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Mcdermaid Painting vs Olympic Painting
Santa Clara Painting Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Olympic Painting brings twice the industry tenure with 48 years of licensing versus Mcdermaid's 24 years, though Mcdermaid demonstrates broader specialty project capabilities.
| Mcdermaid Painting | Olympic Painting | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.8 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 24 years | 48 years |
| License # | 803672 | 354229 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Palo Alto, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Website | www.mcdermaidpainting.com | www.olympicpaintingsj.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Mcdermaid Painting
Mcdermaid customers emphasize long-term relationships spanning 5 to 25 years, detailed project planning, precision on challenging restoration projects, and thorough communication throughout the work process.
Olympic Painting
Olympic customers highlight value-oriented service with competitive pricing, hands-on supervisory presence throughout projects, and professional crew conduct with consistent site cleanliness.
Key Takeaway: Mcdermaid's feedback centers on technical capabilities and decade-long customer retention for complex specialty work, while Olympic's feedback emphasizes price value and supervisory oversight for standard painting projects.
Customer Reviews
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 ...
Olympic Painting
Best value for high quality painting. Luis supervises his professional team regularly until the job is done to the customer's satisfaction. Crew cleaned up behind themselves and were respectful throug...
Consider Mcdermaid Painting if...
- ✓ Your project involves specialty work beyond standard painting, such as historic window restoration, cabinet refinishing, furniture restoration, or dry rot repair where technical expertise matters
- ✓ You value detailed project planning and communication throughout the process, with customers reporting comprehensive estimates and accessible owner involvement
- ✓ You're looking for a long-term contractor relationship, as multiple clients have used Mcdermaid exclusively for 5 to 25 years
- ✓ Your property is in Palo Alto or the Peninsula region where the company has concentrated its operations
Consider Olympic Painting if...
- ✓ Your priority is competitive pricing and value-oriented service, which customers specifically identify as a distinguishing factor
- ✓ You prefer regular hands-on supervision with oversight continuing until satisfaction is achieved
- ✓ Your project is straightforward residential or commercial painting without specialized restoration components
- ✓ Your property is in San Jose where Olympic has maintained nearly five decades of local presence
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Mcdermaid for references on projects similar to yours, particularly if you need specialty restoration work, and request examples of their cabinet refinishing or window restoration projects
- → Ask Olympic about their project portfolio and typical crew composition, since their description focuses on core painting services without detailing specialty capabilities
- → Request detailed written estimates from both companies that break down preparation work, materials, and timeline to compare value and scope
- → Ask each company how they handle unexpected conditions like hidden dry rot or substrate damage discovered during preparation
The Bottom Line
Choose Mcdermaid Painting if your project involves specialty restoration work, cabinet refinishing, or historic elements requiring technical expertise, or if you value detailed planning and long-term contractor relationships with proven customer retention spanning decades. Choose Olympic Painting if your priority is straightforward residential or commercial painting with competitive pricing and consistent supervisory oversight. Both companies provide veteran-level experience and full insurance protection. The decision hinges on project complexity: Mcdermaid demonstrates broader specialty capabilities, while Olympic focuses on value-oriented core painting services. For restoration-intensive projects, Mcdermaid's documented experience is the safer choice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Both are clearly established veterans, but the practical difference shows in project range. Mcdermaid's 24 years comes with demonstrated specialty restoration capabilities, while Olympic's 48 years emphasizes sustained core painting operations. For standard painting, both have ample experience; for complex restoration work, verify Olympic's specific background in that area.
Mcdermaid shows clear specialty restoration experience including historic window restoration, furniture restoration, and dry rot repair alongside painting services. Olympic's profile emphasizes standard painting without detailing restoration capabilities. If your project requires integrated restoration work, Mcdermaid's documented experience in this area is a meaningful advantage.
Olympic customers specifically mention competitive pricing and value as distinguishing factors, suggesting a cost-conscious positioning. Mcdermaid customers emphasize detailed planning, long-term relationships, and precision work without highlighting price as a primary factor. If budget is your top priority, Olympic may align better; if scope and detail matter more, request detailed estimates from both.
Both companies show high owner involvement, but it manifests differently. Mcdermaid customers describe comprehensive estimates from owner Gus Camolinga and accessibility throughout projects. Olympic customers note hands-on supervision with regular oversight until satisfaction. Both approaches provide direct accountability, which reduces miscommunication risk compared to companies with absent ownership.
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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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