Best Painting Companies in New York

• In historic neighborhoods like Brooklyn Heights or Allentown in Buffalo, scraping old trim falls under the federal lead-safe painting rule (RRP — Renovation, Repair and Painting). This rule applies to homes built before 1978.
• Peeling where a newer coat is lifting off the old paint underneath (the new coat peeling away from the old paint underneath) signals failed prep. On upstate wood-frame homes, this lead-safe prep is the most critical part of the job.
• White or brown marks running down dark siding on humid summer mornings are actually the paint's own soaps rising to the surface (surfactant leaching). This happens when dew hits the fresh coating before it cures, which ruins the bond.
• White mineral salt deposits pushing out through pre-war brick facades (efflorescence) indicate subsurface moisture issues. Trapping this water under a standard non-breathable coating leads to masonry spalling during severe winter freeze-thaw cycles.

If you notice any of these signs, document the damage with photos from the ground. Then, contact a local painter who is EPA-certified for lead-safe work.

1. Examine your exterior walls from the ground for a powdery film that rubs off a faded surface (chalking). This film shows that the sun has degraded the paint binder, which means the material has lost its weather protection.
2. Look up at your interior ceilings first before planning any kitchen or hallway repainting. A bumpy popcorn texture (assume-asbestos textured coatings) in pre-1980 homes might contain asbestos. Identify it by eye only.
3. Search for white mineral salt deposits pushing out through the masonry (efflorescence) along your lower brickwork or brownstone foundation. Finding these salt crystals means rising damp is moving through the walls.
4. Check your garage or basement shelves for old paint cans to note the brand and previous application dates. Knowing whether the old paint was oil-based or waterborne-alkyd enamel helps your licensed painter prep the surface correctly.

• WHEN TO STOP AND CALL A PRO: Since about 60 percent of statewide homes predate 1978, do not sand, scrape, or power-wash failing paint yourself. Disturbed lead paint requires containment under the federal lead-safe painting rule (RRP) administered by the EPA Region 2 office. This safety boundary also applies to pre-1980 textured ceilings. Those require lab testing, not homeowner scraping. Do not perform any ladder work above the ground floor. High trim and eaves require professional fall protection.

• Breathable masonry repainting and brownstone restoration. Pre-war masonry structures in Brooklyn Heights or Albany need coatings that let trapped moisture escape. Standard paint traps water inside, which causes face flaking during our 150-plus annual freeze-thaw cycles.
• Lead-safe clapboard and trim painting. Older Victorian wood-frame homes across Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse require highly specialized handling. Crews use wet-sanding and HEPA-shrouded tools to legally refresh pre-1978 siding.
• Salt-exposed shoreline protective painting. Properties along the Long Island Sound and state beaches face highly corrosive sea aerosol. Local crews apply robust rust-inhibiting primers on metal stoops and exterior wood to prevent failure.
• Wintertime interior plaster repair and painting. Because upstate winter weather halts exterior painting by November, crews focus on wood trim and historic plaster-and-lath repair. They apply high-solids waterborne-alkyd enamel to handle interior friction surfaces.

New York does not license general contractors at the state level. Without a state license, you must verify county or municipal credentials. Look for a Home Improvement Contractor license from the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). Since about 60 percent of statewide homes predate 1978, checking lead qualifications is mandatory. Verify your residential painter is certified by the EPA Region 2 office before work begins in Albany or Syracuse. The painting contractor you select must understand our harsh winters and local brick siding.

Using Best Pick Reports makes the vetting process easy and risk-free. The directory lists certified local experts who have cleared a multi-step merit qualification that cannot be bought. These businesses are re-verified every year and must maintain excellent customer-satisfaction ratings. If you hire a certified painting company through the guide, you also receive the $2,500 Best Pick Guarantee on the work. This helps protect your investment and saves hours of independent research.