Damage Restoration Services

We prioritize restoration work because damage worsens with every day of delay. We can typically schedule an on-site assessment within a few days of your call. However, painting cannot begin until the affected area is completely dry and any structural repairs are finished. For water damage, drying can take anywhere from three days to several weeks depending on severity. We coordinate closely with restoration crews so our painting team starts the moment surfaces are ready.

Nelson Painting specializes in the finishing side of restoration — drywall repair, priming, sealing, and painting. For demolition, water extraction, structural repair, and mold remediation, our sister company Marc Nelson General Contracting handles that work. Together, we provide complete restoration from disaster cleanup through the final coat of paint. Having both companies under the Nelson family means seamless coordination, one point of accountability, and nothing falling through the cracks.

Standard paint cannot eliminate smoke odor — it simply covers it temporarily, and the smell returns within weeks. Permanent odor sealing requires shellac-based primers like Zinsser B-I-N, which create an impermeable barrier that traps smoke particles and odor molecules behind a sealed surface. We first clean all soot and residue from surfaces, then apply the odor-blocking primer before finishing with two coats of interior paint. This three-step approach permanently seals smoke odors rather than masking them.

It depends on the scope of damage and the products being used. For minor water damage limited to one or two rooms, most homeowners can stay in the home while we work. For extensive fire or smoke damage requiring shellac-based odor-blocking primers, we recommend staying elsewhere during application and drying — typically 24 to 48 hours — because these products have strong fumes. Marc will assess your situation during the initial walk-through and give you an honest recommendation about occupancy.

Before any restoration painting begins, we move furniture to the center of the room and cover everything with heavy-duty plastic sheeting and drop cloths. Floors are protected with rosin paper and canvas drops. For rooms with extensive damage, we recommend having a contents restoration company remove belongings first — our sister company can coordinate that. We tape off doorways to contain dust from drywall work, and we clean up thoroughly at the end of each workday so your home stays as livable as possible.

Shellac-based primers like Zinsser B-I-N produce strong fumes during application and need adequate ventilation. We use fans, open windows, and air filtration during the priming process. Once the primer is fully cured — typically within 24 hours — it is completely safe and odorless. The finish coats we apply over the primer are low-VOC interior paints that are safe for families and pets as soon as they are dry to the touch. We will advise you on exactly when each room is safe to reoccupy.

Most homeowners insurance policies cover painting restoration after covered perils like fire, water damage from burst pipes, and storm damage. Coverage typically includes drywall replacement, priming, and repainting to restore affected areas to pre-loss condition. We prepare our estimates specifically for insurance submission with detailed line items, material specifications, and documentation that adjusters need to approve claims. While we cannot guarantee coverage — that depends on your specific policy — our thorough documentation helps maximize what your policy covers.

Yes, we specialize in working within occupied commercial and multi-family buildings. We contain each work area with plastic barriers and negative air pressure to prevent dust, fumes, and debris from spreading to adjacent units. Our crews follow strict access and cleanup protocols so common areas remain clean and presentable. We coordinate with property managers on tenant communication, access scheduling, and building rules to keep the project moving without disrupting residents or businesses nearby.

Yes. Commercial insurance claims typically involve more complex documentation than residential claims — larger scopes, multiple affected areas, and higher compliance standards. We provide detailed, industry-standard estimates with unit pricing, timestamped photos, and scope narratives that commercial adjusters expect. We have worked with all major commercial insurers in the region and understand the level of documentation required to keep claims moving without pushback or supplements.

Absolutely. Our crew size scales to match the project scope. For multi-unit apartment fires or commercial water damage affecting several floors, we assign dedicated teams to work in parallel so the entire project completes faster. Each team follows the same restoration sequence — drywall repair, primer, seal, finish paint — so quality is consistent across every unit. We provide the property manager with a detailed phasing schedule so you know exactly which units are being worked on each day.

Yes. We carry full commercial general liability and workers' compensation insurance and provide COI documents, W-9 forms, and any required vendor compliance paperwork within 24 hours of request. We can add your property management company or building owner as an additional insured on our policy if required. Our documentation meets the standards of commercial property managers, general contractors, and insurance adjusters throughout Southeastern Massachusetts.