Five Star Painting of Boston North Shore

"I appreciate the opportunity to respond to this review. We continuously work to provide quality products and service even after the project is complete. Upon hearing from the customer that there was peeling paint, I scheduled a site visit and met with Ms. Tkach. When there is peeling paint we look at the back of the chip to see what layer is peeling or releasing. If it is our paint on both the front and back, then we will remedy the problem, no questions asked. In this case, the back of the chip was solid wood fiber. This tells us that the wood is releasing, not the paint. Why is this so? Over the years I have had field techs from the major paint companies visit a project where this occurs, (just 2-3 % of the homes we paint). I also recently attended a one day class at the Paint Quality Institute, outside of Philadelphia, and the explanation was the same. Wood that has been exposed to severe weathering during its life loses the lignum tissue which binds the wood fibers together. When this occurs, the outer, most weathered layer, releases or sheds, like dead skin. When this occurs, is dependent on many variables, such as how long the exposure occurred, was any remedial action taken, what products where applied and when. Both homeowners and painters inherit the history of a building. Seldom do either party know this history. As painters we observe, ask questions such as ?can you tell me when the house was last painted, and based on what we learn, determine what are the proper products and procedures to use on a project. In this case, extensive sanding wherever peeling was occurring, removing loose paint and the outer layer of wood fiber, a full body oil prime and a coat of premium finish paint. The spec also called for ?All rough areas on front body of house to also receive (1) coat of Peel Bond, to help smooth and level substrate?. My notes show we spent 12 ½ worker days doing prep work. We also encountered substantial soft, (rotting) trim boards along with nearly 300 LF of clapboard that also needed to be replaced. This was spelled out and stated in a Change Order that Mr. Thach agreed to. I believe this is what he is referring to as the ?20% charge above the quote?. The agreed upon Change Order was actually less than 10% above the quote. During my site visit I observed that the new peeling was only occurring on areas that where sound when the painting was done three years ago, not two as stated by the customer. In other words, the areas which were sanded were now sound, and no peeling was visible. This was not a product or workmanship failure. The wood fiber on the back of the chip explains that the siding was at some point in time previous to the owners knowledge, exposed to severe weathering, and is now releasing. I am always willing to work with a customer, even after the industry warranty standard, of two years. I called Mr. Tkach to explain the cause of the peeling, and he quickly dismi"

"Thank you for taking the time from your busy schedule to write a review of your experience with Five Star Painting. We have a strong team of painters and enjoy the challenge of a large project, where we have the opportunity to show both the skill and pride we take in delivering a high quality product. We look forward to working with you and your family in the future."

"Thank you Maryann. We like to tackle a challenging project, and enjoy positive feedback from an appreciative customer."

"We always appreciate the opportunity and challenge of working for a customer who has done their own painting, ( to a very high standard especially), and allowing our team of professionals to show what we are capable of. This project involved a dramatic color change, and a rich level of detail. It was a team effort, and everyone involved in the project is proud of the process and final result. Thank you for selecting Five Star to be your painter."