What a weekend can look like
| Example weekend schedule | |
|---|---|
| Tuesday evening | In-home estimate |
| Thursday evening | In-home estimate |
| Saturday morning | Recoat job, about 3 hours |
| Saturday afternoon | Second recoat job, about 3 hours |
A typical plan is to run estimates on a weeknight or two, then do the jobs on Saturday. A recoat is quiet indoor work with no sanding dust, and one person can do it alone.
The timing works for homeowners too. They can walk on the floor in socks after 24 hours, put furniture back in about 3 days, and the floor is fully cured in about 7 days. A Saturday job means the family is back to normal by the middle of the week.
What two jobs a week can add up to
About 3 hours
Per job
8 to 10 hours
A week for two jobs, with estimates and driving
$3,946
A week before labor and taxes (example)
In our job example, an average $2,499 job leaves about $1,973 after finish, buffer rental and marketing, before your labor and taxes. Two jobs a week at that example would be about $3,946 a week before labor and taxes.
That is an example, not a promise. Not every week will be full. Not every lead buys. Some floors can't be recoated. But it shows why a few hours on a Saturday can be worth it.
What makes it work part time
- Every lead gets an instant text and automatic follow-up, even while you are at your day job
- Homeowners book onto your calendar, so you only see the times you have open
- A business phone number keeps work calls separate from your personal phone
- Your first 50 leads come from ads we run under your brand, so you are not cold calling at night
- Weekly live calls are there when you have questions
The honest hard parts
- Speed matters. Leads that wait hours for a call back often go cold, so you need a way to reply on your breaks
- Some homeowners want a weekday slot. You may say no to some jobs, or take a day off now and then
- Your weekends get shorter. Plan for it with your family
- Some weeks will be slow. Start with savings, not with debt you need the business to pay right away
- Check your job contract. Some employers have rules about side businesses
Speed matters most. A lead that waits hours for a call back often goes cold.
When to think about going full time
There's no set rule. Most people who make the switch wait until their weekends stay booked for a while, they have a steady flow of referrals and repeat customers, and they have money set aside for slow stretches. You put every customer on a yearly maintenance plan, so each customer can come back.
Don't quit your job because of a good month. Quit when the business has proven itself over many months.