Exterior Painting in Back Bay, Boston MA

Back Bay specifics

Most of what we paint in Back Bay is Victorian brownstones. 1860s–1890s brownstone and brick rowhouses with bay windows, ornate cornices, iron railings and original interior plaster and millwork. One of Boston's strictest. Exterior changes visible from a public way require Architectural Commission approval, including paint colours on trim, doors and window sash.

The way we work it

Full pressure wash, scrape back anything loose, feather the edges, replace rotted wood, caulk every gap, prime bare surfaces, then two coats.

Wash, then let it dry — 48 hours minimum, longer on north elevations that never see sun. Then scrape everything lifting, feather the edges with 80 grit so the transition doesn't telegraph through the finish, spot prime bare wood the same day it's exposed, and caulk after priming rather than before so the caulk bonds to primer instead of raw grain.

Common failure we see

Nearly every failed exterior we're called to repaint failed for the same reason: someone coated over chalky, damp or mildewed siding. Paint doesn't stick to dirt, and no product on the shelf fixes bad prep.

What the quote covers

• Line-by-line scope — prep, materials and labour costed separately
• A real start date and duration, held to
• Licence #193121 and certificate of insurance in writing
• Two-year workmanship warranty

Products are Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams. Worth reading before you hire anyone: EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting rule National Weather Service Boston forecast