Hearthstone Co-Housing Town homes

The community’s exterior combined several substrates, each with its own demands: Hardie board fiber cement siding across the main wall surfaces, along with wood trim, cedar posts, and wood decking that had weathered over time. Because of this mix, the project was scoped as a true restoration and repaint rather than a simple recoat. Our approach followed a disciplined sequence—carpentry repairs to trim, siding, and decking; sanding of weathered wood and decking; a complete caulk and re-seal; priming; and finally painting—so that every coat went down over a sound, properly prepared surface.

Preparation set the tone for the entire job. We pressure washed the full exterior three days before prep began, then scraped all peeling paint, caulked seams, spot-primed any raw substrate exposed during scraping, and masked surfaces that weren’t being painted. This hands-on prep phase was also where rotting wood was most accurately identified—issues that simply aren’t visible until crews are up close and working the surface. As carpentry needs surfaced, we issued and secured approval for change orders against the project allowance on a per-building basis, all within 24 hours of starting prep on each structure. To respect the community’s budget while being transparent, we presented carpentry solutions with two clear options: a budget-conscious repair and a full repair, letting the board choose the right path for each situation.

Product selection and manufacturer partnership were central to the long-term value of this project. The crews applied Benjamin Moore Aura as the finish coat over a primer system matched to each condition—Max Block, Multi-Surface, and Peel Bond—and sealed everything with Sashco Big Stretch caulking for lasting flexibility. The color palette gave the community fresh character without losing its established feel, with body colors in Mozart Blue (1665), Baked Clay (035), York Harbor Yellow (2154-40), and Winchester Sage (628), all set off by Rodeo (1534) trim. Throughout prep and painting, we partnered directly with Benjamin Moore representatives to ensure the system was applied correctly and to secure the full 10-year product warranty for the community.

Communication proved just as important as the craftsmanship. We prioritized prompt, consistent updates through calls, emails, and texts, and coordinated closely with tenants so they always knew what to expect from the production schedule. The results spoke for themselves: all rotting boards were removed and replaced, every seam, crack, and nail hole was sealed, and the entire project was completed on schedule. The HOA board and residents were extremely pleased with the work, the communication, and the overall process—so much so that our team was invited to the community’s post-restoration party.