Blog

Craftsmanship, innovation, and attention to detail are evident in each project undertaken by Cochran & Mann. Our reputation for high-quality commercial painting and wall covering has been built on a foundation of learning from completed works and applying that knowledge to innovate. 

30 years of leadership has demonstrated that there is no one factor that leads to successful completion of a project, but a combination of doing everything that works in conjunction. These are the tips that we at Cochran & Mann have come to know as fundamental to getting it done right the first time, every time. 

Tip #1 - Make Personal Connections

Since our inception in 1990, our company has expanded its reach and size. We’re proud to have become a leader in industrial paintwork in Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Even so, we never changed from our family-owned and operated model. 

The value of continuing to operate like a small company is evident in the ability to build trusting relationships with our customers. We seek to form partnerships with clients that lead to them being brought into our family. That sense of closeness and trust matters. For one, it helps us to act with accuracy, so our work meets and exceeds their expectations. 

Even more importantly, it keeps us in alignment with our values of transparency and honesty. Being open about our pricing, process, and expectations each step of the way gives our customers peace of mind, knowing that they are involved in bringing their dreams to fruition with people they know and trust. Understanding the desired outcome and working to do even better means that every finished product is one that we and the client can be proud of. 

Tip #2 - Use High-Quality Materials

Our work wouldn’t be possible without consciously seeking to employ the very best products from our industry-leading partners. In pursuit of excellence, we make sure that every surface we touch is graced with paint, primer, or coating that we’re confident in. 

Cochran & Mann is honored to maintain partnerships with Benjamin Moore, PPG Paints, Tnemec, Sherwin-Williams, and McCormick Paints. Our partners maintain stellar reputations for a dedication to their craft, which we believe makes them in alignment with our company ethos. 

Technique is the cornerstone of getting a paint job done right, and the beautiful, refined finishes we produce are the result of choosing materials that work. 

Tip #3 - Be Problem-Solvers

Painting is more than just taking a brush and putting color on a wall. Especially in industrial painting and wall covering, there are many steps involved in analyzing, planning, and executing projects. Time has shown that continual innovation in technology means there are more and better ways to go through this process with the best possible planning. 

That’s why the Cochran & Mann team is composed of problem-solvers at every level. Training in architectural modeling programs, 3D visualization, and planning software are examples of how we prepare our workers to use the tools we employ at the cutting edge of our field. 

Even with the best planning, there will always be challenges and contingencies. For this reason, our team knows to always think two steps ahead, anticipating cause and effect and what could happen if a certain alternative choice is made. Computer-driven technology has helped immensely for the past decades in making this easier, but it cannot be relied on alone. Making the right calls at the right time requires having all involved persons in a proactive, analytical mentality when seeing any job to completion.

Tip #4 - Stay Informed

We pride ourselves in our ability to not only execute based on a client’s demands but to offer our own acquired expertise in painting and design. To do so, we make sure to stay up to date with the latest trends in colors, palettes, and paint selection.

Being in the know gives an advantage in knowing what direction to move in to ensure that the final product is stylish and impressive. This provides added value to our customers, as we can offer input that they might not have considered or been uncertain about. 

Tip #5 - Take Pride in the Process

A common thread in the Cochran & Mann team, regardless of a specific position, is that every member has a sense of pride in their contribution to a project. 

Looking back at some of our most successful projects, we see the University of Maryland’s Cole Field House, which the school’s president described as “a signature project for our entire institution,” the International Spy Museum, which stands as an iconic fixture of the museum scene in Washington, D.C., and Reston Station in Virginia as particularly notable examples of our commitment to excellence, no matter how big the undertaking. 

Even with extended multi-step ventures like those, our employees never ceased to remain committed to doing their best work at each step. As contractors, we believe in going beyond simply doing what is necessary to receive a paycheck and moving on. Rather, we maintain an ethos of painting with pride, taking ownership in your work, and celebrating successes, both individually and as a company. 

We refuse to rest on our laurels, but we do believe in giving credit where credit is due for a job well done, as well as in learning lessons from our past work to make our future work even better.

As stated before, there’s no one ‘x-factor’ that determines the success or failure of a project. We always have made sure that we uphold our high standards at every point to ensure that we execute and deliver at every turn. 

That’s where the value of working with an experienced painting contractor comes in. With fair pricing and a refusal to cut corners, Cochran & Mann applies our experience in the field to make every job one that is well done. We deliver big company capabilities with the attentiveness and personal service of a small company. 

For 30 years, we have partnered with organizations in the area and earned their trust and respect by applying what we have learned works. We continue to strive to uphold those cherished standards and collaborate with more clients in the same fashion.

Ready to work with the team that gets it done right the first time?