10 Best Painting Services Companies in NYC
10 Best Painting Services Companies in NYC
By: AZ New York Editorial Team
A fresh coat of paint can transform an NYC apartment, but achieving a flawless, high-end finish requires more than just a brush and roller. Dealing with old plaster walls, skim coating imperfections, lead paint hazards, and strict co-op rules demands true professionals.
Find the right team for a perfect finish with our definitive guide:
10 Best Painting Services Companies in NYC — featuring licensed, insured, EPA Lead-Safe certified (where applicable), and highly-rated painters known for meticulous prep work and exceptional results in residential settings.
West Village, Manhattan: The Art of Painting Historic Interiors
The West Village, with its charming tree-lined streets and historic townhouses and pre-war apartments, exemplifies the detailed preparation required for high-quality painting in NYC. This landmarked district, under the jurisdiction of the City of New York, demands painters who are artisans as much as technicians.
Painting in the West Village often involves working with original plaster walls and intricate moldings that require extensive prep work: patching cracks, repairing water damage, and often multiple rounds of skim coating to achieve a perfectly smooth surface (Level 5 finish). Furthermore, buildings pre-dating 1978 likely contain lead paint, necessitating EPA Lead-Safe certified firms and specific containment/abatement protocols.
Co-op boards and landmark regulations add complexity. Painters must be fully licensed and insured, adhere to strict work hours, protect common areas meticulously, and often use specific low-VOC or zero-VOC paints mandated by building alteration agreements or client preference.
The neighborhood’s narrow streets and limited parking, accessible via the 1, 2, 3, A, C, E, B, D, F, M, L subway lines, mean painters need to be efficient and organized, managing supplies and debris removal in tight constraints.
High-end projects demand expertise beyond basic painting: wallpaper removal and installation, faux finishes, lacquering cabinetry, and coordinating colors with selections made alongside designers require a sophisticated approach.
| Renovation Stage | Coordinate Painting With These Aspects |
|---|---|
| Post-Construction | Painting is typically one of the final steps managed by your General Contractor, after electrical and plumbing rough-ins are complete. |
| Built-ins & Trim | Painters coordinate with Custom Millwork providers for priming, finishing, or lacquering cabinetry and trim. |
| Fixture Installation | Final paint touch-ups often happen after Electricians install light fixtures sourced from Lighting Showrooms. |
| Flooring Protection | Meticulous protection of newly installed Wood Flooring or tile from Tile Showrooms is crucial. |
3 Common NYC Painting Scenarios
- The Quest for Level 5 Smooth Walls
The Situation: A homeowner renovating a pre-war apartment with bumpy plaster walls desires perfectly smooth, modern-looking walls.
The Solution: Hire a painting company specializing in skim coating. This involves applying multiple thin layers of joint compound over the entire wall surface, sanding between coats, priming, and then painting to achieve a flawless “Level 5” finish. - Dealing with Lead Paint Safely
The Situation: A family with young children is moving into an apartment built before 1978 and needs it painted, but is concerned about lead paint hazards.
The Solution: Hire an EPA Lead-Safe Certified Firm. They will test for lead paint. If present, they follow specific protocols for containment (sealing off areas, using plastic sheeting), minimizing dust (wet sanding), specialized cleanup (HEPA vacuums), and safe disposal, or full abatement if required. - The Co-op Paint Job Approval
The Situation: A co-op owner wants to paint their apartment but the alteration agreement requires board approval of the painter, proof of insurance ($3M+), specific low-VOC paint brands, and protection of hallway carpets.
The Solution: Choose a professional painting company experienced with co-ops. They readily provide all necessary documentation (license, insurance, certifications), use approved paint brands (like Benjamin Moore Aura or Natura), and meticulously protect all common areas as required by the board.
Expert Tip: Prep Work is 80% of the Job
The difference between an amateur and a professional paint job is almost entirely in the preparation. Pros spend the vast majority of their time meticulously cleaning, patching, sanding, caulking, priming, and masking surfaces *before* the first finish coat is even opened. Don’t skimp on prep!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is “Skim Coating”?
- Applying a thin layer (or multiple layers) of joint compound (mud) over an entire wall or ceiling surface to smooth out imperfections, textures, or damage, creating a perfectly flat base for paint.
- What are Low-VOC or Zero-VOC paints?
- VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are chemicals released into the air from paint that can affect air quality. Low- or Zero-VOC paints minimize these emissions. Many NYC buildings mandate their use, and they are generally preferred for health reasons.
- Do painters need a license in NYC?
- Companies performing home improvement work, including painting, valued over $200 must have a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) license from the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). Firms working on buildings built before 1978 must also be EPA Lead-Safe Certified.
- How long does it take to paint an NYC apartment?
- It varies greatly depending on size, condition (amount of prep needed), and scope (walls only vs. ceilings, trim, doors). A typical one-bedroom might take 3-7 days with proper prep and multiple coats.
Ranking: 10 Best Painting Services Companies in NYC
The AZ New York selection highlights licensed, insured, and highly-rated painting contractors known for quality residential work, meticulous preparation, and experience with NYC building requirements.
1. PNP Craftsmen
Address: 155 W 72nd St #404, New York, NY 10023
Phone: (212) 787-8020
Website: pnptraftsmen.com
Services: High-End Interior Painting, Skim Coating, Plaster Repair, Wallpaper
Justification: Widely regarded as one of NYC’s premier high-end residential painters. Known for exceptional prep work (especially skim coating), attention to detail, and experience in luxury apartments and townhouses. Licensed, insured, EPA Lead-Safe certified.
2. Paintzen (Acquired by PPG)
Address: Service via Online Platform (Serving NYC)
Phone: (855) 336-4389
Website: paintzen.com
Services: Interior & Exterior Painting, Online Quotes, Project Management
Justification: A tech-enabled platform (now owned by paint giant PPG) that connects customers with vetted, insured local painting crews. Offers convenience with online quoting and project coordination.
3. Hubert’s Painting Inc.
Address: Serving Manhattan & Brooklyn
Phone: (917) 488-3338
Website: hubertspainting.com
Services: Interior Painting, Skim Coating, Wallpaper Removal/Installation, Faux Finishes
Justification: Highly-rated company praised for professionalism, meticulous prep work, and expertise in achieving high-quality finishes, including wallpaper and specialized techniques. Licensed & Insured.
4. Wolfgeneral Contracting Inc. (Includes Wolf Painting)
Address: Serving Manhattan
Phone: (212) 380-8777
Website: wolfpaintersnyc.com / wolfgeneralcontracting.com
Services: Interior Painting, Skim Coating, Drywall Repair, General Contracting
Justification: A reputable firm offering both high-quality painting services and general contracting, making them a good option for projects requiring coordination between painting and minor repairs. Experienced with co-ops.
5. Noah Painting Corp.
Address: Serving Manhattan & NYC Area
Phone: (718) 709-1776
Website: noahpaintingcorp.com
Services: Residential & Commercial Painting, Interior/Exterior, Skim Coating
Justification: Well-reviewed company known for professionalism, punctuality, and quality finishes on both residential and commercial projects throughout the city. Licensed & Insured.
6. Pristine Painters LLC
Address: Serving Brooklyn & Manhattan
Phone: (347) 946-0101
Website: pristinepaintersnyc.com
Services: Interior Painting, Wallpaper Installation, Cabinet Painting, Drywall Repair
Justification: Focuses on high-quality residential painting with an emphasis on detailed prep work and customer service. Offers specialized services like cabinet refinishing.
7. John The Painter NYC
Address: Serving Manhattan
Phone: (917) 602-8636
Website: johnthepainternyc.com
Services: Interior Painting, Skim Coating, Plastering, Wallpapering
Justification: Highly-rated painter often praised for meticulous work, reliability, and expertise in handling the challenges of older Manhattan apartments, including extensive plaster repair.
8. Picazzo Painting Corp
Address: 347 5th Ave STE 1402, New York, NY 10016
Phone: (212) 763-8888
Website: picazzopainting.com
Services: High-End Residential Painting, Skim Coating, Faux Finishes, Venetian Plaster
Justification: Specializes in luxury residential projects, offering expertise in advanced techniques like Venetian plaster and intricate decorative finishes, often working with top designers.
9. Gaspar’s Painting Co.
Address: Serving Manhattan
Phone: (917) 299-1383
Website: gasparspaintingnyc.com
Services: Interior Painting, Wallpaper Removal, Plaster Repair, Skim Coating
Justification: Consistently receives excellent reviews for professionalism, quality prep work (especially plaster repair and skim coating), and delivering clean, sharp paint jobs in residential settings.
10. SB Painting Corp
Address: Serving Brooklyn & NYC Area
Phone: (646) 784-4840
Website: sbpaintingcorp.com
Services: Residential & Commercial Painting, Interior/Exterior, Deck Staining
Justification: Brooklyn-based company known for reliable service, fair pricing, and handling both interior and exterior painting projects for homes and businesses. Licensed & Insured.
What’s your biggest challenge when hiring painters in NYC? Share your tips!
Explore More “Best of NYC” Guides:
- 10 Best Painting Services Companies in NYC
- 10 Best Plumbing & Heating Companies in NYC
- 10 Best Electrical Services Companies in NYC
- 10 Best General Contractors & Builders in NYC
- 10 Best Custom Millwork & Furniture Makers in Brooklyn
Keywords for Your Next Search:
best painters NYC, residential painting NYC, interior painters NYC, skim coating NYC, plaster repair NYC, wallpaper removal NYC, wallpaper installation NYC, low VOC painting NYC, zero VOC paint, EPA Lead Safe Certified painter NYC, licensed painter NYC, insured painter NYC, co-op painter NYC, high-end painters Manhattan, Brooklyn painters, professional painting services, apartment painting NYC, house painters NYC, commercial painters NYC, drywall repair NYC, faux finish painter NYC, cabinet painting NYC, deck staining NYC, painting contractors NYC
