Online reviews are one of the best tools for finding quality painting contractors. But how do you separate genuine reviews from fake ones? This guide shows you how to evaluate painter reviews, what red flags to watch for, and where to find the most reliable reviews.
✅ Quick Review Checklist
Where to Find Painter Reviews
⭐ Google Reviews
Most reliable. Hard to fake, tied to real accounts. Check the Google Business listing for painters in your area.
Good for local businesses. Can see reviewer profiles. Recommendations in community groups are valuable.
🏠 Nextdoor
Hyper-local recommendations from actual neighbors. Great for finding painters in your specific area.
🔧 Angi / HomeAdvisor
Verified reviews from people who actually hired. Can see project details and costs.
📱 Yelp
Detailed reviews but can filter aggressively. Check both recommended and non-recommended reviews.
🏛️ BBB
Check for complaints and how they were resolved. BBB rating shows responsiveness to issues.
What to Look for in Reviews
Signs of Genuine, Quality Reviews
- Specific details: Mentions actual rooms, colors, or project scope
- Timeline mentions: "They finished in 3 days" or "Started on time"
- Process details: Comments about prep work, cleanliness, communication
- Photos: Before/after or in-progress photos
- Named employees: "John and his team were great"
What the Star Rating Tells You
| Rating | What It Means |
|---|---|
| 4.8 - 5.0 | Excellent. If 50+ reviews, very reliable |
| 4.5 - 4.7 | Very good. Minor issues handled well |
| 4.0 - 4.4 | Good. Read negative reviews carefully |
| Below 4.0 | Caution. May have quality or service issues |
Red Flags in Reviews
🚩 All 5-Star, Generic Reviews
"Great job!" "Highly recommend!" with no details. May be fake or solicited.
🚩 Sudden Burst of Reviews
20 reviews in one week after months of nothing suggests purchased reviews.
🚩 No Response to Complaints
How a business handles criticism matters. No response or defensive responses are warning signs.
🚩 Multiple Mentions of Same Issue
If 3+ reviews mention "always late" or "quality issues," it's a pattern.
How to Evaluate Negative Reviews
Negative reviews aren't automatic disqualifiers. Consider:
- How old: Issues from 3+ years ago may be resolved
- Business response: Did they try to make it right?
- Specifics: Was the complaint reasonable or unrealistic?
- Ratio: 2 negative out of 100 reviews is fine; 2 out of 10 is concerning
Common Negative Review Types
⏰ Timing/Scheduling
"They were a few days late starting" — Common in busy seasons. Look for overall pattern, not isolated incidents.
💲 Price Complaints
"More expensive than expected" — Often reflects quality work. Cheap isn't always better.
🎨 Color Mismatch
"Color didn't look like the sample" — This is often customer misunderstanding. Professional response matters here.
🔧 Quality Issues
"Noticed drips/missed spots" — Concerning if multiple reviews mention same issues. Single complaints happen to everyone.
Verifying Credentials Beyond Reviews
Reviews are important, but verify these basics too:
Must-Have Credentials
- Business license: Most states/cities require registration
- employees)
Good Signs of Professionalism
- Professional website with portfolio
- Branded vehicles and uniforms
- Written contracts for every job
- Clear warranty terms
- Responsive communication
Comparing Multiple Painters
Get at least 3 quotes and use reviews to compare:
| Factor | What to Compare |
|---|---|
| Review Score | Rating and number of reviews across platforms |
| Review Quality | Detailed vs. generic reviews |
| Response Pattern | How they handle negative feedback |
| Project Similarity | Do reviews mention similar projects to yours? |
| Pricing | Compare quotes (extremely low may mean quality issues) |
Questions to Ask Based on Reviews
Use reviews to ask better questions during estimates:
- "I saw reviews mention great prep work — what's your prep process?"
- "Some reviews mentioned schedule changes — how do you handle delays?"
- "Customers mentioned your team by name — will the same crew do my job?"
- "I saw you responded to a complaint about [issue] — how was that resolved?"
Writing Good Reviews
After your project, help others by leaving helpful reviews:
- Be specific: Mention what was painted, timeline, any challenges
- Include details: Prep work, cleanliness, communication
- Add photos: Before/after shots help future customers
- Name crew members: Good workers deserve recognition
- Post on multiple platforms: Google + one other helps the business
Frequently Asked Questions
Google Reviews is most reliable, followed by Facebook, Yelp, Nextdoor, and Angi. Check multiple sources and prioritize detailed reviews with photos. BBB shows complaint history.
Look for at least 15-20 reviews for pattern recognition. 100+ with 4.7+ rating is very established. New contractors with fewer reviews aren't necessarily bad — focus on quality.
A mix of ratings (mostly 4-5 with occasional 3s) is more authentic than all perfect scores. Look for specific, detailed reviews vs. generic praise. Check how they respond to negative reviews.
See Our Reviews
Carolina Renew Painting & Finishes has 100+ 5-star reviews on Google. We're proud of our reputation for quality work, clear communication, and customer satisfaction. See what our customers say, then get your free estimate!
Get Free Estimate 📞 (980) 408-8122