Exterior Painting Services

Homes on the South Shore and Cape Cod typically need repainting every 5 to 7 years due to salt air, UV exposure, and freeze-thaw cycles. Inland homes may go 7 to 10 years between paint jobs. The biggest factors are coastal proximity, sun exposure, the quality of surface preparation, and the paint products used. Our prep-first approach and premium paints push your home toward the longer end of that range.

Yes, and you should hire an EPA Lead-Safe certified contractor for the work. Federal law requires that any renovation disturbing more than 20 square feet of exterior painted surface on a pre-1978 home must follow EPA RRP lead-safe work practices. Nelson Painting is EPA RRP certified. We use proper containment barriers, HEPA-filtered cleanup, and safe disposal procedures to protect your family and our crew from lead dust during scraping and sanding.

Exterior painting costs depend on your home's square footage, number of stories, the condition of existing paint, siding material, and how much preparation and carpentry repair is needed. A typical 2,000-square-foot home on the South Shore might range from $5,000 to $12,000 or more depending on these factors. The best way to get an accurate price is a free on-site estimate — Marc will walk the property with you and explain exactly what's needed and why.

We monitor the forecast closely and plan our schedule around weather windows. If rain is expected, we may work on preparation tasks that don't require dry surfaces — scraping, sanding, or carpentry repairs — and save painting for clear days. If rain catches us mid-project, we stop and allow surfaces to dry completely (at least 24 hours for latex paint) before resuming. We never paint over damp surfaces because it leads to adhesion failure and peeling.

We generally recommend staining over painting for cedar shingle siding. Stain penetrates the wood and allows moisture to escape, while paint sits on the surface and tends to peel on textured cedar — especially in humid, coastal environments. If you want a solid color, solid-body stain gives a paint-like appearance without the peeling risk. For a more natural look, semi-transparent or semi-solid stains showcase the wood grain while still providing UV and moisture protection.

Most residential exterior painting projects take 5 to 10 working days from start to finish, depending on the size of your home, the amount of prep work required, and weather cooperating. A well-maintained home needing a fresh coat may take a week. A home with significant peeling, rot repair, or lead paint concerns may take two weeks. We provide a timeline estimate during the proposal so you can plan accordingly.

Preparation accounts for up to 80% of an exterior paint job's longevity. Paint applied over loose, dirty, or unprimed surfaces will peel and fail within a year or two — regardless of how expensive the paint is. Proper scraping removes the failing layer. Sanding creates a surface the new paint can grip. Caulking seals every gap where water could penetrate. Priming bonds the new topcoat to the substrate. Skipping any of these steps is the number one reason paint jobs fail prematurely, and it's the reason we never cut corners on prep.

We take great care to protect your landscaping during exterior painting. Before power washing, we cover plants, flower beds, and shrubs near the house with drop cloths and plastic sheeting. We control water pressure and direction to avoid damaging vegetation. After 65 years of painting South Shore homes, we know how to get the job done without harming your garden.

You can choose any color you like, but we always recommend checking with your HOA first if you have one. Many neighborhoods have approved color palettes or require architectural review for exterior changes. We are happy to help you navigate the approval process and can provide color samples for submission to your HOA board.

We mask all windows, doors, light fixtures, and hardware with professional painter’s tape and plastic sheeting before any painting begins. Outdoor furniture, grills, and decor near the work area are either moved or covered. We treat your property with the same care we would give our own home, and clean up thoroughly at the end of each workday.

Exterior painting is one of the highest-ROI home improvements you can make. A fresh, professionally applied exterior paint job typically recoups 60–70% of its cost at resale and dramatically improves curb appeal. Beyond resale value, it also protects your home’s structural integrity by sealing wood against moisture and weather damage.

Yes, we have experience painting multi-story commercial and residential properties. Our team is trained and equipped with professional staging, ladders, and safety gear for elevated work. We follow all OSHA safety requirements and carry full workers’ compensation coverage for every crew member on your property.

Absolutely. We understand that retail storefronts, restaurants, and customer-facing businesses cannot afford disruption during operating hours. We offer flexible scheduling to minimize impact on your business and will build a timeline around your peak times.

We plan our work phases to maintain safe customer and employee access at all times. Our equipment is staged in designated areas, and we use cones and signage to redirect foot traffic around active work zones. For larger projects, we coordinate with your property manager to phase the work so no entrance is blocked during business hours.

Yes, we work with property managers and business owners on scheduled maintenance programs. Regular touch-ups and planned repainting cycles keep your property looking professional and prevent costly deterioration. We can create a multi-year maintenance plan tailored to your building’s exposure, materials, and budget.