Catchlight Painting

About Catchlight Painting

Founded in 1994 by Nigel Costolloe, Catchlight Painting has spent three decades building a reputation for skilled craftsmanship throughout the Greater Boston area. The company operates from their shop at 93R Border Street in West Newton, where Nigel serves as President alongside Vice President Deborah Costolloe.

The fully licensed and insured team specializes in interior and exterior residential painting, historic home restoration, cabinet refinishing, and light carpentry. Catchlight earned the 2016 PDCA PIPP Award for Residential Exterior Restoration, reflecting their expertise with New England's older homes. The company is EPA RRP Lead-Safe Certified and uses HEPA-filtered equipment on every project. All crew members are W2 employees who undergo background checks and drug testing through Massachusetts CORI.

Catchlight serves Newton, Brookline, Cambridge, Wellesley, Weston, and surrounding communities within the Greater Boston Metropolitan Area. The company offers a three-year warranty on all work, and customers note the crew leaves spaces "cleaner than when they started." Massachusetts HIC Registration No. 151854.

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Q&A Based On What Customers Are Saying About Catchlight Painting

Q: Why do so many reviews mention that Catchlight Painting crews leave homes exceptionally clean?

Cleanliness appears in nearly every positive review. Customers describe crews using drop cloths, plastic sheeting, and HEPA vacuums throughout projects. Rachel noted her space was left "cleaner than when they started," while Jennifer observed "immaculate cleanup" daily. The company emphasizes containment with tack mats and negative air machines to prevent dust migration into living areas.

-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews

Q: Does Catchlight Painting use in-house painters or subcontractors?

Catchlight exclusively employs W2 painters rather than subcontractors. Their website introduces each crew member by name, and reviews consistently mention the same painters. Doug described them as "true professionals," and Amanda praised how "every Catchlight employee shows up in a company uniform." All employees undergo CORI background checks and drug testing before joining the team.

-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews, Company Website

Q: What makes Catchlight Painting's approach to historic homes different from other painters?

Catchlight won the 2016 PDCA PIPP Award specifically for historic exterior restoration. They understand older building materials like horsehair plaster, calcimine ceilings, and shiplap clapboards. One customer with a 122-year-old home appreciated that Nigel was "so knowledgeable about the science of painting" and "all state and federal regulations." Their EPA certification ensures safe lead paint handling.

-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews

Q: How does Catchlight Painting handle project communication and daily updates?

Reviews show mixed experiences with communication. Many customers praise the daily updates, with one noting they "liked the updates we received about what was done each day and what they would attempt the next day." However, some customers experienced delays in response times for scheduling and touch-ups. Owner Nigel Costolloe personally responds to all online reviews.

-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews

Q: What happened with the negative reviews about Catchlight Painting's billing practices?

A few customers raised concerns about billing transparency, particularly for smaller handyman projects. One reviewer disputed charges for a brief visit, while another experienced frustration with project management on a longer job. Owner responses tend to defend company practices rather than offer resolution. Most customers report transparent, detailed estimates, with Julie noting "pricing was fair" and the crew "delivered exactly what was promised."

-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews, Yelp

Q: Do Catchlight Painting customers mention specific crew members by name?

Reviews frequently name individual painters, suggesting consistent crews and personal connections. Customers praise Eraldo for tackling "complex challenges" and his photography hobby. Eduardo earned recognition for being "here every day exactly when he said he would be." Carlos and Marcos reportedly went "above and beyond." Pete manages projects after joining in 2018 with 12 years of experience.

-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews

Q: Is Catchlight Painting worth the higher price compared to other Newton painters?

Catchlight positions itself as a premium contractor and acknowledges their pricing reflects employee benefits, insurance, and quality materials. Repeat customer Thom Mulhern has used them since 1995, calling them "expensive but always fair." Multiple reviews describe the value, with one customer stating "quality of work performed by Catchlight is beyond measure." The company offers a three-year warranty on all work.

-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews

Q: How long has Catchlight Painting served Greater Boston, and do customers return for additional projects?

Catchlight has operated since 1994, completing 30 years in business. Customer retention is notably strong. Thom Mulhern has been a client for 29 years. Another reviewer mentioned using them "on two separate occasions over the past three years" and found their "attention to detail is impeccable." The company states most projects come from repeat business or past customer referrals.

-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews