Independent painting project consulting

I spent 35 years as the painting contractor. Now we make sure your project is done right.

I'm Don White. For over three decades I ran Dewmak Painting & Decorative Finishes, coating apartment complexes, condos, retirement communities, and commercial buildings. Now I put that experience to work for property managers and owners — developing the scope of work, leveling bids, vetting contractors, and overseeing the job so the painting is done properly, with the right materials, at a fair price.

Request a project consult See the work
PDCA Accredited Contractor seal PDCA Accredited Contractor — one of only two in Northern California to earn this national standard.
Three-story condominium and office complex, fully repainted
60-unit condo & office complexCOMPLETED
35+
Years as a commercial & residential painting contractor
100s
Of units & buildings coated across complexes and HOAs
PDCA
Accredited — 1 of only 2 contractors in Northern California
0
Contractors paying me — I answer only to you
Lift positioned against the historic Sebastiani Theatre during a paint project
Who you're working with

I've been on the ladder. I know where jobs go wrong.

Under Dewmak Painting & Decorative Finishes, I painted everything from 122-unit apartment complexes and retirement communities to historic theatres and commercial buildings. I wrote the bids, specified the coatings, ran the crews, and stood behind every job until the client was satisfied.

That's exactly why I can protect you now. When you've done the work yourself for 35 years, you know which corners get cut, which coatings actually hold up, and which bids are padded — because you've seen all of it from the inside.

"He took a detailed interest not just in the paint, but in what it was going to cover, the condition of the structures beneath, and what needed to be considered."

Today I use that knowledge on your side of the table — as a consultant, not a contractor bidding for the job. My only interest is that your property gets painted properly, for what it should actually cost.

I hold PDCA accreditation from the Painting & Decorating Contractors of America — a national standard for professionalism and workmanship that I was one of only two contractors in Northern California to earn.

PDCA Accredited Contractor seal — Painting and Decorating Contractors of America
National accreditation

PDCA Accredited Contractor

The Painting & Decorating Contractors of America accreditation is awarded to contractors who meet a rigorous national standard for workmanship, business practices, and customer care. I earned it as one of only two contractors in Northern California to hold the credential — the same standards I now use to judge whether a contractor is fit to work on your property.

"Donald White of Dewmak has been one of my largest and most successful contractors for over 5 years. I have personally worked with Don on several large-scale projects and found him very professional and diligent in following PDCA standards and taking care of all of his customers."

"We recommend Dewmak to clients seeking professional painting contractors because we trust his ability to perform as promised. His pursuit of PDCA accreditation demonstrates his attention to detail and his effort to differentiate his company from the rest of the pack."

— Kris Heglin, Account Manager · PDCA referral
The problem

Most painting overspend happens before the first brush touches the wall.

A vague scope of work invites padded bids, wrong products, and shortcuts you won't see until the coating fails two winters early. Over three decades of contractor experience closes that gap.

Managing it yourself

  • Bids you can't compare because every contractor wrote a different scope of work
  • No easy way to verify past commercial experience or references
  • Wrong or cheapest-available coatings spec'd for the surface and climate
  • Prep skipped where nobody's watching — the part that actually fails
  • Change orders and "surprises" mid-project with no independent check
  • Warranty gaps you only discover when the paint peels

With a former contractor on your side

  • One clear, written scope every contractor bids against apples-to-apples
  • Contractors vetted for licensing, insurance, and real project history
  • Correct coating systems specified for each surface and exposure
  • Prep and application inspected at the stages that matter most
  • An independent set of expert eyes protecting your budget from day one
  • Documented warranty terms you can actually hold someone to
What I do

Full oversight from the first walk-through to final sign-off.

Bring me in for the whole project or just the stage where you need an expert in your corner.

01 / SCOPE OF WORK

Assessment & scope of work

I walk the property, document surface conditions, and write a detailed scope of work — square footage, prep requirements, coatings, and problem areas — so nothing is left to interpretation.

02 / BID

Bid management & leveling

I put your project out to qualified contractors, collect bids against one common scope, and level them side by side so you're comparing real numbers — not guesses dressed up as quotes.

03 / VET

Contractor vetting

I verify licensing, insurance, and bonding, check references, and review past commercial and multi-unit work to confirm a contractor can actually deliver at your scale before you sign.

04 / SPEC

Materials & specification

I specify the right coating systems for each surface, substrate, and exposure — so you're not paying premium prices for the wrong product, or bargain prices for a job that won't last.

05 / OVERSEE

On-site quality oversight

I work directly with your contractor during the job, inspecting prep and application at key milestones to make sure the specified materials and techniques are what actually go on the wall.

06 / CLOSE

Punch list & final walk

I run the final walk-through, build the punch list, and confirm every item is corrected and warranty terms are documented before you release final payment.

See it for yourself

A look at the work.

How it works

A straightforward path from problem to protected investment.

STEP 01

Walk & assess

We tour the property together. I document conditions and understand your budget, timeline, and goals.

STEP 02

Scope of work & bid

I write the scope of work, invite vetted contractors, and level every bid against the same requirements.

STEP 03

Oversee the work

I coordinate with your chosen contractor and inspect prep and coating at each critical stage.

STEP 04

Verify & close

Final walk-through, punch list, documented warranty — the job is done right before you pay in full.

Selected work

Projects specified, coated, and overseen.

Over three decades across apartment complexes, condos, retirement communities, historic buildings, commercial spaces, and specialty floor coatings.

BeforeCommercial exterior before repainting, faded and cracked
AfterSame commercial exterior after full repaint
// Commercial exterior — full prep, repair, and recoat
BeforeWorn checkerboard floor before refinishing
AfterRestored high-gloss checkerboard floor after refinishing
// Decorative floor coating — restored to a durable high-gloss finish
BeforeLarge auditorium during surface preparation with scaffolding
AfterLarge auditorium fully painted and finished
// Large auditorium — surface prep through finished interior
Smith Ranch Homes retirement clubhouse interior
Retirement / ClubhouseSmith Ranch Homes — 200-unit facility
Glen Ellen Manor apartment complex exterior
Multi-family / ExteriorGlen Ellen Manor — 122-unit complex
Westcorp commercial building exterior
Commercial / ExteriorWestcorp Properties
Spanish Pueblo HOA interior with wood-beam ceiling
HOA / InteriorSpanish Pueblo — common areas
Historic Sebastiani Theatre after painting
Historic / ExteriorSebastiani Theatre restoration
Creekside West condominium exterior
Condominium / ExteriorCreekside West HOA — 24 units
Finished epoxy floor coating
Industrial / CoatingEpoxy floor system
Restaurant dining room interior
Commercial / InteriorRestaurant & dining room
Apartment complex exterior
Multi-family / ExteriorApartment community
In their words

Decades of five-star reviews.

★★★★★

He was meticulous about taping off, covering and protecting floors, light fixtures, and cabinets. Every item I brought to his attention, no matter how small, he addressed and was always quick to respond. I could not be happier with the outcome and value for the money.

Nick W. — 5+ room interior repaint
★★★★★

He took a detailed interest not just in the paint but in what it was going to cover, the condition of the structures beneath, and what needed to be considered. When he found things he wanted to correct to bring it up to his own standards, that showed a lot of integrity.

Kevin P. — Exterior, repairs & paint
★★★★★

I have rental units and will definitely be using Don again. He was attentive to my needs and concerns, the job was done as I requested and on time, and the price was reasonable and competitive.

Joni F. — Rental property owner
★★★★★

They did an excellent job. They were on time and kept their promises for the finish we were looking for, without any surprises.

Dennis S. — Full repaint
★★★★★

I would recommend him to anyone who is cost conscious and who wants the job done correctly. Both professional and knowledgeable about what they do.

Ira L. — Three-bed, two-bath condo
★★★★★

Professional. On time every day. Addressed any special needs. Finished ahead of schedule and left our house very clean.

Jim B. — Residential repaint
Property references

The kind of work you're hiring me to protect.

Apartment complexes, HOAs, and retirement communities — the multi-unit projects where getting the scope and oversight right saves real money.

Apartment complex · 122 units

Glen Ellen Manor

913 Madrone Road
Glen Ellen, CA 95442
"An outstanding job painting our entire complex. Their crew was prompt and courteous at all times. We'd highly recommend Don White to any property manager needing professional work for this scope and size of property."
Contact: Mrs. Rafanelli · 707-996-4600
Retirement facility · 200 units

Smith Ranch Homes

500 Deer Valley Road
San Rafael, CA
"An outstanding job painting our main facility complex. Their crew was prompt, professional, and truly a pleasure to work with. We'd highly recommend Don White to any HOA that requires excellent attention to detail."
Contact: 415-491-4918
HOA · 24 condominium units

Creekside West HOA

815–849 Second Street West
Sonoma, CA 95476
"We were very pleased with the great job Don and his crew performed for our homeowners. The work was exceptional and performed as promised, on time and on schedule."
Contact: Paul Strong · 707-933-9151
Office & condominium complex

Carneros Village

649 First Street West
Sonoma, CA 95476
"Our association of homeowners was very pleased with the job Don and his crew performed. The work was performed as promised, on time and on schedule. We will use Don on future projects."
Contact: Chris Candy · 925-824-2888
Retirement complex · 48 units

Sonoma Hills

405 W. MacArthur Street
Sonoma, CA 95476
"Very pleased with the great job Don and his crew performed for our tenants. The work was exceptional. His staff was courteous and always willing to go the extra mile to care for the special needs of our seniors."
Contact: 707-939-7856
Historic landmark

Sebastiani Theatre

Sonoma, CA
Full exterior restoration of a historic downtown theatre — the kind of high-visibility, detail-critical project where prep and technique can't be compromised.
Portfolio project · references on request

Have a painting project coming up? Let's make sure it's done right.

Tell me about your property and I'll get back to you — usually within one business day.

This opens your email app with the details filled in. No obligation — I'll follow up personally.