Frequently Asked Questions

At Empire Painting, we provide a comprehensive range of services for residential, commercial, and industrial properties. Our offerings include interior and exterior painting and staining, cabinet painting and staining, millwork staining and finishing, brick painting, limewashing, pressure washing, and wallpaper removal and installation.

Scheduling a proposal with Empire Painting is straightforward. You may contact our office directly by phone or submit a request through the contact form on our website. In most cases, proposals are provided onsite immediately after we review the project.

In most cases, a formal proposal is presented onsite immediately after we review the project. For unusually large or complex jobs — or when we want to confirm a detail to ensure accuracy — we’ll follow up with a completed proposal within 24 to 48 hours rather than keep you waiting during the initial visit.

We provide a three-year limited warranty on exterior painting projects and a two-year warranty on interior work. Our warranties cover issues related to defective workmanship or product failure, not damage caused by normal wear and tear, moisture intrusion, or other environmental factors. We stand behind our work and are committed to addressing any concerns that fall within the scope of our warranty.

We maintain a strong culture of safety across all job sites. Safety protocols are reviewed during regular team meetings, and our insurance provider conducts occasional safety seminars at our shop. Crew members are encouraged to ask for assistance rather than proceed with uncertainty, reinforcing a “safety first” mindset. We equip our teams with the appropriate tools and training to ensure the protection of both your property and our workers throughout the project.

Empire Painting is built on a simple principle: always prioritize the customer’s satisfaction over short-term profit. That philosophy has guided our growth and earned the trust of thousands of homeowners and businesses throughout the Greater Milwaukee area.

We don’t require deposits and we don’t send a final invoice until the project is complete and the customer is fully satisfied. Our team communicates clearly, responds promptly, and approaches each job with professionalism and care.

What truly sets us apart is how we handle challenges. Construction projects don’t always go perfectly — when something unexpected arises, we take responsibility and make it right. Our stability as a company allows us to resolve issues without hesitation, ensuring a smooth experience for our clients from start to finish.

Empire Painting proudly serves the Greater Milwaukee area, including Waukesha County and surrounding communities — from Oconomowoc and Delafield to Mequon and beyond. Our team works in both residential neighborhoods and commercial or industrial settings, with a strong presence in communities that value professionalism, reliability, and long-term relationships.

We believe in pricing transparency and clear communication. Every project begins with a detailed written proposal outlining scope, materials, and a firm price. We don’t require deposits — and we don’t invoice until the work is complete and you’re fully satisfied. If any changes come up during the project, we’ll review them with you in advance and only proceed with your approval.

We may be a good fit if you’re looking for a stable, experienced painting company that values professionalism and clear communication. We treat every project with care — from the initial proposal to the final walkthrough — and we take responsibility when challenges arise. Our team doesn’t cut corners, doesn’t take payment until the work is complete, and always aims to leave the space better than we found it. If you want a contractor who values long-term trust over short-term profit, you’ll likely feel at home working with us.

Every interior project begins with careful preparation tailored to the specific scope of work. We typically move or cover furniture as needed, using painter’s plastic for large items that remain in the room. Floors, millwork, and fixtures are masked as appropriate to protect against paint spatter. Surface prep — including patching, sanding, and priming — is performed thoroughly to ensure a high-quality finish. When working with millwork or cabinetry, the preparation process demands a high level of precision. Skilled application of putty and caulk is critical for producing the refined results our clients expect.

If wall and ceiling painting is being completed, most rooms — unless unusually large or with ceilings over 20 feet — can typically be finished in a single day. When multiple rooms are involved, we usually complete several in a day, but projects involving more than four average-sized rooms may require additional time. If millwork or trim is being painted, the room typically takes two days to allow proper curing before we mask and proceed with wall and ceiling painting. We don’t stage the entire home at once; instead, we work methodically to minimize disruption. If you have specific scheduling needs, sharing them with our office manager ahead of time helps us plan accordingly.

You don’t need to leave your home during the project, but the areas being painted should be clear of people and pets while work is in progress. This allows our team to work safely and efficiently, and helps ensure a clean, professional result. In some cases — such as when finishing woodwork — stronger odors or longer drying times may require additional ventilation or limited access. We’re happy to coordinate our schedule as best we can around your routine, and communicating any special needs with our office ahead of time is always helpful.

We use high-quality products from trusted brands such as Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore, selected based on the needs of your project. For interior work, we typically use low-odor, low-VOC paints that offer excellent coverage, durability, and a refined finish. The specific product and sheen will be discussed with you during the planning stage and outlined in your proposal to ensure it aligns with your expectations for both performance and appearance.

Yes. After our production team completes a final review of the project, our office manager contacts the client to confirm satisfaction before the final invoice is sent. If any touch-ups are requested at that time, we schedule them promptly. This process ensures every client has a chance to address concerns before the project is closed out. If no further work is needed, we proceed with invoicing. Our goal is to make sure you’re fully satisfied with the results before the job is considered complete.

Preparation is the most important factor in the longevity of any exterior paint or stain job — especially on cedar and other natural wood surfaces. While we always use high-quality materials, they typically account for only a small portion of the overall project cost. The results ultimately come down to the quality of surface preparation.

Our process may include power washing, scraping, sanding, caulking, glazing, and priming, depending on the condition of the surfaces and the type of finish being applied. We tailor our prep work to the specific needs of each project to ensure maximum adhesion, durability, and visual quality.

Repaint timelines vary depending on the material, exposure, and condition of the surfaces. Cedar siding typically needs repainting every five to seven years, while aluminum, LP, and fiber cement (such as HardiePlank) often go much longer without peeling. On those surfaces, repainting is often driven by fading color rather than a breakdown of protection — especially in sun-exposed areas or when bold colors are used.

The first signs of failure usually appear in isolated areas: where moisture collects, where the sun beats down, or where wood has begun cupping, splitting, or degrading. These spots may no longer hold paint well and sometimes require board replacement, which we offer when appropriate.

From a long-term perspective, repainting before there’s significant peeling or substrate damage often results in a lower total cost. Keeping up with the paint cycle reduces prep labor, minimizes repairs, extends the lifespan of your siding, and keeps your home looking sharp. We share this not to encourage premature painting — in fact, we often tell clients their home doesn’t need repainting yet — but because timing matters. We’re happy to help you determine when it’s the right time, whether that’s now or a few years down the road.

Most exterior painting projects are completed within a few days to a week, depending on the size and complexity of the home. Once we begin, we stay on the job and work steadily until it’s finished — we don’t start and stop or leave gaps between workdays. If weather causes delays, we keep you informed and reschedule promptly to stay on track.

We provide commercial painting services for a wide variety of environments, including offices, retail spaces, warehouses, industrial facilities, and more. Our team is experienced with specialty coatings such as epoxy finishes, dryfall, and rust-inhibitive primers, and we tailor our approach to meet the specific needs of each project.

We understand the importance of minimizing disruption to your business, and we offer flexible scheduling — including night and weekend work — when needed. Our crews are trained in safety protocols and experienced in working around active facilities, coordinating closely with owners, property managers, or project leads to ensure an efficient and professional outcome.