Five Star Painting of Madison
About Five Star Painting of Madison
When Kate Hagen needed her high-ceilinged interior painted, she braced for a multi-day disruption and steep price tag. Instead, a crew of six from Five Star Painting of Madison completed the entire project in under six hours, saving her "$1,800 more" compared to another local quote. This combination of efficiency and value defines how owners Chris and Alisa Wagner have built their painting operation since 2017.
Chris brings over 20 years of home improvement experience to the business, while Alisa manages company culture and client communication. Project manager Jay oversees field operations with his own two decades of construction and painting trade expertise. The company handles interior and exterior residential painting, cabinet painting, deck staining, drywall repair, wallpaper removal, and popcorn ceiling removal.
The fully insured team offers a two-year warranty on residential and commercial projects. Based in McFarland, they serve Madison, De Forest, Cottage Grove, Marshall, and surrounding Dane County communities.
Updated: 04-06-2026
Q&A Based On What Customers Are Saying About Five Star Painting of Madison
Q: Why do so many reviews mention Five Star Painting of Madison completing projects faster than expected?
The company routinely brings large crews to complete jobs efficiently. Kate Hagen watched a crew of six finish her high-ceiling interior "in under SIX hours" when another company quoted three days. Ray and Deb Gross praised that they "come with enough painters to get the job done in one day." Sandra Wipperfurth had 90% of her interior painted "in a day and a half" and Jay Kaiser's entire home interior was completed "in only a single day."
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Q: How does Five Star Painting of Madison handle the estimate and scheduling process?
Reviews consistently describe a streamlined process. Julie Pfluger noted they "called us right away, came out the next day, and gave us a bid" and found them "the most competitive and the most professional." Ed Y. on Yelp reported "the price was better than all other quotes" and "from start to finish, the process only took two weeks." Project managers conduct pre and post walk-throughs to set expectations and verify satisfaction.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews, Yelp
Q: What role does project manager Jay play at Five Star Painting of Madison?
Jay appears frequently in reviews as a standout team leader. Gina M. described Jay as "professional, courteous, and kept the project on schedule." Heila Huddleston called him "a neat young man" who confirmed colors and completed her deck perfectly in four hours. Richard Shold noted Jay and his team "showed up on time, got right to work, no breaks" while keeping him informed throughout. His 20-plus years of construction experience shows in his troubleshooting abilities.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Q: Does Five Star Painting of Madison leave worksites clean after completing projects?
Cleanup receives consistent praise across reviews. Matt Wiley noted the crew "left the place as clean as it was when they arrived." June Hausmann appreciated that "they cover up all your furniture" and "take off their shoes at the front door." Lisa Watts confirmed painters "protected it all" with "no paint spilled on furniture, carpet." Amy Freed reported they "left the workplace better than when they arrived."
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Q: What happened with negative reviews about Five Star Painting of Madison's deck staining work?
Two customers expressed dissatisfaction with deck staining longevity. The owner responded professionally to both, explaining that horizontal surfaces like deck boards carry different warranty terms due to exposure factors including "sun exposure, snow accumulation, shoveling, foot traffic." The company recommends deck maintenance every one to two years and offered to return for touch-ups. Jim Newton's review prompted a detailed response outlining the maintenance requirements communicated in the original contract.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Q: How does Five Star Painting of Madison's pricing compare to competitors according to customers?
Multiple reviewers specifically mention competitive pricing after getting multiple quotes. Kate Hagen saved "$1,800 more" compared to another company's quote. Julie Pfluger obtained several bids and found Five Star "the most competitive." Ed Y. stated "the price was better than all other quotes." Ed Yamashita described the work as done "at a super reasonable price" while John Larsen noted "professional and high quality, at a competitive cost."
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews, Yelp
Q: Does Five Star Painting of Madison offer color consultation services?
Yes, color consultation is part of their process. Jeanette F. reported "color suggestions were perfect" from the team. Mark Taber specifically praised that "Mark was great at color recommendations." Lisa J Smith appreciated the "color expert to help choose your perfect colors" during the intake process. The company's website confirms they work closely with customers on color selection to match individual preferences and home styles.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Q: How did Five Star Painting of Madison respond to Susan Pierce Jacobsen's Facebook complaint about cabinet painting?
Susan's Facebook review noted that cabinet paint in high-traffic areas rubbed off within a year, clarifying the distinction between painting and refinishing. This represents the only negative recommendation on Facebook among 58 reviews. The company emphasizes during estimates that cabinet painting and cabinet refinishing are different services with different durability expectations. Frances C. reported being "thrilled with our newly painted kitchen cabinets" and multiple other cabinet projects received positive feedback.
-Review Snippet Sources: Facebook, Google Reviews
Updated: 04-07-2026