Exceptional Painting
Updated: 11-12-2025
About Exceptional Painting
Led by owner Leondras Owens with 30 years of hands-on experience, Exceptional Painting has built a distinguished reputation throughout Durham and the Research Triangle area with over 150 five-star Google reviews and a 4.9-star rating. The family-owned contractor specializes in cabinet refinishing, drywall repair, and both residential and commercial painting. What began in 1995 as a father-son business has evolved into a respected operation known for transforming dated oak cabinets into contemporary showpieces and repairing everything from small ceiling patches to complete wall reconstruction.
Customers consistently mention the preparation. Reviews describe four-layer floor protection, careful furniture covering, and detailed surface prep that ensures smooth finishes. The fully licensed, bonded, and insured team operates from their Durham shop equipped specifically for cabinet spray painting, allowing factory-quality finishes on kitchen projects. Leondras personally handles estimates and final walkthroughs, often completing same-day repairs for urgent drywall fixes while larger projects receive detailed timelines and material breakdowns.
The company's accessibility sets them apart. Customers reach Leondras directly at his personal cell number, receiving responses within hours rather than days. Projects range from $400 single-room touch-ups to $30,000 complete home transformations across Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and Wake Forest. With competitive pricing that reflects skilled labor without premium markup and a track record spanning three decades, Exceptional Painting has become the choice for property owners seeking reliable craftsmanship backed by verifiable results.
Updated: 11-12-2025
Q&A Based On What Customers Are Saying About Exceptional Painting
Q: Does Exceptional Painting really complete drywall repairs the same day customers call?
Multiple reviews confirm rapid response times. Mark notes Leondras "came the same day as I contacted him" and completed the work immediately, while Vince mentions they "were able to get out the same day to repair drywall." Daniel describes how Leondras "was able to install new drywall within 24hrs of contacting him." This same-day capability applies primarily to smaller drywall repairs and patches rather than full-room projects.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Q: How does Exceptional Painting protect homes during painting projects?
Customers repeatedly praise protection measures. Reviews mention "covered the floors carefully" and note how the team "took great care with my things." One customer specifically appreciated seeing the crew arrive with "white painter's clothes and white footies over their shoes." Jennifer valued that Leondras provided "nightly access to the sink, microwave and fridge" during cabinet work, unlike competitors who would have blocked kitchen access for days.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews, Yelp
Q: What makes Exceptional Painting's cabinet refinishing different from cabinet refacing companies?
One detailed review explains the cost difference. The customer received multiple quotes and found that refacing companies claimed "you can't really paint the cabinets much cheaper than refacing," but Leondras's quote came in at "less than half the price" of refacing options. The finished cabinets looked "better than we even dared to dream," proving that quality painting provides superior value compared to refacing sales tactics.
-Review Snippet Sources: Angi
Q: Does Exceptional Painting handle challenging drywall situations beyond basic patches?
Reviews show expertise with complex repairs. Mare describes how the team fixed "several areas that needed drywall repair, with one of those being a challenge due to the pipe boot" and notes everything "looks like nothing was ever broken in the first place." Trish hired them for poorly installed drywall in a 14x30 bonus room requiring "multiple layers of mudding and paint" completed in four days. They even replaced baseboards during repairs.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Q: How detailed is Exceptional Painting's quality control process?
Customers mention Leondras's inspection standards. One review states he "inspects his work with a flashlight, and notices imperfections we would have never caught." Bryan notes the interior paint job "completely transformed our space" with Leondras taking time to help choose "the perfect paint sheens." Another customer appreciated that Leondras "made sure we were happy with his work before he left" and provided detailed care instructions for newly painted cabinets.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews, HomeAdvisor
Q: What is Exceptional Painting's timeline like for cabinet painting projects?
Cabinet projects typically complete faster than expected. Jennifer reports her kitchen cabinets were "done in a timely manner," while another customer mentions work "finished ahead of schedule." Lori notes the team transformed cabinets to look "brand new" efficiently. The shop-based spraying process allows for professional finishes while Leondras maintains on-site work for installation and touch-ups, balancing quality with reasonable timelines.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Q: Does Exceptional Painting go beyond the original project scope when needed?
Reviews show proactive problem-solving. One customer describes how the team "without being asked, they caulked and painted over" a shower insert that hadn't been properly sealed. Daniel mentions Leondras "even went above and beyond and reinstalled the insulation that had to be removed previously." Janet notes ceiling repairs were completed with Leondras having "an eye for every detail" and handling discovered issues during the original visit rather than scheduling callbacks.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews, HomeAdvisor
Q: How does Exceptional Painting's pricing compare to competitors?
Multiple customers mention fair pricing. One review states their estimate was "smack dab in the middle of the 5 quotes we got," while another found pricing "more than fair - significantly lower than the big box companies." Reviews consistently describe "very competitive pricing" and "reasonable" estimates. The value comes from quality work at fair rates rather than being the cheapest option, with customers noting they received "great value for your investment."
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews, Yelp, Website