Yes. Stratos Painting provides free estimates for residential and commercial painting projects.

We prefer to meet with you and look at the project in person whenever possible. This gives us an opportunity to evaluate the condition of the surfaces, discuss preparation and repairs, understand exactly what you would like accomplished, and answer any questions you may have.

Once we understand the scope of the project, we can provide you with an estimate based on the actual work required.

There is no obligation. Our goal is simply to give you the information you need to make an informed decision about your project.

Yes. Stratos Painting is properly registered as a

Home Improvement Contractor in Massachusetts and

carries liability insurance for the protection of

our customers and their property.

We will be happy to provide proof of registration

and insurance upon request.

The size of our crew depends primarily on two things:

1. The size of your interior painting project
2. How quickly you would like the work completed.

If your project has a flexible schedule, a smaller crew may be all that is necessary. For larger projects or situations where completion time is important, we can adjust the crew size accordingly.

When we meet with you to look at your home and prepare your estimate, we can discuss your preferred timeline and determine the appropriate crew size for your particular project.

No. Stratos Painting does not play music through speakers while working on either interior or exterior projects.

We understand that we are working in and around your home, and we want to keep unnecessary noise and distractions to a minimum.

If a member of our crew chooses to listen to music while working, they may use personal headphones or earbuds at a reasonable volume, provided it does not interfere with communication or job-site safety.

Our goal is to maintain a professional and respectful working environment throughout your project.

Yes. Everyone working on your project is expected to maintain a professional appearance and wear appropriate work clothing.

Our painters typically wear Stratos Painting T-shirts with white painter's pants or durable full-length jeans, (exterior) along with proper work footwear.

Full-length pants and shirts are required while working exteriors. Shirts are NOT to be removed on the job site, even during hot weather. This is particularly important when working on ladders, roofs, or around equipment where exposed skin can create an additional safety concern.

We believe professional workmanship should also come with a professional appearance. When our crew arrives at your home, they should look and conduct themselves like professionals.

Yes. Professional language and appropriate conversation are expected at all times while working in your home.

Our crew is there to perform a job, and conversations between workers should remain professional and primarily related to the work being performed. We don't believe homeowners should have to listen to personal conversations, inappropriate discussions, or unnecessary distractions while our crew is in their home.

Profanity is not acceptable on a Stratos Painting job site and can be grounds for dismissal.

We are guests in your home, and we expect everyone representing Stratos Painting to conduct themselves accordingly.

Yes. Protecting your home and belongings is an important part of our preparation process.

Before painting begins, we cover shrubs, and walkways that could be exposed to paint, dust, or debris. We use appropriate drop cloths, plastic, masking materials, and protective coverings depending on the area being worked on.

We also take the time to protect adjoining surfaces that are not being painted, including trim, hardware, flooring, and other finished areas.

A professional paint job isn't just about where the paint goes. It's equally important to make sure it doesn't go where it doesn't belong.

We ask homeowners to remove or relocate outdoor furniture, decorations, and other personal items before we begin painting.

This may include patio furniture, planters, wall plaques, decorative stars, signs, hanging decorations, and other removable items located on or near the areas being painted.

Whenever possible, patio and deck furniture should be moved far enough away from the work area to give our painters safe and unobstructed access to the surfaces.

Permanent fixtures such as exterior lighting and other items that cannot reasonably be removed will be carefully protected and covered as necessary while we work around them.

Our goal is to protect your belongings while giving our crew the clear access needed to properly prepare and paint your home's exterior.

For exterior painting projects, we will need access to a convenient water source, typically an outdoor spigot.

This allows us to fill pails with water and use a garden hose when cleaning brushes, rollers, and other painting tools at the end of the workday.

Unlike interior projects, we generally do not need access to an indoor sink or bathroom for cleaning our equipment.

If an unusual situation or emergency requires indoor access, we would always speak with the homeowner first.

We primarily use professional-grade Sherwin-Williams paints, selected for their quality, durability and beautiful finish and our standard paint is included in your painting proposal.

If you prefer another brand or a specialty product, we'll gladly accommodate your request.

We'll apply a credit equal to our cost of the paint originally included in your proposal, and you'll simply pay the difference for your preferred product.

Here's how the paint credit works

Illustrative example using your prices (prices may varry)

* Our included Sherwin-Williams "Super Paint" say is $35/gallon
* Customer's preferred specialty paint is $65/gallon
* Stratos paint credit−$35/gallon

* Customer's upgrade cost is $30/gallon

For a 10-gallon project, the customer pays $300 for the upgrade.
Any additional primer, coats or specialized application requirements would be quoted separately.

You'll learn more about how this works in the next question.

NOT AT ALL! BECAUSE ... "THE PAINT'S ON US!"
We earn our money the old-fashioned way. We work for it!

Your painting proposal includes the cost of our specified Sherwin-Williams paint.
There's no separate paint charge or surprise markup.
It's our way of thanking you for choosing Stratos Painting.

And we genuinely love what we do! There's nothing quite like seeing a homeowner's reaction when their freshly painted home is transformed.

PREFER A DIFFERENT BRAND OF PAINT? ... NO PROBEM!

If you'd rather use another brand or a specialty paint, we'll credit you the amount we would have spent on the paint included in your proposal. You simply pay the difference.

Any additional preparation, primer, coats or specialized application requirements will be discussed and quoted before work begins.

... SO WHY NOT ...
"ADD A LITTLE COLOR!"

YOUR HOME. YOUR COLORS. YOUR CHOICE.

THE PAINT'S ON US! 😊

Absolutely. We are always happy to help our customers select colors for their home.

Choosing a color involves more than simply finding a shade that looks attractive on a color chart. Lighting, furnishings, flooring, adjoining rooms, and the overall character of your home can all influence how a color will actually look once it is on the walls.

Colors can also influence the mood and feeling of a room. Some colors can make a space feel warmer and more inviting, while others can create a brighter, calmer, or more dramatic atmosphere.

We'll be happy to share our experience, discuss the options with you, and help you choose colors that work well with both your home and the atmosphere you would like to create.

For most exterior painting projects, we recommend applying two finish coats.

Exterior painting is a significant investment in both time and money, and we don't believe in reducing the potential life and performance of the paint system simply to save the cost of applying a second coat.

There are situations where one coat may be appropriate, such as freshening an exterior that is still in good condition with little fading, peeling, or deterioration. However, for most complete exterior painting projects, our standard recommendation is two finish coats.

Where scraping or preparation exposes bare wood, those areas are first properly prepared and spot-primed with an appropriate bonding primer. We then apply two finish coats over the prepared surface.

Our goal isn't simply to make the house look freshly painted. It's to apply a paint system designed to provide lasting protection and appearance.

For exterior painting, we may use a combination of spraying, rolling, and brushing depending on the surface and the requirements of the project.

Spraying is the fastest way to get paint onto a substrate. However, when we spray appropriate exterior surfaces, we always follow the application by back rolling or back brushing as needed.

Back rolling and back brushing help work the coating into the surface rather than simply allowing the sprayed material to remain on top. This is particularly important on porous, rough, weathered, or textured exterior surfaces where proper penetration and coverage are critical.

We strongly discourage homeowners from choosing a contractor simply because they can spray the exterior quickly and inexpensively. Spraying alone may save labor, but speed should never replace proper application.

The objective isn't simply to get paint onto the house as quickly as possible. It's to properly apply the coating so it can provide the protection and performance the exterior needs.

Spraying gets the paint onto the substrate quickly. Back rolling and back brushing help work it into the substrate.

Caulking on an exterior isn't limited to the areas that are easily visible. In fact, some of the most important areas are the places homeowners may never notice.

Windows are particularly important. We inspect and caulk appropriate joints around the entire window assembly, paying special attention to horizontal areas and drip edges above windows where rain and snow can collect. If these openings are left unsealed, moisture can work its way behind the trim and contribute to deterioration, damaged wood, failed sealant, and other moisture-related problems.

We also inspect areas around door jambs and the drip edges above exterior doors, as well as joints and gaps around fascia, soffits, trim, and other exterior components where water can potentially enter.

There are numerous other areas that may require caulking depending on the construction and condition of the home, so we evaluate them as part of the preparation process.

A homeowner may never see some of these areas from the ground, but that doesn't make them less important.

We don't caulk only what you can see. We caulk the areas that need to be protected.

Yes. We can replace many of the damaged exterior components we commonly discover while preparing a home for painting.

This may include damaged siding courses, wood shingles, shakes, window sills, drip edges, trim boards, partial fascia, soffits, and other deteriorated exterior wood components.

One of the advantages of addressing these repairs during the painting process is that damaged or deteriorated materials can be replaced before the new coating system is applied. There is little value in applying quality paint over wood that has already reached the point where it should be replaced.

During preparation, if we discover deterioration that wasn't visible during the original estimate, we will bring it to the homeowner's attention and discuss the repair before proceeding.

We do not replace roofing shingles, windows, or perform roofing work in general.

Our objective is to give the new paint system a sound, properly prepared surface to protect.

Stratos Painting currently accepts several convenient forms of payment, including cash, personal or business checks, major credit cards, and Zelle.

Payment arrangements and the timing of payments will be discussed with you before your project begins, so you'll know exactly what to expect.

Our goal is to make the payment process as simple and convenient as possible.

Yes. Our interior painting workmanship is guaranteed in writing for three years against peeling or other coating failure resulting from our workmanship, under normal interior conditions.

Like any finished surface, painted siding and trim are still subject to normal wear and tear, impact damage, excessive moisture, and improper cleaning. Damage caused by these conditions would not be considered a failure of the original paint job.

We typically recommend a flat or satin finish for most exterior walls. These finishes provide a good balance between appearance and cleanability without creating the excessive shine associated with higher-gloss finishes.

Occasional marks can generally be cleaned using a soft cloth or sponge with a very mild cleaning solution. Harsh detergents, abrasive cleaners, or aggressive scrubbing can damage or change the appearance of the finish and may affect warranty coverage.

We'll also explain the proper care of your newly painted surfaces so you can keep them looking their best for as long as possible.

We don't wait until the entire project is finished to find out whether you're happy with our work.

exterior projects are divided into individual phases. As each side is completed, we'll ask you to inspect the work with us. If something needs attention, we want to know about it then so it can be addressed before we move on.

Once you're satisfied with the completed side , we'll ask you to sign off on that phase of the project. Each side has its own approval section where comments or concerns can also be noted.

There is an important distinction between being unhappy with our workmanship and simply deciding that you don't like the color you selected. If there is a legitimate workmanship issue, we will address it. That's part of standing behind our work.

However, if you approved the color and, after seeing the completed room, decide you would prefer a different color, we will certainly repaint it for you, but the additional labor and materials would be treated as a change to the original project.

Our side-by-side approval process protects both of us. It gives you an opportunity to inspect the work throughout the project and gives us the opportunity to address any concerns immediately rather than discovering them after the entire project has been completed.

Deposits may be refundable depending on the circumstances and how much notice we receive before your scheduled project begins.

When you reserve a starting date, we schedule our crew and other projects around that commitment. If you later decide to postpone or cancel your project, we'll make every reasonable effort to adjust our schedule and fill the time that had been reserved for you.

If we're able to make that adjustment without a significant loss of scheduled work, we're generally happy to return your deposit.

If your cancellation occurs close to the scheduled starting date and we're unable to replace the work, your deposit may be retained and applied as a credit toward your project when you decide to reschedule.

We understand that circumstances sometimes change. Our goal isn't to profit from a cancellation. It's simply to protect the time that was specifically reserved for your project while treating everyone involved fairly.

The length of an exterior painting project depends on much more than simply the size or square footage of the surfaces being painted.

The size of the project is certainly an important factor, but the design and architecture of the home can make a significant difference. A house with four relatively flat sides will generally require less time than a contemporary or architecturally detailed home with bump-outs, angled walls, multiple peaks, decorative features, and numerous areas requiring additional cutting and detail work.

Surface preparation and repairs can also significantly affect the schedule. An exterior requiring extensive scraping, sanding, caulking, repairs, or priming will naturally take longer than one where the surfaces are already in excellent condition. This is especially true on sides of the home that receive significant sun and weather exposure, where coatings and substrates may deteriorate more quickly.

Access is another consideration. The height of the home, rooflines, landscaping, terrain, and the need for ladders, staging, or aerial equipment can all affect the amount of time required to complete the work safely and properly.

Once we've inspected your home and understand the complete scope of the project, we can give you a much more accurate estimate of how long your particular exterior painting project should take.

No. You do not need to leave your home while we're painting the exterior.

We simply ask that you avoid the areas where our crew is actively working. For example, this probably isn't the best time to plan a picnic on the porch while we're painting it or schedule an outdoor gathering while we're working around the house.

Otherwise, you're welcome to remain comfortably inside your home while we complete the exterior painting.

We generally recommend waiting at least 24 hours before returning a painted or stained deck to normal use.

This gives the coating time to dry and cure sufficiently for normal foot traffic and for patio furniture to be carefully returned to the surface.

Drying and curing times can vary depending on the product being used, temperature, humidity, and weather conditions. Some coatings may require additional time, so we will always let you know if the particular product or conditions require a longer waiting period.

Giving the surface adequate time before putting it back into service helps protect the new finish and prevents unnecessary marks or damage.

We love animals, but for everyone's safety, we recommend that pets not be allowed to roam unattended around the exterior work area while our crew is working.

An unexpected visit, jump, or movement from a pet can catch a painter off guard, particularly when working on ladders, staging, or around tools and equipment. Even a friendly animal can unintentionally create a dangerous situation.

When our crew arrives each day, we typically inspect the work area for anything that may have changed overnight, such as fallen tree limbs, objects left in the yard, or other unexpected obstacles. Once the area is clear, our painters work with the expectation that it will remain reasonably clear throughout the day.

We also ask homeowners with dogs to make sure the work area is cleared of pet waste before our crew arrives each day. Stepping in pet waste requires the painter to stop working, clean their footwear, locate and remove the waste, and make sure it isn't accidentally tracked onto ladders, equipment, drop cloths, decks, walkways, or other areas of the property.

When this happens repeatedly, it interrupts the crew's workflow and takes time away from the painting project.

For that reason, we strongly ask that pet waste be removed from the exterior work area before our arrival each morning and continue to be removed daily until our work is completed and our equipment has been cleared from the property.

A safe and productive job site is a clean and predictable job site. Keeping pets, pet waste, and unnecessary obstacles away from active work areas helps protect your animals, our crew, and your property.

Absolutely. We clean and organize the work area at the end of every working day.

Brushes, rollers, screens, and other reusable tools are properly cleaned and prepared for the following day. Cut buckets and other containers are covered, paint cans are securely closed, and all paints, tools, and materials are organized and stored in a safe location where they won't be accidentally knocked over or damaged.

Protective coverings around sinks and cleanup areas are removed, and the sinks and surrounding areas are thoroughly cleaned.

Drop cloths, tools, and other materials that are no longer needed are picked up or neatly stored out of the way.

We don't believe your home should look like an abandoned construction site simply because your painting project isn't finished yet. At the end of each day, our goal is to leave the work area clean, organized, and safe until we return.

Exterior painting sometimes reveals problems that simply weren't visible during the original inspection.

If we discover damaged or deteriorated siding, trim, fascia, soffits, window sills, hidden moisture damage, structural concerns, insect activity, animal nests, or another unexpected condition, we will notify you as soon as we discover it.

We won't simply paint over a problem and pretend it isn't there.

We'll show you what we found, explain how it may affect the painting project, and discuss the appropriate next step before proceeding in that area.

Many repairs can be handled directly by our crew. When the problem requires specialized expertise, we'll recommend that the appropriate professional be brought in. Carpentry may require a carpenter, plumbing problems may require a plumber, and an active bee, wasp, or other pest problem may require a qualified pest-control professional.

Once the underlying problem has been properly addressed, we can continue preparing and painting the affected area.

Older homes in particular can hide surprises behind siding, shutters, trim, and other exterior components. Our responsibility isn't simply to cover those problems with paint. It's to recognize them, bring them to your attention, and make sure we're applying the new coating system over a surface that's ready to receive it.

Yes. In most cases, we can match an existing paint color very closely.

Modern computerized color-matching equipment can scan a paint sample or chip and create a formula designed to reproduce the existing color.

Whenever possible, we'll obtain a clean sample from the existing painted surface and have it professionally scanned and matched.

It's important to understand that older paint can fade or change slightly over time, and differences in paint sheen can also affect how a color appears. For that reason, even a very accurate color match may not completely disappear when touching up an older wall.

We'll evaluate the existing finish and let you know whether a simple touch-up should work or whether painting the entire wall will provide a better, more uniform result.

Yes. We paint a variety of exterior specialty items, including doors, trim, gutters, downspouts, shutters, and other painted components around the exterior of the home.

During the estimate, we'll review these items with you and determine exactly what you would like included in the project.

We'll also evaluate their condition and discuss any preparation or repairs that may be necessary before painting.

This allows us to clearly define the complete scope of work before the project begins, so you know exactly what is and isn't included in your estimate.

The number of gallons included in your estimate is exactly that—an estimate based on the amount of paint we expect your project to require.

We don't purchase all of the estimated paint at the beginning of the project. Custom-tinted paint generally cannot be returned, so purchasing more than necessary could leave the homeowner paying for paint that was never needed.

Instead, we purchase paint as the project progresses. As we approach the final phase, we have a much better understanding of the actual amount needed to complete the work and can adjust our final purchase accordingly.

If the project requires more paint than originally estimated, we will bring it to your attention before purchasing the additional material. Once authorized, the additional cost will be added to the remaining project balance.

The same principle works in your favor. If we estimated 30 gallons but ultimately needed only 25, the cost of the paint that wasn't needed will be deducted from the remaining balance.

There may also be partially used gallons remaining at the end of the project. For example, different painters may be working with separate colors for the siding, trim, doors, or shutters. Any opened cans containing usable paint will be properly closed, labeled, and left with the homeowner for future touch-ups. Once we've opened a gallon for your project, any remaining paint belongs to you. We don't keep it.

If we have unopened gallons of a returnable stock color remaining, we'll give you the choice. You can keep the additional paint for future use, or we can return it to the supplier and credit the cost back to your project.

We believe you should pay for the paint your project actually requires—and any paint you've paid for belongs to you.

Very carefully. 😊

When homeowners ask us how we'll paint a gable end above a garage, what they're usually wondering is, "What are you going to do to my roof?"

Whenever we have access to appropriate aerial equipment, that may provide us with another way to reach the area without working directly from the roof, we will select that option. When roof access is necessary, however, protecting both the roof and our painters becomes part of the setup.

We protect the roof surfaces adjacent to the gable with tarps or other appropriate coverings before beginning the work. Depending on the design and pitch of the roof, we may then use properly secured ladders and appropriate fall-protection equipment to safely access the work area.

For certain configurations, a roof ladder equipped with ridge hooks may be secured over the ridge to provide controlled access along the roof. Additional equipment may sometimes be required to safely reach the highest portions of the gable.

Before any of this begins, we evaluate the roof pitch, height, surface condition, access points, and surrounding area to determine the safest and most practical method for that particular home.

So yes, we may occasionally need to access your roof to paint a difficult gable end—but we don't simply throw a ladder onto the shingles and hope for the best.

We plan the access, protect the roof, secure our equipment and painter, and then...

Very carefully. 😊Paint the gable end.

Not Hiring Stratos Painting?

That's OK.

Before you hire anyone, make sure you're asking the right questions.

Our Exterior Painting Contractor Comparison Guide contains 30 questions developed from more than 30 years of professional painting experience.

Use the same questions we answer about our own company to interview any painting contractor you're considering.

THE GUIDE INCLUDES...

01. 30 Questions Every Homeowner Should Ask

02. Our Detailed Answers to Every Question

03. A Contractor Comparison Worksheet

04. Printable Interview Forms

05. A Digital Form You Can Complete and Save

06. Evaluate contractors based on more than price.

07. Understand differences in preparation.

08. Review the materials being proposed.

09. Evaluate workmanship standards.

10. Understand what's actually guaranteed.

11. Review job-site procedures.

12. Evaluate professionalism and communication.

13. Make an informed apples-to-apples decision.

ONLY $9.95