Paintworks & Decorating
About Paintworks & Decorating
Ricky Torres and Ryan Ehrlich have built a business with over 200 five-star Google reviews and a 4.9-star rating through consistent practices and quality craftsmanship. Ricky personally visiting job sites to ensure color selection meets client expectations, Ryan responding to estimate requests within hours via text or email, crew members like Luis texting progress photos showing exactly which surfaces got completed each day. Reviews mention painters protecting floors with drop cloths, detailed trim work on historic brownstone moldings, and final walk-throughs where Ricky points out touch-up areas before customers notice them.
When Nicole needed her Brooklyn triplex's wood trim stripped and repainted while managing the project remotely from Chicago, Paintworks didn't just accommodate the distance. They provided daily video updates, handled contractor coordination with her building, and completed the $13,000 project on timeline. Two years later, when she needed additional work, she hired them again without hesitation, noting they were "worth every penny."
Projects range from $1,550 wrought iron fence restorations to $25,000 full apartment renovations including custom radiator covers and Cat6 wiring. Customers mention Luis's expertise with bathroom tile work, Aigars's precision on laundry room carpentry, and Danny's attention to door alignment. The husband-and-wife-style partnership between Ricky (a union-trained master painter with 20+ years experience and FIT design training) and Ryan (who joined in 2017 to modernize operations) operates from Long Island City while covering Manhattan, Brooklyn, Westchester, and Northern New Jersey. Fully licensed and insured with NYC Home Improvement Contractor License #2093229-DCA, they deliver the kind of reliability that turns first-time customers into repeat clients like Oona Haas, who has used them exclusively for over five years.
Updated: 12-11-2025
Q&A Based On What Customers Are Saying About Paintworks & Decorating
Q: Why do so many reviews mention Paintworks & Decorating's communication and responsiveness?
Communication defines how Ricky and Ryan operate. Multiple customers highlight the speed and clarity, with Jonathan Epstein noting they were "very responsive via text" and Alejandra Pena praising their "easy digital scheduling and billing systems." Ryan typically responds to inquiries within hours, and customers receive written estimates via email or text before any work begins. The transparent process extends throughout projects with daily updates.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Q: Does Paintworks & Decorating actually show up on time and finish when promised?
Punctuality stands out across dozens of reviews. Nicolas Brown reported his entire house was completed "in 3 days" while Jonathan Epstein noted they "finished one day early." Michelle Adams described crews who "showed up on time every day" and left spaces "cleaner than when they started." The consistency comes from Ryan's scheduling system that confirms appointments via morning texts.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Q: What makes Paintworks & Decorating's cabinet refinishing work stand out?
Cabinet transformations appear frequently in reviews with customers consistently amazed at results. One reviewer stated their beat-up kitchen cabinets "now look brand new" after Paintworks refinished them "professionally, quickly, and at a fair price." The process involves thorough cleaning, proper sanding for paint adhesion, multiple primer coats with sanding between each, and careful reassembly of all hardware.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews, Angi
Q: How did Paintworks & Decorating handle the negative review about paint splatters?
Lauren P's 3-star review mentioned paint splatters and sheen inconsistencies. Owner Ricky responded professionally, acknowledging the concerns and offering direct contact for resolution rather than arguing publicly. This accountability pattern appears throughout their review responses, with Ricky consistently thanking customers for feedback and addressing specific issues raised. The approach demonstrates "willingness to make things right" over defensiveness.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Q: Do reviews show Paintworks & Decorating handling complex historic properties?
Brownstone and historic property expertise runs throughout their portfolio. Valentin Ferina described "amazing transformation" of a "100+ year old brownstone" with Luis's team handling the intricate work. Another customer praised Ricky's "great ideas" for addressing "really old peeling and flaking paint" on a historic house front using textured sealant under topcoat paint. The crew understands period-appropriate techniques for delicate crown moldings and vintage woodwork.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Q: Is Paintworks & Decorating's pricing fair compared to other contractors?
Value perception runs consistently positive across reviews. Sam L. described a $25,000 renovation as "fairly priced" for the extensive scope including doors, trim, radiator covers, and electrical work. Gary Rosen noted his $12,000 medical practice project was handled at "a fair price" despite the complexity of working around sensitive equipment. Multiple customers mention receiving detailed written estimates that matched final invoices with no surprise charges.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews, Angi
Q: Why do customers keep hiring Paintworks & Decorating for repeat projects?
Repeat business defines their customer relationships. Oona Haas stated she has used them for "5+ years" and will "never use anyone else." Taylor Bratt mentioned hiring them "a few times now" with consistently excellent results. Kristofer Williams has "used multiple times" while Thea Krulwich specifically noted this was her "second time using Ryan and his team." The retention stems from reliable execution that eliminates the stress of finding new contractors.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Q: Does Paintworks & Decorating use their own crews or subcontractors?
Reviews consistently reference the same crew members across different projects, indicating in-house employees rather than rotating subcontractors. Customers mention Luis by name for tile and bathroom work, Aigars for laundry room carpentry, Danny for door and carpentry projects, and Victor, Ivan, Hugo, and Edison for various painting work. This crew consistency means customers know who will show up and can expect the same quality standards project to project.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Updated: 12-11-2025