Top 10 Best Painter in New York (Verified & Reviewed Guide)

Introduction

Finding the right Painter in New York is rarely just about color. Between tight apartment schedules, co-op and condo rules, older plaster walls, and the need for clean, low-dust work, New Yorkers typically want a team that can deliver a crisp finish with minimal disruption.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to evaluate painting pros, what to expect for pricing in New York, and which providers have a clear, publicly identifiable business presence. You’ll also get practical questions to ask before you sign a contract.

This list prioritizes companies with recognizable brands and official websites, plus clear service descriptions that can be checked publicly. Where specific details (like exact years in business, ratings, or contact emails) aren’t consistently published, they’re marked as Not publicly stated rather than guessed.

About Painter

A Painter prepares surfaces and applies coatings (paint, primer, stains, and protective finishes) to walls, ceilings, trim, doors, cabinets, and exteriors. In New York, this often includes working around occupied apartments, protecting floors and furniture, and handling repairs common in older buildings (hairline cracks, nail pops, uneven walls).

You typically need a Painter when:

• Moving in or moving out and a landlord/building requires fresh paint
• Renovating a kitchen, bathroom, or living space
• Dealing with peeling paint, water stains, or patched drywall
• Updating trim, doors, or cabinets for a cleaner, modern look
• Refreshing common areas in multi-unit buildings or small commercial spaces

Average cost in New York: Varies widely by apartment size, prep needs, and building logistics. Many projects are quoted per room, per day, or as a full-job flat rate. As a general ballpark, New York pricing tends to run higher than national averages due to labor costs, access constraints, and prep requirements (see the cost section below for ranges).

Licensing/certifications: New York does not have a single statewide painter license for all situations, but local rules can apply. In New York City, many residential painting jobs fall under “home improvement” work, which may require an NYC Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) license when contracting directly with property owners—requirements can depend on the scope and contract arrangement. For older buildings, EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) compliance may be relevant when disturbing lead-based paint in homes built before 1978 (confirm applicability for your specific project).

Key takeaways

• Prep work (patching, sanding, caulking) often determines the final quality more than the paint brand.
• New York logistics (stairs, freight elevators, parking, building hours) can impact both schedule and cost.
• Ask about insurance, lead-safe practices (when applicable), and how the crew protects floors and furniture.
• Written scope matters: number of coats, primer use, repairs included, and exact surfaces painted.

How We Selected the Best Painter in New York

We prioritized providers using criteria that matter for real-world hiring decisions in New York:

• Years of experience: Preference for established operators when publicly stated.
• Verified customer review signals (publicly available only): Consistency and volume when clearly tied to the provider (not always available).
• Service range: Ability to handle typical New York needs (apartments, trim/doors, repairs, scheduling constraints).
• Pricing transparency: Clear “quote-based” processes, what’s included, and how estimates are handled.
• Local reputation: Brand presence, professional standards, and clarity of service information.

Only publicly available information is included when known. If a detail (rating, years, email, direct NYC coverage) is not clearly published in an official source, it is listed as Not publicly stated rather than assumed.

About New York

New York is a dense, high-demand market for painting services because residential turnover is constant, buildings range from historic pre-war apartments to modern high-rises, and property managers often require quick, tidy repainting between tenants.

Service demand is especially high for:

• Move-in/move-out repaints and “turnover” work
• Clean, low-odor interior finishes in occupied homes
• Detailed trim and door work in older apartments
• Fast scheduling around building rules (weekday hours, COI requirements)

Key neighborhoods commonly served by painters across the city include:

• Manhattan: Upper West Side, Upper East Side, Midtown, Harlem, Lower Manhattan
• Brooklyn: Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights, Bushwick
• Queens: Long Island City, Astoria, Jackson Heights, Forest Hills, Flushing
• The Bronx: Riverdale, Pelham Bay, Kingsbridge
• Staten Island: St. George, Tottenville (coverage varies by provider)

Some neighborhood-specific coverage is Not publicly stated by many companies; always confirm your ZIP code and building access requirements during the estimate.

Top 5 Best Painter in New York

Because many excellent local operators do not maintain consistent, verifiable public business details (official websites, standardized service descriptions, and clearly attributable review footprints), only a limited number of providers can be listed here without risking inaccuracies. The options below have a recognizable, checkable public presence; any missing fields are marked Not publicly stated.

#1 — Paintzen

• Rating: Not publicly stated
• Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
• Services Offered: Interior painting (project-based scheduling); scope and add-ons vary / depends
• Price Range: Varies / depends (quote-based)
• Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
• Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
• Website (if available): https://www.paintzen.com/
• Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link
• Google Reviews Summary (summarized, not copied; if unknown write “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
• Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Apartment-friendly scheduling; customers who prefer a streamlined booking process

#2 — CertaPro Painters

• Rating: Not publicly stated
• Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
• Services Offered: Residential painting; commercial painting (availability varies / depends by location); interior/exterior (varies / depends)
• Price Range: Varies / depends (quote-based)
• Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
• Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
• Website (if available): https://www.certapro.com/
• Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link
• Google Reviews Summary (summarized, not copied; if unknown write “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated (review profiles typically vary by local franchise; check the exact local listing)
• Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Customers who want a structured estimate process from a well-known painting brand

#3 — WOW 1 DAY PAINTING

• Rating: Not publicly stated
• Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
• Services Offered: Interior/exterior painting (varies / depends by local operator); scheduling-focused service model
• Price Range: Varies / depends (quote-based)
• Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
• Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
• Website (if available): https://www.wow1day.com/
• Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link
• Google Reviews Summary (summarized, not copied; if unknown write “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
• Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Time-sensitive projects (where available); customers prioritizing a fast turnaround

#4 — Five Star Painting

• Rating: Not publicly stated
• Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
• Services Offered: Residential painting; commercial painting (varies / depends by location); interior/exterior (varies / depends)
• Price Range: Varies / depends (quote-based)
• Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
• Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
• Website (if available): https://www.fivestarpainting.com/
• Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link
• Google Reviews Summary (summarized, not copied; if unknown write “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated (review profiles typically vary by local franchise; check the exact local listing)
• Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Customers who want a franchise-style workflow and standardized customer service

#5 — Fresh Coat Painters

• Rating: Not publicly stated
• Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
• Services Offered: Residential painting; commercial painting (varies / depends by location); interior/exterior (varies / depends)
• Price Range: Varies / depends (quote-based)
• Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
• Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
• Website (if available): https://www.freshcoatpainters.com/
• Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link
• Google Reviews Summary (summarized, not copied; if unknown write “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated (review profiles vary by local operator; confirm the specific New York-area business page)
• Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Customers comparing multiple painting brands and wanting a conventional estimate-to-completion process

Comparison Table

Cost of Hiring a Painter in New York

In New York, painting costs can swing significantly based on prep work and building logistics. Most reputable painters will quote after a walkthrough (in-person or video) because “paintable condition” varies so much from one apartment to the next.

Average price range (ballpark):

• Per room: often $500–$2,000+ depending on ceiling height, trim, repairs, and how much protection/masking is required
• Small apartment repaint: often $2,000–$8,000+ depending on size, condition, and number of coats
• Larger homes / multi-room projects: often $8,000–$25,000+ depending on scope and finish level
• Exterior work: varies widely; access, scaffolding, and permits (if applicable) can change pricing substantially

Emergency pricing (if applicable): True 24/7 painting is uncommon. However, rush jobs (next-day starts, weekend work, tight move-out deadlines) can cost more. Many contractors price rush scheduling as a premium based on crew availability and building rules.

What affects cost most

• Surface preparation: patching, skim coating, sanding, caulking, stain blocking
• Number of coats and color changes (especially dark-to-light or high-sheen changes)
• Ceilings, trim, doors, and detailed cut-in work
• Apartment access: stairs, freight elevator reservations, parking/loading constraints
• Protection requirements: extensive masking, floor protection, dust control
• Paint and finish selection (washable finishes, low/zero-VOC, specialty primers)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much does a Painter cost in New York?

Most New York painting is quote-based. A common ballpark is $500–$2,000+ per room depending on prep, trim, ceilings, and access. Whole-apartment repaints often start in the low thousands and increase with size and repairs.

How to choose the best Painter in New York?

Start with proof: a written scope, clear prep steps, insurance confirmation, and a realistic schedule. Then compare at least 2–3 estimates and ask what’s excluded (repairs, primer, trim/doors, materials).

Are licenses required in New York?

There isn’t one universal statewide painter license for every job. In New York City, many residential painting contracts may fall under home improvement rules, which can require an NYC Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) license depending on the job and contract—confirm current requirements before hiring.

Who offers 24/7 service in New York?

Most painters do not operate 24/7. Some can offer rush scheduling, after-hours work, or weekend starts depending on crew availability and building rules—ask directly during the estimate.

Do I need to buy the paint myself?

Varies. Many painters include paint and materials in the quote; others itemize or let you supply paint. If you’re in a co-op/condo, confirm whether the building requires low-VOC products or specific cleanup procedures.

How long does it take to paint an apartment in New York?

A studio or 1-bedroom can sometimes be completed in 1–3 days depending on repairs and drying time. Larger apartments typically take longer, especially if walls need patching or multiple coats.

What should be included in a professional painting estimate?

Look for: exact rooms/surfaces, prep steps, number of coats, brand/line of paint (or allowance), protection plan, start/finish dates, and cleanup. Also confirm whether moving furniture is included.

Can a Painter handle plaster repairs and water stains?

Some do, some don’t. Many painters can patch minor issues, but water stains often need stain-blocking primer and the source leak should be addressed first. Ask what repair level is included versus billed separately.

What about lead paint in older New York apartments?

If the home was built before 1978, lead-based paint may be present. If the job disturbs old paint (sanding/scraping), ask about lead-safe practices and whether EPA RRP requirements apply to your situation.

Final Recommendation

If you want a streamlined, modern booking approach that fits apartment life, Paintzen is a strong starting point—especially for straightforward interior repaints where scheduling and coordination matter.

If you prefer a more traditional contractor model with an established brand system (and you’re comfortable confirming the exact local operator and reviews for your area), CertaPro Painters, Five Star Painting, and Fresh Coat Painters are options to compare for quote structure and service process. For time-sensitive turnarounds, WOW 1 DAY PAINTING may fit where local availability matches your neighborhood and timeline.

For any Painter in New York, prioritize the fundamentals: written scope, prep plan, insurance/COI readiness (common in managed buildings), and a schedule that matches your building’s working hours.

Get Your Business Listed

If you’re a Painter serving New York and want your details added or updated, email contact@professnow.com. You can also registe & Update yourself at https://professnow.com/