Frequently Asked Questions

Homes built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint. North Carolina's Lead Hazard Management Program requires specific containment, cleanup, and verification steps when disturbing old paint on these homes. That prep work takes longer and costs more than a standard repaint. During the estimate walkthrough, we assess the age of your home and explain what the prep process involves so there are no surprises on the invoice.

If your home is in one of Durham's eight local historic districts, you need a Certificate of Appropriateness before starting exterior work, including painting. The commission reviews color changes and material choices to protect the character of the district. We can work within those requirements. If your home is outside a historic district, no approval is needed unless your HOA has its own process.

Late spring through early fall gives you the best conditions. You need consistent temperatures above 50 degrees and low humidity for paint to cure properly. Durham's wettest months are July and August, so scheduling around afternoon storms matters. We plan around the weather and won't apply paint in conditions that compromise the finish.

We serve residential homeowners across all of Durham. We have completed work in Townes at Leesville, Stomewood in the 27705 area, Oak Grove at South Point, Fendol Farms, and Andrews Chapel. We take projects across all Durham zip codes from 27701 through 27722.

Most Cary subdivisions require approval for exterior color changes through an Architectural Control Committee or similar board. Some communities restrict you to a pre-approved color palette. Start the approval process before scheduling the work, because wait times vary by community. During the estimate walkthrough, we can discuss what colors and finishes are typical for your neighborhood so you know what to submit.

Yes. Many Cary subdivisions regulate street parking for contractor trucks, trailers, and equipment. Some neighborhoods prohibit overnight parking for work vehicles entirely. We plan crew staging and vehicle placement before the job starts so we stay within your community's rules. If your HOA has specific requirements, let us know during the estimate and we will work around them.

Fiber cement (HardiPlank) is the most common exterior material in Cary's newer subdivisions. It needs a primer designed for cementitious surfaces and a 100% acrylic exterior coating rated for UV and moisture. Using the wrong primer or a lower-grade paint on fiber cement leads to adhesion failure and peeling within a few years. We match the coating system to the material during the estimate.

Timeline depends on the size of the home, the amount of prep needed, and weather. A large Cary exterior with full prep, including caulk removal, wood or trim repair, priming, and two coats, typically takes longer than a basic repaint because we do not skip steps. We give you a specific timeline during the estimate walkthrough so you can plan around the work.

We use low-VOC ceramic matte finishes from Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore that are rated for homes that stay occupied during the work. These products have minimal odor and lower chemical emissions compared to standard paints. Most Chapel Hill interior projects involve families living in the home during the repaint, so the product choice matters.

If your home is in one of Chapel Hill's historic districts, you need a Certificate of Appropriateness before making exterior changes, including paint color. The commission follows a detailed set of design principles and standards that govern color selection and material preservation. If your home is outside a historic district, check whether your HOA has its own approval process for exterior changes.

Yes. Chapel Hill has a concentration of mid-century modern and contemporary homes with floor-to-ceiling glass, metal framing, and mixed cladding. These homes need careful masking, primers matched to each surface type, and coatings that hold up on materials that expand and contract at different rates. We assess the full material mix during the estimate walkthrough.

Yes. Cabinet painting is one of our strongest services for Chapel Hill homeowners. We spray cabinets using equipment and coatings designed for cabinetry, not brushes or wall paint. If your cabinets are structurally sound, painting costs a fraction of full replacement with results that hold up to daily kitchen use.

Most homes built in the 1990s are now 25 to 30 years old and either due for or past their first full exterior repaint. The original paint and caulk have gone through decades of Triangle heat and moisture cycles. Signs that it is time include cracking caulk around windows and trim, paint flaking on south-facing walls, and soft spots in wood siding or fascia. We assess the full condition during the estimate walkthrough.

Newer subdivisions in western Apex have less mature tree cover, which means more direct UV exposure throughout the day. Vibrant and dark color palettes absorb more heat and break down faster under sustained sunlight. Using a UV-resistant exterior coating and choosing colors rated for high-exposure surfaces extends the life of the finish. We recommend the right product and color combination during the estimate.

Many Apex subdivisions have HOA requirements for exterior color changes. Some communities limit you to a pre-approved palette, while others require a submission and approval before work begins. Check with your HOA board or property management company before scheduling. During the estimate, we can walk through what is typical for your community.

Every estimate includes a full walkthrough of your home, an explanation of what needs to happen, and a written price that covers all prep, repairs, and materials. Caulk removal, wood rot repair, priming, and baseboard refinishing are included, not added as extras. The number on the estimate is the number on the final invoice.

It depends on the brick. Many historic Hillsborough structures were built with handmade brick and lime mortar, which are porous and need to breathe. Applying a modern acrylic or latex paint over this type of masonry seals moisture inside the wall, which can cause the brick to spall and the mortar to deteriorate over time. Breathable mineral-based coatings like lime wash are the appropriate choice for these surfaces. We assess the masonry during the walkthrough and recommend the right product.

Yes. Hillsborough's Historic District Commission requires a Certificate of Appropriateness before any exterior modification, including painting. It is against town ordinance to begin work without one. The commission reviews color choices and materials to protect the character of the district. If your home is outside the historic district, no COA is required, but check whether your neighborhood has its own guidelines.

Older homes in Hillsborough can have five or more layers of paint built up over 100+ years of maintenance. Each layer needs to be evaluated for adhesion before deciding whether to strip, sand, or encapsulate. Loose and peeling layers get removed down to a stable surface. Sound layers can be sanded and primed over. The goal is a clean, stable base that the new coating bonds to properly. We walk you through the condition of your surfaces during the estimate.

Yes. We handle everything from historic wood-sided homes in Downtown Hillsborough to newer construction in Fox Run and along the Eno River corridor. The prep process and products change based on the materials and age of the home, but the quality standard is the same. Every project gets a full walkthrough, a written estimate with all repairs included, and no surprises on the final invoice.