El Gato Painting
About El Gato Painting
Owner Ken Slosarik leads El Gato Painting from their Gifford Avenue headquarters in San Jose, where the company has completed over 25,000 projects across the Bay Area. The team serves 34 cities throughout Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda, and Contra Costa counties, handling residential, commercial, and HOA painting projects of all sizes.
El Gato Painting has built particular expertise in Victorian and Craftsman home restoration alongside standard interior and exterior work. Their proprietary 21-step preparation process has become a hallmark of the company, with customers noting results that make homes look "brand new." The team handles everything from cabinet refinishing and deck staining to complete exterior transformations and commercial building projects.
The company is fully licensed, bonded, and insured (CSLB License No. 711537), Diamond Certified, and BBB Accredited with an A+ rating. El Gato Painting backs all work with an industry-leading 6-year unlimited and transferable warranty, reflecting their confidence in their craftsmanship and materials.
Updated: 01-08-2026
Q&A Based On What Customers Are Saying About El Gato Painting
Q: Is El Gato Painting's pricing competitive or are they the most expensive option?
Reviews suggest El Gato Painting falls in the mid-to-upper range rather than being the cheapest or most expensive. One customer noted "they were not the cheapest bid, but neither were they the highest" while another chose them despite being "the most expensive bid" because of their thorough approach. Several reviews mention the detailed quotes and value received, with one stating they got "the best quote without worrying that we may be sacrificing quality."
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Q: Does El Gato Painting leave job sites clean or do homeowners deal with mess during projects?
Cleanup stands out as a consistent strength across reviews. Multiple customers report sites left "spotless every day" with one noting there was "no debris or mess of any kind" after each workday. Another reviewer stated they expected some mess but found the crew "cleaned up each day" and protected all furniture and plants. The goal, according to reviews, is for homeowners to barely notice work occurred.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Q: Why do so many reviews mention El Gato Painting's foreman Alberto by name?
Alberto consistently appears in reviews as a standout crew leader whose woodworking and painting skills impress customers. One homeowner noted Alberto was "so skilled as a wood worker/painter" while another praised how he "personally took on some of the most challenging pieces of the work to ensure they're done right." His attention to detail on trim work and rot repair draws particular praise across multiple projects.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Q: What makes El Gato Painting's preparation process different from other painters?
The company's 21-step preparation method receives frequent mention in reviews. Customers describe thorough processes including power washing, caulking, crack filling, and proper priming. One homeowner noted the crew "followed a 21-step preparation method with power washing, caulking and more" and praised how the result was "stunning." This extensive prep work contributes to finishes that customers say last longer than previous paint jobs.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Q: Does El Gato Painting use the same crews consistently or send different workers each time?
Reviews reveal a consistent core team that customers reference by name repeatedly. The same crew members (Alberto, Moises, Mario, Marlon, Oscar, Jesus) appear across different customer reviews spanning months. One customer mentioned "Moises, Mario, Marlon, and Juan" while others praise the same Alberto-led teams. This consistency suggests in-house employees rather than rotating subcontractors, with weekly training meetings maintaining quality standards.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Q: Does El Gato Painting complete projects on time without dragging out the work?
Punctuality emerges as one of the strongest patterns in reviews. Customers consistently report crews arriving "on time each day" and projects completing as scheduled. One reviewer noted "they were punctual and excellent at answering my questions" while another described how the team "started work on the agreed date with no issues." The company stays until projects are finished rather than juggling multiple jobs.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Q: How did El Gato Painting handle their negative review about the driving incident?
The single negative review involved a driving complaint on I-280, not the quality of painting work. Owner Ken responded with an apology rather than becoming defensive, acknowledging the concern and expressing regret. This response pattern demonstrates accountability and professionalism even when criticism falls outside standard service complaints. No patterns of quality issues or unresolved complaints appear across platforms.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Q: How does El Gato Painting handle the estimate and color selection process?
Owner Ken Slosarik handles estimates and color consultations himself. One customer was impressed "when he spent well over an hour color matching" to get the perfect colors. Reviews describe detailed written quotes that break down costs clearly. The company also provides paint samples applied to the home before final decisions, with Johnny in the office coordinating scheduling and explaining the process.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Updated: 01-08-2026