Painters in St. Augustine, FL

How to choose a painter in St. Augustine

1. Check the license and insurance first

   Florida does not require a state contractor license for painting alone, but a legitimate company should carry general liability and workers compensation or a valid exemption. Ask for the certificates and confirm the business is registered with the state. If a crew shows up in an unmarked truck with no paperwork, you carry the risk if someone falls off a ladder.

2. Get the product and coat count in writing

   A quote that says only 'paint exterior' tells you nothing. The estimate should name the brand and product line, the number of coats, how stucco cracks and wood rot will be handled, and whether pressure washing and caulking are included. Two coats of a mid-grade acrylic beats one coat of a premium product on a chalky wall.

3. Ask how they handle Florida weather

   Stucco needs to dry after washing, and most coatings should not go on above about 90 degrees on a wall in direct sun or when rain is expected within a few hours. A painter who plans to spray at 2 pm in July without checking the radar is going to leave you with blisters and runs. Expect a schedule that moves with the weather.

4. Look at jobs older than a year

   Fresh paint always looks good. Ask for two or three addresses in your part of the county that were painted three to five years ago, and drive by. Peeling on the south and west sides, fading trim, and cracked caulk at the windows tell you more than a gallery of day-one photos.

5. Confirm HOA and permit steps

   Exterior color changes in most Nocatee, Ponte Vedra, Palencia, and World Golf Village communities need written HOA approval, and some require specific sheens. Painting itself does not need a county permit, but any wood rot repair that touches structure might. Ask the office if you are unsure.