Logo for Of The Essence Design Build Paint, a painting company in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Of The Essence Design Build Paint

Logo for Of The Essence Design Build Paint, a painting company in Wilmington, North Carolina.
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Chooz Score Insights

UpdatedAugust 2026

At the time of our analysis, Of The Essence Design Build Paint held over 90 Google reviews with a 4.9-star rating, along with 100% recommended on Facebook across 3 reviews and a 5.0-star rating on Yelp from a single review. Nearly all of the Google reviews sit at five stars, with one exception, and the company’s review volume is concentrated on Google rather than spread evenly across platforms.

The company earned a Chooz Score of 84.9%. It has operated as a North Carolina registered contractor since 2007, incorporated as Of The Essence Design + Build and Paint LLC. The business is owner-led by Tara Gilmore, with Cassandra Harris coordinating schedules, Eddie Ray leading the painting crew, and Michael Carter overseeing construction and design-build work. Its service area covers Wilmington and the surrounding coastal North Carolina communities.

Across the reviews we analyzed, a few patterns stand out. Individual crew members are named repeatedly, with lead painter Eddie Ray appearing in at least nine of the reviews we read, a pattern consistent with an in-house crew rather than rotating subcontractors. Cassandra Harris, often called Casey by reviewers, is credited with coordinating projects and resolving issues as they came up, and reviewers describe the same faces returning each day. The work described ranges well beyond painting, covering kitchen and bathroom remodels, decks, flooring, and full renovations, though interior and exterior painting come up more often than any other service. Repeat and referral hiring is a recurring theme, and we found at least a dozen reviewers describing second projects or work booked for the future. Owner responses appear on only the most recent reviews we analyzed, with older reviews generally left without a reply. The one negative in our sample concerns a bathroom remodel, which we cover below.

"Eddie, the lead painter, was wonderful and our children enjoyed seeing him each day. Casey, Eddie, and the entire team exceeded our expectations, and we have already scheduled to work with them again this year for additional projects!" - Sarah W., Google Review

Advice For Future Customers

Most of the reviews we analyzed are strongly positive, but one detailed account of a bathroom remodel describes poor communication, repeated rework, and cost overruns well beyond the original estimate, and the company did not respond to it publicly. Remodels involve more moving parts than a paint job, so it is worth confirming how the company communicates changes and handles problems before you sign. Ask them directly: "If the scope or price changes mid-project, how and when will you walk me through it?"

"There was a complete lack of communication from the general contractor to his foreman which caused them to have to tear out newly installed shower tile walls and re-order them and then reinstall them." - Don B., Google Review (no owner reply)

Find out more about how we Of The Essence Design Build Paint

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All verified feedback is published, positive or not. Identity and project verified before publication. Direct submissions are unpaid; invited customers may receive a disclosed $50 thank-you that never depends on their answers.

Additional Questions Answered

How does Of The Essence Design Build Paint keep homeowners informed during projects?

They keep homeowners in the loop from the first meeting through the final walkthrough. On a Wrightsville Beach exterior job, Kiles wrote that "Eddie kept me informed every step of the way" and answered every question along the way. Nelson Hughes saw the same on his project, noting that "Casey communicated often throughout the entire project". Steady updates are simply part of how this crew works.

Source: Google · Reviewed August 2026
What do reviewers say about the quality of Of The Essence Design Build Paint?

Reviewers point to careful, high-quality work above anything else. After a repeat project, John Peter Hondros said "Their attention to detail, efficiency, and pride in their work really stand out". On Facebook, Eddie Tippett summed up the crew in three words, "Cleanliness organization and skill". Homeowners describe finishes that hold up and a team that treats each room with real care from prep to final coat.

Sources: Google, Facebook · Reviewed August 2026
Does Of The Essence Design Build Paint clean up after finishing a job?

Yes, leaving a clean home is part of the routine. Danielle Akey noted that the crew "kept a clean work space" and brought a good attitude each day. On a larger interior remodel, Kim Rohach wrote that "They cleaned up after themselves at the end of each day". The team protects floors and furnishings and tidies up before heading out each evening.

Source: Google · Reviewed August 2026
How does Of The Essence Design Build Paint handle exterior painting on coastal homes?

They handle full exterior repaints on coastal homes built to weather salt air. Kiles hired the crew after they "painted the entire exterior of my beach house in Wrightsville Beach" and trusted "a paint job that can stand up to the salt air and weather". The team preps siding and trim so color and protection last through the coastal seasons around Wilmington.

Source: Google · Reviewed August 2026
What cabinet and kitchen work does Of The Essence Design Build Paint handle?

Cabinet refinishing and kitchen updates are a core part of the work. Brittany Kelly said the crew "took our kitchen cabinets from being outdated to looking brand new" during her remodel. Cathy Singletary agreed after her own project, writing "We love the repainted kitchen cabinets, they turned out perfect". Beyond cabinets, the team handles trim, shutters, and the surrounding kitchen finishes so the whole room comes together.

Source: Google · Reviewed August 2026
Can Of The Essence Design Build Paint repaint an entire home interior?

Yes, they take on complete interior repaints for whole homes. Heather Fleuriet shared that "We hired them for a complete repaint of our entire home" and left thrilled with the result. On his dining, office, and kitchen project, John Kraus wrote that the lead "made sure every aspect of the job was completed to our satisfaction and on time". Larger interiors move room by room.

Source: Google · Reviewed August 2026
Does Of The Essence Design Build Paint handle remodeling and design-build projects too?

Yes, the company goes well beyond paint into remodeling and design-build. On Yelp, Craig C. described a full home transformation where "it looks and feels like a brand new dream home" once the work wrapped. A repeat client known as D was just as pleased and "would hire Of the Essence again". Kitchens, baths, additions, and whole renovations all fall within what the in-house crews build.

Sources: Yelp, Google · Reviewed August 2026
Are the crews at Of The Essence Design Build Paint trustworthy and professional?

Yes, homeowners describe the crews as honest, reliable, and easy to have around. On Facebook, Derrick Paris called them "Honest and reliable, Efficient and down to earth". Terrell Lee felt so comfortable that "I’ve even left them at my house while running errands" during a project. Consistent faces, clear communication, and respectful conduct on site are why clients hand over their keys with confidence.

Sources: Facebook, Google · Reviewed August 2026
Is Of The Essence Design Build Paint a registered business in North Carolina?

Of The Essence Design + Build and Paint LLC is a limited liability company registered in North Carolina. The state lists the business as active, with Secretary of State identification number 0920469 and a formation date of 6-6-2007. That registration reflects a company operating in the greater Wilmington area for well over a decade under consistent, established ownership.

-Verification Sources: North Carolina Secretary of State

How Of The Essence Design Build Paint Was Evaluated

Every painting company listed on Chooz Painters is evaluated using our multi-step quality framework. We combine structured data analysis with human review to understand how Of The Essence Design Build Paint performs across the key signals that matter most to property owners.

How the Chooz Score Works

The Chooz Score is a 100-point rating based on four core pillars:

  • Platform reviews & ratings from sources such as Google, Facebook, Yelp, Angi, BBB, and others
  • Review quality & engagement, including depth of customer feedback, photos, and how the company responds to reviews
  • Website and digital presence, which helps indicate professionalism, transparency, and communication quality
  • Business authority & operations, including years in business, licensing, insurance, and other operational standards

Each contractor is evaluated using the same framework nationwide, and the score reflects Of The Essence Design Build Paint’s performance within its local market.

A Chooz Score represents real-world performance, verified signals, and human-reviewed context.

Chooz Score Award Levels

80–86.9: Chooz Certified87–93.9: Top Painter Award94–100: Best Painter Award

Scores are determined through more than 40 evaluation factors across our four pillars.

If you want a deeper explanation of how our scoring system works, you can view the full breakdown on our Chooz Scoring page.