Hands On Painters
Updated: 11-18-2025
About Hands On Painters, Inc.
When Teresa Farrell needed her entire house painted including cabinets, she faced the common homeowner dilemma of choosing a contractor she could trust while being away during a two-week project. Hands On Painters completed the work with painters she describes as "extremely tidy, paid attention to detail" while she remained comfortable being absent. This level of reliability and care defines how owner Jonathan Zawacki runs his Baltimore-area painting operation, recognizing that behind every project is a homeowner entrusting their property to strangers.
That cabinet project represents typical Hands On Painters execution. Owner Jonathan Zawacki and project manager Derrick Conover have built their over 60 five-star Google reviews and 4.8-star Angi rating with over 700 reviews through consistent practices. Derrick provides detailed estimates and stays responsive via text throughout projects. Office manager Gale handles scheduling and keeps customers informed when they can't be on-site. Painter teams led by professionals like Fidel, Antonio, and Naun arrive on time and maintain clean work areas. From their Leeds Avenue location in Baltimore, they handle everything from single-room touch-ups to complete interior and exterior transformations. The fully licensed team (MHIC #70338) operates without subcontractors, employing full-time painters year-round.
Hands On Painters operates primarily through repeat customers and referrals. Jill Montgomery has hired them yearly for four consecutive years. Jennifer Oliver Martin uses them for projects "very large and very small." The consistent 4.7-star Google rating and A+ BBB rating reflect something beyond technical painting ability. They capture a contractor who completes work on schedule, maintains communication through office staff rather than going silent mid-project, and consistently delivers the reliability that turns first-time customers into annual clients.
Updated: 11-18-2025
Q&A Based On What Customers Are Saying About Hands On Painters, Inc.
Q: Why do customers specifically mention Hands On Painters, Inc. being comfortable with them working while away from home?
Multiple reviews highlight trustworthiness during unattended work. Teresa notes she "felt comfortable in the fact I was not home during the two week process," while other customers mention painters arriving on time and maintaining professional behavior. The company employs full-time W-2 painters rather than subcontractors, with all workers properly screened according to their website.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews, Angi
Q: Does Hands On Painters, Inc. actually provide flat-rate estimates that don't change?
One significant negative review contradicts this claim. Luke C reports paying "almost TWICE as much as my original quote" and states they "painted things I didn't even want painted." This represents the only detailed pricing complaint visible across platforms, but it raises questions about estimate accuracy and scope management that prospective customers should discuss upfront.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Q: What makes Derrick at Hands On Painters, Inc. stand out in customer reviews?
Derrick appears frequently as the initial contact and estimator. Jeff Brodsky describes "working with Derrick initially was a pleasure on our project. He took the time to listen to our requests and give us very useful suggestions." Teresa Farrell calls him "fantastic to deal with and was quick to reply to texts." He serves as co-manager handling field logistics, quality control, and estimates.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews, Angi
Q: How does Hands On Painters, Inc. handle cleanup and job site maintenance?
Cleanliness receives consistent praise. Barbara Foust states they "left no mess behind," while Angi reviews mention painters "protecting all the services as they painted" with exemplary workmanship and care. Jennifer Oliver Martin describes teams as "professional, genial" across multiple projects of varying sizes.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews, Angi
Q: Does Hands On Painters, Inc. employ their own painters or use subcontractors?
According to their Angi profile, they are "owner-operated and offer year round painting with professional full-time painters (no subcontractors)." Reviews mention consistent teams led by named painters like Fidel, Antonio, and Naun. The company provides workers' compensation and retirement benefits to employees, suggesting W-2 employment rather than contractor relationships.
-Review Snippet Sources: Angi, Website
Q: What role does Gale play at Hands On Painters, Inc., and why do customers mention her?
Gale serves as office manager, handling scheduling and customer communication. Barbara Foust specifically notes "Dealing with Gale in the office made it so easy." Angi reviews mention "Gale, office manager, always kept me informed on progress and answered all my questions" when customers couldn't be present on-site. She represents the administrative backbone keeping projects coordinated.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews, Angi
Q: How does Hands On Painters, Inc. handle both small and large projects?
Jennifer Oliver Martin reports using them for projects "very large and very small" with consistent quality. Reviews span everything from single-room painting to complete interior and exterior house painting with cabinet work. The company emphasizes they work with customers on budget-friendly approaches, suggesting flexibility across project scales rather than focusing only on high-value contracts.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews, Angi
Q: What's the connection between Hands On Painters, Inc. and Patapsco Valley Handyman?
They operate as sister companies under the same ownership. The website states customers get "the same quality and reliability as with Hands On Painters, because we are part of the same company." This allows them to handle additional services like rotten trim repair, light fixtures, and other handyman work without hiring outside contractors for painting projects requiring incidental repairs.
-Review Snippet Sources: Website, Angi