About Auen Painting Services:
Your Elk River Neighbors, Not a Franchise
Who we are
Hi. My name is Chris Auen. I grew up in the Elk River community and graduated from Elk River High School in 2004. My wife is Jessica, who also grew up in Elk River graduating from Spectrum High School in 2012. Our son is currently enrolled at Spectrum High School and is set to graduate next year. We go to church in Elk River, shop in Elk River, and are dedicated to our community. We work with local retailers such as Kris Thompson @ Price Realty, and businesses such as Beaudry Propane, Lund Storage and Rawbar. We love Elk River and are your friendly neighborhood painting company located right here in Elk River, Minnesota, and we would love the honor to serve you.
Our Story: How Auen Painting Started
I started painting at 23, after working a framing job since graduation—hard to believe that was already 20 years ago! I actually fell into it by chance. A friend who ran his own painting business found himself unable to drive, so he offered to pay me a third of every job just to chauffeur him around. I took him up on it, and somewhere along the way I started learning the trade myself.
Eventually we went our separate ways, and I began subcontracting with a seasoned painter out of Brooklyn Park—Bruce Beck Painting. After a few years working alongside him, I moved into the commercial side of things, subcontracting for Commercial Finishes LLC out of Maple Grove. That experience gave me a deep knowledge of the trade and a real appreciation for doing things right.
Auen Painting Services started the way most good things do—with a simple idea and a lot of hard work. As a lifelong Elk River resident, I wanted to build something that served the community I grew up in and love. This isn't just where we work—it's where we live, where our kids go to school, and where we shop at the same stores and eat at the same restaurants as you. When we paint your home, we're painting our neighbor's home.
From those early days, word spread naturally. Homeowners told their friends, realtors started calling, and property managers began trusting us with their properties. What started as a local painting company has grown into hundreds of transformed homes across Elk River, Rogers, Otsego, and the greater Northwest Twin Cities—all built on relationships and a reputation we're incredibly proud of.
“We’re not the biggest painting company in Minnesota. We’re the one that shows up when we promise, delivers exactly what we quoted, and treats your home with the respect it deserves.”
Why Being Local Matters
There's a huge difference between a national franchise with a local phone number and an actual local business. Here's why it matters to you:
We live here – We live in ElkRiver, our son attends ElkRiver schools, we are invested in the communities future because its OUR future.
Our reputation is everything – In Elk River, word travels fast. We can't hide behind a corporate brand if we mess up. Every project affects our family's reputation in our own neighborhood.
We know the area – We understand Minnesota weather challenges. We know Elk River home styles. We've painted in every neighborhood from Orono Meadows to Twin Lakes to Handke Addition.
We support local businesses – We buy supplies from local hardware stores when possible. We work with local realtors. We partner with Elk River contractors and tradespeople.
We're accessible – Need to talk about your project? You can reach Christopher or Jessica directly. No phone trees, no "your call is important to us" messages, no outsourced customer service.
We're accountable – If there's ever an issue (rare, but we're human), we fix it immediately. We don't disappear after the job because we live here. You'll see us at the grocery store, at kids' events, around town.
Compare this to a franchise: they send subcontractors you've never met, the "owner" lives in another state, and if something goes wrong, good luck getting anyone to answer the phone. That's not how we do business.
Our Core Values (What We Actually Believe)
No Subcontractors, Ever
This is our #1 differentiator and we mean it literally. When we quote your job, the crew you meet at the estimate is the same crew painting your home. We don't farm out work to whoever bids lowest. We hire, train, and supervise our own team. Your home deserves better than strangers with no accountability.
Respect Your Home & Your Life
We treat your home like it's ours. We protect your floors and furniture like they're irreplaceable. We clean up completely every day. We work around your schedule. We understand you're living in your home during the project, and we make it as painless as possible.
Clear Communication, Always
You'll never wonder what's happening with your project. Jessica provides updates proactively. If we encounter something unexpected, we discuss it with you immediately—not at invoice time. We explain our process, answer your questions, and keep you informed every step.
Quality Over Speed
We could rush through jobs and squeeze in more projects. We don't. Proper surface prep takes time. Proper curing between coats takes time. Quality work takes time. We'd rather complete fewer projects excellently than rush through many projects poorly.
Honest, Transparent Pricing
Our estimates are detailed and accurate. We break down exactly what you're paying for. We don't lowball to win the bid then hit you with "unexpected" charges later. If we quote $4,500, that's what you pay—unless YOU decide to add something.
Meet the Team
Owner & Lead Painter
Christopher comes from a long lineage of painters and learned the trade from other business owners who emphasized that painting isn't just about covering walls—it's about craftsmanship, integrity, and doing right by every customer. A proud Elk River High School graduate (class of 2004) with education from years of hands-on experience, he's perfected the techniques that separate exceptional painting from mediocre work.
What Christopher brings to every project: meticulous surface preparation (the step most painters rush), attention to detail that borders on obsessive, and a genuine care about the final result. He's been called "someone who truly cares about his customers and doing excellent work" by clients—and that's exactly the reputation he's built, working alongside trusted local partners like Kris Thompson at Price Realty, Beaudry Propane, Lund Storage, and Rawbar.
Our Crew
We employ a small, dedicated team of professional painters—not rotating subcontractors. Every crew member is directly hired, trained to our standards, and accountable to us. They're background-checked, respectful, and take pride in their work. When our crew arrives at your home, they represent the Auen name, and they know it.
You'll never open your door to wonder "Who are these people?" because we tell you exactly who's coming and they're the same faces you've seen before.
Why Homeowners Choose Us Over National Franchises
Let's be honest about what you're comparing:
National Franchises (CertaPro, others):
❌ Subcontract work to whoever bids lowest
❌ Different crew every time—you never know who's coming
❌ Higher prices (they need profit for corporate fees, advertising, franchise fees)
❌ Call center customer service—good luck reaching decision-maker
❌ Corporate owner in another state who's never seen your home
❌ Quality varies wildly depending on which subcontractor shows up
Auen Painting Services:
✅ Same crew, every project—we never subcontract
✅ Owner-operated—Christopher personally oversees or works on projects
✅ Fair pricing—no franchise fees to pay, savings passed to you
✅ Direct communication—talk to Christopher or Jessica, not a call center
✅ Local accountability—we live here, our reputation is everything
✅ Consistent quality—our standards, our training, our crew
Look, we get it. The national franchise has a recognizable name and slick marketing. But here's what matters: when they show up to your home, it's subcontractors you've never met, working to maximize their profit, with no real connection to you or Elk River. When we show up, it's neighbors who care about the result because it reflects on us in our own community.
That's the difference. And in our experience, homeowners who've used both always prefer working with an actual local business.
Our Commitment to You
When you hire Auen Painting Services, here's what you can count on:
📞 We answer the phone. Or call you back within hours, not days.
📅 We show up when promised. If we say Tuesday at 8am, we're there Tuesday at 8am.
💰 We honor our estimates. The price we quote is the price you pay.
🏠 We protect your home. Furniture, floors, landscaping—covered like it's ours.
🧹 We clean up completely. You won't find paint drips or dust weeks later.
💬 We communicate proactively. You never wonder what's happening.
👥 We send our crew, not strangers. Same faces, every time.
🛡️ We stand behind our work. Warranty covered, no questions asked.
🤝 We treat you like neighbors. Because you are.
This isn't aspirational corporate speak. This is how we actually operate, on every project, for every customer. Our business depends on our reputation in Elk River, and we take that seriously.
Serving Elk River & Northwest Twin Cities:
While we're based in Elk River, we proudly serve homeowners and businesses throughout the Northwest Twin Cities:
Elk River (our home base)
Rogers
Otsego
Zimmerman
Big Lake
Albertville
Monticello
And surrounding communities
No matter which Northwest Twin Cities community you call home, we bring the same commitment to quality, the same respect for your property, and the same local accountability to every project.
Ready to Work Together?
If you're looking for a painting company that treats your home with respect, shows up when promised, and stands behind their work—you've found it. We're not perfect (we're human), but we care deeply about doing right by every customer because this is our community too.
Call (612) 206-0060 to talk to Christopher or Jessica directly. We'll schedule a free estimate, discuss your project, answer your questions, and provide a detailed quote. No pressure, no games, just honest conversation about your painting needs.
We look forward to serving you and earning the opportunity to become your go-to painter for years to come.
— Christopher & Jessica Auen
Auen Painting Services | Elk River, MN
Family Business Since 2005!
If you want Satisfaction, Great Customer Service and Friendly Painting Experience in your home that is all about Quality?
Then Auen Painting is for you!
Contact us
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