Head Painter / Remodeling Technician

Own the Paint Work. Learn the Rest.

A Big Improvement (ABI Remodeling) is a residential remodeling company based in McLean, Virginia, focused on detailed, high-quality renovations throughout Northern Virginia.

We’re looking for an experienced Head Painter / Remodeling Technician who can take ownership of our painting and surface preparation while also wanting to become a more well-rounded remodeler.

This is not a position where you will only roll paint every day.

Painting and high-end surface finishing would be your specialty. When a project reaches prep, priming, coating, and fine trim finishing, we want you to be the person our team looks to for expertise and execution. But between painting phases, you’ll work alongside our carpenters, tile setters, technicians, plumbers, electricians, and other specialists to participate in the rest of the remodeling process.

The goal is to build a team of people who each have a specialty, but who are capable and willing to contribute wherever the project needs them.

What You’ll Own

You would be responsible for leading our painting and surface preparation work, including:

• Interior and exterior paint applications
• Drywall finishing, patch repair, skim coating, and texture matching
• Thorough surface preparation (sanding, caulking, masking, scraping, and priming)
• High-end trim, cabinet, and door finishing (spraying, brushing, and rolling)
• Color matching, sheen selection, and product recommendations
• Selecting and maintaining proper equipment (airless sprayers, brushes, rollers, prep tools)
• Stain and varnish application for custom woodworking
• Maintaining clean cut lines, smooth transitions, and flawless finished details
• Identifying drywall or moisture issues before paint application begins
• Guiding and teaching other team members proper surface prep and painting techniques

We want someone who takes pride in the details that separate an acceptable paint job from an exceptional one.

But You Won’t Only Paint

When painting work isn't ready or another part of the project needs help, you should be comfortable jumping in with the rest of the team.

That could include:

• Demolition and site preparation
• Framing
• Drywall hanging
• Tile setting
• Trim and finish carpentry
• Cabinet installation
• Flooring
• Punch-list work
• Fixture installation
• General remodeling tasks

You do not need to already know all of these trades.

In fact, this position may be a particularly good fit for someone who has spent most of their career specializing in painting but wants the opportunity to learn more about carpentry, tile, kitchens, bathrooms, mechanical systems, and residential remodeling as a whole.

We will teach. What we need from you is the willingness to learn.

The Person We’re Looking For

You may be a good fit if you:

• Have professional painting and surface finishing experience
• Can independently complete high-quality paint prep and finish work
• Understand substrate preparation, primers, spray equipment, and paint chemistries
• Care deeply about straight lines, smooth finishes, proper coverage, and clean transitions
• Are comfortable communicating when you see a problem
• Can work independently without needing constant direction
• Enjoy teaching others what you know
• Are interested in learning skills outside of your primary trade
• Are willing to help teammates rather than saying, “That’s not my job”
• Take pride in keeping a clean, dust-controlled, and organized jobsite
• Want to become a more complete residential remodeling professional

How Our Team Works

We are intentionally building our company differently than a traditional remodeling crew.

Rather than expecting every employee to somehow be an expert at every trade, we want to build a team with specialists who make everyone around them better.

• When we're prepping and painting, you may be the specialist teaching another technician.
• When we're trimming a room, you may be working beside a carpenter who is teaching you.
• When we're setting tile, installing cabinets, troubleshooting a project, or completing a punch list, everyone contributes.

Over time, the goal is for each person to develop both a primary specialty and a much broader remodeling skill set.

What We Offer

• $28–$38/hour, depending on experience and capability
• Full-time employment
• Consistent residential remodeling work
• $300/month health insurance allowance through our QSEHRA program
• Biannual performance reviews with opportunities for compensation increases
• Opportunities to learn additional trades
• Opportunities for increased responsibility as the company grows
• Exposure to detailed, custom residential remodeling rather than repetitive production work
• A team environment where craftsmanship and knowledge are valued
• 4, 10-hour days with Fridays off

What Matters to Us

Skill matters, but so does how you work.

• Craftsmanship. Details matter.
• Reliability. Our clients and your teammates need to be able to count on you.
• Communication. If something is wrong, unclear, or could be done better, speak up.
• Curiosity. We want people who want to understand how the entire project comes together.
• Teamwork. Being a paint specialist does not mean painting is the only thing you touch.
• Growth. We want this to be a place where a great head painter can eventually become an exceptional all-around remodeler.

If you're an experienced painter who enjoys your trade but doesn't want to spend the next ten years doing only paint work, we'd like to hear from you.

Tell us a little about your painting experience, the types of finishes and spray equipment you're most comfortable with, and what other areas of remodeling you'd like to learn.

Pay: $28.00 - $38.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Health insurance
• On-the-job training
• Opportunities for advancement

Application Question(s):

• Do you have a reliable means of transportation?
• Are you willing to learn other trades and help out the team when needed?

Ability to Commute:

• McLean, VA 22101 (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $28 - $38