Chicago Residential Exterior Painting

The cost of residential exterior painting varies by project size and scope.

At Hester Painting & Decorating, our residential exterior painting services include cleaning mildew from painted surfaces, all preparation, spot priming, and finishing with the final step of painting.

The timeframe for exterior projects depends on the size of the house – exterior jobs can last from a week to six weeks depending on the scope of the project.

In Chicago, with our weather conditions, a properly prepared and applied paint job lasts 5 to 6 years, especially if you use our free Hester Exterior Maintenance Program where we come out and inspect the home’s conditions. If you address the minor issues found during the maintenance inspection each year, the exterior paint job could last another couple of years.

As stated above, due to the harsh seasonal weather in Chicago, freezing winters, rainy springs, and scorching summers, a properly prepared and applied exterior paint job can last 5-6 years, plus another couple more if that home is properly maintained. However, if the exterior paint job isn’t done properly, you could be repainting the same house the next year. Chicago weather will accentuate improper work and cause paint failures quickly.

The key to every paint job, whether interior or exterior, is PROPER SURFACE PREPARATION. If you (or your painting contractor) do not thoroughly prep surfaces, that paint job will fail quickly.

One coat of primer after preparation, then a coat of paint, will usually suffice. If there is a change of color, then apply two coats of paint.

Hester Painting & Decorating does not offer carpentry services for rotten wood, but we can recommend carpenters for clients to use.

Absolutely, a well-maintained exterior is always going to make the house look better and add to the value.

Yes, all reputable contractors should provide a workmanship warranty. Hester Painting & Decorating provides a two-year workmanship warranty for all interior and exterior work.

In order to avoid the risk of the weather and temperatures affecting the longevity of the exterior painting, Hester Painting & Decorating usually performs exterior work from mid-May until the end of October. Occasionally, if Chicago has an unseasonably warm fall, we can paint a little longer into November, but that is rare.

Yes, you can stay in the house. We cover everything and make sure to keep all dust and debris out of the home.

Make sure that they have a long history of painting exteriors. Always ask bidders to explain exactly what scope of work they are proposing, including what they do for preparation before any painting, and ask for a detailed written proposal/contract. If they can’t provide a thorough list, they probably won’t do thorough work on your home. Ask to see prior work and talk to prior customers, or research their company online and check for reviews. Don’t just look for the lowest price.