Our Chooz Score evaluates 44 factors across reviews, digital presence, and business credentials. Here's what stands out for Carrigan Painting
When Maryjo Jurkowski called several plaster repair contractors and told each one she wanted authentic plaster and not drywall, every company arrived and quoted drywall anyway. Dave Carrigan was the exception. He understood exactly what she wanted, showed up with a written estimate spelling out every detail, and delivered results she described as worked to perfection.
That pattern repeats throughout reviews of this Akron-based residential painting and ceiling repair company. Founded in 2010 by a third-generation plasterer and painter, Carrigan Painting operates as a two-person family team, with owner Dave Carrigan and his cousin Stacy handling everything from single-room refreshes to whole-home repaints. The company holds a fully insured status with workers compensation and disability coverage for all W-2 employees, and operates as a registered LLC with the New York Department of State.
Carrigan Painting serves Amherst, Clarence, Lancaster, Kenmore, Williamsville, Tonawanda, Lockport, and surrounding Buffalo North Towns suburbs within northern Erie and southern Niagara Counties. Core specialties include interior painting, authentic plaster repair, drywall repair, popcorn ceiling removal and repair, and exterior painting for residential properties.
Updated: 04-06-2026
Customers describe an unusually comfortable experience for a contractor visit. Marcia writes that Dave and Stacy "share friendly banter back and forth which added entertainment during the project." Bonnie Lotz says she misses seeing them when she gets home after their work was done. GG Ski describes the team keeping clients "in the loop every day with their ideas" and answering questions throughout. Thomas Kucskar highlights a standout practice, writing that at the end of the final day the team "asked us to review all of their work and mark any areas with identifying tape."
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
The pattern of trade referrals appears across multiple reviews. Karen Brooks notes that "Carrigan was recommended by a plumbing company" after her ceiling was damaged during pipe work. Gemini Man had a plumber cut a hole in his living room ceiling for pipe access, then hired Carrigan Painting to restore it. The company has built a reputation among local trades as the go-to resource for ceiling repair following water damage and plumbing projects, bringing a consistent secondary referral channel beyond direct homeowner searches.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Authentic plaster repair is the clearest example. David Weeks describes two drywall contractors who proposed covering cracking plaster rather than addressing the structural problem underneath. Dave Carrigan diagnosed it differently, explaining the ceiling could not be kept in place by merely covering it. Maryjo Jurkowski had the same experience, noting that other contractors quoted drywall despite her explicit request for plaster, while Carrigan "took their time and paid attention to the details."
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Repeat business shows up throughout the review record. Thomas Kucskar states it was "the second time we used them, and we will hire them again" for future work. Sandra Schmid wrote she is already hiring Carrigan Painting again for a painting project after her ceiling repair. James Remmes documented two separate projects, calling the results phenomenal both times. Bobbie Pache, Gary Pettibone, and Kraig Kurzanski all confirmed plans to return.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Customers describe a level of care that goes beyond drop cloths. Nancy Fox writes on Facebook that Dave and Stacy are "very careful to cover furniture and drapes with plastic and all the floors with drop cloths," adding that Stacy "vacuumed the whole area" when finished. David Weeks praised the dust control during demolition. Sandra Schmid noted they "took very good care of our furniture and carpeting and were spotless with clean up."
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews, Facebook
Maryjo Jurkowski offers the most detailed comparison, noting that other contractors gave verbal estimates with only a cost range, while Dave Carrigan provided "a written one with everything spelled out." She adds his estimate was not the least expensive but the quality was worth every cent. Rob in Clarence calls out "fair prices" and Mark Slagle describes Carrigan Painting as "reasonably priced." Nick Nizinski on Facebook cites "honest prices" as a defining characteristic.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews, Facebook
Pattern matching is the differentiator customers notice most. Gary Bensman, who hired Carrigan Painting for a damaged living room ceiling in West Seneca, described their "ability to match the popcorn pattern" as perfect. Sandra Schmid was amazed watching the two-coat long roller method applied to her entire popcorn ceiling, writing the results were beautiful with no evidence of the original damage. BFC Sikora credits Carrigan Painting with having "quickly made the 1990's disappear" after popcorn removal.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
New York State does not require a statewide contractor license for painters. Carrigan Painting operates in Erie County suburbs including Amherst, Clarence, and Lancaster, where no municipal home improvement contractor license requirement applies. The business is formally registered as a domestic limited liability company with the New York Department of State. The entity name is CARRIGAN PAINTING LLC, DOS ID 7629930, filed June 5, 2025, with Active status and Erie County jurisdiction. All employees are W-2 workers covered by workers compensation and disability insurance per the company's FAQ.
-Verification Sources: New York Department of State Division of Corporations
Updated: 04-07-2026