Building a Painting Company Around Follow-Through
Joel Tabak of Artistic Paint
A contractor calls three painters for touch-ups. None pick up. The moving truck arrives in two days, and the walls still show scratches from the last crew. By the time someone finally returns the call, the project has already cost more in delays than the paint job itself.
Artistic Paint was built to fix that problem. The Brooklyn-based company handles residential and commercial painting — interiors, exteriors, wall coverings, specialty finishes like Venetian plaster, and multi-spec coatings for schools and commercial buildings. What sets them apart isn’t the scope of work. It’s the structure behind it.
Before taking over the business, Joel Tabak spent six years selling painting services for other companies. At the time, the company was operating as Classic Touch, a small painting firm with a handful of steady clients. When the owner wanted to grow but needed someone with energy and industry experience, he approached Joel about partnering. They rebranded as Artistic Paint and rebuilt the operation from the ground up.
The company started with one worker. Today, it employs roughly 50 people on payroll, supported by subcontractors.
Much of that growth came from professionalizing operations early. “In the beginning, everything was on a cellphone,” Joel said. He built a full in-house office — an estimator, an accountant, and an office manager who keeps jobs moving. Clients receive weekly photo reports showing what was completed and what’s planned next. That communication helps prevent the last-minute surprises that often complicate painting work.
Residential and commercial projects run through separate teams. Homeowners have different priorities — some need speed before move-in; others care more about finishes and design details. Commercial clients work under bank deadlines and inspections. To keep larger jobs on track, Artistic Paint assigns dedicated managers who coordinate crews and monitor timelines.
The principle behind the company is straightforward: follow-through. Missed calls, incomplete touch-ups, and disappearing contractors are common frustrations in the industry. “If you’re my customer, I will come back until you’re satisfied,” Joel said.
This was Artistic Paint’s first time exhibiting at OJBA. Throughout the day, contractors and property managers stopped by to see how the company manages both detailed residential work and large commercial projects with consistent oversight.
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