Building a custom estate in the Austin area is a journey of thousands of decisions. From the architectural footprint in Tarrytown to the specific stone selection for a Westlake retreat, every choice contributes to the final masterpiece. However, one of the most critical yet often overlooked decisions is the selection of your painting system.
The finish of your walls, trim, and cabinetry is what you interact with every single day. It is the backdrop to your lifestyle and the first line of defense for your investment. At BLS Painting, we understand that "one size fits all" does not apply to high-end residential construction. That is why we have developed three distinct service tiers: Express, Legacy, and Signature: designed to align with different project goals, timelines, and levels of refinement.
I am Erick Luna, Vice President and Senior Project Manager at BLS Painting. My role is to ensure that your vision is translated into a flawless reality through technical expertise and meticulous project management. In this guide, I will break down how to choose the right system for your new construction project using a familiar analogy: the SUV.
The SUV Analogy: Visualizing Your Level of Service
To help our clients navigate the technical specifications of painting, we often compare our systems to different classes of luxury SUVs. While every vehicle we discuss is high-quality, they serve different purposes and offer different levels of "standard" features.
Express Service: The Compact SUV
Think of the Express Service as a high-performance compact SUV. It is agile, efficient, and covers all the high-quality basics perfectly. It is designed for those who want professional-grade results with a streamlined process. It gets the job done reliably and looks great doing it, providing an excellent entry point into professional estate painting.
Legacy Service: The Mid-size SUV
The Legacy Service is our mid-size luxury SUV. It offers enhanced durability, more comprehensive service, and upgraded interior finishes. This system is designed for homeowners who prioritize longevity and a higher degree of surface preparation. It includes more "on-site" attention and a more robust selection of premium coatings.
Signature Service: The Full-size Luxury SUV
The Signature Service is the ultimate "full-size" luxury experience: think of a bespoke, chauffeur-driven SUV with every possible upgrade. This is our highest level of protection and precision. It features shop-finished cabinetry, maximum service trips for touch-ups, and the most advanced 2-component coating technologies available in the industry.
Exploring the Details: Which System Fits Your Project?
Choosing the right system requires understanding the technical differences between products and the "behind the scenes" labor that goes into each tier.
1. Express Service: Professional Efficiency
The Express Service is ideal for projects where budget and speed are prioritized without sacrificing the BLS standard of quality. We utilize high-performing products that provide excellent coverage and a clean, modern aesthetic.
- Exterior: Sherwin-Williams Super Paint for reliable weather protection.
- Walls/Ceilings: Extreme Cover, providing a uniform, flat finish that masks minor imperfections.
- Trim/Cabinets: Solo, a 100% acrylic coating known for its great leveling and durability.
- Preparation: Hand-sanded millwork to ensure a smooth tactile finish.
- Service Logistics: Includes 6 dedicated service trips and onsite painting for all doors.
2. Legacy Service: Enhanced Refinement
For those looking for a step up in both product performance and aesthetic "depth," the Legacy Service is the standard for many Austin estates. It introduces machine-sanding for a more uniform finish and higher-grade resins.
- Exterior: Sherwin-Williams Latitude, featuring ClimateFlex technology for superior resistance to Austin’s unpredictable humidity and heat.
- Walls/Ceilings: Duration Home, which offers excellent washability and a "richer" pigment density.
- Trim/Cabinets: Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel, providing a furniture-like finish that resists yellowing and physical impact.
- Preparation: Machine-sanded millwork for a flatter, more professional surface.
- Service Logistics: 8 service trips, 6 real physical samples for color approval, and 40 hours of dedicated shop usage for specialized components.
3. Signature Service: The Pinnacle of Craftsmanship
The Signature Service is designed for the most discerning homeowners. This system is about "perfection in the details," utilizing industrial-grade finishes usually reserved for high-end furniture manufacturing.
- Exterior: Latitude for maximum weather endurance.
- Walls/Ceilings: Duration Home for a durable, elegant interior finish.
- Trim: Emerald Urethane for a high-traffic, resilient finish.
- Cabinets: Gallery Series 2k. This is a two-component waterborne finish that provides unparalleled hardness and chemical resistance, far surpassing standard house paints.
- Preparation: Machine-sanded millwork, oil-based primers for superior adhesion, and 2-Part Bondo filler for seamless joints and repairs.
- Service Logistics: 16 dedicated service trips, 12 real samples, and 80 hours of shop usage. All doors are removed and finished at the BLS Shop for a factory-perfect look.
The BLS Standard: The "Quiet Luxury" Difference
Regardless of the system you choose, every BLS Painting project is governed by a set of non-negotiable standards. In an industry where "cutting corners" is common, we double down on integrity.
Never Watered Down, Never Reused
A common (and unfortunate) practice in the painting industry is thinning paint to make it go further or using leftover products from previous jobs. At BLS Painting, we strictly forbid this. Every gallon of paint used on your estate is fresh, high-quality, and applied at the manufacturer’s recommended thickness to ensure maximum adhesion and longevity.
Our 5,600 Sq. Ft. South Austin Spray Shop
One of our greatest assets is our dedicated facility. For Legacy and Signature projects, we utilize our climate-controlled shop to finish doors, cabinetry, and trim. This allows us to achieve a level of "shop-finished" precision that is impossible to replicate in a dusty construction environment.
Professional Oversight and CRM Access
Transparency is the cornerstone of trust. All our packages include:
- CRM Access: You can track progress, view schedules, and see daily logs through our client portal.
- Site Supervision: A dedicated supervisor is assigned to your project to ensure the scope is executed flawlessly.
- Regular Inspections: We conduct internal quality audits at every stage of the process, from primer to final topcoat.
Why Choose BLS Painting for Your New Construction?
When you partner with BLS Painting, you aren't just hiring people with brushes; you are hiring a technical team dedicated to protecting your home.
- Expert Craftsmanship: We employ career painters who understand the nuances of high-end finishes and meticulous surface preparation.
- Comprehensive Project Management: Led by Erick Luna, Vice President and Senior Project Manager, our team ensures your project stays on schedule and meets the highest standards.
- Local, Family-Owned Values: Operating since 1995, we offer the professional scale of a large company with the personalized care of a local family business.
- Tailored Solutions: We don't believe in a "standard" quote; we provide a customized roadmap for your specific estate needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which system is right for my project?
If you are looking for a high-quality finish on a faster timeline, Express is excellent. If you want upgraded durability and a higher level of preparation, Legacy is our most popular choice. For absolute "magazine-quality" perfection with shop-finished cabinetry, Signature is the recommended tier.
What is the benefit of the Gallery 2k cabinet finish in the Signature package?
The Gallery 2k system is a "two-part" coating, meaning it uses a hardener. This results in a finish that is significantly more resistant to scratches, moisture, and kitchen oils than standard cabinet paints, providing a factory-grade look that lasts for decades.
Do all systems include warranty and protection?
Yes. Every BLS Painting project, regardless of the system chosen, comes with our professional warranty and the peace of mind that we stand behind our work.
Transform Your Vision into Reality
Ready to select the perfect system for your Austin estate? Whether you are in the early planning stages or ready to break ground, our team is here to provide the expert guidance you deserve.
Get an Estimate or Contact Us today to discuss your new construction project with Erick Luna and the BLS Painting team.
BLS Painting proudly services Old Enfield, Tarrytown, Barton Creek, Pemberton Heights, and Spanish Oaks subdivisions in Austin, along with estate properties in Westlake, Rollingwood, Lakeway, Bee Caves, Driftwood, Dripping Springs, Spicewood, Buda, and other areas surrounding Austin.