10 Years of Prep Work, Precision, and Western PA Pride
A small, family-owned painting company that built its reputation one home at a time — and refuses to grow at the expense of quality.
Built on One Frustration
Mark Dwellings spent ten years painting for other crews around western Pennsylvania before starting his own company. The same problem kept showing up: prep work was treated as optional. Walls that should have been washed got rolled over. Trim that should have been caulked got painted as-is. Bare wood that needed primer got two coats of color and called done.
The customers usually didn't notice for the first year. They noticed when the paint started peeling in year three.
So in 2015, Mark started Dwellings on a single principle: do the prep work. Every wash, every patch, every caulk line, every coat of primer. The kind of prep that makes a paint job look brand new five years later, not five months later.
Ten years and 800+ homes later, that principle still drives everything we do — across Zelienople, Cranberry Township, Mars, Butler, and the wider western PA region.
Four Values That Guide Every Project
Prep
Surface preparation isn't a step — it's the foundation. We never skip it, never rush it, never apologize for the time it takes.
Precision
Clean cut lines, even coats, no drips. Every brush stroke and roller pass is intentional.
Professionalism
On-time arrivals, daily cleanup, clear communication. We treat your home the way we'd want ours treated.
Community
Western PA isn't just where we work — it's where we live. We sponsor little league, hire local, and stand behind our work for years.
The People Who'll Be in Your Home
Mark Dwellings
Founder & Lead Painter
Born and raised in Zelienople. Started Dwellings in 2015 after a decade of painting for other crews — and seeing how rarely prep was done right.
Sarah Mitchell
Color Consultant & Project Manager
20 years in interior design before joining Dwellings. Runs every color consultation and keeps every project on schedule.
Tom Reilly
Exterior Crew Lead
Specialist in older homes — Victorians, foursquares, and craftsman exteriors. The person you want on a complex prep job.
We Use the Best Paint Made in America
Emerald, Cashmere, Duration, SuperPaint — the workhorses of our interior and exterior projects.
Aura, Regal Select, Advance — unmatched color depth and the smoothest finish on cabinets and trim.
Want to work with a crew that actually cares?
We'd love to come walk your project with you and quote it the right way.