About the firm
A painting firm for buildings people live in
Cromartie Painting works on shared spaces: the halls, stairs, lobbies, garages and railings of condo and HOA buildings in the Washington area.
A job in a lived-in building is a job on a schedule: quiet hours, elevator reservations, mail and strollers. Jerome Cromartie runs the firm on one rule, that residents hear what is happening before it happens and a board sees every number before it votes.
Fifteen people: the owner, the bid desk and three crews
One crew lead from walk-through to last touch-up
Bids and notices in writing, never by promise
Jerome Cromartie
Owner
How the crews work
Three habits on every job
Same lead, start to finish
The crew lead who walks the building runs the job, so questions go to one person.
Written down first
Scope, schedule, paint and price are on paper before anyone opens a can.
Residents told first
Notices go up a week ahead and the crew lead takes questions on site every day.
Meet the crew lead before you hire.
Ask for the walk-through to be led by the person who would run your job.