Frequently Asked
Questions.

Painting in San Diego — Common Questions

Are you licensed and insured?

Yes. Penney's Professional Painting holds California C-33 (Painting and Decorating) license #794402-C33 and is bonded and insured, with commercial general liability and workers' compensation. We provide the certificate on request. You can verify any contractor's license on the CSLB website before hiring.

Do you use subcontractors?

No. We have used zero subcontractors since 2007. Joe or Alex Penney quotes the job, runs the job, and does the final walkthrough personally — the same crew and the same standards on every project, residential or commercial.

Do you offer free estimates?

Yes. We provide free, in-person estimates across San Diego County. Joe or Alex comes out, looks at the actual surfaces, and gives you a written quote with products and prep included — no charge and no obligation.

What areas of San Diego do you serve?

All of San Diego County, from our home base in La Mesa. That includes coastal communities like La Jolla, Del Mar, Encinitas, Carlsbad, and Coronado, and inland areas like Poway, Escondido, and Rancho Santa Fe. Coastal and inland jobs are specified differently because salt air and heat behave differently.

How long have you been in business?

Penney's was founded in 2007 and has been painting San Diego County ever since. Between us we have over 35 years in the trade. It is a family operation — run day to day by Joe and his son Alex.

What painting services do you offer?

Interior and exterior painting, cabinet refinishing, commercial painting, stucco repair, and deck and fence staining, plus HOA, apartment, multi-family, and hotel work. We handle both residential and commercial projects across San Diego County.

Do you do both residential and commercial work?

Yes. Roughly half our work is residential — homes, cabinets, decks — and half is commercial: HOAs, apartments, hotels, offices, retail, and warehouses. The same crew and standards apply to a single room as to a multi-building complex.

How much does painting cost in San Diego?

It depends on the surface and scope, but as a guide: a full interior repaint runs about $2,800–$7,500, an exterior repaint about $3.50–$5.50 per square foot, and cabinet refinishing about $65–$95 per linear foot. We quote after a walkthrough rather than over the phone, because prep and condition drive the price.

What paint brands do you use?

We specify Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, and Dunn-Edwards depending on the application, and we name the exact product in the proposal. For coastal exteriors we frequently use salt-air-rated or elastomeric systems rather than standard paint.

Are your paints low-VOC?

Yes. We use low-VOC interior paints, which have minimal odor and let you stay in the home during most projects. For commercial and medical spaces we can specify low- or no-VOC products to meet the occupancy's requirements.

When is the best time to paint an exterior in San Diego?

Late September through November and late February through April are the most reliable windows. Summer brings marine-layer moisture on the coast and high heat inland; winter brings rain. On coastal homes we test surface moisture rather than going purely by the calendar.

How long does exterior paint last in San Diego?

About 7–12 years with proper prep and the right product, depending on sun exposure and how close you are to the ocean. South- and west-facing walls and homes near the water fade sooner. Prep quality is the single biggest factor in how long a job lasts.

Do you handle stucco repair?

Yes. Stucco assessment and crack repair are included in every exterior scope we write. We open and fill cracks, repair blowouts, and prime before topcoat rather than painting over damage we can see.

Do you offer weekend or evening scheduling?

Yes, especially for commercial and occupied properties. Night and weekend scheduling is standard for offices, retail, hotels, and multi-family buildings so daytime operations are not disrupted, using low-odor finishes so spaces are usable the next morning.

Do you work with HOAs and property managers?

Yes. HOA and property-management work is a large part of what we do. We provide CC&R-compliant color documentation, board-ready scope letters, phased scheduling around occupied units, and consistent color across every building.

Do you move and protect furniture and floors?

Yes. We move and cover furniture, mask floors, cabinetry, and fixtures, and clean up each day. Protecting what is already in the home is part of the job, not an add-on.

Do you offer color matching and consultation?

Yes. We can match any existing color from any manufacturer, provide samples for approval, and document the formulas for future touch-ups. If you are choosing new colors, we bring samples and help you decide.

Do you remove popcorn ceilings?

No. We do not offer popcorn ceiling removal — on pre-1978 homes it is an asbestos abatement job, a licensed specialty separate from painting. We refer removal to certified specialists, and we are glad to prime and paint the ceiling once it has been professionally removed and smoothed.

How do I get a quote or schedule a job?

Call us directly at (619) 861-9377 or use the contact section on our site. There are no forms to funnel through and no call center — you reach Joe or Alex, and we schedule a free walkthrough.