Comparing Service Challenges Between Raleigh and Cary NC
Painting service needs around the Triangle vary based on the home and geographic location. Challenges for contractors that provide service in Raleigh and Cary, NC, will vary, requiring a different mindset and approach. Client expectations and needs are also different in each area. These subtle differences may sound nuanced, but taking note will be helpful to both the client and contractor.
If service providers identify the specific challenges for each location, it’s the initial step to setting realistic expectations. However, the perspective of challenges will vary from contractor to client. Therefore, it’s equally critical for service inclusions to account for the challenges and expectations of both sides. Doing so lays the groundwork for clients and providers to work together, which improves the experience for everyone.
Neighborhood Street Restrictions Cary vs. Raleigh
We have painted commercial and residential homes in the Triangle for over 20 years. One of the key differences between servicing Raleigh and Cary homes is the neighborhood street restrictions. Neighborhoods in Cary attempt to regulate street parking pretty fiercely, and when you have big trucks, vans, or trailers with long ladders, this can be difficult.
They are also strict on construction dumpsters. While the city technically owns streets, neighborhoods often mark streets as private to help enforce these rules.
Raleigh neighborhoods have similar regulations but are less widespread and are more reasonable, being lenient while homes are being updated or under construction. For either location, homeowners should accommodate when possible to reduce the stress and fatigue of logistics for contractors.
Yard Signs & Advertising
Most contractors like ourselves rely on branding and marketing to gain more business. We want the neighbors to know who we are and what we do; this is best achieved by placing a yard sign in front of the home.
Yard signs and marked vehicles are often not allowed long-term in several areas of Cary. While the yard sign issue typically stems from a fussy or jealous neighbor, overnight street parking could result in getting the vehicle towed.
Also, most traffic poles and street signs in Cary are made of metal and do not allow solicitations. So, it’s harder for companies to advertise in Cary without an online or media presence.
Parking large trailers, vans, trucks, or other company vehicles in the driveway is safer. For a minor logistics inconvenience, homeowners will be happier not having to deal with the HOA, fussy neighbors, or having the police called, wasting everyone’s time.
Limited Exterior Paint Colors
Most Cary, NC, neighborhood HOAs only allow outdoor paint colors that fit within a specific color scheme. Some neighborhoods in Raleigh also enforce color consistency, but are often less limiting. For homeowners, this means your favorite color of choice may not be allowed.
Knowing the colors allowed beforehand will prevent you from having to choose colors twice or repaint the home. Some HOAs take longer to approve changes to your home, but it is worth waiting to make sure the colors comply.
Traffic and Ride Time
Home service providers provide on-site services, which involve traveling to and from the location. Completion could take days or weeks for large projects. No one likes to deal with heavy traffic, especially the traffic on 440 towards Cary, and the fact that every exit is under construction does not help traffic flow. 550 towards RTP gets backed up as well.
Heavy traffic always sounds insignificant to someone who does not have to deal with it. But commuting from Raleigh to Cary means allowing more time in the morning and evening to combat potential traffic delays.
Painters located in Raleigh may find it harder to provide services in Cary.
Service Competition in Cary vs. Raleigh
Since Raleigh is a larger city, it is often more competitive. To grow, many companies expand their service locations, and in many cases, Cary has become one of them. However, in recent years, Cary has grown exponentially and has consequently become more competitive.
Cary is reminiscent of what Raleigh used to be. With constantly increasing development and wealth, new opportunities arrive, which attracts more large and small businesses. Cary was once an opportunistic, low-competition secondary version of Raleigh; now, it is on par and, in many ways, more competitive to do business there than ever.
Outdoor Painting Skills & Challenges
Raleigh and Cary have beautiful downtown areas, both consisting of older homes. However, downtown Raleigh is more extensive and has more older properties.
Due to recent and ongoing expansions, most Cary homes are relatively new. Homes in Cary are also closer together. The combination makes access and the approach to painting a home in each location much different.
Historic homes have more repairs and require extensive preparation, often resulting in hand painting. Older homes require versatile painters who have more skills than just painting. Here is a list of additional skills needed to paint homes from the 70’s and older.
- Glazing Windows
- Striping Paint
- Finding & Replacing Obsolete Trim Sizes & Profiles
- Lead Paint Certification
- Understanding Advanced Paint Applications
- Wide Knowledge of Primers & Preparation Materials
- Advanced Paint Knowledge
Newer homes usually have vinyl windows, which don’t require painting, and fiber cement siding is best sprayed. Overall, new homes require less labor to paint. However, being close together means additional masking and covering to prevent paint from getting on the neighbor’s house. Homes close to one another also limits space for long extension ladders to reach tall exterior walls.
So, if you have a home that needs painting in Cary and meets these conditions, tell your neighbor that exterior painters may have to breach their property line to set up their ladders.
Client Expectations & Communications
We hear it all the time when asked if we provide services to Cary, NC – of course, we proudly say yes. In many instances, their response is, “Cary has a lot of Northern people that have moved down to the area,” as if it is a sin or issue.
It’s hard to say whether it is a Northern or Southern thing, but many take issue with Cary. It’s accurate that client expectations are higher overall in Cary than in Raleigh, but when a contractor has a problem with it, it reflects their inability.
Like Raleigh, Cary customers want articulate experts who have the ability to solve their issues, meet their needs, and go into depth on what to expect and how the process works.
People from the North are not used to some of the villy-nilly business ways of the South. And raising the bar is a good thing. Over 30% of our work comes from Cary, NC, and we enjoy the opportunity to present professionally. It’s the way every painter and service provider should strive to conduct business in all situations and conditions from Raleigh, Cary, and beyond.
Key Points
While there are a handful of key differences between painting Raleigh and Cary homes, a professional service provider should be able to accommodate the needs of both areas.
If a painter comes to your home complaining about the traffic or challenges of the area, they are not a good fit, and it won’t be hard to find someone who can accommodate your needs. And for those who don’t skip a beat, make it easy for them by being as accommodating as possible. They will thank you for it.
Need service in Cary, NC? Our residential and commercial services expand to the greater Triangle area, including interior painting, exterior painting, and more. Contact us today for your next update, repair, or replacement project!
