cohort vetting · interior + exterior paint · trim · staining
Painters + decorators shortlist
Painters + decorators cohort. 1 candidate (Mejia · pending first call) and 4 open slots by sub-specialty. Painting work decomposes into ~5 sub-specialties (interior, exterior, trim/cabinet, deck/fence staining, wallpaper) — open slots for each so the right vendor lands in the right cell.
Vetting criteria:
- Sub-specialty match — interior generalists vs trim specialists vs exterior crews are different shops
- Prep quality — most paint failures are prep failures (sanding, primer, caulk); ask about their prep step
- Insurance + lead-paint cert — RRP-certified for any pre-1978 surface (federal requirement for any paint job >6 sq ft on lead-containing surfaces)
- Material brand — what they default to (Benjamin Moore Aura, Sherwin Williams Duration, Behr — the cheap-vs-pro split is a tell)
- References + portfolio photos — paint work is visually judged, picture-vet hard
Candidates — awaiting first call
Chase · not yet called
NJ side of New Hope · 609 area code (South Jersey) · referral · no jobs yet
What we know: phone 609-851-6882. Local-ish (NJ side, crosses Delaware to PA New Hope). Sub-specialty + business name + insurance + RRP cert + material default — all TBD until first call lands.
Next call: Work the 10-question vetting script on the full record. Confirm sub-specialty (interior / exterior / trim-cabinet / deck-stain), insurance + RRP cert, default brand+line, prep sequence. Then promote into the right sub-specialty cell below.
Open slots — shortlist building
Open slot — Interior painter (whole-room repaints)
Shortlist building
What we're looking for: 2-3 person crew for whole-room interior repaints. Bedroom / living / kitchen scope. Day-rate or per-room pricing.
Where to find: Angi / HomeAdvisor with filter for Bucks · Painters' Network · NextDoor New Hope · referrals from neighbours who recently painted.
Where to find: Angi / HomeAdvisor with filter for Bucks · Painters' Network · NextDoor New Hope · referrals from neighbours who recently painted.
Open slot — Exterior painter (whole-house)
Shortlist building
What we're looking for: exterior whole-house repaint. Bigger crew, equipment for scaffolding/lifts, prep + caulk + primer + 2 coats. Often a separate trade from interior because of equipment differences.
Where to find: PCA (Painting Contractors Association) directory · BBB Doylestown painting category · search 'exterior house painting Bucks County'.
Active thread: Tony @ AJACs Painting — out-of-office through early May 2026, then scheduling a site visit (no quote yet as of 4 May).
📄 Target pricing memo: Painting Estimate — 6279 Greenhill Road, revised April 2026 (PDF, 2.8 MB · external R2). Internal analyst memo for Dutch Colonial + 3-car garage wing. Tiered model: Low ~$11,400 · Mid ~$16,400 · High ~$21,900 (205–307 hrs @ $55–$75 loaded + paint & materials). Negotiated target band: $13,500–$16,000 for a well-reviewed, insured contractor using premium paint and proper prep. Below $11K signals corner-cutting; above $20K warrants scrutiny unless major wood repair surfaces in scope. Use this as the anchor when vendor quotes return.
Where to find: PCA (Painting Contractors Association) directory · BBB Doylestown painting category · search 'exterior house painting Bucks County'.
Active thread: Tony @ AJACs Painting — out-of-office through early May 2026, then scheduling a site visit (no quote yet as of 4 May).
📄 Target pricing memo: Painting Estimate — 6279 Greenhill Road, revised April 2026 (PDF, 2.8 MB · external R2). Internal analyst memo for Dutch Colonial + 3-car garage wing. Tiered model: Low ~$11,400 · Mid ~$16,400 · High ~$21,900 (205–307 hrs @ $55–$75 loaded + paint & materials). Negotiated target band: $13,500–$16,000 for a well-reviewed, insured contractor using premium paint and proper prep. Below $11K signals corner-cutting; above $20K warrants scrutiny unless major wood repair surfaces in scope. Use this as the anchor when vendor quotes return.
Open slot — Trim + cabinetry specialist
Shortlist building
What we're looking for: spray-finish quality for kitchen cabinets, built-ins, fine trim. Higher craft bar than wall painting — uses HVLP spray, factory-grade lacquer, dust-controlled spray booth or on-site tents.
Where to find: kitchen-design firms (referrals to their cabinet painters) · Houzz cabinet-refinishing portfolios · Benjamin Moore Cabinet Coat certified applicators.
Where to find: kitchen-design firms (referrals to their cabinet painters) · Houzz cabinet-refinishing portfolios · Benjamin Moore Cabinet Coat certified applicators.
Open slot — Deck + fence stainer
Shortlist building
What we're looking for: deck / fence / outbuilding staining + sealing. Different chemistry (penetrating stain, semi-transparent, solid color) and weather windows than house paint.
Where to find: Cabot / Olympic / Behr semi-transparent-stain certified contractors · referrals from deck-builders · 'deck staining Bucks County' search.
Where to find: Cabot / Olympic / Behr semi-transparent-stain certified contractors · referrals from deck-builders · 'deck staining Bucks County' search.
Cross-references
home.gf.cx · contractors · painters-shortlist · stubbed 25 May 2026 · 0 engaged + 4 open slots