Julian Maese and his wife founded Grey Wolf Painting in 2016 after the birth of their daughter, building the business from a small operation in Rincon Valley, Santa Rosa. With over 15 years of painting experience in the Bay Area, Julian has purposefully kept the company small, running modest teams who enjoy working together daily. He personally works his jobs, handles estimates, and maintains direct communication with every client.
The fully licensed, bonded, and insured team specializes in residential interior and exterior painting, cabinet refinishing, deck and fence staining, and commercial painting. Project Manager Salvador oversees daily operations while crew members including Leo, Samuel, Jose, and River deliver the craftsmanship. Grey Wolf Painting uses premium Sherwin Williams and Renner Italia coatings, emphasizing low-VOC paints that meet and exceed environmental standards.
Based in Santa Rosa, Grey Wolf Painting serves Sonoma County communities including Windsor, Healdsburg, Petaluma, Sonoma, Sebastopol, Rohnert Park, and Cotati, along with Marin County cities including Novato, San Rafael, San Anselmo, Larkspur, and Corte Madera.
Updated: 04-06-2026
Customers consistently highlight Julian's hands-on presence. One reviewer noted "The owner, Julian, came by every day to look, check in with the crew, and explain to us anything he thought we should know." Another described how "Julian checked in with us and always responded promptly to questions" throughout their project. This personal oversight extends from initial estimates through final walkthroughs.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews, Yelp
Q: How does Grey Wolf Painting handle communication during projects?
Communication emerges as the most praised aspect across reviews. Customers describe "never a breakdown in communication" even with six-plus crew members on site. One homeowner stated Julian "kept his promises, communicated every step of the way and never left us wondering what would happen next." The team provides upfront timelines, daily progress updates, and immediate responses to questions.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews, Yelp
Q: What do customers say about Grey Wolf Painting's preparation work before painting?
Reviews frequently highlight extensive prep work as a differentiator. One customer noted "the preparation alone took over two days" for their project. Another described being left with "not only a beautiful home, but the knowledge that my home has been well protected." Customers report thorough scraping, priming, caulking, and surface repairs before any paint is applied.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews, Yelp
Q: Does Grey Wolf Painting protect furniture and landscaping during projects?
Protection of property receives consistent praise. One reviewer specifically noted "virtually zero plant damage" after an extensive exterior project. Another described how the crew "took excellent care to protect our furniture and surroundings" and ensured "no paint spatter or debris was left behind." Daily cleanup and careful covering of belongings is standard practice.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Q: How does Grey Wolf Painting's pricing compare to other contractors?
Customers who obtained multiple bids consistently describe Grey Wolf's pricing as competitive. One review noted "his bid was extremely reasonable and competitive, beating out several others." Another customer stated they were "very pleased, and at a very good price." Reviews mention fair estimates provided on-site during initial consultations with no hidden costs.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews, Yelp
Q: What makes Grey Wolf Painting's crew stand out according to reviews?
Crew quality receives extensive praise throughout reviews. One customer described "Julian, Sal and the entire crew are first and foremost, good humans, but also skilled craftsmen." Another highlighted that crew members were "smart, detail oriented and meticulous, responsive, and so hard-working despite the extreme heat." Reviewers consistently mention punctuality, professionalism, and genuine care for the work.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Q: How did Grey Wolf Painting handle the one 4-star review they received?
The single moderate review mentioned wall texture imperfections and minor missed spots. Julian responded professionally, acknowledging the concerns and explaining challenges with older wall surfaces. He offered to make corrections, demonstrating accountability. The customer noted the crew was "friendly" and felt "safe" with a "beautiful result" despite the minor issues identified.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Q: Does Grey Wolf Painting work on larger, multi-building projects?
Grey Wolf has completed extensive compound projects. One customer hired them to paint "the entire interior and exterior of our house, which included several buildings and staining of multiple decks, a pergola and ceiling." Despite the complexity, there was "never once a breakdown in communication" with the large crew on site. The team handled ADUs, workshops, and wine sheds alongside primary residences.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Q: Is Grey Wolf Painting licensed and registered in California?
Yes. Grey Wolf Painting LLC holds California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) License No. 1018428 for Painting and Decorating (C-33 classification). The license was originally issued on September 19, 2016 and is currently Active with an expiration date of April 30, 2027. The business is registered with the California Secretary of State as Grey Wolf Painting LLC, Entity No. 202354019001, filed January 3, 2023 with Active status and Good standing across all categories. Julian Maese serves as the registered agent.
-Verification Sources: California CSLB, California Secretary of State
Updated: 04-07-2026