Howard and crew just painted my house 11 years after they last did my house. Once again I am blown away by the attention to detail and professionalism. Probably hard to get on his schedule but oh so worth it. Competitive pricing, work clean and carefully. read more

Howard is the essence of what a Painting and General Contractor should be. He's on time, his quotes are incredibly detailed and all steps are followed exactly as outlined. His guys are all total professionals, and also extremely nice people. Howard painted the entire exterior of our house, as well as most of the interior. He also completely renovated and painted our kitchen. He refinished our existing 90 year old original hardwood floors in our dining room, and patched in new hardwood in the kitchen to match the dining room. He re-did our living room fireplace with stone, which had been a bad 80's style blue tile. He replaced well over a dozen ceiling fans or light fixtures. He also replaced our upstairs balcony that had dry rotted, as well as our back deck that had the same problem. He also built a gate, trellis and covered patio/ grill area in our backyard. Overall, the quality of the work done was amazing. Unlike our neighbors, who's renovation has stopped and started multiple times over the last year or so (and is still not done despite starting earlier than ours and being less overall work), Howard and his guys told us the plan, got in, executed it quickly and perfectly, and got out. Despite the amount of work done, we were able to comfortably live in our house while it was happening, largely due to the care the workers took in making our space as liveable as possible at the end of every day. When we initially sought bids for the work on our house, we did our diligence and received three quotes. Howard's was the most expensive of the three, but the details he spelled out, the questions he asked, and the top-notch professionalism he displayed made picking him easy despite the price. In the end, it was the correct choice and I'm incredibly happy we hired McKenzie Finishes for our house. In addition to Howard, a great deal of credit is due to the employees and sub-contractors he works with. Ramiro, Javier, Abraham, Peter, Jose (x2), Julio, Brizio, and the other guys who's names I'm forgetting are all dedicated professionals and were a pleasure to work with. read more

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When I had really difficult to paint rough and corroded oil stained wood texture exterior Howard totally came through with his expertise. The unusual speciality paint worked like magic to cover up the awful stains and even dried super fast. He is the go to expert for sure. read more

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We had a very good experience having the outside of our house painted by these folks. It looks fabulous now. The three workers were courteous, meticulous and careful about not damaging our garden. Everything was cleaned up at the end of every day. Originally we signed on to have the house completely primed; Howard, after the house was scraped, recommended that we didn't really need to do that - spot priming was sufficient - and saved us some money at his own expense. A nice side benefit was some unexpected cleaning of our brick front pathway (I had no idea it could be that pink looking) and they even carefully washed all the outside windows while doing the trim. I'd use them again in a heart beat; in fact, we hope to have them paint our interior later this year. One thing I really appreciated was the completeness of the contract: we knew exactly what they were going to do in detail. read more

I've lived in my house for 17 years and finally got around to getting it painted. I usually always get 3 quotes for any work I have done, and McKenzie Finishes was one of the painting companies I contacted. Howard gave me the most thorough explanation and bid for the job. He recommended full priming plus 2 topcoats. Another company wanted to do full priming and one coat, while the second company said they thought spot priming with one coat was sufficient. I know a bit about painting and know that the prep work and priming are very important. I decided to go with Howard's bid was glad I did. The west and south side of my house were in pretty bad shape. I have shingles that were peeling paint and Julio scraped all the paint down to the bare wood! That takes a lot of time and energy. They also did a repair job for me on the fascia. His crew was nice, very neat and respectful of your property. Howard always checked in to see how the job was going either by stopping by or calling. He's always very good about returning calls which can be an issue with contractors. I couldn't be happier with the appearance of my house! Howard & I consulted about color choices and he was very helpful in making recommendations. I've gotten compliments from friends, neighbors, and strangers walking past my house on how great it looks. At the end of the job, I told Howard I wanted them to stain my second story deck and he and the crew were accommodating. Because Howard also has a general contractor's license I am also having him do some cement work for me. I would definitely recommend him to others. read more

Howard approached me at our coffee shop and we decided to paint my house. He wrote up a contract and emailed it over. What a detailed piece of gorgeousness that was! Seriously- things I never could have thought of were there. His team really takes time to clean up the site every day so you dont have a big "I'm under construction" feeling for the whole time. Howard checked in regularly- I signed my contract and we were off to the races. I chose my own colors and we added some great black highlights with an amazing result. The neighbors are constantly complementing me on a beautiful job well done! There were a few areas where the lines weren't even (expected on a hand painted trim job like this) and the areas were corrected by the team in a really timely manner. I recommend McKenzie Finishes to anyone wantong to get painting done!! read more

Howard and his crew are true professionals. We hired their team to do a IPE project at our property and there's no doubt they went above and beyond. Howard was great, clearly communicating every detail about the project and always answering his phone. His crew was also great... everyone spoke and understood English which can be rare if you've ever had painting work done in the Bay. Our HOA was a bit needy, with questions/concerns popping up right and left and Howard took it all in stride and did whatever he could to ensure we were happy with the job. After this experience, I'm regretting not hiring his team to do our painting earlier in the year. We will definitely be having Howard come back for all future staining/painting projects. read more

Howard was recommended by a neighbor, when we needed help after the rain storm of 2011. We had leaks from the patio into the living room bedroom and entry way. As a precaution, we decided to get 4 estimates to enable us make the right decision. McKenzie finishes was not the least expensive bid, but mind you that the least expensive bid was from a handy man. Howard was instrumental in communicating with the insurance company to help them understand the true nature of the leak damage. The work was finished well ahead of schedule. The employee were outstanding, and out of the way. If you are looking for cheap, unreliable workmanship then I suggest you look elsewhere. For work that is outstanding, you have come to the right place. In short, McKenzie Finishes is the place to do business with. read more

I hired Howard and his crew to stain my cedar sided house and ipe decks nearly two years ago and I couldn't be happier with the results. The original stain I put on the house did not weather well. Howard recommended a product that has stood up to the weather and south sun exposure for two seasons now. He definitely knows his products. His crew took great care in doing a top notch job and they protected our landscaping during the staining process so that nothing was damaged. There were never any price increases to his original bid, unless I asked him to do additional work for me. He completed the job right on time. He even put an extra coat of stain on my ipe deck that he never charged me for because he didn't like the results of the two coat process we agreed too. As an architect, I've recommended Howard and his crew to several clients of my clients. He is price competitive and always gets rave review for the service he provides. When I need to restain my house or repaint the interior I know who I'm going to call...McKenzie Finishes. read more

We hired McKenzie Finishes to paint our house after completing a substantial amount of rebuilding due to water penetration over years. The house is built of wood and stucco, and required high pressure water cleaning in preparation for the two coats of new exterior colors. Howard and his painting crew were meticulous, careful and attentive to our house and our possessions. Winter weather delayed the work several times, but the men left the job site clean and organized until they could return. The interior painting was the first completed, and was excellently done and matched the existing paint finishes very well. Howard, the owner, prepared a very detailed and thorough estimate and carefully revised it 3 times as the work progressed and as new work needing to be done was uncovered. In the end the cost was about 20% higher than the the first estimate, but every charge was justified and fair. Howard insisted on completing every detail on our list and personally went over the entirehouse several times with us looking for "glitches and holidays." We received a beautifully finished house that gives us great pleasure to look at : we are really happy that we used Howard's services. read more

Based on a friend's referral, I contacted McKenzie Finishes for a pressure wash for my home, windows and stucco wall. Howard provided a quote for a really reasonable price. Howard's guy, Julio, was very thorough and quickly performed the job - even removing a wasp's nest! During the process, Julio noticed some areas which needed to be sealed, Howard immediately contacted me, discussed the issue, and gave me an estimate right there on the site to complete that job as well. As a result of their great work on the first day, I asked about having a bathroom painted and Howard and Julio were very accommodating - completing all the work in two days! At the end of job, Howard personally walked me through both jobs, personally, to make sure everything was up to my satisfaction. I could not have been more pleased and I would definitely use them in the future! read more

Howard and the team at McKenzie Finishes are 5 Plus Star professionals. I've been in the building industry for decades now. Having kind,honest and looks like having fun type of pro's in the industry. Is refreshing. In our fast paces industry. Sometimes event are out of one's control. Howard remains calm, in the moment and looks for a positive win-win solution. I look forward in referring Howard and the team to my clients going forward. Five-Stars for McKenzie Finishes. read more

We hired Howard to paint the exterior of our duplex in san francisco after we saw what a great job he did painting our neighbor's house. His crew, prep, and clean up were terrific. He brought a few dry rot situations and a potential leak of a balcony to our attention, gave us a fast reasonable estimate for repair and completed the work in record time. He finished the entire project on schedule & budget We also hired Howard to paint the interior, repair some plumbing and fence issues, power wash the exterior, some exterior touch up painting, and debris removal which allowed us to maximize our rent on our Sacramento property. We recommend and will use Howard and his crew again.. read more

Two years ago I had three quotes to paint my house, which really needed it after 17 years. McKenzie finishes won by along shot. Howard was just the guy to do the job. All his men were hard working, neat, clean and polite. Also very conscientious of my gardens,of which I am very protective. While prepping, his crew found a lot of dry rot , that needed attention. Howard had his men on it and a beautiful job was completed in no time. Most important of all Howard stands by his word and his work. I highly recommend McKenzie Finishes to anyone who is wanting a good paint job at a fair price with a meticulous boss who is always on top of what's going on, by being at the job site daily if not even more often. read more

I emailed Howard McKenzie after reading positive reviews on yelp and ask him to give us an estimate on painting windows and trim on an older home in Berkeley Hills. His estimate was a notch above others in terms of providing complete details of their approach and process, all the way to how many sample colors we can try at no charge. It was also extremely competitive. After talking to 3 other reputable companies, I saw no reason not to give McKenzie a try. We were not disappointed. The team of two painters were top notch professionals (no helpers) who worked efficiently and meticulously until the job was finished. All our requests were granted cheerfully and quickly. Clean up every day left our gardens spotless. Etc. The house looks great, and we would not hesitate to hire McKenzie again. Howard could be a little intense, but he is sincere and direct. Overall, a five star experience from a very satisfied customer. read more

We're a condominium complex in Berkeley, with ipe wood balconies and siding. Ipe is a very hard wood, and we needed a contractor who knew it well, because the previous staining job we had done was washed away with the first rain. McKenzie Finishes was recommended by a lumber store in Berkeley, and we hired them to clean all and stain a portion of our ipe wood, and it is now beautiful! He and his crew were wonderful - professional and personable - to work with: respectful of our property, careful to protect and clean from overspray, and so patient and obliging with our residences' many questions and last-minute additions made to the original scope of work (because we loved the way it was looking!) We will so definitely be hiring them back when it's time once again to maintain our Ipe. read more

McKenzie Finishes did a fantastic job painting the exterior of my house. Howard and his crew are a pleasure to work with. The house hasn't been painted in about 20 years and needed a lot of prep work, which was detailed and thorough. Throughout the project, Howard made himself available, kept an eye on the job, and was always available. When I decided to make some changes mid-job, Howard didn't bat an eye, making necessary accommodations. I'm very impressed with the clean, very clean, paint lines the crew did throughout, especially considering how uneven the stucco is on my house. When the job was done, paid in full and crew moved out, I discovered a certain oversight, Howard took full responsibility and dealt with it in a most expedite manner - you could not ask for anything more! I highly recommend Howard and his crew and I definitely plan to use them in the future. read more

We contracted McKenzie Finishes to repaint the exterior and interior of our home, to refinish the floors, and to make some substantial upgrades to our bathrooms. They did a superb job, on time, on budget. Super friendly crew (developed mutual admiration society with our male German Shepherd), and extremely hard working (weekends and holidays). Howard McKenzie is amazing -- he is extremely responsible and responsive, and kept us up to date on any issues that arose. We have a 100+ year old house, so naturally there were some surprises when his crew starting opening up the walls -- Howard made sure he checked with us every time he had to go into a cost-and-materials addition to our contract. Constantly kept in touch via voice and text. Final result looks a whole new house. We cannot thank him or recommend him enough. read more

Howard Mckenzie and his crew did a great job on repainting at our condo complex. Very professional, he was very good to work with and provide constant communication to the HOA about the progress. He provided thorough, detailed quotes, helped identify potential issues and provided sound recommendations. I recommend him and his crew if you ever need your house painted. read more

Howard and his crew did a fantastic job in helping us transform our 1956 'fixer' with both interior and exterior painting projects. They did a 'miracle' job with our beat-up rough looking ceiling and making it sleek and elegant. His crew moved quickly and efficiently and we always felt like we had very good communication with Howard and we were all on the same page re the budget and the project. Howard was very accommodating, including responding to a somewhat panicked late night phone call when we changed our minds about the paint color. After our experience with Howard on the interior job, we had full confidence in using him for a major exterior project. After both jobs, we're very happy and fully recommend McKenzie Finishes. read more

Howard and his crew painted the exterior of my Edwardian house with so much attention to detail, taste, and professionalism that I hired them again to paint a bathroom after we re-plastered its cracking walls. Howard did a great job with the bathroom too and even agreed to help apply some finishes in and near the bathroom. Very responsive and customer-service oriented. read more

I first worked with Howard 10 years ago. I hired him to paint the interior of my home. He and his crew were outstanding; professional and courteous. The work was meticulous and well worth the price. Over the years I have had him do ceiling repair for plumbing leaks, roof repair and other jobs. Howard and crew also did a complete painting renovation of my mother-in-laws home to prepare for sale. I believe the work he did help to facilitate the price received. I have referred him to neighbors and friends who have all been very satisfied. I highly recommend McKenzie Finishes. read more

Howard and his crew just recently finished a fairly extensive facelift of the upstairs of our townhouse (2 bedrooms and a dormer room/study). The work entailed applying a new "finish" to all walls & ceilings, crown moulding, new baseboards and painting. We even "added on" the painting of our stairwell and Howard was more than happy to make time to do this for us even though it wasn't in the original plan. Throughout the process, Howard and his crew were very accommodating and operated in a most efficient and professional manner. We greatly appreciated that they did their best to clean up after themselves at the end of each day and they kept their work area inside the house and the area in our backyard where all of their equipment/supplies were stationed in a neat and orderly manner. Another plus for us was that the job was completed in the time frame Howard had originally projected. We would highly recommend using McKenzie Finishes to anyone who needs general contracting/painting work done and can't wait to work with him again for our bathroom remodels! read more

Just concluded having our 100 year-old house painted, outside and inside, and our deck stained. We could not be happier. As they say in the painting business, "prep is everything." and, man, did they do great preparation before beginning the painting. Howard McKenzie and his crew are absolutely top of the line. Besides A+++ competency and attention to detail, Howard is totally reliable. He answers every call to him promptly. He shows up when he says he'll show up. If he's going to be late, he'll call and not leave you hanging. He explains things extremely well, making sure you understand everything before concluding a consultation. His workers are extremely respectful and, with Howard's and or the client's prompting, will go above and beyond the call of duty. Again, all were very respectful. Again, we love the finished product. Regardless of cost (without being stupid, of course), we would hire McKenzie Finishes in a proverbial heartbeat. As we all know, good "chemistry" with a contractor is hard to come by. At every turn, the chemistry with Howard was absolutely superb. It's now time to relax and enjoy the view. read more