Comparing CertaPro Painters of Gainesville and Precision Paint Experts
Older Gainesville houses bring their own questions — original wood siding, layers of old paint and, in homes built before 1978, the possibility of lead. Here's how to compare bids with that in mind.
CertaPro Painters of Gainesville alternative for older homes
Gainesville homeowners sometimes compare CertaPro Painters of Gainesville with Precision Paint Experts when planning a repaint. We don't offer opinions on other companies. What follows is a guide to one topic that matters a great deal in neighborhoods like Duckpond and Pleasant Street: historic home painting and the safe handling of old paint.
Houses from the early and mid-twentieth century often have heart-pine or cypress siding, wavy glass, tall casings and decades of paint layers. Scraping and sanding those layers is where most of the work — and most of the risk — lives.
Why the build year belongs in every bid conversation
Lead-based paint was banned for residential use in 1978, so homes built before then may still have it underneath newer coats. Federal EPA rules, known as the Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule, generally require that paid contractors disturbing paint in pre-1978 homes be certified and follow lead-safe work practices. That applies to every company you invite to bid.
Ask each contractor directly: Are you an EPA RRP–certified firm? Will you test or assume lead is present? How will you contain dust and chips, and how will cleanup be verified? Answers should be specific, and you can ask to see certification paperwork. Lead-safe painting isn't optional on these homes — it's the baseline.
Preservation-minded prep questions
Beyond safety, older homes reward a careful touch. Compare how each bid treats the original materials:
Keep in mind that original windows, doors and porch details are part of what makes these houses valuable. Repair-first thinking — consolidating soft wood, re-securing loose trim, priming bare old-growth lumber — usually preserves more character than wholesale replacement. Ask each bidder for their reasoning wherever they recommend new material on a pre-1978 home.
- Will original siding and trim be repaired or replaced, and with what species of wood?
- How will glazing on old windows be handled before painting?
- What primer goes over bare, weathered old-growth wood?
- Are decorative brackets, porch columns and balusters priced separately?
- Will paint be removed only where failing, or stripped more broadly?
How Precision Paint Experts works on Gainesville's older houses
We're based nearby in Newberry and work across Alachua County, including the older Gainesville neighborhoods. Bring up your home's age at the walkthrough and ask us the same lead-safety questions you ask everyone else; we'll explain our approach for your specific house. Our free, itemized written estimate breaks out prep, repairs and coatings so you can line it up next to any other proposal.
Precision Paint Experts is licensed and insured in Florida, with over 15 years of painting experience. You'll get a certificate of insurance before the first day. Exterior work includes a written workmanship warranty of up to 10 years together with the paint maker's warranty. See our Gainesville painting services, the exterior painting page, or meet the company.
“Your estimate is free, written and itemized. The prep is on paper, the products are named, the warranty terms are spelled out — and the crew that walks your project is the crew that paints it.”
The Precision Paint Experts standard · Newberry, FL
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if my Gainesville home might have lead paint?
If it was built before 1978, assume it's possible. An EPA-recognized test kit or a certified inspector can confirm it. Any bidder working on the home should treat it as a lead-safe job unless testing shows otherwise.
Is stripping all the old paint better than spot scraping?
Not always. Full removal is more invasive and creates more dust. Sound, well-bonded paint can often stay. Ask each contractor to justify the extent of removal for your house.
Do historic district rules affect paint colors?
Some districts and overlays have review requirements for exterior changes. Check with the City of Gainesville before choosing new colors for a home in a designated area.
What should I verify before hiring any painter in Gainesville?
Look up the license on Florida DBPR's website, request an insurance certificate, and ask about lead-safe certification for pre-1978 homes. Then request our estimate to compare.
Quality Workmanship Backed by a Written Warranty
Every project gets a written workmanship warranty — up to 10 years on exterior projects — on top of the manufacturer's product warranty for the coatings we use. The terms are spelled out on your estimate before work starts, so you know exactly what is covered and for how long.
Helpful Next Steps
Ready to Get Started?
Tell us about your project and get a free, written, itemized estimate — usually back within one business day of the walkthrough.