Painting FAQs

Ask for proof of competence. That looks like Google reviews, references you can actually call, and photos of completed work on homes like yours. Ask for the scope in writing too, so you know exactly what prep is included before anyone starts.

Yes. We work consecutive days, Monday through Friday, until your job is done. We do not start your project and disappear to another one. Weather is the only exception, and it only affects exterior work.

Yes. To hold a place on the job calendar we collect a 20% scheduling deposit, and it is applied to your final invoice.

Free and no obligation. Rick comes out, looks at the actual surfaces, takes notes and photos, answers your questions, and sends a written proposal with detailed pricing and scheduling. Estimates are good for 30 days.

We cover and protect floors and furniture with drop cloths and plastic, and we move what needs moving. We do ask that you take care of irreplaceable and fragile items yourself before we start, and that you point out anything we should be careful around.

The surface needs to stay above 34 degrees for a minimum of 24 hours after application. Air temperature at noon is not the number that matters, the surface overnight is. If the forecast will not hold, we reschedule.

On average about one hour before a second coat, though temperature and humidity change that. We check the surface rather than the clock.

Seven years is a good average, and preparation is what decides whether you land above or below it. One tip: do not wait until the paint is peeling badly. Failing paint takes much more prep to fix, which costs more than repainting on schedule.

Usually within one to two hours of the final coat. If it is a deep base color, it could take several more hours.

From least light reflection to most: flat, matte or eggshell, satin, semigloss, and high gloss. Every manufacturer names them differently, so one company's satin may sit closer to another's eggshell. The only way to know for sure is to see the actual paint sample.

Color looks more uniform with less light reflection, wall imperfections are less obvious, and touch-ups are less likely to show. The tradeoff is that flat is not as scuff resistant, so it is a poor choice for high-traffic hallways.

Most homeowners do. We work room by room, clean up all areas daily, and keep work zones free of debris and equipment so the rest of your house stays livable. Our goal is to make it seem as if we were never there.