Steve Fitzpatrick founded Universal Painting Contractors, Inc. in 1994, growing from a single employee to one of the San Francisco Bay Area's most recognized painting contractors. Now a family operation with son Ryan handling estimates alongside Steve, the Fairfield-based company brings over 30 years of experience to every project. The team specializes in residential and commercial painting, cabinet refinishing, deck staining, and elastomeric coatings.
What distinguishes Universal Painting is their crew-based approach. Rather than stretching small teams across multiple jobs, they deploy crews of 10 to 16 painters to complete most exterior projects in one to two days. Office manager Katherine coordinates scheduling while crew leaders Roman, Edwin, and Oscar oversee job sites. This approach minimizes disruption to homeowners while maintaining consistent quality.
The fully insured team offers a two-year workmanship warranty and 100% satisfaction guarantee on all projects. They serve Solano, Napa, Yolo, and Contra Costa Counties from their Fairfield headquarters.
Updated: 04-06-2026
Customers consistently mention the impressive crew sizes. One homeowner noted "a crew of 16 showed up" while another described "10-12 painters" arriving for their exterior project. This approach allows most homes to be completed in one to two days rather than stretching over weeks. Multiple reviews highlight that the large crew deployment minimizes disruption to daily routines.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews, Yelp
Preparation is repeatedly praised as a company strength. Customers describe crews performing pressure washing, caulking, dry rot repair, and stucco patching before any paint is applied. One reviewer noted the team "fixed all the dry rot, caulked everything, patched some stucco" as part of the project. The thorough prep work appears included in standard estimates rather than added as surprise charges.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews, Yelp
Owner Steve Fitzpatrick and his son Ryan personally handle consultations and estimates. Multiple customers mention Steve or Ryan visiting their homes, with one noting "Ryan came out and gave us a quote" and another appreciating that "Steve came out, inspected my garage and sent me a quote within one week." This direct owner involvement continues through project completion with regular site visits.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews, Yelp
The company provides complimentary color consultations with large paint samples applied directly to homes. One customer described how Steve "painted large color samples on the house" to help visualize options before committing. Reviews frequently mention the team's guidance on color selection, with customers praising the patience shown during the decision-making process.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Cleanup receives consistent praise across reviews. Customers report crews protecting landscaping, covering surfaces thoroughly, and leaving properties spotless. One homeowner stated the team was "very clean and organized" while another noted they "cleaned up everything nicely." The attention to protecting furniture, floors, and outdoor areas during work appears standard practice.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews, Yelp
Touch-up responsiveness is a recurring theme in customer feedback. When minor issues are identified after completion, the company returns promptly. One reviewer mentioned that when they noticed a few spots, "Steve and his team came back" to address them without hesitation. The willingness to return and ensure complete satisfaction aligns with their stated guarantee.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
The single negative review mentioning paint chipping received a same-day response from ownership. The owner replied professionally, expressing concern and requesting direct contact since "we do not have any record of your information in our files." The response offered to investigate and resolve the issue, demonstrating accountability rather than defensiveness when complaints arise.
-Review Snippet Sources: Yelp
California requires a contractor license for painting projects over $500. Universal Painting Contractors, Inc. holds California Contractors State License Board License No. 942573 with C-33 Painting and Decorating classification, issued 01/21/2010 with expiration date 01/31/2028, status Active. The company is registered with the California Secretary of State as a Stock Corporation (CA - General), Entity No. 3114021, initially filed 10/20/2009, with Active status and Good standing across all categories. Registered agent is Stephen C Fitzpatrick at 3230 Cherry Valley Dr, Fairfield, CA 94534.
-Verification Sources: California CSLB, California Secretary of State
Updated: 04-07-2026