Too many South Bay homeowners have experienced painting contractors who provide vague estimates, use inexperienced workers, or disappear mid-project for higher-paying jobs. Owner David Cooley founded Cooley Brothers Painting in 2009 (originally as Rayco Painting, rebranded in 2011) with a focus on transparent communication and reliable scheduling, building systems that address these common frustrations.
The company handles interior and exterior residential painting, with particular expertise in cabinet refinishing, wood rot repair, deck staining, and HOA commercial projects. David personally oversees estimates while Operations Manager Jessica Cooley coordinates scheduling. Consistent crews led by foremen including Bulmaro, Benjamin, Carlos, and Marco handle projects from single-room refreshes to complete exterior transformations. Customers frequently mention the same crew members by name across reviews spanning different years, indicating strong team retention.
The fully licensed, bonded, and insured team is EPA RRP lead-safe certified for work on homes built before 1978. The company offers a standard two-year warranty and premium five-year warranty on workmanship. Based in Torrance, they serve Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills, and surrounding South Bay communities.
Updated: 04-06-2026
Cleanup receives remarkably consistent praise across reviews. Carol M. states the crew left her home "cleaner than it was before they started the paint job." Judith Palarz notes the team "left the site cleaner every day than they had found it." Multiple customers describe daily routines where crews remove materials, vacuum dust, and restore spaces before leaving each evening, with final walkthroughs ensuring spotless completion.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Surface preparation and protection emerge as defining strengths. Victoria Bettencourt describes how they "protected all the landscaping, covered the concrete, and left no trace of paint anywhere." Tim Kight emphasizes the crew "masked and covered everything" before starting any painting. Customers consistently note thorough drop cloth coverage, furniture protection, and careful masking of trim, windows, and non-painted surfaces.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Reviews reveal strong crew consistency with the same names appearing repeatedly. Bulmaro, Benjamin, Carlos, Marco, Ronald, Jose, Luis, Nelson, and Marlon are mentioned by name across reviews spanning different time periods. John Irene Nacheiner, who has used them "3 times in 12 years," experiences the same quality each visit. This pattern indicates in-house W2 employees rather than rotating subcontractors.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
The company's carpentry capabilities set them apart from paint-only contractors. Linda Yoshida hired them after "extensive research including seeing pics of their work" and had wood replacement completed alongside exterior painting. Bob Collins, a three-time customer, specifically mentions "wood replacement" as part of his projects. When crews discover rot during prep, they provide repair options rather than painting over problems.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Several customers address value directly. John K., who got multiple quotes for a lead paint exterior job, found Cooley Brothers "not the lowest, but not the highest" and emphasizes they were "worth every penny." Reviews consistently frame pricing as fair given the thoroughness of prep work, quality of materials, and professionalism of execution.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
The two negative reviews (Brenan K. on Yelp, Julio Martínez on Google) both mention scheduling or timeline concerns. Owner David Cooley responds professionally, offering direct contact for resolution rather than arguing publicly. In responses to concerns, David writes "I'm sorry to hear of those areas of concern" and provides his direct contact information. The pattern shows accountability and willingness to address issues directly.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews, Yelp
Punctuality and communication emerge as consistent themes. Jennifer H. notes the crew was "always on time" while Bob Collins, who has used them three times, praises "an excellent team that takes great pride in their work." Project managers like Marco and Carlos maintain communication from estimate through final walkthrough, with customers mentioning regular updates and confirmation texts before arrivals.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Yes. California requires a C-33 Painting and Decorating contractor license for projects over $500. Cooley Brothers Painting operates as Cooley Professional Services Inc. and holds CSLB License No. 957815, issued February 16, 2011, with current Active status expiring March 31, 2026. The license is bonded through American Contractors Indemnity Company (Bond No. 100242408, $25,000). The business is registered with the California Secretary of State as Entity No. 3562620, a California Stock Corporation filed December 17, 2012, with Active status and Good standing. The registered agent is David Ross Cooley Jr. at the company's Torrance address.
-Verification Sources: California CSLB License Lookup (https://www.cslb.ca.gov/OnlineServices/CheckLicenseII/LicenseDetail.aspx?LicNum=957815), California Secretary of State Business Search (https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/search/business)
Updated: 04-07-2026