A full building repaint in Boston — whether a triple-decker, a mid-rise apartment building, or a commercial property — requires more planning than a residential paint job. Here's how to approach it correctly from start to finish.
The most common mistake in building repaint projects is getting quotes before the scope is defined. When contractors quote different scopes, you're comparing apples to oranges and typically choosing the contractor who quoted the least work, not the best value. A proper scope document for a building repaint specifies: which surfaces are included (all siding, trim, windows, doors, porch floors, railings — or specific exclusions), what prep work is included (power wash, scraping, caulking, spot priming, or full prime coat), what paint products will be used (brand, product line, number of coats), and any repair work included in the scope. With a defined scope, quotes are comparable. Painting and Decorating Contractors of America →
Boston building exterior painting has a seasonal window: May through October for reliable above-50°F temperatures required for proper paint cure. Within that window, occupied buildings need to coordinate around tenant schedules, building system maintenance, and any other exterior work planned. For large buildings requiring scaffolding or boom lift equipment, the equipment timeline affects the project schedule — scaffolding permits in Boston require 2–3 weeks for approval and the scaffolding itself needs to be scheduled in advance with rental companies whose Boston schedules fill up in spring. We develop realistic schedules at the estimate stage, not optimistic ones. Boston Transportation Dept scaffolding permits →
Commercial buildings in Boston require coatings that handle heavy environmental exposure — salt air, urban pollution, UV, and the daily thermal cycling of dark-colored urban surfaces. We use Sherwin-Williams Emerald Exterior and Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior as our primary lines for Boston commercial repaints — both are premium acrylic latex formulations with lifetime warranties when applied correctly over proper prep. For masonry facades, we use elastomeric or breathable mineral silicate coatings appropriate for the specific substrate. Product selection is not one-size-fits-all and we specify the correct product for each substrate type. Sherwin-Williams commercial exterior products →
Commercial building owners and property management companies require contractors to carry specific insurance limits and name the building owner as additional insured. They require written contracts specifying scope, products, timeline, and payment schedule. They require documentation of work completed for their maintenance records. We provide all of this as standard practice — insurance certificates before work starts, written contracts with full scope, and post-project documentation of products used. BOMA building standards →
Need Building Repainting in Boston?
AURA Painting Inc serves all Boston neighborhoods. Licensed MA #193121, fully insured, 2-year warranty. Free estimates — most jobs scheduled within the week.
Call (617) 777-7700 ← Back to Building Repainting