Our Chooz Score evaluates 44 factors across reviews, digital presence, and business credentials. Here's what stands out for Carrigan Painting
Carrigan Painting has operated as a family-run residential painting and ceiling repair company in the northern suburbs of Buffalo since 2010. Founded by Dave Carrigan Jr, a third-generation tradesman who grew up in Williamsville, the two-person crew of Dave and project manager Stacy brings a combined focus on plaster restoration, drywall repair, and interior and exterior painting to homes throughout Amherst, Clarence, Lancaster, and the surrounding communities of Western New York.
The company has built its reputation through a singular commitment to getting each project right the first time. Rather than rushing between jobs, they complete one project before moving to the next, a practice that customers consistently highlight in reviews alongside attention to detail during preparation and cleanup. Their specialty in traditional plaster repair, using lime and gypsum-based methods instead of drywall compound, sets them apart from competitors who default to covering damaged plaster with new sheetrock.
Carrying $1 million in commercial liability insurance and full workers compensation coverage, the team documents their work extensively through The Carrigan Archives, a library of over 125 case studies and 2,200 project photos written entirely by the owner. With a perfect 5.0-star rating maintained across 59 Google reviews over 15 years, Carrigan Painting accepts cash and check payment and provides free written estimates delivered by email within seven days.
Updated: 06-12-2026
Homeowners describe a company that goes beyond surface-level fixes. One customer with a cracking plaster ceiling learned from Dave that the rock lath plaster was detached from the floor joists in large areas, a problem two other contractors missed entirely when they proposed simply covering it with drywall. Another homeowner in Snyder specifically sought out Carrigan because they were the only people we trusted to actually repair the plaster on their large curved ceiling, noting that competing quotes all proposed squared-off drywall overlays instead.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Reviewers consistently point to containment and cleanup as unexpected strengths. One customer noted they kept the mess isolated, cleaned up and made the ceiling look new during a popcorn ceiling repair. A homeowner who had their entire upstairs painted observed that Dave and Stacy put down tarps and hung plastic to protect the rest of the house from dust during a demolition-heavy ceiling replacement. Multiple reviews mention the crew covers floors from the door to the work area and cleans up daily, with one customer remarking you could not even tell anyone had been there.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
The two-person crew operates as a family partnership, with Dave as owner and founder and Stacy serving as project manager and lead painter. Reviewers describe them as a good working team who bring friendly banter that clients find entertaining. One homeowner noted they bicker like an old married couple but clarified they are actually family, not spouses. Customers repeatedly highlight that both are knowledgeable, with Stacy receiving individual praise for her drywall repair skills and Dave for diagnostic expertise on plaster and substrate issues.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews, Facebook Reviews
The company operates with a written contract system where the quoted price is guaranteed. The FAQ states they have never increased the agreed upon price without a signed change order in over 14 years of operation. One reviewer described the estimate as a written one with everything spelled out, contrasting it with competitors who offered only verbal quotes with a cost range. Multiple customers describe the pricing as reasonable and fair, with one noting the work was finished on time and below budget.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
The company addresses water-damaged ceilings, popcorn ceiling removal and repair, collapsed plaster, settling cracks, and full ceiling replacements. Bob Lawson described a popcorn ceiling repair where Stacy reassured me that she could make it look like it was never touched and delivered exactly that result after an electrician left holes during a fan installation. James Remmes hired the company for two separate water damage projects involving a 12-foot vaulted ceiling with black mold, reporting work that was absolutely phenomenal both times and noting they were the most affordable of four estimates.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Repeat business appears frequently in the review record. Nancy Fox called back for a third engagement, describing each result as spot-on perfect and noting Dave and Stacy have an eye for fixing details that homeowners do not even notice. Thomas Kucskar returned after a previous job, and at project end the crew asked the family to walk through and flag any concerns with identifying tape. Sandra Schmid rehired the company after a ceiling repair to take on a painting project, reflecting a pattern where initial specialty work leads to broader service engagements.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews, Facebook Reviews
Carrigan Painting LLC is registered as a Domestic Limited Liability Company with the New York State Department of State under DOS ID 7629930, filed on June 5, 2025. The entity status is Active with jurisdiction in New York, Erie County. New York State does not require a state-level painting contractor license for residential painters operating outside of New York City and select counties with local licensing requirements. Carrigan Painting operates in the northern Erie County suburbs, which do not impose municipal licensing for painting contractors.
-Verification Sources: NY Department of State Division of Corporations, Painting Contractor License Lookup reference
Updated: 06-12-2026