Premier Milwaukee & Waukesha Residential Painters Since 2003

From classic Milwaukee homes to newer Waukesha-area residences, Empire Painting delivers premium results through meticulous preparation, quality materials, and detail-driven craftsmanship. We provide interior painting, exterior house painting, and cabinet painting, with a process built to protect your home, keep the job clean, and produce a finish that lasts.

Serving Milwaukee and Waukesha homeowners, our team brings 20+ years of hands-on experience across interior painting, exterior painting, and cabinet painting—delivering clean work, consistent prep, and a finish built to last.

Thinking about a new color inside or out? Schedule your free in-home estimate today and get a clear, no-pressure quote.

  • Responsive office team (calls/emails returned quickly)

  • Fully Insured (Workers’ Comp + $2M General Liability)

  • No payment collected until the project is complete and you’re satisfied

Residential Painting Services

Explore our core residential services below. Each page goes deeper on process, prep, and what to expect.

Interior Painting

Clean lines. Smooth finishes. Minimal disruption. Walls, ceilings, trim, and detail work – protected, prepped, and finished with care.

Go to Interior Painting

Exterior Painting

Cabinet refinishing is a core specialty. We follow a professional-grade process—cleaning, de-glossing, and precision spraying—to ensure a factory-smooth finish that withstands daily wear and transforms your kitchen.

Go to Exterior Painting

Cabinet Painting

Exterior repairs are a core specialty. We follow the right prep steps for cedar, aluminum, fiber cement, and more – so coatings adhere properly and look sharp.

Go to Cabinet Painting

Why Homeowners Choose Empire

Homeowners choose Empire because we run a professional operation in an industry where many don’t. You’ll get clear communication, structured production management, and a crew that protects your home and stands behind the result.

  • Customer satisfaction ahead of profit – no payment collected until the job is complete and you’re satisfied
  • Structured production management + office oversight –  scheduling confirmation, written work orders, and final inspection
  • Lead-Safe Certified and safety-first – safety prioritized over speed. (Lead Safe Certified)

  • Fully Insured (Workers’ Comp + $2M General Liability)

  • Clear scope and pricing – if scope expands, we confirm owner-approved change orders before proceeding

Our Residential Painting Process

Clear steps, clean scheduling, and professional oversight — designed to keep your home protected and your project on track.

Step 1 — Consultation & Estimate

We schedule a walkthrough, confirm scope, and answer questions. Estimates are often completed on-site so you’re not waiting on pricing afterward.

Step 2 — Clear Scope + Work Order

Transparent pricing and inclusions. If scope expands, we confirm an owner-approved change order before moving forward.

Step 3 — Schedule, Prep & Paint

Our office schedules and confirms. Crews protect surrounding areas and execute per specification, using proper equipment and safe methods.

Step 4 — Final Walkthrough

Final inspection + walkthrough, then our office follows up to confirm satisfaction and closeout.

Prep Standards That Protect Your Home

Prep is where quality is earned. Depending on the surface and scope, our prep may include washing, scraping, sanding, patching, caulking, priming, masking, and full protection of surrounding areas — so paint adheres properly and looks sharp.

  • Floors protected and furniture covered

  • Fixtures and surrounding areas masked

  • Drywall repair completed where part of the agreed scope

  • Edges masked for crisp lines and protection from splatter

  • Exterior prep includes washing + proper removal of loose paint, plus re-caulking where required

Popular Residential Upgrades

Need more than walls? These services pair well with interior and exterior painting.

Wall & Ceiling Painting

Trim Painting & Staining

Woodwork Painting

Wallpaper Installation & Removal

Color Consultation

Exterior Staining

Power Washing

Custom Painting Projects

Cabinet Painting

See the Results

Browse recent work and real transformations across Southeast Wisconsin.

Residential Painters Serving Southeast Wisconsin

Empire Painting serves homeowners throughout the Milwaukee metro area and Lake Country — typically within about 45 minutes of Delafield or downtown Milwaukee (up to ~1 hour considered for especially appealing projects).

Delafield

Hartland

Pewaukee

Oconomowoc

Brookfield

Elm Grove

Mequon

Menomonee Falls

Wauwatosa

Milwaukee

Waukesha

Residential Painting FAQs

A few quick answers – view the full FAQ page for more

Yes. Empire Painting provides free estimates for residential painting projects throughout Milwaukee, Lake Country, and surrounding Southeast Wisconsin communities.

Most estimates are conducted on-site so we can properly review the surfaces, discuss preparation requirements, and answer any questions you may have. In many cases, we are able to provide pricing during the appointment so you are not waiting days for an estimate.

Estimate appointments typically take 45–60 minutes, depending on the size of the project.

Yes. Empire Painting carries Workers Compensation insurance and $2 million in General Liability coverage.

Proper insurance coverage protects both our team and our customers throughout the project.

Empire Painting provides written warranties depending on the type of project.

Typical warranty coverage includes:

  • Exterior repaint projects: up to 3 years
  • Certain cedar surfaces: typically 2 years depending on condition
  • Interior projects: typically 1–3 years depending on scope

Our warranty covers workmanship and product-related failures.

Yes. We can help guide homeowners through the color selection process during the estimate or planning stage of the project.

Paint colors can look different depending on lighting conditions, surrounding finishes, and the size of the space. We help homeowners consider color combinations, trim coordination, and overall balance so the finished result complements the home.

Occasionally, homeowners decide to add or adjust work once a project begins. If changes are requested, we review the updated scope with the homeowner and clearly communicate any adjustments to the estimate before proceeding.

Our goal is to ensure homeowners understand the work being performed so there are no surprises during the project.

The cost of a painting project can vary depending on several factors, including the size of the home, the condition of the surfaces, preparation requirements, and the type of materials used.

Because every project is different, Empire Painting provides detailed estimates after reviewing the property in person so homeowners receive accurate pricing based on their specific project.

Exterior painting in Wisconsin typically takes place from spring through fall, depending on weather conditions.

Exterior estimates usually begin increasing in mid-February, with most exterior production starting between early April and mid-April once temperatures allow proper paint curing.

The busiest painting months are typically April through September, though fall projects can also provide excellent conditions for exterior painting.

Ready to make painting feel easy?

Get a clear estimate, a clean plan, and professional results from a local team serving Southeast Wisconsin since 2003.

Related Articles

Helpful tips on interior painting, exterior painting, cabinets, and color selection

  • 7 Signs Your Home Needs a Fresh Coat of Paint

    With the end of Wisconsin winter weather, the guesswork is over concerning the question, “does my home need to be painted again?” The paint [...]

    Read More >

  • Cabinet painting and finishing with white paint

    Transform Your Kitchen with Professional Cabinet Painting

    As the weather cools and homeowners begin spending more time indoors, this is the perfect season to refresh the spaces you use most. Few updates [...]

    Read More >

  • Paint bucket, brush, and ladder in background

    What to Expect from a Reputable Painting Contractor

    The painting industry is highly fragmented. It ranges from untrained laborers with tools picked up at a hardware store to seasoned professionals with decades [...]

    Read More >