Caravella Paintworks

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We started calling the company a couple months ago in reference to an exterior paint job, which we have under warranty for three years. When we finally got a hold of someone they set up appointments which they then missed a number of times. When they finally did make it out to look at the porch steps they tried to sell me different paint. The paint on the steps started coming up a month after the work was done, I explained that to them. They said since I had a warranty they could sell me new better paint for half price. I don't want to pay an additional cost of $500 for them to fix the steps as I have a warranty. I informed them I still had left over paint they could use if they would only send someone out to fix it. I was given the run around a number of times and they have missed more appointments since I last meet up with them.

Caravella's was hired by AB&K to paint my newly remodeled bathroom, and they did acceptable work. I haven't hired painters before, so I assumed they would pull out picture hooks and patch the holes as part of the prep, but they didn't do that -- just painted over all the picture hooks in place (I see now that I should have clarified how I wanted this done). They also painted over the heat vent, so now the screws are painted shut -- not a huge deal, but annoying (and shows they didn't remove the vent before painting, which makes me wonder if they removed any of the switch plates or just painted around them). So, low marks for prep in my opinion. The painting itself was neat enough, and covered well enough with two coats. Again, acceptable, but nothing great. They also never sent an invoice; one of the guys just showed up a couple months later asking for a check -- paying them was not a problem, but it would have been far more professional if they'd issued an invoice when the work was completed. They would have gotten paid faster, too. Not a huge deal, just kind of a sloppy way to run a business.

By the second time they came to me they got too many jobs and got too big. I just did not feel I was not getting the service I received the first time.

Their service and prices are fair. I have used them in the past, and I have been impressed by their cleanliness, especially the way they clean up after themselves. One day something else came up, and they called and told me they would be here first thing the next morning, and I was perfectly fine with that; I don’t like it when providers don’t keep me informed. I would use them again in the future if necessary.

Work was delayed because of rainy weather and having to finish other jobs before starting ours(contract we signed stated work would begin on May 16 and be completed by May 20: work began the third week of June and was not fully completed until the second week of August). We made it clear to the owner and to management that there was no hurry on the job, we just wanted good work done and to have the job completed in time for a family function at our home at the end of July. The two to three team "crew" that did the actual work on our home did a great job. They were respectful of our home and property and towards us and our pets. Management was difficult to get a hold of--lots of "phone tag" and messages left for each other. The owner of the company was only present for initial meeting/signing of contract and to collect payment at the end of the job, despite telling us he stops by often at each job site to make sure the work is going well and to check in with the home owners. Management was also not present to "check" the work being done. We were often told they were just "so busy" and "swamped" with jobs that it was too difficult to keep tabs on the work and to come out to our property. In the end, our house looks really good and the actual painters we had at our home were very nice. Just be prepared for a rather "hands-off" management and an owner who is almost unreachable and not present.

They did excellent work. They were very professional. They were very pleasant to have around. They were trustworthy, and their price seemed fair.

PREP, PRIME, PAINT: ALL WENT EXTREMELY WELL! THIS WAS BASICALLY AN ALL FEMALE CREW. THEY HELPED US FROM PAINTING OUR HOUSE THE WRONG SHADE WHICH WE REALLY APPRECIATED!

NEAT, UNOBTRUSIVE, WORKED STRAIGHT THROUGH BESIDES A LUNCH BREAK, VERY EFFICIENT. WASHED STORMS THAT THEY REMOVED BEFORE REPLACING THEM TO KEEP MY HOME CLEAN, VACUUMED OUT ANY DEBRIS. EXCELLENT CLEAN UP. VERY PLEASED WITH THE ENTIRE EXPERIENCE. CONSISTENTLY PROMPT, OR WOULD NOTIFY ME IN ADVANCE OF ANY SCHEDULE CHANGES. VERY RESPONSIVE DURING THE BID PROCESS.