John Neill Painting & Decorating Voted “Reader’s Choice” as the Best Main Line PA Painting Company for 19 consecutive years

APC Top Job Award 2016 – Philadelphia

APC Top Job Award Philadelphia 2016 goes to John Neill Painting & Decorating!
We were honored to be selected as one of the top painting companies in the country as a part of American Painting Contractor Magazine’s 2016 Top Job Awards. While this was not a small project by any means, it was a highly rewarding one, which allowed our craftsmen to utilize a wide variety of skills including; faux finishing, decorative painting, and hand varnishing. Read the full story on the APC Website, and remember, no job is too big or too small for our career craftsmen.

Interior Painting at the Jersey Shore

Before Jonas hit last weekend, one of our crews was in Longport finishing up the interior of a new residential home on the beach. While we can’t share photos of the project, here is a photo of the view from the back deck. And as we’re all still recovering from digging ourselves out of up to 2 feet of snow, I’m sure you’re dreaming of the beach as well.
Do you have a house at the Jersey shore that could use some freshening up? In addition to serving the Main Line and surrounding Philadelphia area, we are fully licensed and insured in New Jersey as well. Winter is the perfect time for interior painting, so when the warm weather does return, your house will be all ready for you to relax and enjoy the spring and summer seasons. Here’s to Punxsutawney Phil not seeing his shadow next week and an early start to spring.
 

Replacing Exterior Pillars in Merion, Pa.

This stately home in Merion Pa. welcomes visitors and guests with a covered front porch framed by four 18 foot pillars. The original wooden pillars had been repaired many times over the years, but when we were called out to take a look, we discovered that the best course of action was to replace them. New fiberglass pillars (weighing 600 pounds each) were ordered and installed by our team of carpenters, followed by a fresh coat of white paint.


 


 
 
 

Another Award-Winning Project for 2015

Once again, our career craftsmen completed a project that not only exceeded everyone’s expectations (the builder, the interior designer, and the homeowners), but earned us a national award for interior residential painting as well. Given the size of the house,  this was no small feat. This award-winning project included painting both the interior and exterior of one of the largest private residences constructed in Lower Merion Township in the past few years. Visit our Awards Page to read the full story, and to see the full gallery of images of this magnificent home.

Painting the “White Picket Fence”

Painting the white picket fence is a must to keep your property looking its best and John Neill Painting & Decorating is the best quality paint company serving Philadelphia and The Main Line. The white picket fence has become an iconic image for life in the suburbs in America, but just like any other wooden surface that’s exposed to the elements, it too needs regular maintenance to stay looking it’s best. A thorough pressure cleaning will remove all of the build up, and a little prep work before applying a fresh coat of white paint will ensure the durability of the final outcome. On this particular fence in Devon, PA, we used an oil-based primer followed by two coats of solid stain. We suggest inspecting all exterior wooden surfaces every year for wear and tear to avoid costly repairs, which is often the result of leaving things unattended. Here’s to living the American dream, white picket fence and all.



 
 
 

How to Choose a Professional Painting Contractor

Do you know how to choose a professional painting contractor? When choosing your contractor, it is important to keep in mind that choosing the painting company with the lowest bid is not always in your best interest. Quality matters. So, you’ll want to note how much attention your potential paint contractor pays to the details of the job. Here are some great tips to help you know how to choose a professional painting contractor.

Determine the areas of your home that need to be painted, paying particular attention to details such as trim, doors, etc.
Choose your colors; this may determine the number of coats of paint needed, which can then affect the overall cost.
Ask family, friends, etc. who they recommend and/or research local painting contractors.
Schedule an appointment for an estimate (ask if it will be free or if there is a charge).
Note the Estimator’s arrival time and overall cleanliness of his vehicle. This is a crucial indicator in what can be expected from the company you choose.
Go over the specifics of all areas and details of your home that you want included in the estimate. On all estimates you schedule, be sure to include the same specifications, i.e. – number of coats of paint, prep work, etc. to ensure a clear comparison.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions of the Estimator.
Ask for references.
Visit their website to see samples of their work.

Once you have received your estimate

Make sure the final estimate is clear and includes all the work you requested.
Ask how long the project will take.
Ask what you have to do to prepare beforehand.
Ask about the payment schedule.
Ask about when the project can be scheduled.
Ask about warranties.
Ask about particular products they might recommend for your project.
Ask about the prep work that is performed before the actual painting is done. The key to a long-lasting and beautiful paint job is in the preparation.
Determine your comfort level with each company you met with; keep in mind that they will be in or around your house for at least one week.

Remember, if your goal is to receive a top quality paint job that will endure, choose the company that meets all your criteria, and not necessarily the one with the lowest bid.
At John Neill Painting and Decorating, we serve the greater Philadelphia area and The Main Line. If you are in need of quality painting, look no further and give John Neill Painting a call at (610) 664-5555.

New House, New Paint Colors?

Choosing paint colors for your new house can be a daunting task. We often hear stories like this:
I recently purchased a new home, and now I have the fun task of picking out paint colors for the entire house (it’s all white, and I can’t stand white walls). While this is not a job that I normally struggle with, I’m torn between choosing all new colors or reusing some colors that I love from my current house. What’s a girl to do??
After much debate, I have decided to go with a combination of new and old. My current dining room is a red that I absolutely love, and I will be reusing this color in my new kitchen. My current living room is a warm yellow, and I will be choosing a similar, but more neutral and deeper shade for my new living room and dining room area. And for a change of pace, I’ve selected a bold and vibrant blue for one accent wall in the refinished basement.
While it’s not always easy to step out of our comfort zones, if you have a space that could use a new look and feel, why not try something a little different this time? And be sure to check back in a few weeks for the before and after pictures of the transformations of several spaces.

 
Kitchen Color Palette:
Walls – Benjamin Moore Crimson 1299
Cabinetry – Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17
New Backsplash – Subway Tile
Existing Counter Tops – Granite
New Flooring – Cork in an Espresso Finish
Basement Colors:
Meridian Blue 761
Palace White 956
 
 
 
 

The Importance of Color in the Workplace

What is the importance of color in the workplace? We focus a good deal on color (we are a painting company after all), but it really is one of the most crucial decisions you’ll make when setting the backdrop for your home or office space. We recently purchased an office (which happens to be a converted three-story brick home), and took great care when choosing colors for each individual office.
Today we will take a closer look at one office transformation. The initial space was a two-tone purple with a glossy finish that was overly stimulating on the senses. After careful consideration of the natural light as well as the newly installed LED lighting, we selected a light and airy gray that sets a very calm tone in the space. Now, upon entry, the subconscious reaction is to exhale and relax (as opposed to holding your breath in shock when entering the purple space).
Do you have a space in your home or office that doesn’t truly reflect the tone you were hoping to set? A change of color may be all it takes to go from drab to fabulous.

Sign Painting in Philadelphia & The Main Line

While we are best known for our craftsmanship when it comes to painting the interior and exteriors of homes, there isn’t anything we’ve come across yet in 39 years of business that we couldn’t paint (our most unique project was a totem pole). At John Neill Painting & Decorating, we also do sign painting in Philadelphia and the Main Line as well as the surrounding area. Also, if your sign needs restoration, we can take care of that too!
One of our more recent requests was to paint signs for several local developments. This type of work falls into our restoration category, and our craftsman love the opportunity to utilize their skills to bring beautiful, but weathered signs back to life. If you have something out of the ordinary that needs painting, we’re ready and waiting.