Compare Local Pros Compare Local Pros

Plata Painting vs Trico Painting

Placer Painting Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026

Quick Verdict

Trico Painting brings 17 years of licensed experience and workers comp coverage versus Plata Painting's 4 years without workers comp insurance.

Plata Painting: A growing 4-year painting contractor with competitive pricing and strong customer service, but no workers comp insurance on file.
Trico Painting: A veteran 17-year painting contractor with full insurance coverage, systematic project management, and specialized cabinet refinishing expertise.
Note: Plata Painting does not carry workers compensation insurance, which exposes homeowners to potential liability if a crew member is injured on your property.
Plata Painting Trico Painting
Rating 5.0 4.9
Years Licensed 4 years 17 years
License # 1091709 929737
Workers' Comp ✓ Yes
Bond Amount $25,000 $25,000
Location Roseville, CA Roseville, CA
Website platapaintingcompany.com www.tricopainting.com

Need help deciding?

Get free quotes from both contractors and compare pricing.

Get Free Quotes

Key Differences

The most significant difference is workers compensation coverage. Trico maintains this insurance while Plata does not, meaning if a painter is injured at your home during a Plata project, you could face a liability claim against your homeowner's insurance. Beyond insurance, the 13-year experience gap matters practically. Trico's 17-year history means they've encountered and solved problems that a 4-year contractor simply hasn't faced yet—hidden dry rot under siding, incompatible paint chemistry on older surfaces, and structural issues revealed during prep work. Customer feedback reveals operational differences too. Trico operates with systematic daily coordination meetings and detailed written communication, while Plata emphasizes the owner's direct involvement throughout projects. Trico has developed particular expertise in cabinet refinishing with multiple prep stages, while Plata focuses on straightforward interior and exterior painting. Both maintain competitive pricing and clean work practices, but Trico's multi-crew operation suggests greater scheduling flexibility.

What Customers Say

Plata Painting

Customers consistently highlight the owner's direct personal involvement from initial estimates through completion, along with responsive communication and attention to surface preparation details.

Trico Painting

Customers emphasize systematic project management with daily coordination meetings and written updates, plus specialized expertise in cabinet refinishing with detailed multi-stage preparation processes.

Key Takeaway: Trico operates with structured communication systems and established cabinet specialty, while Plata focuses on direct owner engagement and straightforward residential painting projects.

Customer Reviews

Plata Painting

Dec 2025

I highly recommend Rene and Plata painting-he did my interior and exterior in August 2025. His pricing is competitive, his work is high quality, his team is professional, he is flexible, patient and r...

Dec 2025

I had a very good experience with Rene and his company. He, and all his workers, were very fast and professional. I cannot say enough good things about them. I had my exterior stucco painted, the tr...

Oct 2025

Excellent price, and they did a very nice job on a few rooms and ceilings. Also to note, their setup and prep as well as their cleanup was TOP NOTCH. Very professional. Thanks again, Rene!

Trico Painting

Jan 2026

TRICO just finished another amazing project for us! From the first estimate to the finishing touches, everyone is friendly and professional. The quality of work is exceptional!

Dec 2025

Tim and his entire crew were fantastic. They were polite, professional, and did a tremendous job. This was a big project. They completed everything ahead of schedule and the quality of work was outsta...

Nov 2025

Trico painted all my new baseboards and finished my stairway project The workers were very professional, efficient and left the work areas clean. Highly recommended.

Consider Plata Painting if...

  • You're working with a straightforward painting project without complications, like refreshing a recently painted home where surface conditions are known and predictable.
  • You value direct owner involvement from estimate through completion and prefer working with a smaller, more personally involved operation.
  • Your homeowner's insurance policy provides robust coverage for contractor injuries, and you've confirmed with your agent that you're protected if workers comp isn't carried by the contractor.
  • Budget is your primary concern and you're comfortable accepting slightly higher liability risk in exchange for competitive pricing from a growing company.
View full profile →

Consider Trico Painting if...

  • Your home is older and painting may reveal hidden damage requiring experienced problem-solving, or you're unsure what complications might arise once prep work begins.
  • You want zero liability exposure if a crew member is injured on your property, which Trico's workers comp insurance provides.
  • You're undertaking cabinet refinishing, where Trico has established specialty expertise with detailed multi-stage processes that customers specifically praise.
  • You prefer systematic project management with written updates, daily coordination, and the scheduling flexibility that comes from a multi-crew operation built over 17 years.
View full profile →

Questions to Ask Before Hiring

  • For Plata Painting: Ask specifically about liability coverage and confirm with your homeowner's insurance agent whether your policy covers injuries to contractors without workers comp—don't assume you're protected.
  • For Plata Painting: Request references from projects similar in age and condition to your home, and ask how they've handled unexpected damage discovered during surface preparation.
  • For both: Ask about their warranty terms for paint failure and what specific situations are covered versus excluded from guarantee coverage.
  • For both: Ask how long their current crew members have worked together and what their process is if problems are discovered mid-project.

The Bottom Line

For most homeowners, Trico Painting is the lower-risk choice with clear advantages: workers comp insurance protects you from liability, 17 years of experience means better problem-solving when complications arise, and specialized cabinet expertise if that's your project. Plata Painting offers competitive pricing with strong owner involvement, but the lack of workers comp creates real liability exposure you must address with your insurance agent before proceeding. If you're hiring Plata, confirm your homeowner's policy covers contractor injuries and consider whether a 4-year contractor has the experience depth your specific project requires.

Get Up to 3 Free Quotes

Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors

3 pros will compete for your business
Licensed & Insured
Top-Rated Pros
100% Free

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, particularly if your home is older than 15 years. A veteran contractor has encountered hidden rot, lead paint remediation, incompatible coating chemistry, and structural issues that emerge during prep work. A 4-year contractor hasn't seen as many problem scenarios, which matters when complications arise mid-project and decisions need to be made quickly.

If a crew member is injured on your property and the contractor doesn't carry workers comp, they may file a claim against your homeowner's insurance, potentially affecting your rates or coverage. Some homeowner policies specifically exclude this coverage. Contact your insurance agent before signing a contract to understand your exposure—don't rely on assumptions.

Yes. Multiple Trico customers specifically mention cabinet transformations and detailed multi-stage prep processes, indicating developed expertise in this demanding work. Plata handles trim and doors but doesn't show the same specialized cabinet focus in customer feedback. For cabinet projects specifically, Trico's track record is notably stronger.

Request itemized estimates from both showing prep work, materials specified by brand, number of coats, and warranty terms. The lowest number isn't always the best value—compare what's included, particularly prep detail and paint quality. Ask each contractor what differentiates their bid from competitors beyond just price.

Looking for the Best?

See our ranked list of top painting contractors in Placer.

View Top 10 Painting Contractors in Placer

How We Compare Contractors

License Verification

All license data is sourced from official California CSLB records and verified regularly.

Review Analysis

Customer reviews are aggregated from Google and analyzed to identify patterns in service quality.

Detailed Comparison

We analyze credentials, insurance, experience, and feedback to highlight meaningful differences.

Not all licensed contractors are created equal. While a valid license is the baseline requirement in California, contractors can vary significantly in experience, insurance coverage, and customer satisfaction.

  • Experience matters: A contractor with 15+ years of experience has likely encountered and solved problems that newer contractors haven't faced yet.
  • Workers' compensation protects you: If a contractor without workers' comp insurance has an employee injured on your property, you could be held liable.
  • Reviews reveal patterns: Individual reviews can be misleading, but patterns across many reviews often reveal a contractor's true strengths and weaknesses.
  • Bond amounts vary: A contractor's bond provides financial protection if they fail to complete work as agreed. Higher bonds offer more protection.

Taking time to compare contractors on these factors can save you from costly mistakes and help ensure your project is completed by a qualified professional.

Data Sources: License information from California CSLB. Ratings and reviews from Google. Last verified March 12, 2026.

This comparison is based on publicly available information. We recommend getting multiple quotes and verifying all credentials directly before hiring.

Get in Touch

Have questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you.

Get Free Quotes