Compare Local Pros
Irish Painting vs Northstar Painting
Solano Painting Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Irish Painting brings more than triple the licensing experience, but Northstar Painting carries workers compensation insurance and has established customer feedback.
| Irish Painting | Northstar Painting | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 7 years | 2 years |
| License # | 1053591 | 1124468 |
| Workers' Comp | — | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Fairfield, CA | Fairfield, CA |
| Website | irishpainting.site | painterfairfield.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Northstar Painting
Customers consistently praise punctual arrivals, organized work processes, competitive pricing, and the owner's high responsiveness during quoting and throughout projects.
Key Takeaway: Northstar Painting has established documented customer feedback patterns while Irish Painting's limited review history requires homeowners to request references directly to verify work quality and communication.
Customer Reviews
Irish Painting
No reviews available
Northstar Painting
A job well done for sure! The owner and the crew paid attention to every detail of the job.
Jose and his incredible team did an outstanding job. From his professionalism responding to my request for quote and quick responses to every question. The team showed up on time every day and went a...
Jose from NorthStar painted my home and did an amazing job! Him and his team were amazing to deal with!
Consider Irish Painting if...
- ✓ Your project involves an older home where experience diagnosing hidden damage, substrate issues, or lead paint protocols could prevent costly surprises mid-project
- ✓ You're willing to verify current insurance status directly and confirm your homeowner's policy covers contractor injuries, accepting potential liability exposure
- ✓ You value the judgment that comes from 7 years navigating California building codes and coastal climate painting challenges over documented customer service patterns
Consider Northstar Painting if...
- ✓ Workers compensation coverage is a non-negotiable requirement for you, eliminating potential liability if someone is injured during your project
- ✓ You want documented evidence of punctuality, professional communication, and attention to detail from recent customer experiences
- ✓ Your project is straightforward residential painting where proper insurance and proven customer service matter more than maximum years of experience
- ✓ High owner involvement throughout the project is important to you for communication and oversight
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Irish Painting to provide current certificate of workers compensation insurance and, if unavailable, consult your homeowner's insurance agent about your liability exposure for contractor injuries
- → Ask Irish Painting for at least three references from projects completed in the past year, specifically seeking feedback on communication and problem-solving when unexpected issues arose
- → Ask Northstar Painting for references from projects similar in scope and complexity to yours, particularly if your home is older or presents unique challenges requiring diagnostic experience
The Bottom Line
For most homeowners, Northstar Painting presents the lower-risk choice with workers compensation coverage, documented customer feedback confirming professionalism and punctuality, and sufficient licensing tenure for standard residential painting. The insurance protection alone eliminates a significant liability concern. However, if your project involves an older home with potential hidden complications, lead paint concerns, or complex substrate issues, Irish Painting's 7-year experience could prove valuable—but only if you verify current insurance status and confirm your own liability coverage first. Don't compromise on the workers comp question; it's a legitimate deal-breaker that protects your financial interests.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For a newer home with standard interior or exterior painting, the experience gap matters less. However, if your home is older, has previous paint failures, stucco issues, or requires lead-safe practices, Irish Painting's 7 years provides more exposure to diagnosing and solving these problems. Northstar has completed work on older homes requiring extensive prep, but the track record is shorter.
If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor lacks workers comp, your homeowner's insurance may become the primary coverage for medical bills and lost wages, potentially raising your premiums or facing policy limits. Some homeowner policies exclude this coverage entirely. This is a real financial risk that requires verification with your insurance agent before starting work.
Workers compensation insurance is a legitimate business cost that responsible contractors include in pricing. A lower quote from an uninsured contractor may simply reflect avoided insurance premiums rather than efficiency. The cost difference often disappears when you factor in your own liability exposure and peace of mind.
Some established contractors don't actively collect online reviews despite years of satisfied customers, while newer companies often prioritize building their online presence. Irish Painting's limited review history doesn't necessarily indicate poor work, but it does mean you'll need to request references directly to verify quality and communication patterns before hiring.
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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 13, 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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