Customer Service Where do you work?
We’re based in Evanston and work throughout Chicago’s North Shore and surrounding communities, including Wilmette, Winnetka, Kenilworth, Glencoe, Northbrook, Glenview, Deerfield, Highland Park, Lake Forest, and surrounding towns. We also serve a few Chicago neighborhoods, including Rogers Park, Andersonville, Edgewater, and Lincoln Square.
If you’re not sure whether you’re in our service area, just call. We’ll give you a straight answer.
How do estimates work?
Estimates are free. We come to your home, walk through the project with you, and talk about what you want done. We look at the condition of the surfaces, talk about prep work, products, number of coats, and timing. Then we put together a detailed, itemized written proposal.
We don’t do ballpark numbers over the phone. Every home is different, and guessing just leads to problems later. We’d rather see the work in person, so the price we quote is the price you pay.
How far out are you booked?
It depends on the time of year. Spring and summer are our busiest seasons, especially for exterior work, and we can book up 4 to 8 weeks in advance during peak months. Interior work has more flexibility year-round.
The best advice: if you know you want something done in the spring or summer, reach out in late winter so we can get you on the schedule.
Do I need to be home during the project?
Not necessarily. Many of our clients work during the day and leave us a key or a garage code. We’ve been doing this since 2001, and trust is one of our core values. That said, we like to do a walk-through with you, the project manager, and me at the start of the project to make sure we’re on the same page about the details. We also set up a text message thread between you, the project manager, and me so there’s continuous communication throughout the project. If something comes up or you have a question, you’re never more than a text away from an answer.
What services do you offer?
- Interior and exterior painting and staining.
- Cabinet painting and resurfacing.
- Wallpaper installation and removal.
- Drywall repair and plaster restoration.
Wood restoration on siding, trim, doors, windows, decks, porches, and fences. Water damage repair. Pressure washing. Epoxy garage and basement floors. Carpentry and handyman work.
If you’re not sure whether something falls in our wheelhouse, ask. We’ll tell you honestly whether we do it well or if you should call someone else.
The Work Itself
How much of the job is actually prep work?
More than most people expect. Prep is the difference between a paint job that holds up for years and one that starts peeling next season. Depending on the project, prep can be 40 – 60 percent of the total labor.
For interiors, that means patching nail holes, sanding rough spots, caulking gaps where trim meets the wall, taping off edges, and laying down drop cloths to protect your floors and furniture. For exteriors, it can mean scraping loose paint, sanding, priming bare wood, replacing rotted trim, and caulking around windows and doors before we ever open a can of paint.
We don’t rush through prep to get to the “fun part.” If the surface isn’t ready, the finish won’t last.
How many coats of paint do you apply?
Two coats are standard for most projects. If we’re covering a very dark color with a light one, or if the surface is new drywall that really soaks up paint, it may take a primer coat plus two finish coats. We’ll tell you upfront what the project needs.
We also let each coat dry properly before applying the next. Rushing between coats causes bubbling, resulting in an uneven finish. That’s one of those shortcuts that saves an hour today and costs you a callback six months from now.
What kind of paint do you use?
We primarily use Benjamin Moore products. They cover well, hold up over time, and the color consistency is reliable. For specific applications, such as high-traffic areas or floors, we may recommend Benjamin Moore specialty products. For kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, bookshelves, or built-ins, we recommend Fine Paints of Europe, as it’s an enamel that provides a hard, durable finish.
We’re not locked into one brand. If a different product is the right choice for your surface and situation, we’ll explain why and let you decide.
What’s the difference between eggshell, satin, and semi-gloss?
- Flat/matte hides imperfections well but marks up easily, so it’s best for ceilings and low-traffic rooms.
- Eggshell has a slight sheen and is easier to wipe down, which is why it’s the most popular choice for living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways.
- Satin has more sheen and holds up to cleaning, so it works well in kitchens, bathrooms, and kids’ rooms.
- Semi-gloss is durable and easy to clean, which makes it a go-to for trim, doors, cabinets, and high-moisture areas.
Higher sheen finishes show more surface imperfections, so prep work matters even more. We’ll walk you through the trade-offs for each room.
Will you move my furniture?
Yes. We move furniture to the center of the room or into another room as needed. Everything is covered with plastic and sealed to the floor with tape, and we put it all back when we’re done. For large or fragile pieces, we’ll talk with you beforehand about the best plan. Clients have told us we leave homes cleaner than when we started, and we take that seriously.
Can you help me pick colors?
We offer color consultation and testing/sampling. We’ll put sample patches on your walls so you can see how the colors look in your space under your lighting. Colors look different on a small swatch at the store than they do on a full wall at 3 pm versus 8 pm. Testing takes a little extra time but saves you from repainting a room you’re not happy with.
If you want more in-depth design guidance, we also work with trusted interior designers and can make a referral.
Exterior Projects
When is the best time to paint the exterior of my house?
Late spring through early fall, generally May through October here on the North Shore. We need consistent temperatures above 50°F and dry conditions for paint to cure properly. High humidity and rain are the enemies of a good exterior paint job.
If you’re planning exterior work, get your estimate in late winter or early spring so we can schedule you during the best weather window.
My house has lead paint. Can you handle that?
Yes. We’ve been an EPA Lead-Safe Certified firm since 2010. Homes built before 1978 are likely to have lead-based paint, and a lot of the houses on the North Shore fall into that category. We follow all EPA-required procedures for containment, dust control, and cleanup when working on surfaces with lead paint.
This isn’t optional or something we charge extra for as a line item. It’s how we do business on older homes. If your home was built before 1978, we factor lead-safe practices into the project from the start.
How often does an exterior need to be repainted?
It depends on the surface material, exposure, and the quality of the most recent paint job. On average, a well-prepped and properly painted wood exterior lasts 10-12 years. South- and east-facing sides receive more sun and weather exposure, so they may need attention sooner. Stucco and brick can last longer. Aluminum and vinyl siding hold paint differently than wood.
Signs to watch for: peeling, cracking, chalking (when you rub the siding and get a powdery residue on your hand), or bare wood showing through. If you’re seeing those, it’s time.
Do you do deck and porch restoration?
Absolutely. Decks and porches take a beating from weather, foot traffic, and sun exposure. We handle sanding, stripping old finish, replacing rotted boards, and applying stain or paint. The prep on a deck job is significant: if the old finish isn’t fully removed and the wood isn’t clean and dry, the new stain won’t penetrate, and it’ll peel within a year.
We also do railings, stairs, and fences. Same rules apply: prep the surface right and use the right product for the conditions.
About Our Company
How long have you been doing this?
Since 2001. That’s 25 years of painting and restoring homes on Chicago’s North Shore. We started in the northwest suburbs, moved our main office to Evanston in 2005 when we saw the demand here, and have been serving this area full-time ever since.
Some of our team have been with us nearly as long. Our longest tenure painter, Tomás Adame, has been with the company since 2005. The range of our professional painters is 13-20 years. That kind of retention says something about how we run things.
Who actually shows up to do the work?
Our own employees, not subcontractors. Every crew includes a project manager and painters with at least three years of experience. We train our team ourselves and review their work regularly. You’ll know who’s coming to your home, and they’ll speak English, so communication is never an issue.
We don’t hand your project off to someone you’ve never met. The person (Anthony or Tim) who does the estimates stays involved from beginning to end and after.
Are you insured?
Fully insured with general liability and workers’ compensation. We can provide a certificate of insurance before we start, and we’re happy to do so. If a contractor hesitates when you ask for proof of insurance, that’s a red flag. We don’t hesitate.
What about your awards? Are those real?
They are, and they’re all based on client reviews and verified performance, not paid placements. We’ve won the Angi Super Service Award for 16 consecutive years (2008 through 2024), based on customer ratings for service, quality, and professionalism. We’ve received the Best of Houzz award for customer service 9 years running, an honor given to only the top 3% of service professionals. We were named Chicago Magazine’s “Best House Painter” and are a four-time Nextdoor Neighborhood Fave, voted on by the neighbors in our service area.
Community
I see you support many local organizations. Why?
Because we’re part of this community, not just working in it. We support organizations like Y.O.U. (Youth & Opportunity United), Have Dreams, Connections for the Homeless, Foundation 65, the YWCA Evanston/North Shore, First Tee Greater Chicago, and several others. Sometimes that means donating painting services. Sometimes it means showing up and writing a check. Either way, we think businesses that benefit from a community should give something back to it.
Money & Process
How do you handle payment?
For most residential projects, we collect a 25% deposit before work begins to secure working dates on the schedule, 50% when we start the project, and the remaining balance upon completion. Larger projects may have a milestone payment structure, so you’re not paying everything upfront. We’ll lay this out clearly in the estimate so there are no surprises.
How long does a typical interior project take?
A single room usually takes 1 to 2 days, depending on prep, the number of coats, and the complexity (a bedroom with one color is faster than a kitchen with cabinets and trim). A whole-house interior can run 3-4 weeks. We give you a timeline before we start, and we stick to it. If something changes, we tell you right away.
We also work around your schedule. If you need us to avoid certain rooms on certain days, or if you need us out by a specific time, we make that work.
What if I’m not happy with the work?
Tell us. We do a walk-through with you at the end of every project, specifically so you can point out anything that doesn’t look right. Touch-ups, missed spots, a color that didn’t turn out how you expected in a certain light: that’s what the final walk-through is for. We don’t consider a job done until you’re satisfied.
After the project, we follow up. That’s not an empty claim. You’ll hear from us. It’s something clients have told us sets us apart from other contractors they’ve worked with.
Why should I pick you over a cheaper estimate?
A lower price usually means less preparation, fewer coats, or less-experienced crews. We’ve fixed a lot of jobs done by the cheapest bid. Peeling within a year, paint on the hardware, brush marks in the finish, and trim that was never properly patched or caulked. Doing it again costs more than doing it right the first time.
We’re not the cheapest, and we’re not trying to be. We show up when we say we will, we prep surfaces properly, we use quality products, our crews have years of experience, and we stand behind the work with a three-year warranty. For 25 years, that approach has worked for us, for the homeowners who hire us, and for us.
Warranty
Do you offer a warranty?
Yes. We warrant labor and materials for three years from the completion of the project. If the paint fails, primer peels, or the stain doesn’t hold, we come back and fix it at no additional cost. That covers defects in our workmanship and material failure under normal conditions.
It does not cover damage from water intrusion, structural settling or cracking, accidents, or normal wear and tear. We’ll explain exactly what’s covered before we start.
What does your warranty cover?
We offer a three-year limited warranty on our workmanship. Starting from the day your project is complete, we’ll come back and fix peeling, blistering, or chipping paint that results from how we applied the product. If we prepped a surface and it fails, that’s on us, and we’ll make it right.
The warranty covers the specific areas where the failure occurred. We’ll prep and repaint those areas to the same standard described in your original contract.
What’s not covered?
We want to be upfront about this so there are no surprises:
Horizontal surfaces like decks, railings, porches, and stairs are not covered. These surfaces take a beating from weather, foot traffic, and standing water in ways vertical surfaces don’t. We stand behind the quality of our deck and porch work, but the elements make it impossible to warranty those surfaces the same way we warranty your siding or interior walls.
Other exclusions include varnished surfaces, galvanized metal, exact color matching (paint changes over time due to sun and environmental exposure), bleeding caused by knots, rust, or cedar, and cracks in drywall, plaster, or wood caused by settling or structural movement.
We also can’t warranty against things outside our control, such as fire, flooding, extreme weather events, physical damage, chemical exposure, or defects in the paint product itself.
Do I have to pay for anything during a warranty repair?
We cover all labor. You cover the cost of materials for the repair. This keeps the warranty focused on standing behind our workmanship, which is what we control.
How do I make a warranty claim?
Call us to schedule an inspection. We’ll come out, inspect the area in question, and if it’s covered by the warranty, we’ll schedule the repair and get it done.
What do I need to keep for my records?
Hold onto your original contract and your proof of payment (cancelled check, credit card statement, etc.). The warranty applies to the original homeowner named on the contract, and the full contract price must be paid for the warranty to be valid.
Can I extend the warranty?
Any changes to the warranty terms, including extensions, need to be agreed to in writing by both parties. If you’d like to discuss an extension, bring it up before or at the time we close out your project. We’re open to the conversation.
Does the warranty transfer if I sell my home?
Yes. If you sell your property during the warranty period, the remaining coverage transfers to the new owner. We recommend leaving a copy of your original contract and this warranty summary with the buyer so they have our contact information and know what’s covered.
Still have questions? We’re happy to talk through your project. Estimates are always free.
