Top 10 House Painters in San Marcos, CA

Porch Pro Headshot Mozo Painting
Painters
Serves San Marcos, California
"I cannot say enough good things about this company. I hired them to paint the entire interior of my home and they did an amazing job. There was ceiling repair that needed done and it looks amazing. They made sure to cover my furniture and floors and took great care in not making a mess of my house....Read more about Mozo Painting
100% response rate
"I cannot say enough good things about this company. I hired them to paint the entire interior of my home and they did an amazing job. There was ceiling repair that needed done and it looks amazing. They made sure to cover my furniture and floors and took great care in not making a mess of my house....Read more about Mozo Painting
Porch Pro Headshot Classic Home Improvements
Painters
Serves San Marcos, California
(333)
"The present review focus on the implementation of the project as I already described our bid process with CHI in a prior review. Our project lasted 3.5 months and involved major structural kitchen remodeling with renovation of our entire flooring in our first floor. Although we had upfront all arc...Read more about Classic Home Improvements
"The present review focus on the implementation of the project as I already described our bid process with CHI in a prior review. Our project lasted 3.5 months and involved major structural kitchen remodeling with renovation of our entire flooring in our first floor. Although we had upfront all arc...Read more about Classic Home Improvements
Porch Pro Headshot CertaPro Painters of North San Diego
Painters
Serves San Marcos, California
(227)
"CertaPro came to my house to remove wallpaper, install Floor/Crown molding, and paint. They referred me to Sherwin-Williams to aid me in selecting paint colors for all of my rooms. The Sherwin-Williams people were awesome to work with. They assisted me all through the process of matching colors ...Read more about CertaPro Painters of North San Diego
"CertaPro came to my house to remove wallpaper, install Floor/Crown molding, and paint. They referred me to Sherwin-Williams to aid me in selecting paint colors for all of my rooms. The Sherwin-Williams people were awesome to work with. They assisted me all through the process of matching colors ...Read more about CertaPro Painters of North San Diego
Porch Pro Headshot ECO-LIFE CLEANING & PAINTING
Painters
Serves San Marcos, California
(48)
The most cost-effective and professional painting contracting service for all interior exterior projects. We work with multiple general contractors, homeowners, businesses and real estate companies. No project too large or small. We pride ourselves in the close communication we keep with all our cli...Read more about ECO-LIFE CLEANING & PAINTING
The most cost-effective and professional painting contracting service for all interior exterior projects. We work with multiple general contractors, homeowners, businesses and real estate companies. No project too large or small. We pride ourselves in the close communication we keep with all our cli...Read more about ECO-LIFE CLEANING & PAINTING
Porch Pro Headshot Pacific Western Painting, Inc.
Painters
Serves San Marcos, California
(80)
A third generation paint company, PacWest Painting, Inc. gives clients and potential customers the satisfaction they deserve with a reputation built around accountability and dedication. From large commercial paint projects to home cabinetry and interior finishes, we offer a variety of services that...Read more about Pacific Western Painting, Inc.
A third generation paint company, PacWest Painting, Inc. gives clients and potential customers the satisfaction they deserve with a reputation built around accountability and dedication. From large commercial paint projects to home cabinetry and interior finishes, we offer a variety of services that...Read more about Pacific Western Painting, Inc.
Porch Pro Headshot The original painter
Painters
Serves San Marcos, California
(22)
"The original painter company recently painted our house, everything was great. The house looks wonderful. Great cleanup of worksite, very profesional and does quality work, no disruption to our daily life, Overall excellent job. Very satisfied with the results. We highly recommend him."
"The original painter company recently painted our house, everything was great. The house looks wonderful. Great cleanup of worksite, very profesional and does quality work, no disruption to our daily life, Overall excellent job. Very satisfied with the results. We highly recommend him."
Porch Pro Headshot Russell Handy Painting
Painters
Serves San Marcos, California
(9)
As professional painting contractors, we realize there is more to exterior and interior painting than just putting on a coat of paint. Which is why we put pride into our work and giving our customers an exceptional experience. We do both Interior and Exterior painting, for Commercial and Residential...Read more about Russell Handy Painting
As professional painting contractors, we realize there is more to exterior and interior painting than just putting on a coat of paint. Which is why we put pride into our work and giving our customers an exceptional experience. We do both Interior and Exterior painting, for Commercial and Residential...Read more about Russell Handy Painting
Porch Pro Headshot Jeff The Painter
Painters
Serves San Marcos, California
(5)
Jeff The Painter is a family owned and operated full service commercial and residential painting company with over 30 years of experience. With our many years of experience in painting you can guarantee our team of professional painters can handle any size and difficulty of job. We have a wide range...Read more about Jeff The Painter
Jeff The Painter is a family owned and operated full service commercial and residential painting company with over 30 years of experience. With our many years of experience in painting you can guarantee our team of professional painters can handle any size and difficulty of job. We have a wide range...Read more about Jeff The Painter
Porch Pro Headshot Nava's Painting
Painters
Serves San Marcos, California
(2)
The right professional painting company can make all the difference. Painting is more labor intensive than many people think as there are many steps involved in the process. Painting an entire building, for instance, isn't necessarily an easy task. First of all, it's big; having just one painter ass...Read more about Nava's Painting
The right professional painting company can make all the difference. Painting is more labor intensive than many people think as there are many steps involved in the process. Painting an entire building, for instance, isn't necessarily an easy task. First of all, it's big; having just one painter ass...Read more about Nava's Painting
Porch Pro Headshot Neglia Construction & Paint
Painters
Serves San Marcos, California
At NEGLIA CONSTRUCTION & PAINTING Lic# 945994. We will return your call and respect your property. 15 years in the construction industry. Fully Licensed Bonded and Insured. The NEGLIA team are courteous, well organized, and will consistently show up on time. Our main focus is that your satisfaction...Read more about Neglia Construction & Paint
At NEGLIA CONSTRUCTION & PAINTING Lic# 945994. We will return your call and respect your property. 15 years in the construction industry. Fully Licensed Bonded and Insured. The NEGLIA team are courteous, well organized, and will consistently show up on time. Our main focus is that your satisfaction...Read more about Neglia Construction & Paint

Frequently asked questions about house painters

There is nothing like a fresh coat of paint in a new home. You can transform rooms with a change of color, and fresh paint breathes new life into an older home. Costs for painting homes vary. It depends on the rate of labor and on the type of paint you use. Most of the cost comes from the size of the home. The more square footage you need painted, the more expensive the job will be.

The average cost for painter services in a home is estimated at $3,500. On the low side, you can expect to pay $1,200 and $6,500 on the high side. These estimates assume you have a one-story home with around 1,000 square feet of wall to paint. More stories will mean higher costs.

The price is usually divided up into materials and labor. Labor tends to make up 85% of a job, but this can vary depending on the contractor. Most contractors charge between $2 - $6 / square foot. This calculates interior painting jobs with two coats of paint. For more specific paint jobs, such as doors or cabinets, you can expect to be charged $50 - $100 / door or drawer face.

Some contractors have different models of payment, which you may discover when looking up “painting companies near me” or “house painters near me.” You can be charged per room, which averages around $800 - $1,200 for a bedroom, and as high as $3,000 for a living room or similar large space. Some painters may choose to bill hourly, which can range from $20 - $50 / hour for basic painting, and $100 / hour or higher for specialty painting. A skilled painter should be able to cover between 150 – 350 square feet/hour but don’t forget to factor in prep time, clean up, and both coats of paint needed.

The cost of painting a home's exterior is far more variable, depending on your siding. Some sidings (like stucco) can cost up to $3,000 / 1,000 square feet, and that cost can rise if there are multiple stories. Weather can also play a major factor, which is why local painters are in high demand during the summer months. Vinyl siding expands and contracts depending on weather, so you’ll want a latex-based paint that is durable to these changes. For wood siding, latex is always a good option for allowing wood to breathe. Beware acrylic or oil-based paints, as these can create moisture stains. If you have stucco siding, you can go with latex, but it’s not your best option if the walls are damaged. Elastomeric paint will cover those imperfections while still being breathable. This paint is thick and time-consuming to apply. If you have brick siding, you’ll want a porous stain or paint so water doesn’t get trapped inside.

Siding is the biggest factor to cost, as prep and materials needed to do the job correctly can raise the price. Brick and stucco are the most expensive, while metal, wood, vinyl, and concrete tend to be on the lower end. Extra stories mean extra work for the painter, as safety measures and ladders need to be implemented. Painting a second or third story of a home takes longer than painting a single story based on logistics. It’s not just the walls, either. You may want to paint the garage, the shutters, the eaves and downspouts, and the siding and trim.

Your brand of paint can alter costs, as well as the cost of your finish. Flat paint tends to be the cheapest, but is also the least durable. Mid-range finishes, including eggshell and satin, can be good choices, depending on what you’re looking for. Semi-gloss finish will showcase imperfections and dents but is also resistant to cleaning. High-gloss is the most expensive type of finish and is recommended for small areas, such as trim, windows, and doors. While it is possible to DIY your home’s exterior, a professional comes with all the needed materials and is knowledgeable about what will work best and how to stay safe on the job. They are worth serious consideration.

Yes, you can paint vinyl siding. Years ago, this answer was no because paint continued to slide off the siding. We’ve come a long way since then. The best paint for vinyl is latex urethane paint, as it can cope with the constant contracting and expanding of the siding. Many paint companies create paint specifically designed for siding.

Painting vinyl is similar to painting other exteriors. You’ll want to coat it with primer (something designed for vinyl) and use a brush for the tricky spots. Otherwise, you can use a roller and cover a lot of ground. Once you have the primer, add the topcoat. Vinyl has one more caveat that you should be aware of. Dark colors tend to trap a lot of heat. Most vinyl paints will be light colors as a result, so it reflects heat rather than absorbs it. Weather can be a factor in painting vinyl, and the best weather is overcast, comfortable conditions. Sun, humidity, direct heat, and wind are not your friends when it comes to painting vinyl. You’ll want to ensure that painting your siding doesn’t void its warranty before you begin.

As with any painting, you’ll want to ensure you clean the area thoroughly first. For vinyl, a pressure washer is the best choice. You’ll want to find a recipe that tackles mold and mildew or buy a TSP solution. Mold and mildew tend to get between the paint and the siding, so it’s imperative you deal with them before you paint.

The quick answer is 350 – 400 square feet. This is generally true of wall, ceiling, and trim paint. Primer tends to go less, giving you 250 square feet on average. If you’re painting a dark room with a light color, you may need more primer coats, so keep that in mind. Be aware that fresh drywall is extremely porous and may absorb more paint than expected. Most drywall tends to arrive pre-primed, but be ready if it isn’t. If you have a textured wall (think popcorn ceilings, for example), you should use 20% more paint. If you need to paint 100 square feet of ceiling, it’s recommended you buy enough paint to cover 120 square feet to make up for the texture. You can stretch your paint with the correct tools. A nine-inch roller usually gives the best results for a coat of paint. For textured walls, consider a 1/2-inch nap over a 3/8-inch nap.

Let’s dive into the math. You know how much paint you need per square foot, but how do you calculate that square footage? First, measure the height of every wall, and add it together. Then, do the same for the length of each wall. Multiply those two numbers together, and you have the square footage. If you divide that number by 400 (how much a gallon of paint should cover), you know how many gallons you need to buy. This works for trim and doors as well. Multiply the total lengths and widths together, and divide it by 400. It’s never a bad idea to round up or ensure you have extra paint left over. You may need it for touch-ups or if a specific section requires more paint than you anticipated. It’s better to have too much than too little and have the hardware store mix you more paint. What if the color is off by even a slight bit? That’s a frustration you can easily avoid.

No, you can’t use exterior paint inside. Exterior paint is designed to hold up against weather extremes and, as such, contains more VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). These compounds were not designed for enclosed spaces; they can smell funky and release toxins that might make you or your pets sick. Exterior paint doesn’t settle in a short amount of time. In cold weather, exterior paint could continually release those toxins for a month or more. In warmer weather, this timeframe may be reduced to weeks. The process of releasing these toxins is called curing. Most professionals will wear masks when painting outside for this reason.

Exterior paint is softer by nature. It needs to be able to breathe and contract or expand with the home. It doesn’t stand up as well to the wear and tear that interior paint deals with on a daily basis. While all paint contains mildewcides and fungicides, the ingredients in exterior and interior paint are very different. The VOCs are needed in both paints to hold the pigment in. If you use exterior paint on indoor surfaces, ventilation is your first concern. This becomes a greater concern when spraying paint instead of rolling it, as spraying it makes it airborne that much quicker.

VOCs can cause lightheadedness, headaches, nausea, irritated eyes and throat, and respiratory issues. This can be an even greater hazard for those with compromised immune systems. Exterior and interior paints are vastly different, so you shouldn’t combine them. It compromises the quality of both paints. Plus, exterior paint isn’t designed to look good inside. Both varieties of paint are highly specialized, and you’ll likely regret using them where they are not intended.

The average cost to paint a 12x12 room is $650, with $400 being on the low end and $900 on the high end. Several factors can change these costs or cause them to rise. If you need drywall or plaster repaired before the job, that will cost time and effort. The higher your walls rise, the more time or paint it might take to finish the job. If you want to use designer paints, you may spend more on the materials. Your cost will also change based on the finish you choose.

Square footage is the most important consideration when factoring the price of a room. A large room, such as a living room, will cost more than a small bedroom or bathroom. Kitchens tend to cost the most since the painting is specific. They require far more attention to detail when you consider backsplashes, cabinets, and trims. Textured walls can add to that cost since it eats up more materials. Different types of paint can change the cost as well. On average, eggshell, satin, and flat are the cheapest paints. Matte, semi-gloss, latex, and oil are mid-range and all competitively priced. High-gloss paint is expensive and best used on small surfaces like trims.

You have the option to do the work yourself, of course. Be aware that it’s never as simple as splashing paint on the walls. You’ll need to purchase all the required materials, such as brushes, painter’s tape, rollers, trays, and plastic to prevent spillage. You’ll need to clean the walls and remove outlet covers and switch plates. Once that’s done, you can use painter’s tape on all the edges and then start. The big question you will need to ask yourself is whether you have the time. Painters are efficient, have all the tools, and do the job constantly. They will know immediately the best way to handle it.

Now that you know the scope of your project in terms of cost and effort, you can start dreaming in color.

Recent reviews for San Marcos Painters

169863

Hands down the best painter in the business. I have used Jose now going on over a decade. He has painted my homes both interior and exterior, my business partners home and our offices. He's the only one I trust to properly paint base and crown moldings. H...

- John Dierbeck
171320

Joe is amazing his work is perfect. He is very professional. I could not belive what a great deal he gave us. He beat all the other painters prices by a landslide. His work shows how dedicated and proud he is in what he does. My family especially my 2 yea...

- Amanda Hughes
33721

Exceptional work! Very easy to work with and my house turned out the best it has ever looked! Thanks Russell!

- Katie Hunt
30027

Russell Handy Painting has done a great job for us whether painting interior, exterior or furniture. He is conscientious and has a great eye for color. Worth a phone call.

- Jeff Attebery
544910

Awesome service, They came at my home on time... And nicely do their work.

- Adrian Rivera
277217

- Joseph and Valerie Difilippo
65692

The CertaPro painters arrived as scheduled. They promptly did the required painting, asked me to verify their work and were on their way. Very happy with the work they did.

- Bob Jacobson
96900

Eco-Life Cleaning and Painting did an outstanding job powerwashing and painting the exterior of my home. I would definitely recommend their services to any of my friends or family. I like that I dealt with the owner directly and the whole team from Eco-Li...

- John Egan
202096

Jorge does a great job the first time and is a trustworthy painter to hire. We have used him twice now and have been very pleased with his work and price. Our whole family has used him at their homes and we continue to tell our friends and coworkers about...

- Jeff Bruce
202045

Jorge is incredibly accommodating and efficient. I have a very busy schedule and every time he’s done work for me he was willing to squeeze me in and complete the job quickly. His attention to detail is impeccable. The last job he did for me was painting ...

- Jennilyn Canon
207496

Jorge has done commercial and residential jobs for me and does a excellent job. He is very detailed with his work. Definitely recommend for any type of paint work done.

- Edgar Navarro
202282

We had Jorge come out and paint our house about a year ago. He did a great job. Very reasonable and flexible to our schedule. He worked alone but it didn’t feel like that since he was so quick. Tapped everything up great. No overspray. At the time we co...

- Tawni Alarid

Everything You Need to Know About San Marcos House Painters

Can I browse unscreened Painters in San Marcos?

We do our best to screen all of our painters. However, there are still some painter professionals in San Marcos that have not been pre-screened. This means that their licenses may not be up to date to operate in San Marcos or CA. Always be sure to pre-screen them yourself before hiring. Here are some unscreened professionals offering painting services:

  • Stayner Contracting:
    • BBB Rating: A+
    • Active/Verified License: No, current status is inactive
  • Perfection Painting:
    • Active/Verified License: No, current status is inactive
  • Alex Gomez Painting:
    • BBB Rating: A+
    • Active/Verified License: No, current status is inactive

Will Painting Services work in San Marcos require permits, inspections, special licenses, etc.?

Whether you’re painter job is in San Marcos or any other city, you're going to want to do a bit of research before hiring painters. Even small jobs may have certain regulations around them. Often, the painter performing the work will have any required permits, inspections, etc. under control, but not always. Short answer: Research yourself and double check with the painting services folks that everything is in order.

How many painters does San Marcos have?

There are around 50 companies throughout San Marcos to help you with your next painting services job.

  • 21 of them have an A or A+ rating from Better Business Bureau.

All House Painters in San Marcos, CA

Porch Pro Headshot B & E Applications Inc
Painters
Serves San Marcos, California
B&E Applications, since 1993, have been serving all North County home/business owners with their painting needs.From large Custom builds to Interior/exterior repaints. We are a fully licensed, insured, no nonsense Painting Company. We specialize in new and re-finished cabinetry. We ask for $0 down o...Read more about B & E Applications Inc
B&E Applications, since 1993, have been serving all North County home/business owners with their painting needs.From large Custom builds to Interior/exterior repaints. We are a fully licensed, insured, no nonsense Painting Company. We specialize in new and re-finished cabinetry. We ask for $0 down o...Read more about B & E Applications Inc
Porch Pro Headshot Sergio's Construction Inc.
Painters
Serves San Marcos, California
(45)
"Sergio was amazingly quick to contact me when I first called Porch.com, then he was ready to begin work on our project immediately. His crew are diligent and persistent and we were impressed how they labored away hour after hour in the hot sun. They built retaining walls on a hillside which turned ...Read more about Sergio's Construction Inc.
"Sergio was amazingly quick to contact me when I first called Porch.com, then he was ready to begin work on our project immediately. His crew are diligent and persistent and we were impressed how they labored away hour after hour in the hot sun. They built retaining walls on a hillside which turned ...Read more about Sergio's Construction Inc.
Porch Pro Headshot Royal Sparta Painting Co
Painters
Serves San Marcos, California
100% response rate
Porch Pro Headshot PhD Painting
Painters
Serves San Marcos, California
(15)
Porch Pro Headshot ProTect Painters
Painters
Serves San Marcos, California
ProTect Painters provides interior and exterior painting and accompanying services to San Marcos area homeowners and businesses. Licensed, bonded and insured, we use high quality paint brands you know and trust and offer a two year workmanship warranty. Local hands-on owner, Dave McFarland, is your ...Read more about ProTect Painters
ProTect Painters provides interior and exterior painting and accompanying services to San Marcos area homeowners and businesses. Licensed, bonded and insured, we use high quality paint brands you know and trust and offer a two year workmanship warranty. Local hands-on owner, Dave McFarland, is your ...Read more about ProTect Painters
Porch Pro Headshot Cogent Property Services
Painters
Serves San Marcos, California
Cogent Property Services is a San Diego owned residential and commercial property light construction company. We focus on maintenance and tenant improvement projects. Services: Electrical General maintenance/handyman Painting Remodels Tenant improvement projects
Cogent Property Services is a San Diego owned residential and commercial property light construction company. We focus on maintenance and tenant improvement projects. Services: Electrical General maintenance/handyman Painting Remodels Tenant improvement projects
Porch Pro Headshot Pro Paint and Wallcovering
Painters
Serves San Marcos, California
25 years experience. Licensed in 2000. Exterior residential including stucco & wood trim repair.Hands on contractor neat & dependable.
25 years experience. Licensed in 2000. Exterior residential including stucco & wood trim repair.Hands on contractor neat & dependable.
Porch Pro Headshot New Life Painting
Painters
Serves San Marcos, California
(37)
Porch Pro Headshot MetCalfe Painting
Painters
Serves San Marcos, California
(7)
Porch Pro Headshot Zugia´s Painting
Painters
Serves San Marcos, California
Porch Pro Headshot CALIF-PRO Painting and General Contractor Inc.
Painters
Serves San Marcos, California
Porch Pro Headshot R T BEGAY Painting
Painters
Serves San Marcos, California
30 years painting experience and 10 years in business . Reviews on a Yelp.com and have references upon request.
30 years painting experience and 10 years in business . Reviews on a Yelp.com and have references upon request.
Porch Pro Headshot Erik's Painting
Painters
Serves San Marcos, California
Erik's Painting is a painting company in Vista. They provide exterior painting, staining, door painting, and trim work.
Erik's Painting is a painting company in Vista. They provide exterior painting, staining, door painting, and trim work.
Porch Pro Headshot Seaside Maintenance
Painters
Serves San Marcos, California

Latest projects near San Marcos

Recent projects booked on Porch
San Marcos 92078
Drywall Texturing
Start Date
I'm flexible
Rooms needing drywall texturing
Kitchen
Surfaces
Walls
Desired texture
Light texture (orange peel)
Any work above 15ft
No
Who will purchase materials
I will provide materials, just need installation
Vista 92083
Drywall Texturing
Start Date
Within a week
Project type
Texture or finish drywall
Rooms needing drywall texturing
Kitchen, Bathroom, Bedroom, Entry or hallway, Living room, family room, or entertainment room
Surfaces
Walls
Desired texture
Light texture (orange peel)
Any work above 15ft
No
Who will purchase materials
The contractor will need to purchase materials for the project
San Marcos 92078
Interior Plastering
Start Date
Within a month
Project type
Install new plaster
Rooms to plaster
Living room, family room, or entertainment room
Surfaces to plaster
Walls
Subsurface or backing already installed
Yes, subsurface or backing is already installed
Subsurface or backing material
paneling
Desired finish texture
Light texture
Escondido 92029
Drywall Repair
Start Date
Within 48 hours
Amount to repair
One area the size of a quarter or larger
Surfaces to repair
Both walls and ceilings
Any repair above 15ft
Yes