Repair before paint
Because we are carpenters as well as painters, we fix what we find instead of painting over it. Rotted brickmould, window sills, corner boards, fascia and garage door jambs are replaced, usually with PVC or treated, primed wood so they do not rot again. Failed caulk is cut out and replaced with a high-performance elastomeric sealant. Loose paint is scraped to a sound edge, feather-sanded and spot-primed. The house is washed and allowed to dry thoroughly.
Products by surface
Wood and fiber cement take a premium acrylic latex over suitable primer. Vinyl siding can be painted with vinyl-safe colors that will not absorb enough heat to warp the panels. Aluminum siding paints well after cleaning and deglossing. Front doors and shutters get a urethane enamel. Masonry needs breathable coatings, and we generally advise against painting sound brick, since it becomes a permanent maintenance item.
Weather and timing
Paint needs the surface temperature, not only the air temperature, within the product's range, and it needs hours of dry time before dew or rain. Spring and fall are ideal. In summer we follow the shade around the house so paint is not baked onto hot siding. We will reschedule rather than paint in poor conditions, since that is how early failure happens.
How the work runs
- InspectWalk the exterior, probe trim for rot, note caulk failure and substrate types.
- Wash and repairClean, replace rotted wood, scrape and sand.
- Prime and caulkSpot or full prime, then seal joints.
- PaintTwo coats on body and trim by spray and back-brush or brush and roll as the surface requires.
What moves the price
We do not publish square-foot prices, because they mislead more than they help. These are the factors that actually change the number on a proposal.
- House size, height and how accessible the walls are.
- Amount of scraping and carpentry repair.
- Number of colors and the detail of the trim.
- Substrate type.
How long it takes
Three to seven working days for most homes, depending on weather.
Permits
None. Check HOA color rules in subdivisions. See our guide to which projects need a permit.
Exterior Painting questions
How long should exterior paint last?
Seven to ten years on well-prepared siding with premium paint. South and west elevations and horizontal trim may need attention sooner.
Can vinyl siding be painted?
Yes, with vinyl-safe formulations in colors no darker than the manufacturer's limit. It is a good way to update faded siding that is otherwise sound.
Do you repair wood rot?
Yes, as part of the same job. We replace it with material that will not rot again.