Catchlight Painting
Updated: 11-07-2025
About Catchlight Painting
When Naomi Lopkin needed damaged walls replaced along with extensive painting and carpentry work, Catchlight Painting completed the project so efficiently she described Doug and Victoria as "truly perfectionists in making sure the finished product is as it should be." This level of precision defines how owner Nigel Costolloe runs his Newton-based painting operation, understanding that behind every project is a homeowner trusting his team with the care of what's often their largest investment.
That experience represents typical Catchlight execution. Owner Nigel Costolloe and project manager Pete have built their over 90 five-star Google reviews and 4.9-star rating through consistent practices. Free estimates without pressure tactics, painters arriving in company uniforms and marked vehicles, addressing discovered issues like rotted wood without change orders. From their Border Street office in West Newton, they handle everything from single-room refreshes to complete Victorian restorations requiring specialized knowledge of historic materials. Customers repeatedly mention the detailed carpentry work Ezekias completes alongside painting crews, the thorough surface preparation Sisco and Marcos provide, and Nigel's practice of personally guiding color selection for historic homes.
Catchlight operates primarily through word-of-mouth referrals. Customers like Thom Mulhern hire them across multiple homes over nearly three decades because the reliability exceeds expectations. The 4.9-star average across over 90 Google reviews reflects something beyond technical painting skill. It captures a fully licensed and insured contractor who maintains year-round crews with background checks and drug testing, operates as an EPA RRP-certified firm for safe lead paint handling, and backs work with a three-year warranty that turns first-time customers into clients who recommend them throughout Greater Boston's historic neighborhoods.
Updated: 11-07-2025
Q&A Based On What Customers Are Saying About Catchlight Painting
Q: Does Catchlight Painting actually show up on time and finish projects as scheduled?
Multiple customers mention punctuality and timeline reliability, with Eduardo noted for being "here every day exactly when he said he would be" and Rachel Garity reporting her project was "completed on time." Project manager Pete provides firm start and end dates in contracts. Reviews show consistent delivery within promised timeframes.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Q: How does Catchlight Painting handle the mess and cleanup during projects?
Reviews consistently praise cleanliness practices. Naomi Lopkin mentions crews were "very thoughtful in making sure that the work area was kept neat and clean," while customers describe "immaculate clean-up." Diana Richards notes "no paint on walls, everything is perfect" after banister work. The company uses HEPA-filtered equipment and containment methods on all projects.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Q: What makes Catchlight Painting's work on historic homes different from other contractors?
Owner Nigel specializes in New England's architectural history and is a Historic New England Preservation Partner. Reviews mention work on 1890s Brookline homes, 1895 Victorian restorations, and Cambridge Victorian projects. Mari Morgen appreciated their understanding of "beautiful older homes." The company won the 2016 PDCA PIPP Award for Residential Exterior Restoration and understands period-appropriate materials and historic coating techniques.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews, Company Website
Q: Why do several reviews specifically mention painter Sisco's work?
Beth O'Connor states Sisco "has gone above and beyond" and that they were "especially impressed" with his work as the primary painter on their project. Maria Morelli describes both Marcos and Sisco as "masterful painters who performed their work seeking nothing less than perfection." Customers note his attention to detail and thorough approach across multiple projects.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Q: How did Catchlight Painting handle the negative Yelp review from Jennifer Uhrhane?
The review revealed significant project management issues, with Jennifer stating she had to "manage them by myself" to avoid unpainted areas. Owner Nigel responded that "in 30 years we have never received a 1 star review" and noted they placed their first property lien. When Jennifer requested a discount for her experience, Nigel threatened legal action rather than attempting service recovery, demonstrating the company prioritizes payment enforcement over resolving customer concerns.
-Review Snippet Sources: Yelp
Q: Does Catchlight Painting provide value despite premium pricing?
Reviews acknowledge higher costs but emphasize received value. Maria Morelli states "it is pricey, but the perfection and peace of mind are worth every penny," noting "disappointing work done on my home in the past" made her "realize what a good value work done right really is." Dolphia Arnstein confirms "they are pricey but you get what you pay for" with quality and "attention to detail" exceeding competitors.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Q: How does Catchlight Painting handle cabinet refinishing and carpentry alongside painting?
Reviews mention successful cabinet painting projects, with Yota Kokkali praising "excellent" quality on kitchen cabinets. Sam Collins appreciated they were "more than happy to tackle our smaller projects" involving custom carpentry and handwork. Joe Wooters notes Pete was knowledgeable about products, "happy to discuss various products at length and explain his choices" for different wood types and applications.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Q: What happened with the Stephen Cody complaint about Catchlight Painting?
Stephen reported waiting eight months for work to start, being invoiced four separate times making it "difficult to evaluate the hours worked," and taking over a month for a minor clapboard touchup charged at $461. Despite asking "on four separate occasions" for paint color information, he never received it until after posting his review. His conclusion was "Catchlight has good painters and carpenters, but we'll use another company next time."
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews