Our Chooz Score evaluates 44 factors across reviews, digital presence, and business credentials. Here's what stands out for Exceptional Painting
Specializing in transformative cabinet refinishing and urgent drywall repairs, Exceptional Painting has built a respected presence throughout Durham and the Research Triangle area since 1995. Owner Leondras Owens personally handles estimates and final walkthroughs, bringing three decades of hands-on experience to every project. What started as a family operation has evolved into a trusted contractor known for turning dated oak cabinets into contemporary showpieces and completing same-day ceiling patches that look like the damage never existed.
The fully licensed, bonded, and insured team operates from their Durham shop equipped for cabinet spray painting, delivering factory-quality finishes on kitchen projects. Reviews consistently mention the preparation work. Customers describe careful furniture covering, detailed surface prep, and protection measures that include crews arriving in white painter's clothes with protective shoe covers. Leondras maintains accessibility by providing his personal cell number, with customers reporting 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. The company's 30-year track record, combined with competitive pricing that reflects skilled labor without premium markup, has made Exceptional Painting a go-to choice for property owners seeking reliable craftsmanship backed by verifiable results and an A+ BBB rating.
Updated: 04-06-2026
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
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
Customers repeatedly praise protection measures. Reviews mention "covered the floors carefully" and note how the team "took great care with my things." One customer 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
Cabinet projects often 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
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
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
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
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
Updated: 04-07-2026