Questions about painting, floors and restoration
Answers to what New York owners, boards and property managers ask us most, grouped by service. If yours is not here, call or send us the job.
FAQ
General questions
How do estimates work?
Estimates are free. We visit or review photos, ask what you want done, and send a written scope and price. Nothing starts until you approve it.
Are you insured, and can you provide a certificate of insurance?
Yes, we are fully insured. Co-ops, condos and managing agents often ask for a certificate of insurance, and we can provide one. Send us the wording your building needs.
How long does it take to paint an apartment?
It depends on the size, the amount of repair and the trim and ceilings involved. We give you a schedule in the estimate and tell you early if anything changes it.
What paint do you use, and is low-VOC available?
We use professional-grade paint and can use the line and sheen that you, your designer or your building specifies. Low-VOC products are available. Tell us if you have a baby, pets or sensitivities and we will plan around them.
Do you handle co-op board approvals?
We provide the scope, schedule and insurance paperwork that boards usually ask for. The approval itself comes from the board. We plan work hours and elevator use around its rules.
How do you protect my furniture and floors?
We move furniture to the center of the room and cover it, lay floor protection, and tape edges and fixtures. At the end we clean up and put things back.
How does payment work?
Payment terms are written into your estimate before work begins, so you know the schedule up front. Ask us about terms for larger jobs or property manager accounts.
Do you only paint, or do you do other work too?
We also do hardwood flooring, kitchens and baths, millwork and carpentry, wallpaper, spray finishes and historic restoration. One crew can run the whole job.
FAQ
Interior painting
Can you paint in an occupied apartment?
Yes. We work room by room, keep the rest of the home clear and clean up each day.
How many coats will my walls get?
Two finish coats over primer where it is needed. Big color changes and repairs can call for extra primer.
Do you paint kitchen cabinets?
Yes. Cabinet doors are prepped and finished with a durable coating, often by spraying them flat.
FAQ
Exterior & facades
When is the best time of year for exterior painting?
Dry periods with mild temperatures work best. We plan around the forecast instead of forcing a coat.
Do you paint stoops and iron railings?
Yes. Stoops, doors and railings get rust treatment where needed, then primer and a finish made for the surface.
Will you tell me what you find under the paint?
Yes. If we find rot, cracks or rust, we show you and price the repair before painting over it.
FAQ
Commercial painting
Do you work nights and weekends?
Yes. Off-hours work is common on commercial jobs, and we plan it with you in advance.
Can you paint a whole multi-unit building?
Yes. We stage the work by unit or by floor and coordinate with the managing agent.
Do you apply epoxy floor coatings?
Yes. Epoxy goes on prepared surfaces, and we work to the product specification.
FAQ
Property manager turnovers
What is included in a standard turnover?
Patching, sanding, spot priming and painting walls, ceilings and trim, then cleaning. Repairs beyond that are quoted as add-ons.
Can you handle many units at once?
Yes. Our teams can turn over 50+ units per week. We split the list across crews and keep one coordinator for your office.
How do you report completed units?
We confirm each unit as it is finished and note anything that needs another trade.
FAQ
Flooring
Should I replace or refinish old boards?
Refinish or patch first. It costs less, and most solid hardwood has plenty of life left.
Can you fix a few damaged boards?
Yes. We cut out the damaged boards and fit matching wood, then sand them in with the rest of the floor.
Is the dust a problem for the apartment?
Sanding makes dust. We seal doorways, control it as the work goes and clean up thoroughly.
FAQ
Kitchens & baths
Who coordinates the different trades?
We do. We lay out the sequence in the scope so you are not chasing several companies.
Can you do just the carpentry and paint?
Yes. We can take part of the job, such as millwork, trim and finishes, if another contractor handles the rest.
What if you find damage behind the walls?
We stop, show you and price the repair. Nothing gets covered over without your say.
FAQ
Millwork & carpentry
Can you build to my designer's drawings?
Yes. We review the drawings and finish schedule first, and we ask about anything that is unclear.
Do you install only, or build too?
Both. We build in the shop or on site, and we install and finish the work.
Can you match trim in a pre-war apartment?
Often yes. We take the profile of the existing trim and make new pieces to match.
FAQ
Historic preservation
Do you work in the Cast Iron District?
Yes. Cast iron buildings in SoHo, Tribeca and the Cast Iron District are a core part of our work.
Do restored pieces look original?
That is the goal. We repair or replace to match the original profile and detail.
Do you replace missing cast iron parts?
Yes. We have repaired, restored and replaced 1000's of pieces, and we match ornament where we can.
FAQ
Spray painting
What is HVLP?
High volume low pressure. It sprays a fine mist with little overspray and is used for fine finishes on doors, cabinets and trim.
When do you use airless instead?
Airless covers large areas fast, so we use it on ceilings, long walls, metal and exteriors.
Do you spray in occupied buildings?
Sometimes. We mask and ventilate carefully, and we choose brushing and rolling if spraying would cause problems.
FAQ
Wallpaper installation
Do you install grasscloth?
Yes. It needs extra care at seams, and we tell you what to expect before we start.
How much paper do I need?
It depends on the wall size and the pattern repeat. We measure and give you a quantity before you order.
Can you paint and hang paper in the same room?
Yes. We paint ceilings and trim first, then hang the paper, all on one schedule.
Tell us what needs painting.
Call or send the details. We walk the job, then send a written estimate.