Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

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."

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 9

How Catchlight Painting Was Evaluated

Accepted Answer

Every painting company listed on Chooz Painters is evaluated using our multi-step quality framework. We combine structured data analysis with human review to understand how Catchlight Painting performs across the key signals that matter most to property owners.  How the Chooz Score Works The Chooz Score is a 100-point rating based on four core pillars:  Platform reviews & ratings from sources such as Google, Facebook, Yelp, Angi, BBB, and others Review quality & engagement, including depth of customer feedback, photos, and how the company responds to reviews Website and digital presence, which helps indicate professionalism, transparency, and communication quality Business authority & operations, including years in business, licensing, insurance, and other operational standards Each contractor is evaluated using the same framework nationwide, and the score reflects Catchlight Painting’s performance within its local market.  A Chooz Score represents real-world performance, verified signals, and human-reviewed context.  Chooz Score Award Levels 80–86.9: Chooz Certified 87–93.9: Top Painter Award 94–100: Best Painter Award Scores are determined through more than 40 evaluation factors across our four pillars.  If you want a deeper explanation of how our scoring system works, you can view the full breakdown on our Chooz Scoring page.

Question 10

What are the Chooz Score award levels?

Accepted Answer

Chooz Score award levels are: Chooz Certified (80-86.9 points), Top Painter Award (87-93.9 points), and Best Painter Award (94-100 points). Scores are determined through more than 40 evaluation factors across four pillars: platform reviews, review quality, digital presence, and business authority.

Question 11

How does the Chooz Score work?

Accepted Answer

The Chooz Score is a 100-point rating based on four core pillars: platform reviews and ratings from multiple sources, review quality and engagement including customer feedback depth and company responses, website and digital presence quality, and business authority including licensing and operational standards. Each contractor is evaluated using the same framework nationwide, and the score reflects real-world performance, verified signals, and human-reviewed context.

Catchlight Painting

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