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F.A.Q.2023-11-28T14:48:48-04:00

Have Questions?

Kitchen Cabinet Painting

Interior Painting

Exterior Painting

Professional Limewash Applications

Commercial Painting

Holiday Light Installation & Design

Kitchen Cabinet Painting

Can you paint my existing cabinets?2023-11-20T15:14:43-04:00

  1. And our answer is always – of course! Replacing kitchen cabinets can be a huge expense, and sometimes it is necessary, like if you are considering changing your kitchen layout. Even if you are considering a bigger change, there’s a possibility we could modify your existing cabinets for re-use to save you in the long run. And we have the crews and experience needed to help you with this change!
  2. But, if you are just thinking about giving your kitchen a facelift, painting your existing cabinets can be a great project for you. Plus, painting the cabinets you already have is typically about ⅓ of the cost of a full replacement.
Do I have to do anything to my cabinets before you start? Clean them? Wipe them down? Empty them out?2023-11-20T13:52:01-04:00

  1. Cabinets need to be emptied in most instances.  We can discuss the specifics with you and your particular kitchen, but it’s best practice to empty them as we remove drawer slides, hinges, etc. to paint cabinets like “they came that way”.
  2. We also ask that you remove any decorations from the top of cabinets, vacuum up any dust bunnies on top, etc.
  3. DeHaan Painting always does the final cleaning after you do the initial clean
Can I use my kitchen while you are working on my cabinets?2023-11-20T13:56:50-04:00

  1. Your kitchen will be out of commission for approx. 3-6 days depending on the number of colors, size, etc.
  2. We will partitioning your kitchen off from the rest of your home and will also be masking all openings
Should I stay somewhere else if my kitchen is not usable?2023-11-20T13:58:23-04:00

  1. If you have the ability to stay elsewhere, it would be more convenient; however it’s not required
  2. This sometimes provides a break for whomever the cook is in your house! A week of takeout or easy meals 🙂
Can I go on vacation and leave your team working on my kitchen?2023-11-20T13:59:14-04:00

  1. This is a great idea!  You don’t deal with our interruption AND you get to come home to a beautifully refinished kitchen!
Can you fix any broken or cracked cabinets?2023-11-20T13:59:54-04:00

  1. We can fix broken/cracked cabinets or replace cabinets as needed.  We also offer Refacing, Redoors, & other services to renovate your existing cabinets
Can you swatch different colors of the cabinets?2023-12-07T13:01:11-04:00

  1. We can match just about any color.  In fact, all cabinet colors are custom.  Pick any Sherwin Williams, Ben Moore, Farrow & Ball, etc. color and we will provide you with a custom match to approve before we begin application.
Can you help me select the right type of paint for my cabinets?2023-12-07T13:03:48-04:00

  1. We use top of the line Industrial Wood Coatings (“paint”).  Often time these products are referred to as “lacquer”, but are superior in every way.  Whether it be conversion varnish or a water based polyurethane; we can provide you with the correct product for your project to ensure it can withstand daily kitchen use.
  2. Products we use include Renner 851, Icro, & Gemini.

Interior Painting

Do you warranty interior painting?2023-11-20T14:14:36-04:00

  1. We do!  We warranty just about all of our projects for 2 years against workmanship defects.  That means we won’t apply a latex paint straight over top of your oil based trim; leaving you holding the bag when the paint peels right off. We use thorough prep & take our time to be sure it’s perfect!
My home is older – do you ever run into problems with the walls you have to replace drywall or material instead of fix?2023-11-20T14:13:50-04:00

  1. It’s rare, but we do find this from time to time.  This happens from water damage, if plaster separates from the lathe, etc.  Most of the time this is caught in the initial consultation/inspection stage.
How long does it take to paint a regular sized bedroom? Bathroom? Living room? Etc. ie – do you say a room a day as an estimate for how long you will be in a home?2023-11-20T14:12:54-04:00

  1. If we are walking into a room that is ready to go, we can paint 2 coats to the walls and clean up in under 8 hours.  However, if there are repairs, trim, ceilings, etc. that could be increased to 2-3 days for most rooms.
  2. We are very thorough in making sure that we apply the number of coats spec’d and that each layer is dry before moving onto the next step.
Will you paint over or fill in wall decor nail holes? Can you not do this if we want to put the same artwork in the same places?2023-11-20T14:10:23-04:00

  1. As part of the removal process involving the homeowner, this allows you to decide if you want to put any decor back or start with a clean slate.  We like to remove nails to leave an empty hole for decor that is to be filled and leave the nail in place as a visual reminder if you’d like to put it back in the same place.
Do I need to take hanging pictures and decor off my walls?2023-11-20T14:09:46-04:00

  1. We can help with large or difficult to reach decor, but it’s recommended that you do this prior to painting.  This makes sure you are able to put all items in a safe place.
Will your crew move and cover my furniture?2023-12-07T13:06:51-04:00

  1. YES!  We move and cover furniture on a daily basis.  I would say our typical job is what I would call “High end occupied”.  We don’t paint a lot of apartments and rarely paint empty homes, so covering and protecting your home is always on our mind.
  2. We just ask you to make the furniture moveable.  Ex. removing all of Grandma’s China from your China Cabinet, so we can move it.
Should I have you paint multiple rooms within the same project?2023-11-20T14:07:46-04:00

  1. If you have plans to paint multiple rooms, it’s best to do that all at once in most cases.  That doesn’t mean we can’t do different phases, but if you do 1 room today and 1 room next month, the cost will be more when spread out because we have to do everything twice.  Doing it all at once allows for us to find some efficiencies in both labor & materials.
Can you swatch different colors for my walls?2023-11-20T14:07:01-04:00

  1. Of course!  Just let us know and we will be happy to provide you with some samples.  Better yet, we like to use Samplize or order Samplize paint samples from Ben Moore & Sherwin Williams.  This allows you to use an adhesive sticker made of real paint on your walls.  Best of all, it’s reversible by simply removing it.
Can you advise me on the right type of paint to use?2023-12-07T13:05:44-04:00

  1. Our “standard” offerings are as follows:
    1. Walls
      1. We really like Sherwin Williams Duration for it’s versatility.  It does great in moist environments like bathrooms & high traffic areas.  Best of all, we buy so much of this product that it’s an economical choice!
      2. Ben Moore Scuff-X or Regal are also great standard options. They have great coverage & do well in high traffic areas, although at an increased cost from Sherwin Williams Duration.  If you do pick a Benjamin Moore color, we do recommend using Benjamin Moore paint for that 100% correct paint match.
    2. Trim
      1. We really like Sherwin Williams Pro Industrial Water-based Alkyd Urethane.  The name is sure a mouthful, but it has just as many qualities that we like as it does words in it’s name!  This product adheres to trim previously painted with oil or latex paints.   It finishes like an oil, but has fewer VOC’s and water clean up like latex paint.  It’s also a professional quality paint that we use on almost every job we touch.
Do you have to use a primer paint before applying color?2023-11-20T14:04:29-04:00

  1. This is not always necessary.  Primers are mostly used on raw substrates (sheetrock, raw wood, etc),  stained areas, and for dramatic color changes. If you have previously painted walls in good shape, we can usually apply 2-3 coats without a primer.
Will you repair nail pops and issues on my walls before painting?2023-11-20T14:03:40-04:00

  1. A standard part of the painting process is what we call point up.  This is included as part of the project and is done on every job.  This includes nail holes, touching up caulk, and nail pops
  2. In the event we determine you have enough nail pops, cracks, holes, etc. to qualify as a “repair”; we will provide for that in your proposal.

Exterior Painting

Do you warranty exterior painting?2023-11-20T14:26:47-04:00

  1. YES! We also warranty everything except horizontal surfaces for 2 years
How long will the paint products you use last with our climate?2024-01-30T15:37:54-04:00

  1. We find most of our jobs last between 8-10 years before they start to need a refresh.  Usually the sunniest side of the house receives the most wear and tear.
My home is older – do you ever run into problems you have to replace instead of fix it?2023-12-07T13:10:29-04:00

  1. Yes. A lot of times on older homes, we find materials that are sub-par ex. Masonite siding.  We often replace this with fiber cement or James Hardie Siding.
  2. We also like to use PVC trim when able since this will never rot.
Can you paint/stain porches, trim, fences (wood/metal/plastic)?2023-12-07T13:09:38-04:00

  1. Yep!  We do our fair share of fences, porches, stained decks, etc.  We do not recommend painting vinyl fences/trim; but it can be done.  The same old adage of “clean, dull, & dry” applies here.
  2. We can apply multiple types of stain
    1. Transparent
    2. Semi Transparent
    3. Semi-Solid
    4. Solid
    5. Penetrating
Can you paint the outside of my home when I’m not home?2023-11-20T14:22:41-04:00

  1. Painting the exterior of your home is not as invasive as painting the inside of your home, but it can be a bit unnerving to make eye contact with someone through a window on your 2nd or 3rd floor.  If you prefer to be at work or away from home, we’d be happy to paint while you are not home
  2. If we are painting windows and/or doors, we will need access to have those unlocked to paint.
Will you fix issues/damage you find before painting? Will you communicate these issues with me and if you find something that you aren’t able to fix?2023-11-20T14:20:57-04:00

  1. Absolutely.  We believe in transparency & work hard to be transparent in what we will do, communicate any changes, & help find someone who can fix something if can’t.
  2. When we notice repairs, we take photos and line item each repair, often times in a PDF presentation to keep everyone on the same page.
  3. As we find additional repairs, we communicate & resolve those as quickly as possible.
Will you work with my HOA on paint color change approvals?2023-11-20T14:20:17-04:00

  1. We are always happy to assist our customers in seeing their vision come to fruition, however, this is usually a task that is left to the homeowner.
Do you clean the exterior of my home before painting?2023-11-20T14:19:16-04:00

  1. This is a critical first step to ensuring a quality job.  A basic premise of painting is “clean, dull, & dry”.  Cleaning is the first step before we can make sure all surfaces are dull by scuff sanding.
Can you paint any type of substrate on my home?2023-11-20T14:17:58-04:00

  1. We can paint any substrate on your home, however, we are knowledgeable in what substrates should be left unpainted (galvanized metal, glazed brick, etc)
Can you paint any time of year?2023-12-07T13:08:08-04:00

  1. The short answer is yes.  Long answer is it depends.  We find the months of July-August are often too hot/humid & December-January are too cool & damp.
    • We operate in temperatures above 35* overnight to be sure your paint has time to properly dry/cure before freezing (not just the time of day we are working).  We also try to limit daytime highs in the heat of summer to 95* for the safety of our crews & to ensure the paint does not have an extended dry time due to humidity or rapid drying to high heat.

Limewash and Mineral Painting

Do you warranty this work?2023-12-07T13:12:13-04:00

  1. We will warranty large failures and our workmanship, however, this product is naturally deteriorating and will come off over time depending on exposure to rain, sun, standing water, etc.
Can you limewash the outside of my home any time of year?2023-12-07T13:11:37-04:00

  1. You can, but it could be more difficult.  When it’s really hot, the limewash could dries very quickly, limiting the working time to remove the product for distressing and/or erasing it.  When it’s cold, dry times increase and the job takes a lot longer.  The best days for limewash are actually those warm, overcast days where you typically wouldn’t paint outside. It’s a little different than regular exterior paint weather since moisture isn’t as much of an issue.  We actually have to wet the house down to allow the lime wash/masonry flat to absorb and we often use water to distress/achieve the look, so water is a natural part of the process
Can you remove a limewash or mineral paint if we don’t like it?2023-11-20T14:35:33-04:00

  1. Until it calcifies (3-5 days), it can be removed pretty easily.  We collect inspiration photos from clients and then create samples before completing the entire home.  There have been times where we’ve had to remove all of our hard work and start over again, so it’s definitely possible.
Why do you use Romabio products? Is it the best on the market?2023-11-20T14:34:51-04:00

  1. They are the best on the market, the easiest to apply, and excellent support.  We’ve done work directly for Romabio for some influencers and have been pleasantly surprised how receptive the entire Romabio team has been when questions arose.  If needed, I can make direct communication with the company for hints/tips/tricks/questions.  It’s an amazing company & product.
  2. We’ve used other products that had long manufacturing times, limited support, the need for special equipment, & were difficult to use.  Romabio has none of those issues
I tried to do this myself – can you fix it?2023-11-20T14:34:10-04:00

  1. Short answer, yes.  Long answer: how long has it been since you applied it?  Most of the time we can remove limewash within 3-5 days. Outside of that, we may have to consider alternative approaches.
How messy is limewashing inside my house on a brick wall or fireplace?2023-11-20T14:33:31-04:00

  1. Without proper prep. Extremely messy!  Limewash is diluted lime and sometimes as thin  as water.  We are well trained in how to contain the mess and we clean up after ourselves.
Do you clean the substrate before you start?2023-11-20T14:32:56-04:00

  1. Yes, this is a critical step.  We usually soft-wash a few days prior to the project and we actually utilize water to help the limewash/masonry flat absorb into the brick & calcify.
Can you work on any existing stone/brick?2023-11-20T14:32:05-04:00

  1. Yes.  Some substrates require a primer and others don’t. In short, nothing is impossible and with the right prep/products we can paint any substrate.
  2.   Most of the time, we work with existing stone/brick.  If it’s new, it usually requires 21-28 days for any portland cement to cure before it can be coated.

Commercial Painting

Can your crew work with our project timeline?2023-11-20T14:27:57-04:00

  1. We do this often & well.  Tell us your timeline and we will work with you if at all possible.  We have references and good working relationships with Bank of America, Duke Mansion, Museum of Illusions, and we also work with other contractors that present schedules to us and we work with them.
Are you licensed to work on commercial projects?2023-11-20T14:28:34-04:00

  1. Funny enough…there is no license for residential or commercial painting.
Will we need to prep/clean what we need painted?2023-11-20T14:29:10-04:00

  1. We take care of the prep/cleaning in most cases. It just needs to be paint ready (technology, etc moved out of the way, so we can get in and do our work).
Can you work nights or weekends so our employees aren’t on site?2023-11-20T14:29:52-04:00

  1. As long as this is planned and known, we can do that.  We like to combine night time work with day time work as possible, but we can make it happen!
Do you warranty your commercial work the same as your residential work?2023-11-20T14:30:26-04:00

  1. YES!

Holiday Light Installation

Do I need to be home when you install my lights?2023-12-07T13:12:58-04:00

  1. You don’t need to be, but if you have any areas that you would like done a certain way, it’s helpful for you to be there.
Can I upgrade my package if I want more lights next year?2023-12-07T13:13:52-04:00

  1. Absolutely!  This is a great way to budget and add on as time goes on.  Tastes change and we can oftentimes reuse the custom lights in other areas from year to year.
What happens if I blow a fuse from the Christmas lights?2023-11-20T14:41:57-04:00

  1. Give us a call. All of our commercial grade, custom length lights include a warranty.  We will help you troubleshoot and resolve the problem.
  2. One tidbit: it is required to have a working outlet.  If the outlet doesn’t work…our warranty doesn’t cover that.
Can I add my own Christmas lights to the lights you install?2023-12-07T13:14:49-04:00

  1. We do not install roofline lights that you own, However, we can install your own mini lights or we can provide mini lights for bushes, trees, etc, however, these are not warrantied and we do not troubleshoot your lights.
How many years should I get out of the lights you install?2023-11-20T14:43:35-04:00

  1. As many as you want. If you keep us coming back; we’ll keep the lights on.  If you have us for 10 years and the lights go out, we’ll fix/replace them
Will I ever have to pay for new lights?2023-11-20T14:44:26-04:00

  1. Only if you want to add on, change cord color, etc.
  2. We will even change bulb color from year to year upon request free of charge.
What if I skip a year for installation – will you still install my lights the following year?2023-11-20T14:45:06-04:00

  1. As long as we install and uninstall your lights, we will still warranty & install your lights for you.  Life happens and we’d love to help.
Can you work with my HOA on approvals?2023-11-20T14:45:43-04:00

  1. Of course, if you loop us into your HOA’s process, we’d be happy to assist you in approval.
If my lights burn out, how long will it take your team to replace them?2023-11-20T14:46:25-04:00

  1. Good question.  We are a busy and friendly team that aims to please. In most cases, we would aim to have this remedied within 5 business days or less.
What if I move? Can I move my lights to my new home?2023-11-20T14:47:52-04:00

  1. Well, that depends…you could leave the lights for the new homeowner or we could try to transfer some over.  Ex. they have 200 LF of lights and need 150 LF, we could likely modify it to work at their new residence.  If they needed greater lengths, that would be a little more difficult unless we added another plug (not impossible).  Just depends how seamless they want it!
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