Dee Cunningham, a decorative painter, also participated in the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” in Baltimore. She shared many of the same concerns and experiences as the other local experts.
“Reality shows hurt business because customers think the price I quote them is too much,” she said. “A lot of my time is spent educating them about what happens and what needs to happen in order for the project to be completed. And the time frame — everyone thinks it can be done within an hour.”
Cunningham, who owns Deelite Design, based in Ellicott City, Md., oversaw a group of 40 decorative painters in the house. The group painted furniture, murals, ceilings and other pieces throughout the home.
“I haven’t really seen business as a result of the show,” she says. “It gives me clout from the outside perspective. But personally, it wasn’t that big of a deal.”
©2013 The Baltimore Sun
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