Painting companies are always looking for ways to discern themselves from their competition, and those that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award are already several steps ahead. J & J’s Final Coat Painting, Inc. adds to its Diamond Certified status by implementing some of the most comprehensive preparation practices in the painting industry–a highly detailed business approach that’s endeared the company to its clients. “Our preparation is second to none,” confirms owner Joe Sabel. “We take the necessary time to prepare each house correctly, no matter what.”

Family-owned and operated since 1986, J & J’s Final Coat Painting handles every aspect of interior and exterior painting for homes and businesses in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties. The company also provides consultation services for customers who need help choosing the right colors for their projects, and its painters are experienced in everything from cabinet painting to water damage restoration. “The quality of our workmanship sets us apart,” says Mr. Sabel. “Eight of our 10 employees have been with us for more than five years, and they’re all experienced career painters who know how to paint efficiently and correctly. In addition to their expertise, I personally visit every jobsite to ensure the work is being done to the highest quality.”

Unlike some painting companies, J & J’s Final Coat Painting knows that spraying alone isn’t an adequate way to apply paint. Instead, the company back rolls all its paint jobs, a detailed procedure that produces first-rate results. “Back rolling takes longer and costs more, but the surfaces don’t need to be repainted as often,” says Mr. Sabel. “Plus, we can give a longer warranty than other firms.”

Another distinguishing characteristic of J & J’s Final Coat Painting is its insistence on only using state-of-the-art materials, including 100 percent acrylic, premium grades of Kelly-Moore and Sherwin-Williams exterior paints. “Those products are the best in the industry,” says Mr. Sabel. “They’re professional grade, which is especially important when we’re re-painting. Wood gets softer as it gets older, so it’s crucial to use premium products.”

Mr. Sabel uses the word “professionalism” to describe the basic facets of J & J’s Final Coat Painting’s services. When a customer calls to inquire about a job, the company promptly sets up an appointment to inspect the house and discuss exactly what it requires. After the inspection, it gives a verbal estimate and follows up with a detailed bid that specifies the work to be performed and materials to be used. “We also provide information about our license, insurance certificates and more,” says Mr. Sabel. “It’s all on paper, so our customers can compare our bid with the bids from other firms before making a final decision”

One of the easiest ways to improve your home’s curb appeal is to change its exterior paint colors. Assuming no structural work is necessary, repainting your house is also one of the most cost-effective ways to improve its appearance. Before you choose a painting contractor to start your project, consider the following preparation tips:

Accentuate the past
There’s something to be said about exterior paint colors of the past, especially if your house has a definable architectural style, like Victorian, Cape Cod or Craftsman. Ask a design professional to find paint samples from the era in which your home was built.

Structural harmony
Think of your house as a singular entity. What color is your roof? Is it slate, aluminum, copper or cedar shake? Even though you don’t need to match your paint to your shingles, the colors should fit together in some way. Also, consider the landscaping and natural elements around the house. Are you in a wooded area? Is there a lake nearby? These can suggest color combinations that help you decide on an exterior paint color.

Dark details
If you have an archway, trim or other feature you want highlighted, draw attention to it with darker colors. Dark colors make things appear a bit smaller than they actually are, and they’re a great choice for recessed panels. If you have features that protrude from the wall surface, highlight them with lighter colors so they stand out more against the darker shade. If you use darker colors for the exterior paint, be sure to use a higher sheen to limit UV damage.

Consider the number of colors
The number of colors depends on the simplicity or complexity of your home. Adding too many colors to a home that’s designed to have a maximum of three or four colors can make it look garish. Look for homes with similar architecture, hopefully by the same builder, and see what others have successfully done. The right home can have as many as 10 colors, but that requires the keen eye of a professional designer. Start out conservatively and add more colors if the project requires it.

Take advantage of color tools
Pick up a color wheel or color fan. Most professional shops have pint-size samplers available that you can take home and test on your exterior. Paint chips can also help you decide what you’re after. To be absolutely certain, have an actual wet sample painted on your home. Exterior paint colors look much different in person than they do when printed on pieces of cardboard. At different times of the day, the paint will take on a different hue or look a bit lighter or darker.

After you decide to move forward with your painting project, it’s essential to first receive a detailed bid. The proposal should explain exactly what work is to be done, including the preparation steps and the materials to be used. That way, if there’s a disagreement over the work, you’ll have the contractor’s promise in writing. “Getting three bids is always a good idea,” adds Joe Sabel, owner of J & J’s Final Coat Painting, Inc. in Oakley. “If one bid comes in very low or very high, you can toss it out. There are many painters who will underbid and then do a fast, low-quality job. There are also some who are extremely busy and don’t really need the work, but they’ll give a very high bid just in case you bite.”

Q: How long will the job take to complete?

A: Each job is different, but a typical house takes three to four days to finish. Commercial buildings take anywhere from a week to a month, depending on the size. And, of course, weather is a factor.

Q: What’s your preparation process?

A: We detail everything in our bids. The key to a good paint job is preparation. We use a high-quality caulk on all windows and anywhere water could penetrate, and then let it set overnight. We don’t caulk and paint on the same day. The same thing goes with the primer—we let it set overnight before we paint.

Q: How fast can your start my job?

A: We’re usually booked two weeks out during peak season. Sometimes we can quickly fit in a small job, but we don’t bring on temporary help just to get more work done. We’ll use our experienced painters and get it done right, even if that means we can’t start quite as soon.

Q: What do you do for clean up?

A: We thoroughly clean any drips or spills and cart away all debris and excess materials. Before we leave, the foreman will ensure everything has been done to your satisfaction.

Q: How long should my paint job last?

A: Paint jobs in California should last eight to 10 years.

Q: Do you do background checks on your employees?

A: Yes, and most have been with us for years.

Q: Do your crew members speak English?

A: Yes. It’s important that our customers are able to communicate with our employees.