Short answer
In McLean we mostly refinish kitchen and built-in cabinetry and repaint the trim, shutters and siding on brick and frame homes from the 1950s through today. We inspect every surface, test adhesion and price each area. Cabinets usually take one to two weeks, and a large exterior often runs one to three weeks depending on size and repairs.
From 1950s brick Colonials to new custom builds in McLean
McLean grew from a crossroads near Chain Bridge Road and Old Dominion Drive into one of the region's most established suburbs. The older sections, around Chesterbrook, Franklin Park and the streets near the Potomac palisades along Georgetown Pike, are full of 1950s and 1960s brick Colonials, ramblers and split-levels on half-acre wooded lots. Many have painted wood trim, cedar or aluminum siding on additions, and screened porches.
Since the 1990s, a large share of those older homes have been replaced or expanded into bigger custom houses with stone and stucco details, fiber cement siding, two-story foyers and kitchens built around custom painted cabinetry. Near Tysons and the McLean Metro, townhouses and condos add another layer. The result is that a McLean job can mean anything from scraping 60-year-old window casings to refreshing a factory-finished kitchen that's barely 15 years old.
Mature oaks, tulip poplars and beech trees shade much of the area. That shade is pleasant, but it keeps siding and trim damp, drops pollen and sap on fresh paint and shortens the life of north-facing finishes.
Paint problems tied to McLean's wooded lots and big kitchens
These conditions come up on most McLean walkthroughs, inside and out.
Mildew under tree cover
Shaded north and east walls stay damp long after rain, so mildew grows under and on the paint film. We wash with a mildewcide and let the surface dry fully before priming.
Failing factory cabinet finish
Factory-finished cabinets from the 2000s often wear through at pulls and near the sink. They need careful cleaning and a bonding primer, since the original catalyzed finish is very hard and slick.
Rot at trim and sills
Long trim runs and many windows mean more joints for water to enter. We probe sills, brick mold and porch trim and replace soft wood before paint, or the new coat just peels again.
Tall two-story walls
Two-story foyers and rear elevations need tall ladders or lifts. Access changes the labor, so we plan it on the walkthrough instead of discovering it on day one.
Painted brick fading
Some older brick homes were painted decades ago, and that coating is now chalky and patchy. We clean and use a breathable masonry paint so moisture can still escape the wall.
What McLean cabinet and exterior jobs typically cost
These ranges reflect McLean's larger homes and are for planning, not a quote.
| Job | Typical range | What moves the price |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinet refinish | $6,400 to $13,700 | Number of doors, islands, glass fronts, grain filling and finish type |
| Cabinet door or drawer front | $95 to $165 each | Profile detail, condition and the existing finish |
| Detached house exterior | $8,900 to $14,800 | Square footage, siding type, trim length and lift access |
| Window sash, each | $135 to $290 | Glazing condition, divided lites and stuck sashes |
| Painted brick refresh | $2.70 to $5.40 per sq ft | Cleaning, repointing and how chalky the old coat is |
| Wood rot repair | $240 to $1,150 per area | How far the rot runs and the trim profile to match |
These are typical McLean ranges, not a quote; we set the price after a walkthrough.
How we refinish a custom McLean kitchen without moving you out
This is the sequence for a large kitchen with an island and built-ins.
- Coat 01
Test the finish
We test a hidden spot to see what the original coating is and how primer bonds to it. That tells us how much sanding and which primer the job needs, and keeps surprises out of the price.
- Coat 02
Set up containment
Counters, appliances and floors are covered and plastic walls go up with zip doors. Air filtration runs during sanding so dust stays in the kitchen and out of the rest of the house.
- Coat 03
Take doors off
Doors and drawer fronts are labeled and taken to a spray area. Islands and built-ins with fixed panels are prepped and sprayed in place behind the plastic.
- Coat 04
Prime and fill
After degreasing and sanding we prime, fill dents and open joints and sand again. This step decides how smooth the final finish looks beneath under-cabinet lights.
- Coat 05
Spray the topcoats
Two coats of a hard waterborne enamel go on in a sheen you've picked from samples. We spray doors flat so the finish levels without drips.
- Coat 06
Reinstall and align
Doors are rehung, hinges adjusted and hardware attached. We do a final inspection with you in both daylight and evening light.
Scheduling around McLean homes, HOAs and weather
A few practical points shape McLean scheduling.
- Exterior work here generally runs April through October, with spring preferred before the trees fully leaf out and drop pollen.
- Some McLean communities have HOAs that generally review exterior color changes, so check your rules before picking new shutter or trim colors.
- Long driveways make access easy, but we ask about septic fields, irrigation heads and landscape lighting before placing ladders.
- Cabinet work can happen year-round, and we plan it around holidays or travel if you prefer to be away.
- We answer the phone 24/7 for questions and scheduling, and we paint during normal daytime hours.
Most requested here
Cabinet Painting
Kitchen and bath cabinets degreased, sanded, primed and sprayed in a hard enamel that stands up to daily use.
Exterior House Painting
Siding, trim, soffits and porches scraped, primed and painted on a schedule built around DC weather.
Window Sash & Trim Painting
Glazing checked, sashes and frames painted, and windows left operable instead of painted shut.
Wood Rot Repair
Soft sills, fascia and porch trim cut out or consolidated and rebuilt so new paint is not wasted.
Brick & Masonry Painting
Previously painted brick cleaned, repointed where needed and coated with a breathable masonry system.
Pressure Washing
Siding, brick, decks and porches washed at the right pressure so the next coat bonds to clean material.
Interior House Painting
Walls, ceilings and trim in occupied homes, with furniture moved, floors covered and rooms back in use each night.
Paint Color Consultation
Sample boards checked in your own light, with color and sheen picked room by room before any paint is bought.
Close by
ZIP codes we cover here: 22101, 22102. We also paint in these neighboring areas.
Questions from McLean homeowners
Can you refinish custom cabinetry in a McLean kitchen without replacing it?
Yes, as long as the boxes and doors are sound. Custom cabinets in McLean are often solid hardwood with good joinery, which takes paint well after proper sanding and a bonding primer. Cabinet painting keeps your layout and costs far less than new custom work.
How do you handle exterior painting on McLean homes with heavy tree cover?
We wash shaded walls with a mildewcide, give them extra drying time and paint them in the warmest part of the day. We also suggest trimming branches that touch the house. These steps help a McLean exterior house painting job last longer on north and east sides.
Do you repair rotten trim before painting in McLean?
We do. Large homes with many windows and long trim runs nearly always have a few soft spots. We cut out rot and replace it with matching trim, then prime and caulk. Typical wood rot repair runs $240 to $1,150 per area.
What is the best time of year to book a McLean exterior repaint?
Late April through June and September into October are usually best: warm, drier and less pollen than midsummer. Booking in winter for a spring start gives you the widest choice of dates. Call (771) 247-4038 to set up a walkthrough. Nearby Falls Church and Fairfax County jobs often share the same scheduling window.
