When homeowners contact CertaPro Painters of Kirkwood, owner Barbara Hershfelt ensures they connect with an experienced sales consultant who visits on-site to assess the project. Barbara, a Kirkwood native and Kirkwood High School Class of '79 graduate, founded this franchise serving St. Louis County and Madison County, Illinois. During the consultation, customers receive a detailed written proposal with itemized costs, timeline, and scope of work.
Once approved, project manager Margaret coordinates scheduling while office manager Chris handles logistics. Lead painter Manny and his consistent crew handle most residential projects, with customers frequently noting the same familiar faces returning for follow-up work. The fully licensed, bonded, and insured team specializes in interior and exterior painting, cabinet refinishing, deck staining, and commercial projects.
Based in Warson Woods, the company serves Kirkwood, Clayton, Ladue, Creve Coeur, University City, and surrounding communities. CertaPro Painters of Kirkwood has been BBB Accredited since 2023 with an A+ rating and 24 years in business.
Manny serves as lead painter and crew chief for most residential projects. Sandra Smith called him "meticulous, professional, friendly and a painting artist" while numerous other customers praise his attention to detail. His consistent presence means returning customers often see the same familiar crew, building trust through familiarity. Manny's team handles everything from single-room refreshes to complete whole-house transformations.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
The company demonstrates flexibility for urgent timelines. Andrew Goodman needed his project completed overnight before a deadline, noting they "pulled it off" despite the challenging timeframe. Mary Engelbreit praised the team for completing her project in "record time." This responsiveness extends to commercial clients like The Kneddy Bakery, where work was completed between business hours to minimize disruption.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Cleanup receives consistent praise across reviews. Multiple customers describe their homes as "cleaner than when they started." The crew uses protective coverings for floors, furniture, and fixtures, then removes all materials and debris. One reviewer noted finding "not a single drop of paint anywhere it shouldn't be." This attention to leaving spaces spotless appears throughout the 80 reviews analyzed.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Yes, Barbara maintains hands-on involvement, particularly when customers have concerns. Jeff Stein specifically mentioned Barbara's intervention, giving her a "Grade A+" rating for addressing his situation directly. As a Kirkwood native running a locally-owned franchise, Barbara ensures customer satisfaction extends beyond the painting crew to ownership-level accountability when needed.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Repeat business appears throughout the reviews. Tina Veraldi has "hired many times over 2 years" for various projects. Andrew Goodman returned after his initial experience, and several reviewers mention using CertaPro for both interior and exterior work on the same property over time. This retention pattern suggests customers trust the consistent quality and familiar crews for ongoing home improvement needs.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
One reviewer (frank cricelli) expressed dissatisfaction with a time-and-materials wallpaper removal project, feeling the final cost exceeded expectations. While the company responded professionally to the public review, this highlights the importance of clarifying billing structure upfront for projects with variable scope. Most reviews praise transparent pricing, with detailed written estimates provided before work begins.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Beyond standard painting, the company handles diverse specialty work. B. Terrell praised the basement epoxy floor project where the crew removed "layers of carpet glue and many stages of paint" before applying new epoxy coating. Commercial projects include The Kneddy Bakery kitchen and various spa/wellness facilities. Cabinet refinishing, deck staining, and drywall repair round out their specialty offerings.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
The company operates under the fictitious name "CertaPro Kirkwood/Ladue" registered with the Missouri Secretary of State (Charter No. X001343289). The registration was formed on December 20, 2018. However, the fictitious name registration shows as expired since December 20, 2023 and requires renewal. The business address on file is 1495 Forest View, Warson Woods, MO 63122. Missouri does not require a state-level painting contractor license.
-Verification Sources: Missouri Secretary of State Business Entity Search, Project License Lookup File