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El Gato Painting vs Mcdermaid Painting
Santa Clara Painting Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Two veteran painting contractors with nearly identical qualifications but different specializations, with El Gato bringing six additional years of experience.
| El Gato Painting | Mcdermaid Painting | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 4.8 |
| Years Licensed | 30 years | 24 years |
| License # | 711537 | 803672 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | San Jose, CA | Palo Alto, CA |
| Website | www.elgatopainting.com | www.mcdermaidpainting.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
El Gato Painting
El Gato Painting's customers consistently emphasize punctuality, predictable scheduling, and detailed surface preparation that precedes painting work.
Mcdermaid Painting
Mcdermaid Painting's customers highlight long-term relationships spanning decades, specialty restoration capabilities, and successful handling of challenging technical projects.
Key Takeaway: While both receive praise for preparation and professionalism, El Gato is specifically noted for schedule reliability while Mcdermaid stands out for specialty restoration work beyond standard painting services.
Customer Reviews
El Gato Painting
Alberto and his team were fantastic.
The team did an excellent job and finished on time. The team was very helpful if we had minor changes to be made.
Had a great experience with El Gato Painting. From first estimate from Jesus, schedule coordinating with Johnny, to the work done in 4 days for our single story house everyone was very professional, c...
Mcdermaid Painting
Last month, McDermaid Painting painted the exterior of our two-story house, installed gutter guards, and repaired/painted kitchen interior ceiling from a water leak. Gus quickly provided an extensive...
We have used McDermaid for three painting projects over the past five years: one the house exterior and two interior projects. They are great to work with, often coming up with ideas that make the wo...
I have used McDermaid Painting at least 5 times over the last 25 years. In conjunction with another project I'm doing, they came out to do some touch-up painting indoors and outdoors. As usual, the ...
Consider El Gato Painting if...
- ✓ Your project involves older construction where six additional years of experience diagnosing hidden damage during prep work provides meaningful value
- ✓ You're managing a larger-scale project or need multiple areas painted simultaneously, where El Gato's multiple crew structure offers scheduling flexibility
- ✓ Punctuality and predictable daily schedules are critical priorities for your household or business operations
- ✓ You need straightforward exterior or interior painting without specialty restoration components
Consider Mcdermaid Painting if...
- ✓ Your project includes specialty elements like historic window restoration, cabinet refinishing, or furniture restoration that require technical craftsmanship beyond standard painting
- ✓ You value established long-term contractor relationships and want a company customers have used exclusively for decades
- ✓ Your work involves challenging restoration on aging materials where Mcdermaid's demonstrated specialty expertise applies directly
- ✓ You're in Palo Alto or the immediate Peninsula area where Mcdermaid's local presence is concentrated
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask El Gato how many crews they'll assign to your project and what their typical project timeline looks like for your scope of work
- → Ask Mcdermaid about their experience with your specific specialty needs if your project includes restoration, refinishing, or historic elements
- → Request references from both companies for projects similar in scope and complexity to yours, particularly if your home was built before 1980
- → Confirm which foreman or crew will handle your project and how long they've worked with the company
The Bottom Line
Both companies represent solid veteran choices with equivalent licensing, insurance, and strong customer feedback. Choose El Gato Painting if you prioritize maximum industry experience, need multiple-crew capacity for larger projects, or value specific mentions of punctuality and schedule reliability. Choose Mcdermaid Painting if your project includes specialty restoration work like historic windows or cabinet refinishing, or if you're seeking a contractor customers have trusted exclusively for decades. For standard residential painting without specialty components, either company will serve you well—your decision can come down to availability and which estimator you connect with better during the quoting process.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward repaints on newer homes, the difference is minimal since both are veteran contractors. The gap becomes meaningful on older homes where El Gato's additional years may help identify hidden dry rot, termite damage, or structural issues during prep work. If your home was built before 1990 or you've noticed deteriorating trim or siding, that extra experience in diagnosing problems provides real value.
Mcdermaid Painting has demonstrated cabinet refinishing and furniture restoration as core capabilities with specific customer mentions of successful cabinet work. While El Gato handles standard painting comprehensively, their reviews don't highlight specialty refinishing work. If your project combines both elements, Mcdermaid offers integrated expertise rather than requiring you to coordinate separate contractors.
El Gato operates with multiple crews and dedicated office staff, suggesting they can handle larger projects or potentially start sooner if you're on a tight timeline. Mcdermaid's structure appears more focused with high owner involvement, which may mean longer wait times during busy seasons but more direct oversight. Ask each company directly about their current booking schedule and estimated start date for your specific project size.
Repeat customers over 15-25 years indicate both companies deliver work that lasts and maintain relationships that keep people coming back. El Gato's reviews mention exterior work lasting 15-18 years before needing repainting, while Mcdermaid's customers report using them exclusively over 25-year periods. This pattern suggests both provide durable results and consistent service quality, making either a low-risk choice for standard painting needs.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top painting contractors in Santa Clara.
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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.
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