Speed, Quality And Expertise: A Different Approach To Industrial Portfolio Repainting

Repainting for industrial warehouses, self-storage and national brands is a massive undertaking, but the challenge is not about getting paint on a building — it’s coordination at scale.  

“Problems arise when repainting is handled as separate local jobs instead of a planned, portfolio-wide strategy,” Graydaze Contracting CEO Alec Kinard said. “These properties generate revenue every day, so any disruption affects operations and related revenue — whether that’s warehouse logistics, customer experience or tenant access.”

For 34 years, Graydaze Contracting’s Commercial Repaint Division has been a single-source, one-stop shop for painting and sealant installation for warehouses, self-storage and national brands. Kinard said that across Graydaze Contracting’s three commercial repaint verticals, key pain points can impact any painting or repainting project that owners need to consider, especially when they are looking to update their entire portfolio. 

Using multiple local contractors across regions, for example, creates inconsistency. Quality can vary, pricing structures differ, communication isn’t uniform, and brand standards can drift, Kinard said. 

Price-driven buying is an additional risk. 

“Choosing the lowest bid often leads to shortcuts in prep work or materials. That may save money up front, but it usually costs more long term through early failure or inconsistent results,” Kinard said. “Acquisitions and rebranding make the challenge even greater, as portfolios grow and standards must be aligned quickly.” 

Kinard walked Bisnow through the key aspects of repainting these massive facilities, from the signs that it’s time for a new coat of paint to some of the top issues that impact these projects. 

“When owners move from reactive, site-by-site repainting to coordinated life-cycle planning, most of these issues are greatly reduced and the portfolio performs more consistently overall,” Kinard said. 

Bisnow: What are the signs that a property needs to be repainted?

Kinard: The first sign is the calendar. Smart portfolios will repaint based on the expected lifespan of the coating system and the manufacturer’s warranty. Waiting until paint is visibly failing is reactive and usually more expensive.

Repainting ahead of fading or breakdown protects both the building and the brand. Once coatings start to fail, surfaces are exposed to moisture and corrosion, and color inconsistency can weaken brand image — especially for national platforms where uniform appearance matters.

Acquisitions and rebranding are also major triggers. When ownership or brand identity changes, repainting helps create alignment and consistency across the portfolio.

Of course, visible signs matter, too: Chalking, peeling, cracking, rust, joint failure or uneven color are clear indicators the system is nearing the end of its life.

The goal is simple: Repaint on schedule, not after failure. Proactive life-cycle planning protects the asset, preserves warranties and keeps the portfolio consistent, professional and performing.

Bisnow: You mentioned that “price-driven buying” creates risk. How so and how does an owner/manager looking to cut costs navigate that?

Kinard: The biggest mistake in controlling repainting costs is focusing only on the lowest price. Not all coatings are equal. Higher-performance systems may cost more up front but last longer, offer better warranties and save money over time.

Owners should also ensure contractors follow the approved specifications. Some may cut corners — reducing prep, skipping a coat or substituting products — to hit a lower bid. Always request alternates so you know exactly what’s being offered.

Surface preparation matters most. Even the best paint fails if the substrate isn’t properly prepped, especially around joints, rust or failing sealants.

Cost control is about investing in durability, spec compliance and total life-cycle value to protect your assets and avoid premature failure.

Bisnow: Why should portfolio managers choose Graydaze Contracting? 

Kinard: We’re not a local painter; we’re a national portfolio partner. That means our clients have a single point of contact for proposals, project management, billing and coordination across the country. We reduce friction, increase consistency and deliver a customized approach that can be repeated across the portfolio.

Communication is key. From start to finish, we provide proactive updates, progress photos and transparency so clients always know the status.

We take accountability seriously. If an issue arises, clients hear about it from us first — along with clear solutions and a recommended path forward.

And we finish differently. Our “punch as we go” approach addresses issues in real time, so by the time the client walks the property, most items are already resolved.

Bisnow: What can clients expect when they work with Graydaze Contracting’s Commercial Repaint Division? 

Kinard: Speed, quality and expertise.

We treat repainting as a coordinated portfolio initiative, not a collection of local jobs. That means planning around coating lifespan and warranties, following specifications closely and providing clear, proactive communication from start to finish. Clients have a single, accountable partner, with no chasing multiple vendors or updates.

We work quickly but never cut corners. Projects are phased to minimize disruption, surface prep is thorough, and coatings are applied to spec to protect both the asset and the brand. We had less than five change orders in this division last year, all of which were scope adds during the project

Expertise shows in the details: transparent bidding, clear alternates, real-time progress updates with photos. We resolve issues before closeout. If something isn’t right, clients hear it from us first — with solutions in hand — and we make it right.

At the end of the day, our clients get more than paint on a building. They get speed with discipline, quality without compromise and a partner who owns the process from start to finish.

This article was produced in collaboration between Graydaze Contracting and Studio B. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.

Studio B is Bisnow’s in-house content and design studio. To learn more about how Studio B can help your team, reach out to studio@bisnow.com.