EPA Lead-Safe certified for pre-1978 homes. Premium-tier paints (Aura, Duration). 2 coats minimum. Licensed, insured.
An exterior paint job on the North Shore of Massachusetts has to survive coastal salt air, four months of below-freezing temperatures, and summers in the high 80s. Cheap paint or sloppy prep means peeling within 3 years. AB Mendez Masonry & Landscaping prep-pressures, scrapes, sands, primes, and paints residential exteriors with Benjamin Moore Aura, Sherwin Williams Duration, and Cabot Solid Color Stain.
What exterior painting actually includes
A real exterior paint job is 70% prep, 30% paint. Anyone quoting fast and cheap is skipping the prep:
- Pressure washing — 1,500–3,000 PSI to strip mildew, chalking paint, dirt, salt deposits.
- Scraping & sanding — every loose-paint area scraped to bare wood or sound substrate, then feather-sanded.
- Caulking — every gap between siding and trim, around windows and doors.
- Priming — bare wood spot-primed with an oil-based primer (Zinsser CoverStain) or a high-bond water-based primer.
- 2 coats of finish paint — never 1 coat. Brushed or sprayed-and-back-brushed depending on substrate.
- Door & shutter painting — removed if possible, painted off the house for a furniture-grade finish.
Lead-safe practices for pre-1978 homes
- EPA RRP (Renovation, Repair, Painting) rule — any home built before 1978 (most of Lynn, Salem, Beverly, Marblehead, Newburyport) requires a Lead-Safe Certified Renovator on-site.
- Plastic containment of debris, HEPA cleanup. We're certified.
- Salt-air UV degradation — within 1 mile of the Atlantic, sun + salt destroys paint 30–40% faster. We spec premium-tier paints.
- Substrate types — clapboard, cedar shingle, vinyl siding, T1-11. Each takes a different prep and paint system.
Realistic exterior painting costs in MA (2026)
| Project Type | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard 2,000 sq ft 2-story home | $7,500 – $13,500 | Quality prep + premium-tier paint |
| Cedar shingle restoration | +15% – +25% | Stain instead of paint |
| Pre-1978 lead-safe addition | +$1,000 – +$2,500 | Containment + HEPA cleanup |
| Trim-only refresh | $2,500 – $4,500 | Trim, windows, doors |
| Doors + shutters (removed, painted off) | $150 – $400 each | Furniture-grade finish |
Service areas — exterior painting across the North Shore
- Exterior House Painting in Lynn, MA
- Exterior House Painting in Salem, MA
- Exterior House Painting in Beverly, MA
- Exterior House Painting in Peabody, MA
- Exterior House Painting in Danvers, MA
- Exterior House Painting in Marblehead, MA
- Exterior House Painting in Gloucester, MA
- Exterior House Painting in Swampscott, MA
- Exterior House Painting in Newburyport, MA
- Exterior House Painting in Ipswich, MA
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to paint a house on the North Shore?
For a typical 2,000 sq ft 2-story home in 2026: $7,500–$13,500 with quality prep and premium-tier paint (Aura, Duration). Add 15–25% for cedar shingle restoration.
How often should I repaint the exterior?
On the North Shore: 7–12 years for premium-tier acrylic paint with proper prep on south and west walls; 10–15 years on shaded north and east walls.
Do you do lead-safe practices for old houses?
Yes. We're EPA RRP Lead-Safe Renovator certified. Required by federal law for paid contractors on pre-1978 homes.
What's the best time of year to paint?
Mid-May through mid-October. Paint manufacturers require minimum 35–50°F application temperature, low humidity, and no rain within 24 hours.
Ready to start your exterior painting project?
Free on-site estimate. Most quotes returned within 24 hours. Licensed, insured, permitted — always. Call (781) 731-5303 today.