Chooz Score Insights
The Details Matter Here
What sets Carrigan Painting apart is a specialty most contractors in the Buffalo area won't even attempt: authentic plaster repair. When other companies show up and quote drywall over cracking plaster, Dave Carrigan diagnoses the actual problem and restores the original material. The Chooz Score's review authenticity indicators are strong: reviewers mention specific project details, crew members by name, and realistic timelines that reflect genuine customer experiences:
- Customers describe Dave correctly identifying structural plaster issues that two other drywall contractors missed, saving homeowners from costly repeat repairs down the road
- Popcorn ceiling pattern matching is a recurring highlight, with customers praising seamless blending that leaves no visible evidence of the original damage
"After calling several 'plaster repair contractors' and SPECIFICALLY telling them that I wanted original type plaster, and not drywall, many came out and gave me an estimate for drywall and joint compound! Dave Carrigan, on the other hand, understood exactly what I wanted." - Maryjo J., Google Review
Years of Consistent Results
The last time we conducted our Chooz Score analysis, Carrigan Painting had over 50 Google reviews with a perfect 5.0-star rating - not a single review below five stars across 15 years in business. This company earned a Chooz Score of 86.7%. That consistency extends across platforms:
- 94% recommended on Facebook with over 10 recommendations, plus 5.0 stars on Angi
- A steady stream of new reviews confirms this company is actively serving customers right now, with 4 new reviews in the last 3 months alone
"This was the second time we used them, and we will hire them again for our next painting job." - Thomas K., Google Review
Owner on the Job
Dave and his cousin Stacy get called out by name in nearly every review, and that's because they're the ones doing the work. This isn't a company that sends a random crew to your house. The Chooz Score's owner engagement indicators are strong: Dave is personally mentioned in the majority of reviews and handles estimates, project work, and follow-ups himself:
- Dave personally writes detailed estimates on weekends, with everything spelled out in writing rather than the verbal cost ranges other contractors offer
- Customers describe Dave and Stacy explaining their process step-by-step, inviting homeowners to review all completed work and flag anything with identifying tape before they leave
- When carpet installers damaged freshly painted walls after a job, Dave and Stacy came back to handle touch-ups without hesitation
"We love having Dave and Stacey do work for us. They are such good and honest people and so nice to have around. They work very hard and are so careful about everything." - Nancy F., Facebook Review
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Additional Questions Answered
What sets Carrigan Painting apart when it comes to diagnosing and repairing plaster ceiling problems in older Western New York homes?
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.
How do Dave and Stacy handle the mess and disruption that comes with ceiling repair and painting work inside occupied homes?
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.
Customers frequently mention Dave and Stacy by name. What is the working dynamic that reviewers notice on the job?
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.
How does Carrigan Painting approach pricing and change orders once a project begins?
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.
What types of ceiling damage does Carrigan Painting handle, and what results do customers report?
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.
How do past customers describe their experience hiring Carrigan Painting for repeat projects?
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.
What is the licensing and business registration status for Carrigan Painting in New York?
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
How Carrigan Painting Was Evaluated
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 Carrigan 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 Carrigan Painting’s performance within its local market.
A Chooz Score represents real-world performance, verified signals, and human-reviewed context.
Chooz Score Award Levels
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.