9/28/2015
I was expecting the usual results: mediocre. Me: surprised.
Over the course of 5-1/2 days, the 3-man crew sanded, patched, primed and painted the exterior of my house and garage in a highly professional and thorough manner. They arrived on time, left on time, and the house, after years of deferred maintenance, now looks great.
I saw NO evidence of the usual slap dash. Painting is mostly prep, and it took them 3-1/2 days to bring these 1938 stucco structures into paintable condition. There ARE pros out there, and I would use these pros again.
Owner Mr. James Lee supplied the bid; in the initial estimate walkaround he was honest and straightforward, and told me exactly where my assumptions about waterproofing my chimney were wrong, and later returned my many calls promptly… almost immediately in fact. His office staff called weekly for a month to politely check up my acceptance of the estimate. When I finally called to set up the job I was rather shocked that it got scheduled for the following Monday!
The painters were led by Andrew who is something of a curmudgeon… in the very best way: a man who knows exactly what the best approach is and who gets a little impatient when I intervened with the occasional suggestion. THAT is exactly the kind of painter/contractor I want working on my house… one who knows his stuff and requires only that you stay out of his way. This might sound like he was a jerk, but he isn’t… he’s a pro who takes ownership of a job. That is refreshing, to say the least.
Andrew was also very helpful in suggesting and supplying the best stain for exposed rafter tails, woodwork and rafters over my porch… he was totally right. (Dunn Edwards doesn’t make solid stain, I learned, but the best stuff comes from none other than Behr.)
This review sounds a little phony to me, probably because my reviews are always honest but rarely this glowing, and I get a little giddy. Not used to it. Seriously, this was a great experience, especially considering House Painting Inc supplied the lowest of 3 bids. Really nice job… I think my Dutch grandfather, a painter/craftsman all his life, would approve.