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Moreno Painting vs Northstar Painting
Solano Painting Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Moreno Painting brings 23 years of proven experience but lacks workers comp, while Northstar Painting carries full insurance but has only two years in business.
| Moreno Painting | Northstar Painting | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 23 years | 2 years |
| License # | 815820 | 1124468 |
| Workers' Comp | — | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Vacaville, CA | Fairfield, CA |
| Website | www.morenopainting.net | painterfairfield.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Moreno Painting
Customers emphasize Moreno's exceptional speed without quality compromise, with repeat clients spanning 15 years praising responsive scheduling and meticulous preparation work.
Northstar Painting
Customers highlight Northstar's organized professionalism and punctuality, particularly noting respectful behavior in occupied homes and competitive pricing compared to other estimates.
Key Takeaway: Moreno's reviews focus heavily on rapid turnaround and long-term customer relationships, while Northstar's feedback emphasizes systematic organization and professional demeanor as a newer business establishing its reputation.
Customer Reviews
Moreno Painting
I highly recommend Moreno Painting. Mr. Moreno was able to start my exterior painting project earlier than he had originally estimated. I could not believe how efficiently he worked to get my job co...
Very fast worker! Got the job done right away and everything looks great! Highly recommend!
We hired Alejandro for a full one-day job, including two doors. He did it flawlessly. Nice work. Fairfield
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 Moreno Painting if...
- ✓ Your project involves an older home where experience diagnosing hidden dry rot, structural issues, or complicated repairs could prevent costly surprises mid-project
- ✓ You need extremely fast turnaround, as Moreno consistently completes exterior projects in two days and interior work often within a single day
- ✓ You've confirmed with your homeowner's insurance that contractor injuries would be covered, and you're comfortable accepting that liability risk
- ✓ You value working with a contractor who has 15-year relationships with local customers and a proven track record in the Vacaville area
Consider Northstar Painting if...
- ✓ You want complete insurance protection and aren't willing to risk liability if a worker is injured on your property, regardless of experience differences
- ✓ Your project is relatively straightforward without likely complications where 23 years of experience would provide meaningful advantage over 2 years
- ✓ You're working on specialized projects like cabinet refinishing or popcorn ceiling removal where Northstar has demonstrated capability and proper equipment
- ✓ You prefer the peace of mind that comes with a contractor carrying full credentials, even if it means working with a newer business
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Moreno Painting directly what happens if a worker is injured on your property, and verify with your homeowner's insurance whether contractor injuries are covered and what your deductible would be
- → Ask Northstar for references from projects with older homes or unexpected complications to understand how they handle issues beyond routine painting
- → Ask both contractors how they would approach your specific property, particularly if it's older, to gauge their diagnostic thinking about potential hidden issues
- → Ask Moreno why workers compensation coverage isn't carried after 23 years in business, as this is a standard protection most established contractors maintain
The Bottom Line
If your home is older, your project likely involves complications, and you've confirmed acceptable liability coverage with your insurance, Moreno Painting's 23 years of experience offers real diagnostic and problem-solving advantages with impressively fast completion times. However, if you're risk-averse about contractor injuries or your project is relatively straightforward, Northstar Painting's full insurance credentials provide important protection that Moreno simply doesn't offer. For most homeowners who haven't specifically verified their liability exposure, the workers comp gap is a serious enough concern to favor Northstar despite the experience difference. Call your insurance agent first if you're considering Moreno—understanding your actual exposure should drive this decision more than experience years alone.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For basic repaints on newer homes in good condition, the experience gap matters less—both contractors can execute standard prep and paint application professionally. However, if your home was built before 2000 or you're uncertain about underlying condition, Moreno's two decades of encountering dry rot, siding issues, and hidden damage means he'll spot problems early and know how to address them. Northstar may need to pause and figure out solutions Moreno has solved dozens of times.
Yes, for many homeowners it should be. If a painter falls off a ladder at your home and Moreno has no workers comp, your homeowner's insurance becomes primary—meaning you could face a claim, potential rate increases, and litigation exposure. This isn't a minor paperwork issue; it's significant financial liability. Call your insurance agent before hiring any contractor without workers comp to understand your specific exposure.
Customer feedback suggests Northstar operates professionally with organized crews, punctual arrivals, and quality work. Being newer doesn't mean unprofessional—it means less accumulated experience handling the unexpected situations that arise in older homes or complex projects. Their two years show consistent execution on standard residential projects, just without the deep pattern recognition that comes from 23 years of varied scenarios.
Homeowner's policies typically already cover contractor injuries as part of general liability, but with your deductible and potential premium impact. You cannot add specific workers comp coverage for contractors through your homeowner's policy. The real question is whether you're comfortable being the insurance backstop for a business that has chosen not to carry this standard protection for 23 years despite established success.
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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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