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Eric Schnaible: The Beauty of Restoration

By Caitlyn Stair, Diamond Certified Research Reporter

Eric Schnaible sees what others can’t: the hidden patterns, the unseen damage, the overlooked details that determine a home’s longevity. With decades of experience in construction and exterior restoration, he has turned careful observation into industry-leading expertise.

Eric first entered the construction industry as a building contractor, earning his license in 2001. He spent the next several years gaining hands-on experience and mastering every aspect of residential construction. “My background is in building homes,” he says. “When I became a licensed contractor, I worked on everything from remodeling to roofing.”

While on the job, Eric began noticing unusual bacterial growth patterns on roofs—dark streaks that traced the underlying structure. This sparked his interest in exterior cleaning and restoration. During the mid-aughts economic downturn, with a growing family and an uncertain construction market, he recognized an untapped opportunity. After researching an industry that was well-established in humid regions like Florida but nearly nonexistent in Northern California, he decided to make it his specialty and established Pacific Exterior in 2010. “I saw a need for exterior cleaning services that no one else was addressing locally, and it quickly grew into a full-time business,” he shares.

Today, Eric focuses on educating his clients about safe, effective exterior cleaning. From $5 million custom homes to corporate headquarters, his team handles projects of all sizes, delivering visible, lasting results. “In exterior cleaning, most people don’t realize the damage that pressure washers can cause,” he says. “We focus on doing it safely, effectively, and correctly so homeowners and business owners get positive results without risking their properties.”

Eric’s research on bacterial structure striping also expanded, resulting in his research being published in Buildings Magazine in 2018. His development of non-pressure, detergent-based cleaning techniques was groundbreaking for the industry and gained public attention. “My research into bacterial growth on building exteriors showed me patterns that no one had documented before,” he reflects. “This inspired the safe cleaning methods we use at Pacific Exterior today.”

Eric is passionate about producing high-quality results while educating clients on proper exterior care. He says every project becomes a showcase, from meticulous roof cleaning to restoring hardscape surfaces to their original beauty. “I love seeing the transformation and knowing the customer is amazed. It’s rewarding to be an authority in this field and help clients understand what’s really happening on their roofs.”

Born and raised in Santa Cruz, Eric is a fourth-generation local who is now raising his own family. Outside of work, he maintains his lifelong connection to the ocean by surfing, fishing and spearfishing. He and his wife, Anita, have two children, Abel and Ella. Anita handles the financials of the business while Abel works alongside him at Pacific Exterior, carrying forward the family legacy.

Looking ahead, Eric is committed to maintaining the highest standards while continuing to educate and impress his clients. “I’m driven to make every job perfect, and that includes providing detailed before-and-after photos so our customers can see the results for themselves,” he says. “Even after 15 years, my goal is the same: excellence in every project.”

Eric’s professional philosophy centers on meticulous attention to detail and uncompromising quality. “I live by the principle that perfection matters—just like a well-designed Apple product, the details make the difference,” he shares. “Customers value that, so I make sure every project reflects it.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: If you could time-travel, would you go to the past or the future?
A: Since I’m a Christian and I believe that God’s kingdom is coming soon, I’d choose the future—perfect and eternal life, just like the Bible says.

Q: Would you ever skydive?
A: No, I wouldn’t risk my life doing that. The Bible teaches that we should value the life we’ve been given.

Q: What’s the strangest food you’ve ever eaten?
A: One of my favorites is stomach lining soup with a whole cow hoof, which I treat myself to every other Saturday at Taqueria Agave in Santa Cruz. I always try to get friends to join, but nobody ever does!

Q: What’s the greatest gift you’ve ever received?
A: My kids are amazing, of course, but the greatest gifts I’ve received are the knowledge of the truth and the promise of everlasting life.

Q: Are you a dog person or a cat person?
A: Definitely a dog person. I just can’t understand cat people. Dogs care enough to risk themselves for you, but cats…not so much.