We may be compensated if you purchase through links on our website. Our Reviews Team is committed to delivering honest, objective, and independent reviews on home products and services. More

Best 5 Painters in Lake Forest, CA

Get matched with a top local pro
Join the 6,755 people who have received a free, no-obligation quote in the last 30 days
  1. Home
  2. Local Pros
  3. Painting
  4. CA
  5. Lake Forest
Written By Callie Marsalisi|Last Updated: April 18, 2024

A fresh coat of paint can greatly enhance a home's appearance, whether you're getting ready to sell or just want a new look. However, painting is a tiring and time-consuming project. For Lake Forest's best painting contractors, check out our best suggestions for your area.

5 Best Painters in Lake Forest, CA

Gamino Painting Company Logo

Gamino Painting Company

4.7/5
Based on 24 customer reviews.

Services Offered

Power WashingInterior Painting

Highlights

  • Informative resources
  • Accessible customer support team
  • Clear pricing policy
City Lights Dr, Aliso Viejo, CA 949-993-6227 gaminopainting.com
Advanced Painting & Wood Repair Logo

Advanced Painting & Wood Repair

4.4/5
Based on 15 customer reviews.

Services Offered

DecksExterior PaintingInterior Painting

Highlights

  • Free quote
  • Informative resources
27075 Cabot Rd # 105, Laguna Hills, CA 800-651-6516 advpainting.net
Precision Wallcovering and Painting Logo

Precision Wallcovering and Painting

4.3/5
Based on 23 customer reviews.

Services Offered

Power WashingInterior PaintingExterior PaintingWallpaper

Highlights

  • Prompt service delivery
  • Informative resources
  • Accessible customer support team
27126 Paseo Espada #1601a, San Juan Capistrano, CA 949-493-1300 precisionwallcovering.net
Point Painters Logo

Point Painters

4.7/5
Based on 52 customer reviews.

Services Offered

Interior PaintingExterior Painting

Highlights

  • Free quote
  • Clear pricing policy
  • Informative resources
33645 Flying Jib Dr, Dana Point, CA 949-505-3155 pointpainters.com

More Local Painting Companies

Santa Ana Painters

User Reviews: 4.5/5 

701 S Garnsey St
Santa Ana, CA 92701

Eclà Décoration

User Reviews: 4.7/5 

3303 Harbor Blvd suite G-9
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Thomas Painting

User Reviews: 4.7/5 

10322 Shalom Dr
Huntington Beach, CA 92646

IM Painting Inc.

User Reviews: 4.4/5 

1020 Calle Cordillera UNIT 104
San Clemente, CA 92673

Custom Painting and Decorating Inc.

User Reviews: 4.6/5 

2300 Lewis St #47
Anaheim, CA 92802

Precision Painting Plus of North Orange County

User Reviews: 4.5/5 

333 City Blvd W #1745
Orange, CA 92868

Volcans Painting

User Reviews: 4.6/5 

1720 S Vicentia Ave
Corona, CA 92882

Max & Son Painting

User Reviews: 4.7/5 

2037 Ridgeview Terrace
Corona, CA 92882

Lee's Painting Co

User Reviews: 4.7/5 

17421 Nichols Lane D
Huntington Beach, CA 92647

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviewsteam@thisoldhousereviews.com.

Get Your Painting Project Quote Today

Get matched with a top local pro

Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!

Facts about Lake Forest
Average Max Temp:70°F
Average Min Temp:56°F
Average Daily Sunlight:71%
Average Painting Cost Per Foot:$0.85
Median Year Houses Built:1983

Expert Tips By

This Old House empowers homeowners with the knowledge and tools they need to tackle various projects and navigate the complexities of homeownership.

Services Offered by Professional Painters

Most professional painting contractors provide interior and exterior painting, plus other services.

Interior Painting

Interior painting pros will go over the different interior paint types, finishes, and maintenance needs to assist you in determining what’s best for each room. Services may include prepping, priming, and painting door frames, trim, cabinets, moldings, and windows. Optional pre-painting preparation such as stripping wallpaper or textured coatings may lead to additional charges.

Exterior Painting

Exterior work starts with pros mending weather damaged areas, removing old paint, plugging leaks with caulk, and cleaning. They then apply paint to fences, trim, doors, decks, window frames, siding, and other outdoor areas.

Additional Services

Painting companies may also provide the following extra services, depending on their training and skills:
  • Concrete staining
  • Crown molding installation and repair
  • Drywall and plaster repair
  • Popcorn ceiling removal
  • Pressure washing
  • Wallpaper hanging or removal

How To Choose a Painter in Lake Forest

As you evaluate house painting services, consider these key factors.
  • Cost: Ask for pricing from several companies before deciding. Be cautious if one contractor offers substantially lower estimates than the rest.
  • Guarantees: Make sure you get a written contract outlining any guarantees and that you understand the scope and duration of coverage.
  • Paint types: Ask your painting contractor to go over paint selections in detail, covering the pros and cons of each. This will help you select the best option for your project. Some paints have better weather resistance or use more eco-friendly formulas.
  • Qualifications: Painters who work on jobs valued at over $500 must be licensed by the California Contractors State License Board. To obtain this license, a contractor must have proof of experience and must have workers' compensation insurance if they have employees. Any contractor you hire should be properly bonded and insured, particularly if they’re working with power equipment or on ladders. If your home was built before 1978, and you're worried about the possible presence of lead, consider looking for a contractor who is licensed by the EPA to work with lead-based paint.
  • Reputation and reviews: Get friends and neighbors to provide references, or use the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website to browse companies you’re considering. You can also browse customer feedback on sites such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews.

How Much Does Painting Cost in Lake Forest?

Home painting prices fluctuate depending on your home's surface area, your paint selections, and seasonal demand changes, with summer's busy months being the most expensive. The typical cost of both interior and exterior painting averages $0.85 to $3.38 per square foot. Since most homes have greater interior than exterior space, painting the interior tends to cost more than painting the exterior. For a 2,000-square-foot home in Lake Forest, you can expect to pay around $4,230 to paint the outside and $1,692 to $6,767 to paint the interior. Alternatively, Lake Forest's local painters might charge you an hourly rate between $17.90 and $29.83. If you schedule exterior and interior painting concurrently rather than separately, you’ll likely pay less overall.

Ready to Get a Quote on Your Painting Project?

Get matched with a top local pro

Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!

Frequently Asked Questions About Painting in Lake Forest

How long does painting a room/house take?

It takes about four to six hours to paint a single 12-foot-by-12-foot room. You can multiply this times the number of rooms you have to figure out how long the job will take. The total time includes prep work, priming, painting, and cleanup.

Should you tip house painters?

Painting companies don't generally expect tips, but it's polite to offer a small tip or a positive review after services. Some homeowners also offer painters breakfast or lunch while the crew is in their home.

Can you negotiate with painters?

You can sometimes negotiate with professional painters, particularly if your timeline is flexible or if you've gotten multiple quotes for comparison. If you plan to negotiate, remember to be friendly and polite.

Is hiring a professional painter worth it?

Yes, it's worth it to get a professional painter. DIY painting jobs are straightforward, but you’ll get better results faster if you hire a professional.

What should a painting quote include?

A painting quote should include a list of surfaces that need to be prepared and painted, the approximate sizes of those surfaces, labor costs, and material costs.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviewsteam@thisoldhousereviews.com.

Sources