Paint fails faster in Florida than almost anywhere in the country. Ultraviolet exposure fades color, humidity grows mildew, afternoon storms test every crack in the stucco, and the HOA notices all of it. A good exterior paint job in Lakewood Ranch lasts eight to twelve years. A bad one chalks and peels in three. The difference is almost entirely in the prep and the product, which means it is almost entirely in the contractor. Here is what to look for.
No state license, so look at insurance and the business
Florida does not issue a state contractor license for painting. A legitimate painting company has a local business tax receipt, general liability insurance and, if it has employees, workers’ compensation. Ask for the certificate of insurance directly from the agent. Exterior painting means ladders and lifts on stucco two stories up. An uninsured painter who falls at your house is your problem.
Also ask how long the company has operated in Manatee or Sarasota County and whether the crew is employees or subcontractors. Many painting “companies” are a salesperson and a rotating cast of subs, which is fine as long as you know who will be on the ladder.
Prep is the job
Paint does not fail on its own. It fails because the surface under it was not ready. For exterior stucco in Lakewood Ranch, the prep should include:
- Pressure washing to remove chalk, mildew and dirt, followed by enough dry time.
- Crack repair. Hairline stucco cracks are sealed with elastomeric patch or caulk. Larger cracks are cut out and patched.
- Caulking around windows, doors, trim and expansion joints with a quality exterior sealant.
- Priming any bare, chalky or patched areas. A chalky surface that is not primed will shed the new paint.
- Masking and protection of windows, pavers, roofs, pool cages, landscaping and the neighbor’s car.
Ask the estimator to walk the house with you and point out what needs repair. A bid that does not mention prep is a bid for one coat over whatever is there.
Product and spec in writing
The estimate should name the manufacturer, the product line, the sheen and the number of coats for each surface. “Premium exterior paint” is not a spec. Points to understand:
- Acrylic versus elastomeric. High quality 100 percent acrylic is the standard for most stucco here. Elastomeric coatings bridge hairline cracks and shed water but can trap moisture if applied over a damp or unprimed wall. A good painter explains which one fits your house and why.
- Two coats on the body and trim, not one coat “with primer built in.”
- Mildew resistance and UV resistance in the product line.
- Trim, doors, garage door, shutters and railings called out separately, since they take different products.
Ask how many gallons the bid includes. A painter who knows the house will have a number.
HOA color approval
Nearly every Lakewood Ranch association has an approved exterior palette and requires architectural review before you repaint, even in the same color on some streets. A local painter knows the process and can help with the submission. Changing color without approval leads to a letter, a fine and sometimes a second paint job. Ask the contractor whether they have worked in your village before.
Interior and cabinets
For interior work, ask about furniture moving, floor protection, how they handle nail holes and texture repair, and whether ceilings and trim are included. For cabinet refinishing, which is popular in Lakewood Ranch kitchens with original builder cabinets, ask specifically: are doors and drawers removed and sprayed in a shop or on site, what degreasing and sanding is done, what primer bonds to the existing finish, and what topcoat is used. Cabinets painted with wall paint and a brush look fine for a month.
Pricing and payment
Get a written estimate with the scope, the products, the number of coats, the prep steps, the timeline and the warranty. Reasonable payment is a modest deposit for materials, with the balance due on completion after you have walked the job. Paying in full up front is never necessary. A “cash discount” with no paperwork usually means no insurance and no recourse.
Warranty
Two to five years on exterior workmanship is common from established companies. Understand what it covers: peeling and blistering from application failure, yes; fading from the sun, usually not. Ask whether the warranty is honored by the company or passed to the paint manufacturer, and whether the company will still be here in five years to honor it.
Red flags
- One coat bids or “paint and primer in one” as the only coat.
- No product names on the estimate.
- No mention of crack repair, caulking or priming.
- No insurance certificate.
- Large deposits or cash only pricing.
- Starting the day after a heavy rain on wet stucco.
Reading the reviews
Our painting listings pull Google, Yelp, Angi and BBB ratings together. For painters, read for:
- Whether the finish held up after a year or two, not just the week of the job.
- Overspray and drips on pavers, screens, roofs and neighbors’ property.
- Crew reliability and whether the job finished on schedule.
- Whether the colors and products matched the estimate.
Check the lowest rated list before you book an estimate.
The short version
Hire an insured company that walks the house with you, puts the prep steps and the specific products in writing, applies two coats, knows your HOA, and offers a real warranty. Then look at the caulk lines and the cut-ins on a job they finished three years ago.
Start with the top rated home pros in Lakewood Ranch and the full painting directory.
Published September 19, 2026. Lakewood Ranch Home Pros is an independent directory and does not accept payment for rankings. Verify licenses and ratings at the linked sources before hiring.
