California regulates painters more closely than most states. That gives you simple checks to run before you hire anyone, including us. The rules below come from the Contractors State License Board, the CSLB.
How do I find a good painter?
To find a good painter, start with people you trust and then verify. Ask neighbors with a recent paint job who did it and how it went. Read recent reviews for patterns, not single complaints. Then check the license on the CSLB website, ask for proof of insurance and get a written, detailed quote.
A good painter walks the whole job, asks about prep and colors, explains what is included and puts it in writing without pressure.
How many quotes should I get?
Get three quotes for any sizable job. Three is enough to see the going rate and to notice a price that is far too low or too high. Give each painter the same list of rooms, surfaces and finishes. Then compare scope, prep, coats and paint line, not just the bottom line.
What should a painting estimate include?
A painting estimate should include enough detail that two people would read it the same way.
- The rooms or walls and the surfaces in each: walls, ceilings, trim, doors, closets.
- The prep: washing, scraping, patching, sanding, caulking, priming.
- The number of coats.
- The paint: brand, product line, sheen and color count.
- Who supplies the paint and who moves and covers furniture.
- The total price, the payment schedule and the expected start and length.
- The contractor's name, address and license number.
What should be in a painting contract?
In California a written contract is required for home improvement projects over $500. The CSLB says the contract must describe the products to be used and how the work will be done, include a detailed written payment schedule, state who will get any permits, and give a completion date. It must also show the contractor's name, business address and license number and tell you about your right to cancel.
Any warranty should be in writing in the contract too. Changes during the job should be written change orders that both sides sign.
How much deposit should I give a painter?
In California the deposit is capped by law. The CSLB states that the down payment on a home improvement contract cannot be more than $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract price, whichever is less. On a $4,000 paint job that is $400. On a $15,000 job it is $1,000.
After the down payment, payments cannot run ahead of the work. The CSLB rule is that payments to the contractor cannot exceed the value of the work performed.
A painter wants half up front in cash. Is that a red flag?
Yes. Half up front is far above the legal limit in California, which is $1,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less. Asking for it in cash makes it worse, because cash leaves you no record. A licensed painter knows the rule. Someone who ignores it is either unlicensed or willing to break license law, and neither is a good sign.
Pay by check or card, get a receipt and keep the contract.
Should I hire a painter who wants all the money up front?
No. Do not pay all the money up front. It is against California's down payment rule on home improvement work, and it removes the painter's reason to finish. Pay the small legal deposit, then pay as work is completed, and hold the last payment until the final walkthrough is done and you are satisfied.
Does a painter need a license in California?
Yes. A painter needs to be licensed by the CSLB for any job of $1,000 or more in combined labor and materials. The classification is C-33, Painting and Decorating. The threshold rose from $500 to $1,000 on January 1, 2025, under Assembly Bill 2622.
The small job exemption has limits. It applies only if the work needs no building permit and the unlicensed person has no employees on the job. An unlicensed person who advertises must say in the ad that they are not licensed. The San Bernardino Painting Company is licensed and insured. Ask us for our license number and look it up.
How do I check a painter's license and insurance in California?
To check a painter's license, use the License Check tool on the CSLB website, cslb.ca.gov. Search by license number, business name or person. The record shows whether the license is active, its classification, the contractor's bond, workers' compensation status and any public complaint history.
To verify insurance, ask for a certificate of liability insurance sent to you by the painter's insurance agent. Workers' compensation matters if a crew, not just the owner, will be on your property.
What are the red flags when hiring a painter?
- No license number, or a number that does not match the name on the CSLB record.
- A deposit above $1,000 or 10 percent, or a demand for cash.
- No written contract, or a one-line quote with no scope.
- A price far below the other quotes with no explanation.
- Pressure to sign today.
- Door-to-door offers using leftover paint from another job.
- No interest in prep, or no questions about the age of the house.
One red flag is a reason to ask questions. Two or more are a reason to move on.
A painter says they can start tomorrow. Is that a red flag?
Not by itself. Schedules do open up, and a small job can sometimes fit into a gap. It becomes a warning when a painter can start tomorrow and also wants a large deposit, has no written quote or pushes you to decide on the spot. Check the license, get the contract in writing and keep to the legal deposit, and a fast start is fine.
What questions should I ask a painter before hiring?
- What is your CSLB license number, and is the name on it the name on the contract?
- Do you carry liability insurance and workers' compensation?
- Who will be on site each day, and are they your employees?
- What prep is included, and what would cost extra?
- Which paint line and how many coats?
- If my home was built before 1978, how do you handle lead-safe work, and can I see your EPA firm certificate?
- What is the payment schedule?
- Is there a written warranty, and what does it cover?
Do painters give a warranty, and what should it cover?
Many painters give a written workmanship warranty, and the terms vary widely. A useful one covers peeling, blistering and flaking caused by the prep or application for a stated period. It normally excludes damage from leaks, structural movement, sprinklers and normal fading. Paint makers have their own product warranties, which cover the paint and not the labor.
The CSLB says warranties must be in writing in the contract. Ask us what we put in writing for your job.
What if a painter damages my floors or furniture?
Tell the painter at once, take photos and put it in writing. A responsible contractor fixes or pays for damage they cause, and that is what liability insurance is for. This is why you ask for proof of insurance before the job, and why floors and furniture should be covered before any can is opened.
If a licensed contractor will not deal with damage or poor work, you can file a complaint with the CSLB, which handles complaints against contractors in California. Small claims court is the other route for smaller amounts.
Want a written quote to compare? Call or text (909) 487-2695.