Tar Heel Painters
Updated: 10-09-2025
About Tar Heel Painters
Recognized by Chapel Hill Magazine with their Best of Chapel Hill award five consecutive years running, Tar Heel Painters has built an enviable reputation across the Triangle and Triad regions with well over 50 five-star Google reviews. Owner John Kent leads a crew that tackles everything from historic home restoration (Kent previously restored a property on the National Registry of Historic Places) to student housing turnarounds between academic terms.
The company's range extends well beyond standard brush work. Reviews document projects involving electrical, plumbing, and masonry work alongside painting, with one customer noting their quote came in at a third of a competitor's price. From popcorn ceiling removal to tiled backsplash installation, the team handles renovation components that typically require multiple contractors. Their EPA-certified lead paint remediation capability makes them particularly valuable for older Triangle-area properties.
What distinguishes Tar Heel Painters is their operational approach. Multiple customers reference crews arriving on time daily, projects finishing ahead of schedule, and properties left cleaner than before work began. The responsiveness stands out, with John Kent described as accessible "almost at anytime" and quick to adjust plans mid-project. This flexibility combined with competitive pricing and documented insurance coverage has generated repeat business across Chapel Hill, Greensboro, Wilmington, Durham, and High Point.
Updated: 10-09-2025
Q&A Based On What Customers Are Saying About Tar Heel Painters
Q: Can they handle more than just painting?
The scope regularly extends beyond paint application. One Chapel Hill apartment renovation included electrical work, plumbing, masonry for a new tiled shower, carpentry, and painting, all coordinated by the same crew. Another project involved wood rot repair, siding replacement, and structural additions to porch frameworks during an exterior paint job. Customers appreciate avoiding the hassle of scheduling multiple contractors.
- Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Q: What's their approach to project timelines?
Speed without sacrificing thoroughness appears consistent. "They painted our entire downstairs ceiling and completed several dry wall repairs in one day" represents typical execution, while an exterior house project including pressure washing, painting, porch sealing, and siding repair wrapped in four days. Some crews stay late to ensure spaces are usable for weekend plans. The efficiency seems built into their standard operating procedure rather than rush work.
- Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews, Facebook
Q: Do they actually respond to customer questions during projects?
Accessibility gets mentioned repeatedly. John Kent is described as reachable "almost at anytime" and "willing to adjust or modify the work" based on customer input during the project. His communication style earns specific praise, with customers noting he stays "excellent at communicating" throughout, keeps clients informed of project status, and responds quickly to questions. This isn't typical contractor responsiveness.
- Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Q: How do they handle historic or older homes?
Their experience with older properties runs deep. Kent's background includes restoring a National Registry of Historic Places property, and the company advertises full EPA certification for lead-based paint removal. Reviews mention successful work on Chapel Hill's historic districts with attention to preserving architectural details. One customer specifically sought them out for expertise with a 1977 home requiring careful exterior trim work.
- Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews, Nextdoor, Company Website
Q: What about pricing compared to other contractors?
Competitive rates surface across multiple reviews. One customer stated their quote was "about 1/3 of that quoted by another contractor" for a multi-trade apartment renovation. Others mention "fair price" and appreciation for value relative to quality delivered. The company offers free estimates and color consultations. Their pricing strategy appears designed to undercut typical contractor rates while maintaining quality standards.
- Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Q: Are there any red flags customers should know about?
One significant negative review from a New York customer details serious execution problems: incomplete prep work, unpainted areas throughout the house, mold remaining after pressure washing, and paint on unprotected surfaces. The customer documented issues with photos showing extensive marking tape needed to identify missed spots. They report repainting the same year and express frustration over the tedious oversight required. No owner response addresses these claims.
- Review Snippet Sources: Yelp