Low-cost house painting parties fight recession

October 11th, 2009, 6:00 am · 1 Comment · posted by Jan Norman, small-business columnist

The recession has been tough on homeowners who want to keep their dwellings in good shape and on paint

David Jaramillo

contractors who need work that many folks can’t afford.

David Jaramillo, owner of Above The Rest Painting in Mission Viejo, has what he thinks is a win-win deal: House painting parties.

Jaramillo, a licensed paint contractor, does the prep work and provides guidance, lunch and party T-shirts. The homeowner provides a group of friends and relatives to do the work. The price is 70% less than the typical price of a residential paint job. says Above The Rest marketing director (and wife) Dianne Jaramillo.

“Painting parties are a mini-glimpse of what life is about: friends, teamwork, fun, laughter,” she says. “You do more than paint. There silliness, tips and new ideas from your painter for the day and you accomplish something.”

Think of it as the modern version of the pioneer barn raisings.

Jeff Johnson recently held an Above The Rest paint party at his Lake Forest home. “My friends and I had a blast doing a home painting party. Dave really organizes and gets everyone going, and best of all my house looks great.”

Dianne says, “With the economy, it’s harder for people to spend money on their houses and we had a lot of bids (for work) turned down. This is a way to be helpful to people and still get business.”

For more information, call Above The Rest at 949-305-3526 or 720-260-0066.

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