Jacob Construction paints house exteriors for homeowners in San Jose, Oakland, Fremont and across the East Bay. If your paint is peeling, you're getting ready to sell, or you've received a city notice to repaint, we'll assess the house for free, give you a written estimate, and offer financing options for approved homeowners.
Most homeowners are told to "get three or four estimates." That advice only helps if the estimates describe the same job. If you're planning exterior house painting in San Jose or the East Bay, this guide shows you how to set that up, what to look for in each estimate, and what to do if you're on a deadline.
At a glance
- We paint homes in San Jose, Oakland and the East Bay, with one project manager from estimate to final walkthrough.
- Give every painter the same project brief so the estimates are comparable.
- Prep is where estimates differ most: washing, scraping, caulking, priming and repairs.
- Got a city notice in Oakland or San Jose? Share the letter and the deadline with every bidder.
- Financing is available for approved homeowners, subject to credit approval.
Who to Call for Exterior House Painting in San Jose
Start with two to four licensed contractors who paint homes in your area, and ask each one for a written, itemized estimate after visiting the house. A price given over the phone, without anyone looking at the siding and trim, doesn't tell you much.
We'd like to be on your list. When you request a free estimate, our project manager walks the house with you, notes the condition of the paint, siding, stucco and trim, and writes up the scope. That same person runs the job and stays your contact until it's finished.
Jacob Construction has been working with Bay Area homeowners since 2021. We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and are licensed in California (License #1073757). We handle permits and paperwork on roughly 90% of our jobs, so if your project needs one, you don't have to deal with the city. A Fremont customer whose job included exterior painting called us "professional, punctual, and very thorough."
You can read more about our work on the exterior painting page. For a deeper look at choosing a painter, see how to choose an exterior house painter in the Bay Area.
Give Every Painter the Same Project Brief
Before the estimate visits, write down a short description of the job and send it to everyone:
- What the house is made of: stucco, wood siding, or a mix
- How many stories, and any tight side yards or steep slopes
- Every surface you want painted: body, trim, fascia, eaves, doors, garage door, railings, fences
- Problems you've noticed: peeling, cracked stucco, soft or rotted wood, stains
- Your color plan, or whether you need help choosing
- Any deadline: a sale date, a city notice, or an HOA letter
When everyone works from the same brief, a big difference in price usually points to a difference in scope, and that's what you want to find.
Why Prep Matters More Than the Paint
Paint sticks to whatever is underneath it. If loose paint isn't scraped off, cracks aren't filled, and bare wood isn't primed, even a good product won't last. In San Jose, long sunny summers are hard on south- and west-facing walls, and older homes often have trim and fascia that need repair before they can hold paint.
Ask each painter to spell out in writing:
- How the house will be washed and how long it dries before painting
- What gets scraped and sanded, and how loose paint is removed
- Caulking around windows, doors and trim joints
- Priming of bare wood, patched areas and stains
- Stucco and wood repairs: which are included, and how anything new found during the job will be priced and approved before it's done
- Paint products: brand, product line, color, sheen and number of coats
- Protection of windows, roofs, plants, walkways and cars
- Cleanup, a final walkthrough, and workmanship terms, in writing
If one estimate lists all of this and another is a single line that says "paint exterior," you aren't comparing the same job.
Exterior Painting in Oakland and the East Bay
Many East Bay homes are older, with wood siding and detailed trim, and many sit close to their neighbors. That means more prep and more planning for ladders, scaffolding and protecting the house next door. Homes in the hills also deal with fog, shade and moisture on some sides and strong sun on others, so the paint on one wall can fail years before another.
When we assess a home in Oakland or elsewhere in the East Bay, we look at:
- Which walls get the most sun and which stay damp
- The condition of wood siding, trim and window sills
- Access around the house and next to neighbors
- Whether repairs need to happen before painting
Got a City Notice to Repaint in Oakland or San Jose?
A city notice comes with a deadline, so move quickly but don't skip the comparison. Send each painter a copy of the notice and photos of every cited area, and ask that each item in the letter is listed by name in the estimate. Ask for a start date that leaves time to finish before the deadline.
We explain this process in more detail in our guide to exterior house painting under a city or HOA deadline.
Can You Finance Exterior Painting in the Bay Area?
Yes. Many homeowners finance a full repaint, especially when it wasn't planned. Financing is available for approved homeowners, with payments set up to fit a household budget. Financing isn't free and is subject to approval. We'll go through the options during your estimate visit.
Our guide to how East Bay homeowners finance exterior painting covers the details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Jacob Construction do exterior house painting in San Jose?
Yes. We paint house exteriors in San Jose, Oakland, Fremont and across the East Bay, and the estimate visit is free.
How many exterior painting estimates should I get?
Two to four is usually enough, as long as each painter visits the house and gives you a written, itemized estimate based on the same project brief.
What should an exterior painting estimate include?
Every surface to be painted, how the house will be washed and prepped, which repairs are included, the exact paint products and number of coats, protection, cleanup, and workmanship terms in writing.
Can I finance exterior painting?
Yes, for approved homeowners. Financing is available. Financing isn't free and is subject to approval.
Should I ask painters about licensing?
Yes. Ask for the license number and look it up with the Contractors State License Board, which also has general advice on hiring a contractor.
Get an Exterior Painting Estimate in San Jose or the East Bay
If your paint is failing, you're preparing to sell, or you have a city notice, request a free estimate or contact us, or call (415) 779-8958. We'll walk the house with you and give you a written scope and financing options. Financing is subject to approval.
