The exterior of our two-storey Victorian apartment building needed a fresh coat of paint. The building, built in the early 1900s, is about 3,000 square feet, has four gables, three eyebrows, three brick chimneys, metal and wood railings, four cement and one wooden set of stairs, and lots of latticework. Bids included carpentry, prep, and painting. After interviewing three companies, we hired King of the Painters (KOP). Let me list the two stumbling blocks we encountered.... We decided to have two colors and were very apprehensive because we did not want to make any errors with a job this size. KOP provided a free color consultation which was great; however, it was a short meeting and not good. We were hesitant to ask questions or flip through and discuss the color wheel because the person appeared to be in a rush and the aura was definitely "not approachable" This experience disappointed us and we were also not thrilled with the colors. Secondly, the carpentry work had to be done prior to painting. However, KOP encountered scheduling difficulties which led to several weeks of delay. This made us nervous and we began to question our decision to retain KOP. This was a $22,000 job and we did not want to make a big mistake. We called the office and told them of our misgivings. OK, now ALL the good stuff!! James Cappasola, Operations Manager, took over the project. His involvement made things run smoother. He told us if the color wasn't correct, KOP would make it right and any other problems would be resolved. He also said he would talk to the prep and painting teams and make sure everything was right. We could call him anytime. He was the "go-to" guy for any concerns or problems. James made good on his word. He could be reached whenever we needed to talk to him and this was important to us. He was cordial, polite, and professional. It took us a long time to get the color correct - we could not figure the right combination and changed our minds three to four times. James, his foreman Caesar, and the KOP crew were very patient and helpful as we made our way through the process. We went with three colors and they suggested a bolder color for the steps and chimney. They also said a "faux" look would be good for the chimney. We were outside our comfort zone on this, but trusted their expertise. They promised to repaint if it was not to our liking. And they did!! One morning we arrived to find the entire window trims painted white - the wrong color! Well.... James also did some corrective work. On a metal gate/post that was removed, he noticed the carpenter had not cut the post to ground level, creating a possible safety hazard. KOP ground it further, eliminating all hazards. James was also very sensitive to the residents' needs. One resident was unhappy with the bustle of workers, noise, length of time, and was very difficult. KOP went out of their way to accommodate this resident. For instance, this resident would not cooperate with the painters who were scheduled to stain and seal their front door. So, KOP removed the door, installed temporary plywood, sanded, refinished, and reinstalled the door at no extra cost. As the job proceeded, we added a few extras and they completed it at a reasonable price. The job took six weeks. KOP was on time every day. They kept the surrounding areas clean, and were very professional in their workmanship. They always solicited feedback and provided us with a follow-up sheet for comments so they could do a better job in the future. Our building has been transformed and we are proud of the new look. The "faux" chimney looks terrific. KOP earns triple five stars because they did a good job, addressed all problems, and made the experience right. read more

Would like to first and foremost thank Joey for his outstanding work in coordinating and choosing colors and textures for my remodel. I'm a field technician and I travel all over San Diego. For years I have seen KOTP crews working in the "higher end" neighborhoods and was a little reluctant to get a bid for fear of the "sticker shock" I was sure to experience. After getting several other bids and doing my research of the companies that bid my work, I was very pleased to discover that although they weren't the lowest bidder, they weren't as expensive as I was expecting, in one case only $200 more than another contractor with not so good reviews. My project involved re-roofing, re-stuccoing, and re-painting the exterior of my home. I have a hard time matching white socks and the thought of picking color pallettes for a complete home makeover was something I was not looking forward. After deciding to go with KOTP, and listening to Joey's presentation of ideas and options, I felt more than comfortable turning the whole project over to him. My house became his canvas and what he did was simply amazing. He chose roofing shingle color, texture color and of course paint colors. Some of his ideas were eye opening and he suggested things I never would have considered. By the time KOTP showed up to do the painting, I had already received compliments on my color choices for roofing and stucco. Dodging rainstorms and schedule changes the office staff at KOTP deserves major kudos for a job well done. There was constant communication between the office and myself, and they were more than flexible in accommodating my needs and scheduling, not the other way around. On paint day, Mike and his crew showed up on time and ready to go. There was thorough explanation and confirmation of what was to take place that day and how the project would proceed. Any and all questions were answered and explained before anything was done. Ever had contractors that show up and don't seem to have any regards or respect for your property? These weren't those guys. After watching there prep work and masking, I began to wonder how they expected to make any money on the job with all the time and materials they spent just prepping and masking. Holes were filled. Wood was sanded and when they were finished, my home was beautiful. I received a call the following day from Joey who wanted to come by and do an inspection. He did a complete walk around and noted a few minor discrepancies. The guys were back out the following day and touched up the areas that Joey had noted on his inspection. I can't say enough for the wonderful job the guys at KOTP did. I look forward to their professional touch when it's time to re-paint the interior. read more

When I read in these reviews that Bob Lyon, owner of KOTP, had an art degree, I called and asked for a quote. Our 75-year-old house was in desperate need of a face lift, and I wanted something different, something with life and a little bite. I felt drained in a house the previous owners had painted neutral colors--my office looked like a morgue! Bob was attentive to my concerns and suggested ideas and palettes I would have never dreamed of. He walked into each room and took everything in: the rugs, the furniture, the tile, the floor, the light, the art, even the color of my daughter's dress in a canvas print. His crew was fantastic, lead by Kevin, who has exquisite attention to detail and even suggested cool baseboards to really finish out the space--which was very complicated for them, since we have bullnose corners, which Kevin painstakingly custom fit. The crew also found and communicated problems, like dry rot, that I appreciated knowing I'd have to deal with. A cheaper company would probably just paint over flaws, get in and out, but these guys recommended contractors to help us take care of these critical issues. KOTP went over and beyond, adding a few extra quality touches here and there. They care about the quality of their work and were flexible with any changes. (They were so good I kept throwing more work at them.) Now I have a brand-new 75-year-old house, and each room is interesting and flows well with the nature of the house. I just want to come home and gaze at everything--I never thought walls would become so interesting. I love the killer arty color in my kitchen. Nice work! And very polite fellows to have in one's living space day in and day out. read more

King of the Painters is the best contractor I have ever dealt with in the last 12 years of renovation of my life long update of my home. My sister had used them years ago for her interior renovation (amazing job). When I contacted the business to paint the exterior of my home I met with Bob Lyon (the owner) our estimator, I knew this contractor understood all of my issues regarding past experiences. I am a single hardworking mom and Bob was a man of his word regarding the professional Crew, start time, communication. I was afraid to pick my colors and with both of us working together and Bob's fantastic eye for color, my home is a show place. It gives my neighborhood an appealing home to look at on the drive up the hill. I "LOVE" the addition of the shutters. Oscar my crews Supervisor was amazing and put up with me and I hope to have him and his crew back next year for my interior. I hope Bob will help me again with color and new molding etc., By the way as far as estimate and "bang for your buck" I absolutely feel I got my money's worth. A man of his word and contract. Spot on and great product "Dunn Edwards Paint" with great coverage. No water down here. The price was very competitive. I was very happy. Administrative staff from beginning to end was excellent. Even paying at the end was professional and easy. Bob said, "you will be happy and your home with be the house everyone will see and admire with just the right amount of POP. Five star job is right Bob! See you next year! FYI: 1973 stained stucco house / turned into my jewel of the Bonita neighborhood. LOVE IT! read more

We recently decided it was time to update the exterior of the San Diego Chicken Pie Shop at 2633 El Cajon Blvd. The San Diego Chicken Pie Shop has been an instititution since 1938. Having been at the current location for over twenty years the bulding was starting to show it's age. It was time to find a painting contractor to bring this iconic restaurant back to life for it's seventy-fifth anniversary next year. We knew after our first meeting with Bob that King of the Painters was going to be the one to beat for the contract. After seeing his portfolio we hit the road and checked out examples of his work. We were impressed. The first employees we met were Marcio and his crew on the first day of the job. Sorry I don't know the crews names but Marcio was our Foreman and we mostly had contact with him. He was on-site everyday and always very responsive to our concerns. Marcio and his entire crew were very proffesional and hard working. James was the next person we had the pleasure of meeting. He was part of the management team and on-site almost every day. And of course that takes us back to Bob who visited the job site on a regular basis. He and his team were always available, proffesional, and responsive. This company's owner, managers, and employees were there from the first meeting to the end of the job! From previous reviews we are confident that if there are any minor issues in the future they will be handled in the professional manner our job was. Lynn Townsend and the Management Team San Diego Chicken Pie Shop read more

Yay! My husband and I had been wanting to have the house painted for so long, but just couldn't afford some of the quotes we were getting from other companies. I saw King of the Painters (KOTP) in my 'hood one day and asked for a card. Our experience was awesome from the first contact with Bree, through the quote process, the pre-paint power wash, and ultimately, the painting of our house. Our crew Forman was Mike. Super happy with his management of the crew. Mike was polite, friendly, and gave some great recommendations concerning the sheen on the eaves and fascia. He was very responsive when we had questions or concerns. Biggest kudos go to Ricardo who did the majority of hands on running of our job site. He did a fantastic job with all of the stucco repairs, pre-paint prep, and the painting. Ricardo was so good about addressing any issues or questions we had and resolving them quickly. They were thoughtful in removing masked areas that we needed access to every night to let our dog in and out. Above all, they did an amazing job and had a great work ethic. I can't rave enough about how polite and friendly these guys were. We really could not have asked for a better experience in painting our house. Mike, Ricardo, Joel, and John (I think) represented KOTP very, very well. I highly recommend this company and this crew if you are looking to get your house painted. Hey KOTP, promote Ricardo! He's a guy you want to represent you! Thanks again for a great experience! read more

With the exception of Disneyland and passing your DMV driver's test at 16, few things in life far exceed expectations. But on rare occasions, homeowners will encountered a company worth praising and writing about. Bob Lyon and King of the Painters is one of those organizations that deserve praise...high praise. A coworker recommended him, so we cautiously moved forward, researching the company, checking them out with the Contractors State License Board. We had put off the exterior painting for several years because, guess what? It's not our area, and we don't like the realm of the unknown. Bob explained the entire process before the job. He personally helped with the color selection (couldn't decide and needed a number of colors to get it right. He assigned Luis and his crew of skilled professionals to the project: prep, stucco repair, and painting. Luis, a patient perfectionist, who was meticulous and thorough, stayed late with his crew each day if needed to keep on schedule. Bob Lyon checked in on the project throughout the week. The wall-through identified several items that needed attention and those were finished the same day. Luis was the last to leave after his crew restored the yard to its original state (potted plants in place, outdoor furniture placed), even hosing down the patio and driveway. The before and after? Seriously, a beautiful job. If you're looking for a company that exceeds expectations, I recommend you contact Bob Lyon at King of the Painters. read more

While house-sitting at a friends house that was just re-painted, I couldn't help but look at the painting work that had just been done. The level of detail was incredible. The edges were sharp, crisp and straight. I was very impressed. She ended up giving me the number of Bob (The King of the Painters) Lyon. Bob came out and looked over my house. There was a lot of termite damage, the side garage door needed to be replaced and dry rot was prevalent throughout. Fascia, eaves and large beams were in bad shape. All had peeling paint. Bob has an amazing eye for colors. We settled on the color scheme and Bob even picked out the fabric we chose for the awning we had installed out front. After settling on a price (which was VERY reasonable) we set up the date for work to begin. On the day the crew arrived, the project manager (Mike) introduced me to his crew. Dennis Iloff, Jr. Lopez, Alvin Hernandez and last (but certainly not least) Ricardo "Rickey" Duenas. While Mike was tending to other jobs, Ricardo was my point man. He asked all the right questions, always informed me of what the tasks of the day were going to be and answered all my questions with a smile. This crew was thorough and they all seemed to be having fun while working very hard. I couldn't be happier with the finished product. Bob Lyon is probably the nicest guy you'll ever meet and his employees show it too. Give them a try. You will NOT be disappointed. read more

What a great experience. We had our house exterior painted this week by these folks and I have to say that it was a near perfect experience. Starting with the professional office staff, who listened carefully and kept a line of communication open from start to finish. We always knew when to expect what. When we had questions, we were connected with just the right person. Color samples were brought to our home and great effort was made on their part to match the color that we envisioned. The crew, led by Foreman Marcos Leon, attended to every little detail. From power washing, to caulking, patching, sanding and scraping, as well as carpentry. And finally, applying the primer and paint. All done meticulously on the entire exterior. Their promise that the house would like new when they were done, and that was accurate. The workers always showed up promptly, as promised, and put in a full day's work. We always marveled how we really felt like we were getting our money's worth - no buyer's remorse here! Even the final inspection and attention to small details was impressive. And again, everyone we interfaced with was friendly, polite and professional. This was the best investment in our home we could have made, and we couldn't be more pleased with whom we chose to do the work. Highly recommend King of the Painters! read more

We are very happy with the job King of the Painters just finished on our house. We have been here forty years and have put a lot of work into our place over the years and were looking forward to getting it painted. I've built and painted wooden boats, furniture, a few cars and our house when I was younger so I know what a good paint job is. I got estimates from five companies and let each know I wasn't looking for low bid, but a quality job we'd be happy with. Bret from your company, the estimator, listened to my concerns and obviously knew what he was talking about - he's been with the company over thirty years. He also helped us pick the right colors. His bid was about in the middle of the five. The foreman on the job, Ricky, was outstanding. He got here early and every day did a walkaround the house to explain what they'd be doing that day; and at the end of every day, another walkaround to see if we had any concerns. The whole crew was very professional and friendly. I believe RIcky would be a good foreman on any job regardless of trade. At the end of the job, another walkaround to address any blemishes and make sure we were absolutely satisfied with their work. Which we are. Thanks a lot, our house is the best looking house in the neighborhood! Bob and Arlene, and Mike (dog liked them too). read more

September 9, 2015 KING of the PAINTERS Inc. 4154 Camino Alegre La Mesa, CA 91941 Dear People: I wish to express my appreciation to the KING of the PAINTERS Inc. for the quality work and respect, extended to me, during and throughout our first contract. I am thanking everyone down the line from Office Staff, to Owner/President Bob Lyon, Chief of Operations James Cappasola, Foreman on the job Omar Cruz, right hand man, Ricco and other members in the crew. "MOST" of all, I was impressed by Omar Cruz, his attention to detail, knowledge, direction for his crew and respect for me. "This is where the rubber meets the road." I am 85 years old and a retired painter myself. Omar is an excellent person. The pride for the entire company, honest and good quality work shines through him and the crew KOP assigned to paint this home I, have occupied and loved, for the past 52 of those years. In appreciation I thank Bob Lyon. He recognized my need, gave me a bid that I accepted without reservations. Why not?... I had just been given recently, a glowing report in favor of KOP from the owner of a home 3 blocks away from mine. I will gladly show your work to anyone who asks to see it. Till our next experience. Respectfully yours; Fernando Correia read more

This company painted my grandparents house, my parents house, and finally my house. I had high expectations as I had seen the previous work done by King of the Painters. Bob, one of the owners, came out to my place to do a walk through, discuss options, my budget, etc. He had a lot of creative ideas that I would never have considered. He is very personable and was always responsive to my phone calls or texts before and during the project. They completed the project yesterday. I would grade there work an "A". There were a couple of really small things that needed a touch up and they sent out two crew members to immediately fix any and all issues no matter how small. Ricky D., our foreman on my job, and his team Carlos, Adrian and Michael were a pleasure. They were always friendly and courteous while on the job site and all of them worked to make sure the job was done to my satisfaction. I can't say enough about my experience. I don't write a lot of reviews on yelp but I felt compelled to write a good one for this group. Ricky and Bob came up with a cool design for my front doors. See image below. Pricing was fair (not inexpensive, but not high either) Ricky is like Michelangelo! Charlie P. El Cajon, CA read more

I contacted King Of The Painters to paint the exterior of my home. The house was built in 1999 and it desperately needed exterior stucco and trim repair, as well as new paint and a major update. Joey arrived for the initial consultation and was extremely professional and knowledgeable. His quote was extremely reasonable and fair considering the amount of work needed to be done. My second consultation was to pick paint colors. Joey went above and beyond assisting us with choosing the right colors that would update our home. He went as far as driving us to a nearby home which they had just painted to give us a better perspective on colors. That professionalism and outstanding customer service continued with the foreman and crew who arrived to complete the work. They took their time to ensure the job was done correctly and did everything possible to ensure we were happy with the finished product. They were also extremely friendly and respectful of our home as well as our need to come and go. Their attention to detail was exemplary and the finished product far exceeded our expectations, so much so that I hired them to replace and update our interior doors and baseboards. I highly recommend this company. read more

I recently had the pleasure of working with King of the Painters, who painted my entire complex and house. I had the opportunity to work with Dennis' team, and I couldn't be more satisfied with the results. From start to finish, they were incredibly professional and dedicated. They were there every day, on time, and always a pleasure to talk to. They answered all my questions with patience and clarity, making the whole process smooth and stress-free. What truly stood out was their commitment to perfection. It was clear that they personally wanted to ensure everything was perfect. They meticulously went over their work until they were satisfied, even finding touchups at the end that I hadn't noticed. This attention to detail really made a difference and showed their pride in their work. The quality of their work speaks for itself. My complex and house look amazing, and I've received numerous compliments from neighbors and friends. I highly recommend King of the Painters for any painting needs. Their professionalism, dedication, and excellent workmanship make them the top choice for any painting project. Thank you, Dennis and team, for a job well done! read more

I can't say enough about the overall workmanship of the employees at King of the Painters. From the original meeting with Bob, the owner, I felt confident that he, and his team, led by Mike Smith, Sr. Project Coordinator, had the necessary experience to do the job they said they would do and at a very competitive price. Throughout the duration of the job, Mike answered all of my questions and directed his crew in a very professional manner. They were punctual, courteous and extremely competent in all phases of house painting throughout the duration of the job from start to finish. No mess. No problems. I could not be happier with how the job turned out. What Bob told me they would do, they did, and more. Very detailed, and task oriented, the whole crew excelled at every phase of the job and I am extremely happy at how nice my house looks. On a scale of 1-10 I would give them a 12! I would not hesitate to recommend the King of the Painters to anyone who wants a professional house painting company that is easy to work with, knowledgeable and one that does exactly what they say they will do when they provide you with an estimate. read more

My husband and I just had King of the Painters paint the exterior of our home. They came highly recommended by my brother and sister in-law who used them to paint their interior including adding in canned lighting and crown molding. From start to finish, they did a superior job. They showed great attention to detail in the prep work and painting. Bob, the owner, worked with us to pick out the colors. He was there to give us guidance and his experience with colors and styles sure made the difference. Everything was done as requested and on schedule despite a couple of rainy days. Everyone at King of the Painters was friendly and professional -from the office staff to all the workers. Candido, who was our foreman, made sure the completed work was of the highest quality. They didn't get a drop of paint on anything!! They put our patio furniture and fixtures all back in place when they were done. It's a 1939 house that needed some TLC. It sure looks great now!! I thought their prices were very comparable as I had other quotes as well, but choose them due to their quality reputation. I wouldn't hesitate to use them again. read more