PPC PROfile: Our interview with Jesus Avendano and Florencio Gonzalez of Gonzalez Painters & Contractors, Durham, North Carolina.
Florencio Gonzalez founded Gonzalez Painters & Contractors in 2002, starting with a crew of four young entrepreneurs focused on quality services and customer satisfaction. Gonzalez quickly built a strong reputation in the community, and thanks to his commitment to consistency and integrity, the company has expanded beyond its home base in Durham, North Carolina to service the entire Triangle area, employing more than 85 people. We had a chance to sit down with Gonzalez and sales and marketing manager Jesus Avendano to learn more about the company’s path to success.
What kind of work do you do most often?
Our main focus is residential. We transform homes for better memories. We do some commercial work as well.
What do you think makes your company stand out from the competition?
For over two decades, we have provided high-quality interior and exterior painting, siding replacement, drywall repair and
pressure washing. Our approach has always been simple: meticulous preparation, skilled craftsmanship, and a commitment to delivering a hassle-free experience from start to finish. We believe in a system that prioritizes our customers, ensuring
transparency, professionalism and exceptional service from start to finish. We call this five-step process the GPC Way. We appreciate our customer’s opinion and that has helped us become a five-star rated company based on Google and customer testimonials.
Gonzalez Painters & Contractors recently received a high honor from Google.
Yes, we were selected by Google to represent them in the Google Economic Impact Report for the year 2023. Google only chooses one company per state, so this was a huge accomplishment for our company. We have since reached 1,500 Google reviews.
This is more than a milestone for us – it’s a reflection of the trust, loyalty and support we’ve received from our clients over the years. Each review tells a story of a home improved, a vision brought to life, and a promise delivered. We look forward to keep transforming homes in the community and being the No. 1 painting company in the entire North Carolina Triangle.
What impact do these ratings have on your marketing?
In today’s digital age, online reviews are one of the most powerful ways homeowners choose a contractor. Every positive review is proof of the consistent quality and professionalism our team delivers, and a source of trust for those searching for “painters near me” or “best painting company.”
Your company offers other specialty services such as drywall repair, roof repair, and gutter and skylight replacement. How have these added services benefited you and your customers?
Adding value to our services enables us to do the full transformation on the exterior of a home. Sometimes we will replace an entire roof. We also replace entire gutter and gutter guard systems. Doing full siding replacements and adding a new color of paint on to the home really gives it a unique transformation. We transform homes for better memories.
Color consultation services with a company called Sidekick Designs are highlighted on your website. How have you found this helps your customers?
Partnering up with one of our local designers was a game changer. Having an expert that can help customers choose the right color is essential to bring the vision of the customer to life.
Any tips for other contractors who want to get more involved with color consulting?
Partner up with local companies that believe in the vision and share your values. That will be the most crucial and important aspect to create win-win partnerships. Sherwin-Williams also offers a variety of color services that we have used with good results.
Cabinet painting is one of your specialties. What are your go-to products for these jobs?
We love using Gallery Series™ Waterborne Topcoat by Sherwin-Williams. It’s the best in high quality and provides a very shiny finish – almost like a mirror – and has lots of benefits in long-lasting durability. Emerald® Urethane Trim Enamel is also great on cabinets and is our choice for trim work. We love both products – we decide on which to use based on customers’ requests. For primer, we like ProBlock® Interior Oil-Based Primer.
What are your other preferred products?
Our preferred products are Cashmere®, Duration Home® and Emerald® de Sherwin-Williams para trabajos en interiores. For exteriors, we love using Duration®, WoodScapes®, SuperDeck® and Emerald®.
In general, what role does your paint supplier play in your day-to-day business?
Sherwin-Williams plays a big role in our business by being our main vendor and having the capacity to provide all the materials needed. If we come across issues with paint peeling or paint cracking, Sherwin-Williams sends a representative to help us in the journey to compensate and fix any issues.
It takes a team
“Gonzalez Painters and Contractors is a proud Latino-owned and operated company that continues to provide reliable, quality
services while also investing in local nonprofit organizations and philanthropy,” says company founder Florencio Gonzalez. “There have been many employees that play a huge part in this organization beginning with Eduardo Galvan, Esteban Mendoza and Jorge Ortiz, painters who have been with the company for more than 22 years.
“As time went by, a lot of good assets joined our journey starting with Javier Rivera and Eduardo Avendano as our star sales representatives, Karina Rivera as our finance manager, Jeffrey Smith and Freddy Coello as our production managers and Jesus
Avendano as our sales and marketing manager. All of us here at Gonzalez Painters and Contractors look forward to the next 20 years of serving the Triangle and providing reputable services.”
©2025 Fusable. Jesus Avendano and Florencio Gonzalez were interviewed by Mike Starling, PPC/Pintor Pro editor. Photography courtesy Gonzalez Painters & Contractors.
