Snohomish County has no shortage of painting contractors. A quick search turns up hundreds of options — from one-person operations working out of a truck to fully staffed companies with decades of history. The problem isn't finding a painter. The problem is finding a good one.
As a Snohomish County-based contractor headquartered in Lynnwood, we've seen the full spectrum — and we've repainted plenty of homes where the previous contractor cut corners. Here's exactly what to look for and what to avoid.
Step 1: Verify the Washington State License
This is non-negotiable. Washington requires all contractors performing work over $600 to be registered with the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). Go to lni.wa.gov and search the contractor's name. You should see an active registration, a bond, and insurance on file. If they're not registered, walk away — hiring an unregistered contractor means you have zero legal recourse if something goes wrong.
Step 2: Confirm Insurance — And Ask for the Certificate
You need to see two things: general liability insurance (minimum $1 million, ideally $2 million) and workers' compensation coverage. Ask for a Certificate of Insurance (COI) — any legitimate contractor can produce one within 24 hours. If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor has no workers' comp, you could be liable.
Step 3: Get 3 Bids — But Compare Scope, Not Just Price
Three bids is the standard. But comparing only the bottom line is a mistake. The cheapest bid almost always means less prep, cheaper paint, or both. What matters is what's included: how many coats? Which paint products? What prep work is specified? Is caulking included? Priming? What's the warranty?
A $4,500 bid that includes full pressure washing, scraping, two coats of Sherwin-Williams Duration, caulking, and priming is a fundamentally different product than a $2,800 bid for "wash and paint" with no product specified.
Step 4: Check Reviews — But Read the Details
A 4.5+ Google rating with 50+ reviews is a strong signal. But read the actual reviews, not just the star count. Look for mentions of prep quality, cleanliness, communication, and whether the crew showed up when they said they would. One-star reviews that cite "they didn't return my call" are different from one-star reviews citing "paint peeled in 6 months."
Step 5: Ask About Their Process
A professional contractor should be able to walk you through their process step by step: what happens first, how they protect your property, how long each phase takes, and what the final inspection looks like. If they can't articulate a clear process, that's a red flag.
Step 6: Get Everything in Writing
The estimate should be a detailed written document — not a number scrawled on a business card. It should specify every area being painted, the prep work included, the exact paint products, number of coats, timeline, payment terms, and warranty.
Red Flags to Watch For
Demands full payment upfront. Has no physical address or website. Can't produce a license number. Doesn't offer a written estimate. Wants to start tomorrow (legitimate contractors are typically booked 1-3 weeks out during painting season). Quotes over the phone without seeing the property.
Why Homeowners Across Snohomish County Trust Paint Gunners
We're based in Lynnwood, licensed (WA #PAINTG*123AA), bonded, and carry $2M liability insurance. We've completed 500+ projects across Bothell, Mill Creek, Everett, Edmonds, Mukilteo, and all of Snohomish County with a 4.9-star Google rating.
Get your free estimate or call (206) 930-8885.