New Construction & Developer Services in San Francisco
We work with home builders, developers, flippers, general contractors, architects, and ADU builders on new construction painting across San Francisco. The deliverable here is different from a residential repaint: hitting the GC's schedule, coordinating with other trades, lien releases at milestones, AIA billing if the project requires it, and factory-finish quality on cabinetry and millwork. Most of the developers and GCs we work with bring us in before the drywall is up — there's a 15–20% cost difference between coordinating paint from the framing stage versus dropping a painter in at the end.
Why it matters
What changes a new construction job in SF
SF's ADU market is accelerating
California ADU law plus SF zoning changes mean thousands of new ADUs being built across the city. ADUs are paint-intensive — every interior surface plus exterior trim — and the developers who win bid quickly need painters who can keep up.
Paint delays cost money on a construction timeline
When framing finishes a week early, the painter needs to be ready a week early. We staff and sequence to flex with GC schedule changes — late notice is the norm.
Pick painters before drywall, not after
Spec'ing primers and finish systems with the architect, coordinating with the cabinet maker on shop-finish vs. on-site, scheduling around tile and trim trades — these decisions should happen pre-drywall. Bringing in a painter at the punch list stage is how you end up with a 30% cost overrun.
Process
Our process for new construction
- 1
Pre-construction scoping
Review plans with the GC or architect; spec primer and topcoat systems; coordinate with cabinet, tile, and trim trades; flag any sequencing constraints.
- 2
Estimate & contract
Per square foot or per unit, with line items for any specialty work (shop-finish millwork, color-matched stucco, factory-finish cabinets). AIA billing available.
- 3
Field coordination
Daily standups with the GC during paint phases; flexing crew size as schedule shifts.
- 4
Prime & finish
Prime drywall, spray-finish cabinets and trim where appropriate, hand-finish where needed. Two-coat 100% acrylic finish standard.
- 5
Punch & close-out
GC punch walk, lien releases at scheduled milestones, warranty package at substantial completion.
Materials
What we put on your home
- Sherwin-Williams ProMar 200 and Emerald for residential new construction
- Conversion varnish or sprayed enamel on cabinets and millwork
- Sherwin-Williams Loxon and elastomeric systems for stucco
- Low-VOC throughout (CalGreen compliant)
Pricing
What it typically costs
Typically bid per square foot or per unit. Range $4–$12/sqft depending on specifications.
Related
Other services we offer
FAQ
Common new construction questions
Yes. AIA G702/G703 forms supported on projects that require them.
Yes — we paint several ADUs per year. We're set up to flex on schedule and to coordinate with the GC and cabinet maker.
Yes, where the project calls for it and the site allows containment. Otherwise we coordinate with the cabinet maker for shop finishing.
Yes — conditional and unconditional, partial and final, at scheduled milestones tied to the construction draw schedule.
Ready for new construction?
Free on-site estimate within a week. Fixed written quote within 2 business days.