Blake founded First Choice Painting & Repairs, LLC in 2015, building the company from Smiths Station, Alabama to serve communities across Eastern Alabama and Western Georgia. Project managers Benny Jones and Brandon oversee daily operations while crew leaders including Jose, Jesus, and Chili coordinate job sites. Cole Watts handles estimates and initial consultations with homeowners.
The company specializes in residential and commercial painting, with particular expertise in exterior transformations, interior refreshes, deck and fence staining, cabinet refinishing, and pressure washing. They also handle carpentry services including custom cedar shutter construction and drywall repairs. Projects range from single-room refreshes to complete exterior repaints and commercial facility work including schools throughout the Auburn and Columbus areas.
The fully insured team offers a one-year warranty on all workmanship and is EPA RRP lead-safe certified for work on homes built before 1978. They also provide eco-friendly paint options for customers seeking to limit chemical exposure. The company serves 17 cities across Alabama and Georgia within a 50-mile radius of Smiths Station.
Updated: 04-06-2026
Multiple reviews highlight daily communication as a standout practice. Nathan W. notes that project manager Benny "called and came by daily to check on job" while Charda B. confirms "Job foreman Benny stayed on top of our job daily, and communicated well with everyone." Sue L. adds that Benny and his crew were "responsive to questions and helpful" throughout the project.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Customers describe a smooth process from first contact to project completion. Sam D. shares that Cole Watts "explained in amazing detail what the job was going to be" during the estimate visit. Charda B. notes that Blake "called us back within hours of our initial call" and "showed up on time as scheduled, and emailed our quote within 24 hours." The company offers free estimates via phone, website, or in-person consultation.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Cleanup earns consistent praise across reviews. Leianne B. states the crew "cleaned up after themselves and were very professional" while Joy P. describes the experience as "Professional all the way" noting the painters were "respectful, courteous and efficient." Multiple customers mention being impressed that work areas were left spotless upon completion.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Yes, the company handles carpentry beyond painting. Leianne B. hired them for "painting the exterior of our home and building cedar shutters" and reports "They did a beautiful job." The carpentry services extend to deck replacement, trim work, and drywall repairs. Tyler Salsman mentions they handled drywall work alongside painting with excellent results.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Chili and his crew receive specific praise for exterior work quality. Joseph B. notes "Chili, Fanny, and Roy did a great job" on his exterior paint project where they changed colors and handled all prep work. Joy V. declares "First Choice will be my only choice for painting in the future" adding that "Chili and his crew were top notch!" Melissa S. confirms Chili was "Very professional and thorough."
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
The company specializes in deck, fence, and porch staining work. Shirley C. hired them for "an outdoor staining project on stairs and porch" and when touch-ups were needed, Benny "came out the next morning" to address them. Reviews mention fence staining, deck refinishing, and specialty wood finishing services for both residential and commercial properties.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Yes, the company stands behind their work. Shirley C. experienced peeling on a staining project and reports "I called them and the project manager (Benny) came out and said he would talk to his boss. He got back with me quickly and said they would take care of it." The team returned promptly to redo the work at no additional charge, demonstrating their commitment to customer satisfaction.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
The company has painted several schools around Auburn and Columbus. Ricky S. describes their commercial work as "Absolute excellent service, craftsmanship and attention to detail" noting that Jose and his crew "completed painting my home in a timely manner, exceeding my expectations." The website confirms they handle medical facilities, hospitality, industrial, education centers, property management, and religious institutions.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Updated: 04-07-2026