Entries by Paula Peters Chambers

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Insights from Wallcovering Installers Association Convention

H.J. Holtz & Son paper hangers Shane Legano and James Draine went to the annual Wallcovering Installers Association convention in September knowing they would come away with helpful information.

 

“I asked questions for jobs I knew were coming up,” Draine says. “We usually know in advance when we have a big, specialty job coming. That [convention] is a good place to ask questions, because there are a lot of people there who are doing the same kind of work we do.”

 

Both Legano and Draine have attended multiple WIA conventions, but this is the first in-person gathering since 2019, due to pandemic disruptions. The two agree that meeting in person adds to the experience. 

October 18, 2022 by

High Gloss Home Library Shines

H.J. Holtz & Son master painter Kenny Ebright approaches each job the same way: hearing from homeowners what they want, assessing the situation, and getting to work.

When the firm was called in by a repeat Holtz customer to help finish the transformation of a 12-foot-by-15-foot bedroom into a high gloss library, complete with floor-to-ceiling built-ins, Ebright knew he had his work cut out for him.

October 12, 2022 by

Fan Home Renovation Top-to-Bottom

When Nick and Lee Ann bought their home in Richmond’s Fan district earlier this year, they knew it was solidly constructed but poorly finished.

“In my opinion, previous owners cheapened the house by failing to hire high-quality finishing contractors,” he says. “The bones of the house are pretty darn good, and the overall condition was good, but the house suffered for a number of years with poor paint jobs over poor paint jobs.”

Nick and Lee Ann were aware of H.J. Holtz & Son’s reputation, but they did their due diligence before calling the company for an estimate.

 

September 27, 2022 by

Scheduling Painting and Wallpapering Projects

Scheduling and executing projects for H.J. Holtz & Son is a multi-step process that involves many people and, often, many changes.

“There are so many factors [at play],” says Production Manager Kelly Kutchey. “People get sick – both customers and staff – and weather can affect outdoor projects. We have spreadsheets for all our jobs, because everything relates; when something happens to delay one job, that affects others.

September 12, 2022 by

Painting Before Moving in; Couple Turns to Holtz

Shannon Thompson laughs as she recalls that H. J. Holtz & Son team members initially spent more time in her new home than she did. 

Thompson and her husband, Christopher, bought the house in Richmond’s Westmoreland Place neighborhood at the end of December 2018. They were moving from New York City to Richmond to be close to family, but at the time of purchase were spending the winter in Florida. Their time away created the perfect opportunity to redecorate the house from top to bottom with little dislocation.

 

August 22, 2022 by

Painter José Cocar Celebrates 10th Anniversary

For José Cocar, it’s satisfaction – not the devil – that’s in the details.

Cocar, who celebrated his 10th anniversary with H.J. Holtz & Son in July, came to the company with 12 years of experience, yet still went through the training process the firm uses for all new hires.

 

August 1, 2022 by

Holtz Team Updates Retail Boutique with New Paint

Nancy Hartt called on H.J. Holtz & Son when she opened her fashion boutique eight years ago for painting and wallpapering. It was only logical that she would call on the Holtz team again for a recent refresh.

“They’re the most trustworthy people of all time,” she says. “They are accommodating, and if something goes wrong, Rick Holtz has someone here within 24 hours.”

 

May 17, 2022 by

Wallpaper Craftsperson, James Wright, Celebrates 10 Years

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

That was the approach James Wright took when his first application to H.J. Holtz & Son was turned down.

Wright began his career working with a general contractor, but left that position to focus on painting. By the time he approached Holtz & Son, he had four years of painting experience under his belt. Following the initial “no,” Wright bided his time.

 

May 3, 2022 by