Your Painting Questions, Answered

No — our crew handles furniture moving as part of the job. We shift everything to the center of the room and cover it with drop cloths. For larger pieces that can't be moved easily, we work around them. You don't need to prepare anything before we arrive.

We primarily use Sherwin Williams Duration and Emerald lines for interior painting. These are contractor-grade paints with excellent coverage, durability, and washability. For kitchens and bathrooms, we use moisture-resistant formulations. We can also work with Benjamin Moore or other premium brands if you have a preference.

A standard bedroom (10x12) typically costs $350–$600 for walls and ceiling. Larger rooms, rooms with high ceilings, or rooms requiring extensive prep work (wallpaper removal, drywall repair) will be higher. We provide free, detailed estimates for every interior painting project — no surprises.

Absolutely. We use low-VOC and zero-VOC paints that are safe for occupied homes. We work room by room, so you always have access to the rest of your house. Most homeowners continue their normal routine while we work. The paint has minimal odor and dries quickly.

May through early October is the ideal window for exterior painting in Michigan. Temperatures need to be consistently above 50°F with low humidity and no rain in the forecast for 24–48 hours. June and September are often the best months — warm enough for proper curing but not so hot that paint dries too quickly. Read our full seasonal painting guide for more details.

Quality exterior paint applied with proper prep typically lasts 7–10 years in Michigan. Factors that shorten lifespan include direct sun exposure (south-facing walls fade faster), moisture issues, and the quality of surface preparation. Our premium coating systems using Sherwin Williams Duration Exterior are designed to maximize longevity in Michigan's freeze-thaw climate.

Yes — pressure washing is a critical prep step for every exterior paint job. We wash all surfaces to remove dirt, mildew, chalking, and loose paint. We then allow 24–48 hours of drying time before applying primer or paint. Skipping this step is the #1 reason exterior paint fails prematurely.

A typical 2,000 sq ft home exterior costs $4,500–$8,000 depending on the number of stories, siding material, condition of existing paint, and color change requirements. Homes with extensive wood rot repair, lead paint, or complex trim will be on the higher end. Read our full pricing guide for detailed breakdowns. We provide free on-site estimates.

Most kitchen cabinet refinishing projects take 5–7 business days from start to finish. This includes removal of doors and hardware, sanding, priming, multiple coats of finish paint or stain, and reinstallation. You'll have limited kitchen access during this time, but we work efficiently to minimize disruption.

Cabinet refinishing costs 60–75% less than full replacement ($3,500–$7,000 vs. $15,000–$30,000+) and delivers a dramatic transformation in about a week. If your cabinet boxes are structurally sound, refinishing gives you a brand-new look without the cost, mess, and 6–8 week timeline of a full kitchen remodel. See our detailed cost comparison.

Yes — color changes are one of the most popular cabinet refinishing requests. We can go from dark stained wood to bright white, from oak to navy, or any combination. The process involves thorough sanding, bonding primer, and multiple coats of catalyzed finish paint for a factory-smooth result that won't chip or peel.

We offer matte, satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss finishes for cabinet refinishing. Satin is the most popular for a modern, clean look. Semi-gloss is easier to clean and works well in busy kitchens. We use catalyzed conversion varnish or waterborne acrylic for maximum durability — these are the same finishes used by high-end cabinet manufacturers.

Most decks in Michigan need restaining every 2–3 years for semi-transparent stains, or every 4–5 years for solid stains. Decks with heavy sun exposure or high foot traffic may need attention sooner. The water test is the easiest check — splash water on the deck surface. If it soaks in instead of beading, it's time to restain. Check our spring deck staining checklist for a complete prep guide.

For Michigan decks, we generally recommend oil-based penetrating stains (like TWP 1500 series) for natural wood beauty and deep protection. Oil-based stains penetrate the wood fibers rather than sitting on top, which means they wear gradually rather than peeling. Water-based stains are easier to clean up and dry faster, but typically don't last as long in our climate. Learn more about our deck staining services.

New pressure-treated lumber needs to dry for 3–6 months before staining. The wood arrives from the mill saturated with preservative chemicals that prevent stain absorption. We recommend waiting until the following spring to stain a deck built in summer or fall. We can assess your deck's readiness with a simple moisture test.

Yes — we offer flexible scheduling including evenings, weekends, and overnight work for commercial painting clients. We understand that business disruption costs money. Most retail and office painting is done after hours so your business operates normally during the day. We'll work with your schedule to find the least disruptive approach.

Timeline depends on the scope — a single office suite might take 1–2 days, while a full warehouse or retail space could take 1–2 weeks. We provide detailed project timelines during the estimate phase and stick to them. For businesses that can't close, we phase the work to keep portions of the space operational throughout. See all our commercial painting services.

Yes — all estimates are free, detailed, and provided in writing. We visit your property, assess the scope of work, discuss your goals and timeline, and provide a comprehensive quote within 24–48 hours. There's no obligation and no pressure. We believe in earning your business through transparency and professionalism.

Yes — Kensington Valley Painting is fully licensed and insured with general liability and workers' compensation coverage. This protects you from any liability if an accident occurs on your property. We're happy to provide certificates of insurance upon request.

We serve all of Oakland County and Livingston County, Michigan. This includes Rochester Hills, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Troy, West Bloomfield, Novi, Commerce Township, Milford, South Lyon, Brighton, Howell, Clarkston, Lake Orion, Northville, Farmington Hills, Walled Lake, White Lake, and Highland. See our full service areas page for details.

Yes — we stand behind every project with a written workmanship warranty. Interior paint jobs carry a 3-year warranty against peeling, flaking, or adhesion failure. Exterior projects carry a 5-year warranty. Cabinet refinishing carries a 3-year warranty. These warranties cover our labor and application — paint manufacturer warranties on the product itself are separate and typically longer.

Call or text us at 248-491-8435, or fill out the quote form on any page of our website. We'll schedule a free on-site estimate at a time that works for you — typically within 2–3 business days. After the visit, you'll receive a detailed written quote within 24–48 hours. Once approved, most projects are scheduled within 1–3 weeks.