Our Chooz Score evaluates 44 factors across reviews, digital presence, and business credentials. Here's what stands out for Pilgrim Painting
Since 1995, owner Cheyenne Pilgrim has built a respected painting operation serving the greater Knoxville area. The fully bonded and insured company handles residential and commercial projects ranging from cabinet refinishing to complete exterior transformations, with particular expertise in deck staining, pressure washing, drywall repair, and carpentry work. Crew chief Umberto leads most residential projects, while project manager Hunter coordinates scheduling and client communication.
What customers consistently mention is the company's approach to cleanliness and time management. Multiple reviews describe crews arriving early rather than on time, working 7am to 7:30pm when needed, and vacuuming floors regularly throughout the day. Reviews note protection systems using multiple layers of covering, work areas left "cleaner than when they started," and floors showing "no damage including carpet." Cheyenne conducts all estimates personally, remains present on job sites to address questions, and performs final walkthroughs himself.
Based in Knoxville at 2614 Red Barn Rd, the company serves surrounding communities including Dandridge. The home improvement licensed team (License No. 8620) operates with all W2 employees who undergo background checks and drug screenings. Multiple reviews note the crew's willingness to address discovered issues without change orders, staying late to meet promised completion dates, and maintaining positive attitudes throughout projects. Customers describe the pricing as fair but not the cheapest, with quality and reliability justifying the investment.
Updated: 04-06-2026
Reviews consistently highlight exceptional cleanliness practices. Michael Isom described the crew as "so clean it was impressive" and noted they "cleaned as they went, including vacuuming the floors regularly throughout the day." Victoria Haverbusch mentioned work completed with "no damage to our in-place flooring (including carpet)" while Linda Harper praised thorough cleanup from project debris. Multiple customers describe furniture protection using multiple covering layers.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
The company operates with W2 employees rather than subcontractors. The website states "No SubContracted Work!" and mentions all employees undergo background checks and drug screenings. Reviews mention consistent crew members by name (Umberto, Jorge, Hunter) appearing across multiple projects over time, supporting the in-house employment model. This structure enables the quality control and consistency customers frequently mention.
-Review Snippet Sources: Company website, Google Reviews
The crew proactively addresses discovered problems without requesting change orders. Eric Liemohn noted "Cheyenne discovered additional important tasks, beyond painting, which really needed accomplishing for the improvement of our house" that weren't part of the original contract. Liz Adams mentioned the crew "even fixed one of our loose rails without saying a word to us." This approach demonstrates genuine property care rather than strictly contractual thinking.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Customers praise Umberto's quality standards that exceed typical expectations. Mitchell Olszewski noted that several areas "looked OK to me but Umberto was not satisfied so he put another coat of stain on." Reviews describe him leading thorough surface preparation, ensuring proper coverage on deck staining projects, and maintaining attention to detail on trim work. His insistence on quality over speed translates to results customers notice.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Reviews confirm Cheyenne's hands-on approach throughout every project phase. Linda Webb mentioned "He has been here everyday making sure I am getting what I wanted" while Kelsey Nelson praised his "calling me to update me on everything throughout the process." He conducts all estimates himself, performs final walkthroughs, and remains accessible on job sites. Rebecca Williams noted his creative problem-solving during her cabinet refinishing, working through solutions to realize her vision.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Yes, punctuality patterns appear throughout reviews. Customers state the crew "showed up early not just on time" and Jason King detailed how his mother's deck crew "worked from 7 a.m. and stayed to 7:30 each day" for four consecutive days. Multiple reviews mention never waiting for the crew to arrive, with Cheyenne's practice of meeting promised timelines even when requiring extended hours.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Rebecca Williams provided detailed verification of exceptional cabinet work. She praised the "hard work necessary to make sure the kitchen will look beautiful for years" including "hand-sanding multiple times to ensure a smooth finish." Her transformation from "very-cherry cabinets to a beautiful cream finish" required creative problem-solving throughout the process. The review emphasizes impeccable communication and Cheyenne's personal involvement in achieving the desired outcome.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
The single detailed negative review from HW in 2023 concerned popcorn ceiling difficulties and unsatisfactory living room completion. Cheyenne responded by offering to fix the issues and sending crew members to apply additional caulking and paint. When the customer remained dissatisfied after the second attempt, Cheyenne communicated clearly about limitations. The response demonstrates accountability and genuine attempts at resolution, even when unable to fully satisfy the complaint.
-Review Snippet Sources: Google Reviews
Updated: 04-07-2026