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Northstar Painting vs Solano Painting

Solano Painting Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026

Quick Verdict

Both companies are similarly experienced newer contractors, but Northstar carries workers compensation insurance while Solano Painting does not.

Northstar Painting: Two-year-old painting contractor with full insurance coverage, strong project organization, and diverse interior/exterior experience including specialty services.
Solano Painting: Two-year-old painting contractor focused on exterior work with excellent communication but lacking workers compensation insurance on file.
Note: Solano Painting does not carry workers compensation insurance, meaning homeowners could be liable if a worker is injured on their property.
Northstar Painting Solano Painting
Rating 5.0 5.0
Years Licensed 2 years 2 years
License # 1124468 1121920
Workers' Comp ✓ Yes
Bond Amount $25,000 $25,000
Location Fairfield, CA Fairfield, CA
Website painterfairfield.com paintingsolano.com

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Key Differences

The most significant difference between these contractors is workers compensation insurance. Northstar carries it; Solano Painting does not have it on file. This matters because if a worker is injured on your property and the contractor lacks workers comp, your homeowner's insurance may be liable for medical costs and damages. Beyond this insurance gap, the companies show different service strengths. Northstar demonstrates broader project diversity, handling both interior and exterior work plus specialty services like cabinet refinishing and popcorn ceiling removal with specialized equipment. Solano Painting focuses primarily on exterior painting, including multi-story homes and has handled structural repairs discovered during projects. Both receive positive feedback for professionalism and punctuality, but Northstar's reviews emphasize organized work processes and competitive pricing, while Solano's highlight consultation thoroughness and communication responsiveness. Neither company has extensive experience, being licensed only two years, so both represent newer businesses still building their track records.

What Customers Say

Northstar Painting

Northstar customers consistently highlight organized work processes, punctual crews, competitive pricing, and attention to detail across diverse interior and exterior projects.

Solano Painting

Solano Painting customers emphasize thorough consultation, responsive communication throughout projects, and flexibility when addressing unexpected structural issues during exterior work.

Key Takeaway: Northstar's reviews reflect efficiency and organizational strength with broader project types, while Solano's reviews focus more on communication quality and consultation process for exterior-focused work.

Customer Reviews

Northstar Painting

Nov 2025

A job well done for sure! The owner and the crew paid attention to every detail of the job.

Nov 2025

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...

Oct 2025

Jose from NorthStar painted my home and did an amazing job! Him and his team were amazing to deal with!

Solano Painting

Nov 2025

They consulted with us and went over the entire process and we came to an agreeable price. We discovered a rotten roof facia beam and they agreed to replace it at a small additional cost. The work was...

Nov 2025

These folx are amazing! Thorough, prompt and super professional. I am loving my freshly painted home. Hire them. 🎨

Sep 2024

I recently had the pleasure of working with Solano Painting to paint our two-story home in Fairfield, CA, and I couldn't be happier with the results. From start to finish, the team-Emmanuele, Dori, an...

Consider Northstar Painting if...

  • Your project includes interior work, cabinet refinishing, or popcorn ceiling removal where Northstar has documented experience and specialized equipment
  • You want the liability protection of working with a contractor who carries workers compensation insurance, eliminating potential claims against your homeowner's policy
  • Competitive pricing is a priority and you want organized crews that customers specifically mention for efficiency
  • You're working on an older home requiring extensive preparation where Northstar has completed similar projects
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Consider Solano Painting if...

  • Your project is strictly exterior painting on a single or multi-story home where Solano focuses their services
  • Communication and consultation are your top priorities, and you're comfortable addressing the workers comp gap through your own insurance verification
  • You value flexibility when unexpected structural issues arise during preparation work
  • You're willing to confirm their current insurance status directly, as the missing workers comp filing may be an administrative gap rather than actual lack of coverage
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Questions to Ask Before Hiring

  • For Solano Painting: Ask directly whether they now carry workers compensation insurance and request a current certificate of insurance, then verify with your homeowner's insurance what liability you'd face if they don't
  • For both companies: Request references from projects completed in the past six months to understand their current crew stability and recent work quality
  • For Solano Painting: Ask about their experience with interior projects if your scope includes both interior and exterior work
  • For both companies: Ask how they handle project delays or complications given their newer business status and what recourse you have beyond the $25,000 bond

The Bottom Line

Northstar Painting has a clear advantage for most homeowners because they carry workers compensation insurance, eliminating a significant liability risk that Solano Painting presents. If your project includes interior work, specialty services like cabinet refinishing, or popcorn ceiling removal, Northstar also offers documented experience Solano doesn't match. Solano Painting could be viable for exterior-only projects if you verify they've obtained workers comp coverage or accept the liability exposure after consulting your insurance agent. Given both companies' limited two-year track records, the insurance protection Northstar provides makes them the safer choice unless Solano can produce current workers comp certification before you sign.

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Frequently Asked Questions

If a painter falls off a ladder or is injured on your property and the contractor lacks workers compensation insurance, you could be held liable for medical expenses and lost wages through your homeowner's insurance. This is a significant financial risk. Before hiring Solano Painting, verify whether they've since obtained coverage or confirm with your insurance agent what exposure you'd have.

Two years of licensing means limited track record for handling complications like hidden damage or complex repairs. Both companies are still building their business systems and crew stability. The positive reviews for both suggest they're performing well so far, but requesting recent references and confirming they have the specific experience for your project type is essential.

Northstar has documented experience with both interior and exterior projects, including full interior repaints, while Solano's reviews focus primarily on exterior work. For a comprehensive project spanning both areas, Northstar's broader service portfolio and specialty capabilities make them the more proven choice based on available project history.

The $25,000 bond provides identical financial protection if either contractor abandons your project or fails to meet contract obligations. However, bonds don't cover worker injuries, which is why the workers compensation difference matters separately. The bond amount is standard for newer contractors and represents baseline protection, not a differentiator between these two.

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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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