FINDING A GREAT PAINTER ISN’T EASY—WE GOT A GUY - Just call the Painter
09/25/2023 03:30PM ● By KAREN CASSIDY
Jeff Alexander is the owner of THE PAINTER , a Vermont-based professional painting contractor with over 20 years of exceptional service and craftsmanship experience. The Painter is EPA lead certified and will complete any project from start to finish to your satisfaction.
Cover Pic : A restoration project from a failed paint job, featuring BM Barn Red and White.
KNOW YOUR PAINTER
Jeff doesn’t get to do the actual painting much these days, due to the growth and success of his company but he’s very particular about who he hires. His company is one of the few members of the Paint Contractors Association (PCA) in Vermont.
“It’s important to ask painters about their training process and standards,” Jeff said. “All of my employees are trained according to PCA standards and must pass multiple tests before receiving a certificate for completion in both interior and exterior.”
Recently, The Painter opened a store in South Burlington, focusing on cabinet painting and refinishing. They are currently working on a showroom to display their paint and coating options. They showcase Benjamin Moore paint for most interiors and exteriors, while Farrow and Ball or Fine Paints of Europe are used for high-end jobs. For cabinet refinishing, Jeff uses his favorite Milesi Coatings, an Italian company.
Newly painted walls in Deep Space BM 2125-20 and Simply White 2143-70.
CHOOSE YOUR COLORS
Painting and remodeling projects flow in trends. Jeff said off-white and gray colors for interior walls are in. And so is wallpaper, which is in high demand. He has also seen popularity grow for high-gloss walls in powder rooms.
As for exteriors, blues, grays, and whites are the popular house colors with the front door being painted a bright accent color. Jeff loves the contrast and appreciates how the combination really brings the house color together.
It is always good for a customer and painting company to be up to date and know what’s on trends, but with that being said, he thinks following your vision is more important than trends. If a client has it in their heart to go bold with a color that they love, then he is going to make it work.
ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS
When asked about mistakes to avoid heading into a painting project, he said that adequate preparation work is key. Proper and thorough scraping, sanding, priming, and avoiding inexpensive paint are all basic necessities for a great paint job.
His company offers dust-free sanding. Their sanding is done with dust extractors to keep the customer’s home clean. And they always clean up after themselves. If you didn’t know, sanding is a very important part of a successful paint job.
The siding is in Twilight BM 2058-10, the trim features French Mararron CSP-335, and the door is Aztec Brick BM 2175-10.
“A professional painter should have both knowledge and experience in coatings and the work the client is asking them to perform.”
Jeff encourages customers to ask questions and make sure their painter can and will walk them through their process “from setup to cleanup, from start to finish.” He stresses that a painter’s understanding of what coatings are best for a job is essential.
“Don’t be afraid to ask to see their work. Most of us have social media for potential clients to see past projects, as well as online reviews.”
The walls are Farrow and Ball Vardo, and the trim is PM2 White.
Lastly, you should get something in writing from the painter, contractor, or company. There should be at least a basic contract with terms and conditions on it to protect yourself from any confusion or disagreement after the project is finished.
Jeff’s recommendations for any painting remodel is to use high-quality primer and paint. Put up sample colors in the room that you are thinking about having painted, and try to limit it to 3 or 4 samples per color. Keep your painting budget in mind, as well. And always properly prepare and clean the surfaces.
Jeff is happy to discuss any cabinet, interior, or exterior project. You can visit him at his store in South Burlington or you can visit his website www.thepaintervt.co for more information.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE PAINTER
THE PAINTER
4050 Williston Rd., Suite 114
South Burlington, VT
(802) 899-0800
