Led by owner Nelson Portillo and his father Nelson Sr., Smooth Painting is a family-run painting contractor based at 3031 Furness Ct in Maplewood, Minnesota. Nelson worked his way up from helper to crew supervisor before launching Smooth Painting LLC in August 2022, bringing years of hands-on painting experience to every project.
The company focuses on residential interior and exterior painting alongside deck and fence staining. Their interior work ranges from single-room refreshes and ceiling repairs to whole-home transformations covering walls, trim, doors, and popcorn ceiling remediation. Exterior projects include siding, fascia, trim, doors, and pressure washing. Krisann assists homeowners with color selection as part of the service.
The fully bonded and insured team serves Maplewood, White Bear Lake, Woodbury, Stillwater, Oakdale, Shoreview, Vadnais Heights, Cottage Grove, Hugo, Lino Lakes, Lake Elmo, and Little Canada. Smooth Painting offers a two-year warranty on all workmanship and provides free, no-obligation written estimates with itemized pricing.
Communication is one of the most frequently praised aspects of working with Smooth Painting. Ali Peterson noted the team provided "updates everyday of our project" and invited daily inspections. John Widner described "excellent communication of what and when they were doing." Nelson Jr. handles scheduling and client updates while Nelson Sr. leads on-site work, creating a streamlined flow of information throughout each project.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Reviews consistently highlight the dynamic between Nelson and his father. Nathan Ostlie described them as "professional, hard-working, detail-oriented, and flexible." Jason Kraft praised both, saying the project "exceeded all expectations" in communication and work ethic. Julie schweppe noted Nelson Sr. was "on time, respectful and did a great job prepping the areas." The hands-on family involvement shows across projects of all sizes.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Multiple customers who obtained competing bids chose Smooth Painting on value. Lea stated she received multiple bids and Smooth Painting "was by far the most affordable." Mark Ruberg described the pricing as "more than Fair" after receiving an itemized walkthrough estimate. Dana Roberts noted "very reasonable prices" paired with focused, precise work. Eight Google reviews carry the "Great price" or "Reasonable price" tag.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Attention to detail runs throughout the reviews. Apple Muenker, a repeat customer, wrote that "the work is flawless, which is his ultimate goal." Michael Newbauer, a self-described perfectionist, said he "could not find a flaw" after an intricate Tudor-style exterior project in Woodbury. Rick Blesi noted the results "exceeded our expectations" from the initial estimate through the final reveal.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Post-project follow-up is a pattern in the reviews. Cassie Pinta shared that after staining her deck in White Bear Lake, the crew "came back a week later to verify no spots were missed" and fixed two minor spots the same day. Julie mentioned they "checked in after job was done to make sure everything was fine." This return-visit practice adds a layer of quality assurance beyond the final walkthrough.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Nathan Ostlie described having a couple of color changes during his project, and the crew was "understanding and flexible during the whole process, even while repainting the same room with a different color." Rather than treating changes as problems, Nelson and his team accommodate evolving preferences without pushback, which customers note as a distinct positive in their experience.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Linda Enninga's 2-star review described paint blobs, uneven cut-in lines, and carpet staining during a bedroom and closet project. She acknowledged Nelson "was very apologetic and sent his crew back to correct the damage." The crew repainted the affected areas and removed most carpet stains, and $400 was taken off the bill. Nelson's response took full responsibility and committed to additional crew training.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Four reviewers confirm returning for multiple projects. Apple Muenker wrote "I have hired them for many projects, small and large. Never an issue." Julie hired them for bedrooms, kitchen, fence, and deck staining within one year. Leah called them her "go-to painting team" after having her entire house painted over the years. Jim Mitchell hired them twice within six months for intricate molding work on an older home.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Minnesota requires a Residential Building Contractor or Remodeler license for painting projects exceeding $15,000. Smooth Painting LLC's Contractor Registration (Record No. 617573, DBA Smooth Painting) was filed with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry at 3031 Furness Ct, Maplewood, MN 55109. As of 3/10/2026, the registration status shows "Denied" with a linked record showing "Revoked." The business entity, Smooth Painting LLC (File No. 1326109500026), is a domestic LLC filed on 8/13/2022 and is currently Active / In Good Standing with the Minnesota Secretary of State. The registered agent and manager is Nelson Daniel Portillo.
-Verification Sources: MN Dept. of Labor & Industry (ims.dli.mn.gov), MN Secretary of State (mblsportal.sos.mn.gov)