Pete the Painter

Pete Martin the Painter is a one-man painting business run by Pete Martin, who began painting professionally while in college and started his own company in 2012. Interior work is the focus, including walls, trim and cabinet refinishing, and he can help with color choices. He puts most of his effort into preparation and detail, since a paint job only lasts when surfaces are prepped properly and the right paints are used.

Pete works alone, so he is not the right choice for a rushed schedule. He takes exterior jobs selectively: two stories is generally the limit, and he will not work on roofs that need staging or roof jacks, or on jobs with heavy prep such as lots of failing paint and sanding. He shows up on time for estimates and work, and jobs over $1,000 get a written contract listing payment dates and the expected timeline, with no more than 30 percent due up front. He mainly works across Cape Ann and nearby North Shore towns and keeps the worksite clean.