We suggest narrowing it down to a couple of choices and then getting samples, painting a poster board, and painting the samples on there. Once on the poster board, it can be moved around the areas to be painted, making sure not to leave damages that have to be repaired prior to painting. Also, be sure to look at the paint at different times of the day because the colors could look drastically different depending on the lighting. 

I am a third-generation painter. When I was younger, I started helping my dad on weekends at his union painting company by loading trucks, mixing paints, and doing many tasks that needed to be done. As I got older, I started going on the jobs on weekends and during the summer, gaining hands-on experience from journeymen painters. Also, I worked in the office doing paperwork, learning the unseen but crucial side of managing jobs and managing costs. When I was 19, my dad died and I started my own company on July 7, 2003. At first, I did a lot of insurance restoration jobs which was a great way to learn how to fix water, fire, and smoke damage. It also was a good bridge to help transition from commercial work to residential. I feel that this history provided me with a unique perspective on how to finish jobs quickly, but with the high quality that residential work demands.

The main services that we provide are interior and exterior painting. We also power wash and stain decks. We power wash many exterior surfaces including concrete, sidings, gutters, downspouts, railings, and more. We also install/replace interior doors and trim baseboards, crown molding, chair rails, window and door trims, and more. We do everything from patching drywall and plaster to drywalling entire rooms. We repair and replace damaged wood on the exterior. We try to use vinyl boards and trim when necessary as it can be painted to match existing wood and resist damage from the elements and insects a lot better than regular wood. We install and remove wallpaper. If you have any questions about the services we provide, feel free to ask and if we don’t do the work, we may know someone qualified to help.

I prefer Sherwin-Williams. It holds up the best from wear and tear, covers the best with most color changes, and can complete a job in two coats. For the exterior painting, it does not allow mold and mildew to grow on it as easily as some other brands. Now, they even have a new line of paint that washes off dirt when it rains. They also provide dedicated sales representatives to help with any questions. Sherwin-Williams is also able to match any other brand's colors since most are on the computer already. With a color chip, the options are limitless. I do realize that some customers have preferences for other brands and I have accounts with other paint suppliers, so I can still provide great prices on materials.

In general, most interior and exterior areas should be painted every 8-10 years minimum. For the inside, regular painting helps keep the walls from getting too dried out and from peeling, especially with plaster walls. Also, for high-traffic areas such as hallways and kitchens, the walls and ceilings can only be cleaned so many times before they start to become noticeable, no matter the brand. For the exterior, the weather and exposure have a big effect on the longevity of the paint. The sun can fade the paint over time and shady, moist areas can cause peeling. The important thing for the exterior is to try and get the areas repainted before peeling and major chipping because that allows moisture to get behind the paint and will cause the paint to fail faster.

The simple answer is yes. Power washing before painting allows the surface to be cleaned efficiently, removing dirt, loose paint, mildew, and mold. I do not recommend power washing windows or doors, as this may cause water to enter the house. They can still be wiped down with appropriate cleaners prior to painting. Power washing is also good for concrete and vinyl, such as driveways and sidings, because it will remove mold, mildew, and dirt which when left on, can stain and damage surfaces, causing them to need to be replaced much sooner. Also, when concrete is covered in mold and mildew, it will become much more slippery, especially when wet. Generally, these areas don’t need to be done every year but sometimes they do, depending on exposure to sun and rain. For example, warm humid air will cause mold and mildew to grow much faster.

This is a tricky question. It is, but not to the extent it was before. Now the areas getting done are powder rooms and dining rooms, with more decorative or textured wallpaper. The problem with wallpaper is buying the materials are expensive, installation costs, and replacing the wallpaper once people’s tastes have changed. Personally, I think it is a good way to distinguish an accent wall or make certain rooms look more dramatic. The key is to make sure the walls are prepared properly beforehand, to help minimize damage when removing them in the future.