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Find Painters in Santa Cruz

Avatar for A+ Painting
A+ Painting
4.9(
102
)

Serving Santa Cruz, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2005

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"I have used A+ painting for both exterior and interior work at my home. George is easy to work with and I think they provide good value. I recommend contacting them for a quote on any painting job you are considering."
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos

+97

Recommended by96%of homeowners
Avatar for Detail Pro Painting
Detail Pro Painting
5.0(
18
)

Serving Santa Cruz, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2005

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"I am so thrilled with the painting Manny and the team completed. They did an excellent job from beginning to end. They took our painting needs for our home and brought it back to life. They were professional, clean, kind, courteous, detailed and went above and beyond to get our painting job done. They offered a fair price to complete all the projects. We loved them so much we continued to find more and more work for the team to do. We had our home exterior and interior painted, the deck repaired and refinished. Manny was able to match our unique interior paint colors from previous owners with flawless execution. He is the most knowledgeable, talented, fair, Professional and kind painter I have ever met. They are extremely hard working and will complete any job perfectly. He goes above and beyond what is expected. He makes any dream come true! We are so fortunate to have been blessed with their painting presence. I would highly recommend them to anyone who is looking for top notch painting in any high end home! Sincerely, Karen Jeffery-Wheeler"
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos

+17

Response time1 day
Response rate100%
Recommended by93%of homeowners
Lance Sanchez Painting
4.9(
158
)

Serving Santa Cruz, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2000

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Lance and his crew showed professionalism and problem solving beyond my ability to do the same. He is courteous and knowledgeable about the many finishes, paints and stains in today's market. Besides the great quality of his work, he and his crew are reliable and on time. My home (2800 sq. ft.) is beautiful. He even suggested that the job should include the front porch and he was 100% right. Thank you Lance and Shaun."
Response time5 hrs
Response rate88%
9 neighbors recently requested a quote
Two Men and a Brush Painting
5.0(
22
)

Serving Santa Cruz, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1983

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"It went GREAT! Scott was absolutely wonderful. His work is impeccable! He covered everything before he started - floors, furniture, etc. I was amazed. I would have had more paint on me than on the walls. It looks great. I wish I had known about him when I had my home painted years ago. Love his work! I will definitely hire him again."
Response time2 days
1 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for John Melendez Paint Company
John Melendez Paint Company
4.9(
12
)

Serving Santa Cruz, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2021

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"John was very professional. He went to great effort to match the stain we already had in another area of the yard and the job turned out great. He was prompt and easy to work with. I highly recommend John Melendez Paint Company."
6 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for Urbina's Painting Company
Urbina's Painting Company
4.4(
14
)

Serving Santa Cruz, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2018

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"They did a great job. Project was done on time, the quality of the paint and painting work was very good. The area of painting was enclosed to ensure no mess to the surrounding areas. Very courteous staff."
Exterior Painting Project
Exterior Painting Project
Painting - Exterior Project
Painting - Interior Project
Painting - Interior Project

+74

Response time2 days
Response rate100%
Recommended by85%of homeowners
Avatar for Transformational Color
Transformational Color
4.9(
12
)

Serving Santa Cruz, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1987

Free estimates

Customers say: Quick response

"This is the second home Gregory has helped me with color consulting. This new home was built in 1880 and far away in Maine. Gregory helped me find colors and feelings that made sense in this new home. And WOW. The colors have transformed our home into something beautiful, inviting and perfectly perfect. Gregory is super easy to work with and helped not only with color, but technical aspects of paint and what to look for when hiring a painter. I cannot give this a better review. If you want a home that is uniquely yours, that speaks to your soul and honors the home, go for it!"
Stain matching
Stain matching
Deck staining
Deck staining
Staining railings

+26

Response time1 day
Recommended by100%of homeowners
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Showing 1-10 of 217

FAQs for painting projects in Santa Cruz, CA

Most homeowners opt for semi-gloss or high-gloss paint to make the baseboards stand out against the walls. If you’d rather keep things subtle, matching the wall sheen with eggshell or satin also works well. When your trim has nicks or dents, reach for a flatter, matte finish—it hides minor imperfections better than a shiny coat.

Stripping old paint from trim costs $1 to $3 per linear foot. Pros use specialized tools and techniques to lift away existing layers without gouging the wood, then prep the surface for a fresh finish. While it adds to your budget, proper removal protects the molding and sets the stage for a smoother, longer-lasting paint job.

Tackling the baseboards first often leads to crisper lines. Painting trim first lets you tape off the boards instead of the walls, so you’re less likely to splatter color where you don’t want it. Any stray marks on the wall get covered when you roll on the final coat, making the whole process faster and tidier.

You can absolutely paint baseboards in place. Leaving them installed avoids the risk of cracking or misaligning the boards when they’re reattached. With thorough cleaning, light sanding, and careful taping, a pro—or an experienced DIYer—can achieve a sharp, factory-smooth finish while saving you the hassle of prying off and reinstalling trim.

Painting almost always beats replacement in cost. Swapping out baseboards runs about $150 in DIY materials or roughly $1,100 with a pro, while repainting costs about $50 in supplies and $1 to $5 per square foot for labor. Unless the boards are warped or severely damaged, a fresh coat delivers the same visual upgrade for a fraction of the price.

Paintable caulk and wood filler are the go-to fixes for nail holes in baseboards. Wood filler sands flush for a glass-smooth surface, while caulk provides a flexible seal that won’t crack as the house settles. Either way, patching those tiny divots before you prime ensures your finished baseboards look seamless.

The Santa Cruz, CA homeowners’ guide to painting services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.