What are your customers thinking about?

In conjunction with National Painting Week, a survey of more than 1,200 homeowners was conducted this April on behalf on Sherwin-Williams by the Nielsen research company. Homeowners were polled about various painting-related preferences and their plans for projects over the next 12 months.

The survey also revealed differences by generation (baby boomers, Generation X and millennials). The results provide valuable insights into what your potential customers are thinking about when it comes to paint.

Here are some of the most relevant findings for professional painting contractors:

Are homeowners ready to paint?

• More than half of all homeowners (56%) plan to paint an area in their home in the next 12 months.

• A large majority of millennial homeowners (74%) plan to paint an area of their homes in the next 12 months.

Will they hire you?

• Nearly one in three of all homeowners surveyed have worked with a painting contractor.

• Homeowners that have previously worked with a painting contractor are more likely to work with a painting contractor in the next 12 months (70%).

How much will they spend?

• 71% of homeowners say they’d be willing to spend more than $100 on a professional painting project.

• Homeowners who have worked with a painting contractor before in general are willing to spend more to have a professional paint their space, than those who haven’t.

• 50% of those who have worked previously with a painting contractor are willing to spend $250 to have a professional paint a room in their home.

• That compares to 30% for those who have not previously hired a painting contractor.

What do they want to paint?

• Of those homeowners planning to paint in the next 12 months, half plan to paint their bedroom (49% bedroom, 47% living room, 42% bathroom, 33% kitchen).

• Millennial homeowners: 60% bedroom, 52% living room, 46% bathroom, 37% kitchen.

• Hispanic homeowners: 48% living room, 44% bedroom, 41% bathroom, 35% kitchen.

What other opportunities are out there?

• Nearly half of all homeowners haven’t had their front door painted in two or more years.

• One in three homeowners would find guidance on how to achieve and maintain the best results most valuable when considering a painting project (33%), followed by tools to help select color.

What kind of interest is there for advanced paint technology?

• Nearly one in five homeowners are most interested in quick-drying features for new paint technology.

• Two out of five homeowners are interested in having the washable paint feature.

What are homeowners thinking about color?

• 44% of homeowners believe that painting one accent wall is the best way to make a room stand out.

• 57% of Hispanic homeowners believe painting an accent color on one wall is the best way to make a room stand out.

• Nearly one in three homeowners do not test colors before painting (28%).

• More than 50% of millennial homeowners purchase a paint sample to toss on their walls.

• Of those who selected online sources as their most influential resource when selecting color, the large majority of homeowners turn to Pinterest (62%).

How does your work affect people’s lives?

• A large majority of homeowners (72%) think there is a positive emotional impact that results from painting a space.

For more information on National Painting Week, visit swpaintingweek.com.