misclassification

Some employers misclassify workers who should be considered employees and instead treat them as independent contractors. Federal and state governments are concerned with this trend for at least two reasons. First, the IRS believes that part of the "tax gap" (the difference between the taxes the IRS believes are owed and the revenue it receives) is due to worker misclassification allowing companies to avoid payroll taxes for independent contractors. This year, the IRS will perform 2,000 random employment tax audits, with particular attention given to corporations' use of independent contractors. Second, the Department of Labor suspects employers use misclassification to deny workers benefits and overtime pay. (Advantec newsletter - see advantec-hr.com for more)

According to an article published on Law.com, companies are taking this unlawful short cut as they have discovered that in this economy "It's more cost-efficient to bring in independent contractors and temporaries rather than hire full-time, regular employees and incur the high costs of employee benefits and employee programs. While the number of workers choosing to become independent contractors is growing, companies who hire them may face a hidden downside to this trend -- lengthy IRS or state audits, heavy fines, and discrimination lawsuits -- all due to employer misclassification of 1099 workers."

So, the moral of the story is to use contractors who do things the right way and hire their workers as full employees regardless of the extra cost.

On another note, Ghaster Painting & Coatings is now on Facebook! If you are a Facebook user, simply click on the Facebook icon below and become a fan. You will be able to see what we are up to, be the first to hear about special offers and see photos of our recently completed projects.

Thank you and have a great week.

Brad A. Ghaster

Ghaster Painting & Coatings
3120 W. Carefree Highway Suite 1, PMB #347
Phoenix, AZ 85086
Ph: 602.277.8541
Fax: 602.277.8576
Toll Free: 888.277.8541
www.ghasterpaintinginc.com

Ghaster Painting & Coatings now has its own Facebook page!

2011-03-01T12:53:00.000-08:00

Dear customers and friends,

We are happy to announce that Ghaster Painting & Coatings now has its own Facebook page!

If you're a Facebook user, simply to see our new page and become a fan! You will receive updates from us, be the first to know about our special offers, painting tips, see photos of our most recently completed projects and best of all, you can interact with us as frequently as you want.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Thank you very much.

Brad A. Ghaster

Ghaster Painting & Coatings
3120 W. Carefree Highway Suite 1, PMB #347
Phoenix, AZ 85086
Ph: 602.277.8541
Fax: 602.277.8576
Toll Free: 888.277.8541
www.ghasterpaintinginc.com

Ghaster Painting & Coatings January Newsletter

2011-03-01T12:50:00.000-08:00

2011 - Can You Believe It?

Do you feel optimistic or pessimistic about the future? Some may see a glass half empty and others see it as half full. This new year may provide us all with a fresh canvas to paint a better picture of our lives in 2011. What will your picture look like? It may be time to reflect on the changes we want or need and to resolve to follow through with those changes. Check to see if your new year's resolution was on the top ten list from a recent poll:

Spend more time with family & friends
Getting fit
Weight loss
Quit smoking
Enjoy life more
Quit drinking
Get out of debt
Learn something new
Help others
Get organized

It is our resolution to paint a better, brighter picture of service, quality and value in the painting industry. We stand behind our motto which is "Our Jobs Look Better Longer." We at Ghaster Painting & Coatings would like to say THANK YOU for your business and for the personal relationships that we have developed with many of you over the years. 35 years goes pretty fast, but that is how long we have been serving the Valley. Remember that life is an art, no matter the size of your canvas….live it well.

Happy New Year to all.

Sincerely, Brad A. Ghaster and the GPC staff

Ghaster Painting & Coatings
3120 W. Carefree Highway Suite 1, PMB #347
Phoenix, AZ 85086
Ph: 602.277.8541
Fax: 602.277.8576
Toll Free: 888.277.8541
www.ghasterpaintinginc.com

Ghaster Painting & Coatings October Newsletter

2010-12-03T12:05:00.000-08:00

Dear customers and friends,

Did you know that we offer more services than just painting? Please consider us your one-stop shop for projects that often go hand in hand with painting:

EIFS/stucco repair

Parking lot striping and curb painting

Stenciling (no parking, etc.), numbering and lettering on doors, handicap and other sign painting

Carport painting

Professional color renderings for exterior color changes

Window cleaning after painting

Wallpaper and wallcovering installation or removal

Interior design services and consultation

Tenant improvement work (removing/installing doorways, removing cabinets, install new walls)

Drywall repair

Installation of corner guards, chair rails, wainscoting and rigid vinyl sheeting (protects walls from damage due to pedestrians and wheelchairs etc. while enhancing décor)

This is the perfect time of year to paint due to the weather and our special end of the year pricing so do not wait to call.

We are new members of the Arizona Multihousing Assocation (AMA) as well as Arizona Commercial Real Estate Women (AZ CREW). We look forward to the opportunity to meet other members at upcoming events.

Sincerely,

Brad A. Ghaster
Ghaster Painting & Coatings

Ghaster Painting & Coatings
3120 W. Carefree Highway Suite 1, PMB #347
Phoenix, AZ 85086
Ph: 602.277.8541
Fax: 602.277.8576
Toll Free: 888.277.8541
www.ghasterpaintinginc.com

Ghaster Painting & Coatings August Newsletter

2010-09-07T08:09:00.000-07:00

I wanted to take this opportunity to give you an update on things going on at Ghaster Painting & Coatings. It is almost the end of the summer and it sure has been busy and HOT. It really makes me appreciate the quality and quantity of work that our crews put forth while working in the harshest of elements.

Have brush, will travel

We are excited to be the exclusive painting contractor for the southwest region of a national retail chain. We have been traveling to Texas and Nevada to paint, install wallpaper and display graphics in their stores. If you have any buildings in the southwest region that need to be painted (exterior or interior), please allow us the opportunity to give you a bid.

Family versus Franchise

I wanted to comment on the trend I have noticed of franchisee owned painting companies. These companies are popping up around town and are often owned or managed by people who have little to no painting experience. Make sure that whatever painting company you hire has an owner who has extensive experience in the painting business. Before you get a bid, first check to see how long the company has been in operation in Arizona. A good benchmark is to use companies that have been in business for at least 20 years. Second, check on how long the ownership has remained the same. Third, ask how long the key employees have been with the company. What you find out might surprise you - high employee turnover is usually a sign of trouble or poor management.

Colors Trends 2010

Once a year, Dunn Edwards releases a "Color Forecast" which is a list of colors that they anticipate to be the trend setters in the coming year. Some of these colors are: TARNISHED SILVER, ASHWOOD, PLUM PASSION, AMBER DAWN, BISON BEIGE, LOG CABIN, BRONZED ORANGE and CHAPARRAL. Please call or write if you would like a copy of the complete list.

Have a great rest of the month.

Sincerely,

Brad A. Ghaster
President
602-277-8541

Ghaster Painting & Coatings
3120 W. Carefree Highway Suite 1, PMB #347
Phoenix, AZ 85086
Ph: 602.277.8541
Fax: 602.277.8576
Toll Free: 888.277.8541
www.ghasterpaintinginc.com

Ghaster Painting & Coatings June Newsletter

2010-07-06T12:58:00.000-07:00

Dear friends and customers:

Ghaster Painting & Coatings is Now an EPA Lead-Safe Certified Firm. To protect against the risk of lead poisoning, on April 22, 2008, EPA issued a rue requiring the use of lead-safe practices and other actions aimed at preventing lead poisoning. Under the rule, beginning April 22, 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.

*Why Do You Need to Be Concerned About Lead?

Lead is a toxic metal that was used for many years in products found in and around our homes. Lead also can be emitted into the air from motor vehicles and industrial sources, and lead can enter drinking water from plumbing materials. Lead may cause a range of health effects, from behavioral problems and learning disabilities, to seizures and death. Children six years old and under are most at risk, more than adults.

EPA requires individuals conducting lead-based paint activities in target housing and child-occupied facilities to be trained and certified. Ghaster Painting and Coatings Inc. are now accredited to ensure quality, and certified individuals must follow specific work practices ensuring that lead hazards are addressed.

*Health effects of lead

Lead poisoning remains a major environmental health problem in the United States. People can get lead in their body if they: put their hands or other objects covered with lead dust in their mouths, eat paint chips or soil that contains lead, breathe in lead dust, especially during renovations that disturb painted surfaces.

Lead is more dangerous to children because: Babies and young children often put their hands and other objects in their mouths. These objects can have lead dust on them; children's growing bodies absorb more lead; children's brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead.

If not detected early, children with high levels of lead in their bodies can suffer from: Damage to the brain and nervous system. Behavior and learning problems, such as hyperactivity, Slowed growth, Hearing problems, Headaches.

Lead is also harmful to adults. Adults can suffer from: Reproductive problems (in both men and women). High blood pressure and hypertension, Nerve disorders, Memory and concentration problems, Muscle and joint pain.

*Most Common Sources of Lead Poisoning:

In general, the older your home, the more likely it has lead-based paint. Many homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint. The federal government banned lead-based paint from housing in 1978. Some states stopped its use even earlier. Lead can be found: In homes in the city, country, or suburbs; in apartments, single-family homes, and both private and public housing; inside and outside of the house.

Lead from paint chips, which you can see, and lead dust, which you can't always see, can be serious hazards. Peeling, chipping, chalking, or cracking lead-based paint is a hazard and needs immediate attention. Lead-based paint may also be a hazard when found on surfaces that children can chew or that get a lot of wear-and-tear. These areas include: Windows and window sills, Doors and door frames, Stairs, railings, and banisters. Porches and fences.
Lead dust can form when lead-based paint is dry scraped, dry sanded, or heated. Dust also forms when painted surfaces bump or rub together. Lead chips and dust can get on surfaces and objects that people touch. Settled lead dust can re-enter the air when people vacuum, sweep or walk through it.

As of April 22, 2010, federal law requires that renovation firms be certified under EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule. Individuals be trained in lead-safe work practices and Training providers be accredited by EPA. Contractors must use lead-safe work practices and follow these three simple procedures: Contain the work area. Minimize dust. Clean up thoroughly.

You can rest assured that, as a Certified EPA Lead-Safe firm, Ghaster Painting & Coatings will follow every single work practices as specified by the rule to ensure that all potential lead hazards are addressed. It is part of our continuous commitment and dedication to you, our customers and friends.

Sincerely,

Brad A. Ghaster
President
Ghaster Painting & Coatings

*Source: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Ghaster Painting & Coatings
3120 W. Carefree Highway Suite 1, PMB #347
Phoenix, AZ 85086
Ph: 602.277.8541
Fax: 602.277.8576
Toll Free: 888.277.8541
http://www.ghasterpaintinginc.com/

Ghaster Painting & Coatings February Newsletter

2010-05-07T06:51:00.000-07:00

Dear customers and friends,

I have been asked several times lately if we offer particular services in addition to painting and I wanted to take a moment to go over some of those services. Here is a list of services that we offer that you may not have known about:

EIFS/stucco repair

Drywall repair

Wall covering

Installation of corner guards, chair rails, wainscoting and rigid vinyl wall sheeting (protects walls from damage from wheelchairs and pedestrians while enhancing décor)

Stenciling, lettering on doors, parking lot stenciling,/handicap signs, carport painting and stenciling/new vinyl numbers

Minor tenant improvement work (removing cabinets, removing or installing doors/doorways, install new walls)

There are often other services that are needed at the same time as painting so please consider us to be your one stop shop. Please call me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Brad A. Ghaster
Ghaster Paintings & Coatings

Ghaster Painting & Coatings 3120 W. Carefree Highway Suite 1, PMB #347 Phoenix, AZ 85086Ph: 602.277.8541 Fax: 602.277.8576 Toll Free: 888.277.8541 http://www.ghasterpaintinginc.com/

Ghaster Painting & Coatings January 2010 Newsletter

2010-02-03T14:48:00.000-08:00

Oscar Wilde wrote "a New Year's Resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other". Maybe a "new month" resolution is the way to go. Fifty percent of Americans make some kind of New Year's Resolution. Half believe that they will be successful. Research has shown that after six months, fewer than half of the people who make New Year's Resolutions have stuck with them and after one year, that number declines to about ten percent.

Some simple strategies which can help us stick with our resolutions or goals are:

Set specific and realistic goals
Share the goal with someone (accountability is always a good thing)
Focus on the benefits of achieving the goal.

Some obstacles we may encounter along the way are:

Negative self talk or we replay a critical parent or friend telling us that we will never make it (a.k.a. "baggage")
Our own emotions of fear, anger, sadness or frustration. We can be our own worst enemy.
Our environment, the people we surround ourselves with, the places we go, the activities we do, the sense of comfort we might get from certain things….all of these things can derail you from your goal and may not be for our own good.

Change starts with a simple yet powerful conviction that comes from a very deep and personal place inside of us. Often that voice is saying something like "I just cannot continue living like this any longer". If I keep doing the same things over and over but expect a different result, that is what defines insanity. Faith and belief are potent motivators for change, inspiration, hope and even a healthy fear of losing something valuable.

Courage is essential because changes requires risk and willingness to be honest and confront aspects of ourselves that need to change.

Determination - we need an unwavering determination to resist obstacles and to persevere moment by moment, one day at a time. A momentary falter is not failure - quitting is.

Philippians 4:13 says I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

May this year of 2010 be everything you want it to be and more.

Happy New Year from Ghaster Painting & Coatings

Ghaster Painting & Coatings 3120 W. Carefree Highway Suite 1, PMB #347 Phoenix, AZ 85086Ph: 602.277.8541 Fax: 602.277.8576 Toll Free: 888.277.8541
http://www.ghasterpaintinginc.com/

Ghaster Painting & Coatings September Newsletter

2009-10-01T09:44:00.000-07:00

Brad Ghaster: One of AZRE Magazine Top People to Know

AZRE Arizona Commercial Real Estate is Arizona's only publication dedicated to covering commercial development, brokerage, finance, construction, architecture, real estate law and property management. Top People to Know (PTK) is an annual resource guide AZRE Magazine created to open new lines of communication to better inform those who enter our state, as well as connect natives who have seen Arizona prosper and grow over the years.

We are very proud to announce that this year's Top People To Know List includes Brad Ghaster, President of Ghaster Painting & Coatings. He is also the ONLY painting contractor included in this list.

Top PTK covers the commercial real estate industry from developers and investors, contractors, architects and engineers to brokers, city planners and economic development. Final candidates for Top People to Know in Commercial Real Estate are selected based on their professional achievements, responsibilities and industry impact. Pulling together the multiple facets of the commercial real estate industry in Arizona, AZRE: Arizona Commercial Real Estate Magazine reaches out to the largest local and national commercial real estate audience within the Grand Canyon State, West Coast and beyond. AZRE has gained not only local, regional and national attention from its pool of readers, but international attention as well. Additionally, AZRE is an active voice within the commercial industry with local media partnerships to organizations such as NAIOP, ABA, ICSC AZ, AIA AZ and Valley Partnership.

Congratulations to Brad Ghaster and the rest of the 2009 Top People to Know!

Ghaster Painting & Coatings 3120 W. Carefree Highway Suite 1, PMB #347 Phoenix, AZ 85086Ph: 602.277.8541 Fax: 602.277.8576 Toll Free: 888.277.8541

Ghaster Painting & Coatings August Newsletter

2009-09-03T13:11:00.000-07:00

Dear friends:

Warren Buffett says "Price is what you pay, value is what you get". Real value in the painting industry is quality that lasts. Ghaster Painting & Coatings has had the privilege of providing a quality paint job to thousands of buildings during our 33 years in business. The vast majority of our work lasts longer than the terms of our already exceptional warranty, so it is a fact when we say "Our jobs look better longer".

Painting is one of the least costly ways that you can improve and change the overall appearance of your building. It beautifies, adds curb appeal and protects your building from the elements. It can make an older building look new again and a new building stand out from all the others.

We want to be your preferred painting contractor. Please call us for an estimate for any upcoming painting projects.

Sincerely,

Brad Ghaster
Ghaster Painting & Coatings
Ghaster Painting & Coatings 3120 W. Carefree Highway Suite 1, PMB #347 Phoenix, AZ 85086Ph: 602.277.8541 Fax: 602.277.8576 Toll Free: 888.277.8541 http://www.ghasterpaintinginc.com/

Ghaster Painting & Coatings June Newsletter

2009-07-07T13:19:00.000-07:00

Dear friends:

Business Week Magazine reported recently that the "The seasonally adjusted PPI (Producer Price Index) for finished goods jumped a sharp 1% in January 2009. Perhaps more alarming, for the 12 months ended in January 2009, the PPI is up 7.4% on an unadjusted basis, the highest since October, 1981."

These inflationary trends can be seen in certain segments of the construction materials industry. For example, the cost of paint is significantly higher (16%) today than it was three years ago (see chart). The rise in the cost of paint is due to increased costs of raw materials and the reformulations required to meet new regulations for volatile organic compounds.

PAINT PRICE INCREASES:
11/08 to 12/08 5.3%
12/07 to 12/08 16.7%
09/08 to 12/08 4.9%
12/05 to 12/08 16.3%

Typically in any large commercial painting project the paint cost is approximately 30% of the bid amount. The other costs are labor, equipment rental (such as boom lifts) and the necessary taxes. To qualify each contractor's bid, request the number of gallons of paint that they are estimating to use on the project. If one contractor is estimating substantially less paint than the others it is a good indicator of a poor quality job. Paint material costs are going up but painting bids seem to be lower than ever…is this too good to be true? Often the answer is yes. Corners have to be cut somewhere to make a bid far less than the others.

In order to get a long lasting paint job (average of five to ten years), it is recommended to use a top of the line paint product, such as a 100% acrylic. There are three basic types of paint a contractor can choose from if the paint name and number is not specified and even stated contractually. These are:

1. Vinyls - the least expensive with a 2 year paint life
2. Vinyl/acrylics - a little better life expectancy depending on color but should not be used on wood
3. 100% Acrylics - one of the best paints for longevity and color retention. However, the percentage of solids within each product may vary greatly depending on price and surface to be painted.

The best plan for your next painting project is to have a paint supplier representative provide a free site inspection and write a specification based upon your needs.

Sincerely,

Brad Ghaster
Ghaster Painting & Coatings

Ghaster Painting and Coatings
3120 W. Carefree Highway, Suite 1, PMB #347 · Phoenix, AZ 85086
Ph: 602.277.8541 · Fax: 602.277.8576 · Toll Free: 888.277.8541

March Newsletter

2009-03-02T15:57:00.000-08:00

Phoenix, AZ, March 1, 2009.

Dear friends,

2009 looks to be a year full of uncertainty. One thing you can be certain of is that Ghaster Painting & Coatings will be there for your painting needs. We were blessed to have had one of our best years in 2008. However, all of us need to save money these days. Here are some suggestions that will save money for you and your owners when hiring a painting contractor:

-- Provide a written scope of work including specifics and products required (all paint stores are happy to do this at no charge). This will ensure all the bidders are bidding "apples to apples" and prevents contractors from bidding the project very low to get the job and then issuing many change orders once the job has started. This ultimately costs you more money.

-- Walk the job with the bidders to make sure that everyone is on the same page.

-- Don't be tempted to go with the cheapest bid, especially if it is quite a bit less than your other bids. This should be a red flag! There are only so many dollars that can be cut before a contractor needs to make it up somewhere else, such as paying for piece work (a current trend that is totally illegal per the Department of Labor), hiring illegally, evading taxes and by using inferior paint and/or adding water. There are COUNTLESS contractors going out of business these days leaving the paint stores with large uncollected debt and leaving their customers with no warranty. These companies have a survival mentality and usually come in extremely low on their bids knowing that they will not be in business a year from now.

-- Protect yourself and your properties by hiring a company who has been in business for at least 15 years, has proven its worth, and has no complaints with the Registrar of Contractors and the BBB.

If you have any painting projects coming up, Ghaster Painting & Coatings will set up a time with you and a paint representative to walk the job to determine an accurate scope of work, do colorization (at no charge) and provide a comprehensive bid for now or a realistic budget number for the future. Our prices are highly competitive. Please give us the opportunity to meet or beat your best qualified bid.

I also would like to remind you GP&C is a current and active member of several associations such as BOMA, IFMA, NAIOP and AFE. We do provide a discount for their members both for commercial jobs and for member's homes.

If you haven't already, please visit our website at www.ghasterpaintinginc.com. Thank you to those of you who continue to trust us to do your work and I look forward to working with those who want to work with a tried and tested professional painting firm.

Best regards,

Brad Ghaster
President
Ghaster Paintings & Coatings

Ghaster Painting & Coatings Newsletter

2008-10-02T15:32:00.000-07:00

Phoenix, AZ, September 16, 2008.

"Does it feel cooler to you? Maybe summer is about over but Ghaster Painting & Coatings is just getting heated up. This month, we have two important events coming up. First, we are this month's Featured Associate at the BOMA luncheon. We will have a display up and will be available to talk to you about any new projects or questions you may have. This luncheon takes place at the Ritz Carlton this Wednesday, September 17th from 11:30 to 1:00 p.m. If you are a BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Association) member or would like to attend as a guest, you can still sign up at www.bomaphoenix.org.

Our second big event is that we are a Silver Sponsor of the IFMA Charity Golf Tournament at the Arizona Biltmore on September 26, 2008. This event will benefit the Sunshine Acres Children's Home and is always a good time. We look forward to seeing our fellow IFMA & BOMA friends there.

We are working on a couple of high profile projects right now. If you see light poles being painted in the City of Scottsdale, that is us doing the painting. We are also painting at the PetsMart Corporate Offices remodel that is taking place at the 27th Avenue and Yorkshire corporate building. We are also painting various Cigna Healthcare buildings in the Phoenix area this month. We completed several shopping centers this summer, some with big color changes that resulted in the building looking brand new. We painted the Eighth Avenue Retail Center in Mesa at 808 S. Alma School and the Chandler Pavilions which is the large retail center you see as you travel down I10 at Ray Road on the east side of the freeway. We also painted the KPNX Channel 12 News building on Central and the Hohokam 10 Park East complex which includes 18 buildings in Tempe just South of University and the I10.

This is the time of year that budget numbers are due for many of you. We would love the opportunity to provide you with a budget proposal that is accurate and reliable for any of your 2009 projects.

Our new business is mainly referral generated, so if you know of anyone who is looking for a reputable painting company, we would appreciate it if you would please pass along our contact information or even this newsletter. If we receive a referral who names you as the person who referred them, we would like to send you a small token of our appreciation in the mail.

Please remember that our all new website launched last month with many new photo galleries and information on our company. Please take a moment to check it out at: www.GhasterPaintingInc.com.

Thank you and enjoy the rest of your week!

Brad Ghaster
President
Ghaster Paintings & Coatings

Ghaster Painting & Coatings Launches Customer Focused Website

2008-10-02T15:25:00.000-07:00

Phoenix, AZ, August 15, 2008.

Ghaster Painting & Coatings (GP&C), Inc, launched a brand new customer-focused interactive website earlier this month. The website, www.GhasterPainting.com has been designed in direct response to GP&C's customers' requests and it is fully up-to-date with today's internet and online marketing standards.

Ghaster Painting President, Brad Ghaster, says: "At Ghaster Painting we have always taken our customer satisfaction very seriously. We understand that our first impression is the most important one, whether it is the first time a customer visits our website or the first time our customer sees our completed work. Our new website is the result of our own customers' feedback and provides them with a useful tool to learn about our business and our latest projects."

GP&C has always been on the leading end of internet marketing. From the beginning, their website has pioneered tools and features that very few other competitors' websites include. The new website, among other features, includes: Flash Interactive Photo Galleries with samples of Commercial, Residential, and Industrial projects, "Before and After" and "Work in Progress" Photo Galleries, an Interactive Survey, a Residential Painting Estimator, Flash Online Tour, Online RFP, Online subscription to their monthly e-Newsletter, and a number of listed News Releases with useful information for contractors and customers alike.

"We are in a highly competitive market and frankly, we like it that way. We feel like we have an opportunity, not only to provide our customers with the utmost professional service, but also to make them aware of other 'not so straight forward' approaches that other contractors use," says Brad Ghaster, past AZ Council President and past National Board Member of the Painting and Decorating Contractors Association (PDCA).

Since its inception in 1978, GP &C has experienced phenomenal growth yet it has been able to remain a family-owned business with a very personalized relationship with each of its customers, vendors and business associates. Brad Ghaster added: "We strongly believe in the value of our professional relationships. We listen to our customers, vendors and employees and as a result, we are always refining our products and services to meet their needs."

About Ghaster Painting: For more than 30 years, Ghaster Painting & Coatings, Inc. (GP&C) has had the privilege of painting thousands of buildings and homes in the Valley of the Sun, large and small. GP&C is a full service paint contracting company specializing in large commercial, Industrial and all types of residential repaints. Whether it is an occupied interior office, an exterior high rise or your personal home, GP&C has the experience and reputation to satisfy your painting needs.

For more information, please visit www.GhasterPainting.com or call 602.277.8541

Sincerely,

Brad Ghaster
President
Ghaster Paintings & Coatings

Ghaster Painting and Empire Southwest: A Visibility Project

2008-08-05T15:40:00.001-07:00

Phoenix, AZ, July 2008.

Dear friends and colleagues:

Empire Southwest is a family owned business founded in 1950 as Empire Machinery, an Eastern Oregon Caterpillar and John Deere dealership. When founder Jack Whiteman was awarded Caterpillar's Arizona territory in 1959, the company relocated and began building partnerships with Arizona's construction and mining industries that endure today. Empire Southwest was looking for ways to increase overall lighting and visibility of their main shop/warehouse in which their team of mechanics perform most of their maintenance operations. To aid with this task, Ghaster Painting & Coatings was contracted to complete all the surface re-paints inside the warehouse.

During this project, Empire Southwest shut down one half of the main shop that tears down the large Caterpillar equipment frequently used in mining and major construction projects. As part of the preparation, a plastic partition was put in place and a third party contractor was hired to clean the ceiling area by hand. Ghaster Painting primed the entire ceiling and a 100% acrylic gloss was applied. Upon completion of the first half of the shop, the entire process was repeated for the other half of the shop.

In addition to the surface repaint, the main hoists were also cleaned and painted in safety yellow. Empire Southwest proceeded to recondition the concrete floor. Finally, a new lighting system was also installed. The difference in the brightness of the overall warehouse after the project was completed was truly like night and day.

By increasing the visibility, the shop mechanics become more productive and can improve the overall quality of their work. It also increases the safety of their work area, while making their job more enjoyable and easier on the eyes. It just demonstrates how Empire will do whatever it takes to improve the quality of their workplace for its employees.

Today Empire ranks among the top Caterpillar dealers in the world. The company has more than 1400 employees in a territory that now includes the state of Arizona, southeastern California and portions of northern Mexico. Despite their large growth, they are still a family-owned business transferred from generation to generation. Ghaster Painting & Coatings is very proud of being affiliated with one of the Southwest's most respected companies.

About Ghaster Painting: Since its inception in 1978, Ghaster Painting & Coatings, Inc. (GP&C) has had the privilege of painting thousands of buildings and homes in the Valley of the Sun, large and small. GP&C is a full service paint contracting company specializing in large commercial and all types of residential repaints. Whether it is an occupied interior office, an exterior high rise or your personal home, GP&C has the experience and reputation to satisfy your painting needs.

Sincerely,
Brad GhasterPresidentGhaster Paintings & Coatings

Paint Quality - You Get What You Pay For

2008-08-05T15:32:00.000-07:00

Phoenix, AZ, May 28, 2008.

Dear friends and colleagues:

As with most other things in life, quality is important and usually costs more. We all know there is a difference between the lowest cost and the best value. This is especially true when it comes to paint. Consider your last painting project. The cost of the materials was actually the smallest part of the overall price you paid. The cost of labor and company overhead to provide the necessary insurance, etc. to operate makes up the largest part of the price. Since the cost of materials is the smallest part of the equation, yet makes the biggest difference in the longevity and quality of your paint job, why not specify the best paint available? Please see the example below:

A 100% Acrylic paint will do the following:

deliver better hiding
allow for easy removal of marks and stains
go on more smoothly
will have good blister resistance
will not chalk
will have a uniform color.

100% acrylic paints are best suited to deliver these properties. So why not pay more to get a quality paint?

In fact, if you look at the cost over the lifetime of the paint, the quality paint actually cost less per year in the long term. Recently, the Paint Quality Institute conducted a test of commercial paints via various channels. The results showed that the higher quality acrylic paints were more durable.

It's important to understand also that all paint stores sell High Grade and Low Grade paint products. For example, 100% Acrylic is a High Grade, a Vinyl/Acrylic is a Medium Grade and a Vinyl is a Low Grade. Make sure that all your bid specifications and bid proposals state by product name and grade the quality product you want for your project.

When painting one should reflect on the total cost to complete the job - including the cost of the paint and the total cost of labor. If you receive multiple bids and one bid is more than 20% lower than the other bids, it is likely due to the following reasons:

Labor is not legal
The quality of the paint and or the amount applied is insufficient or watered down
The contractor does not have a complete grasp on there true cost of operation and/or is not in it for the long haul.

A quality paint job will keep your home or building looking better longer. At Ghaster Painting and Coatings, our motto is "our jobs look better longer".

If you have any questions or comments, please call me at 603-277-8541.

Sincerely,
Brad GhasterPresidentGhaster Paintings & Coatings