# Big Dog Painting

**Trade:** House Painting · **Address:** 1 Tremont St, Stoneham, MA 02180, USA · **Phone:** (978) 581-6290 · **Website:** https://bigdogpainting.com/ · **Languages:** English

**Rating: 4.4/5** (high confidence) — from 206 reviews across 6 sources.
98% of sentiment-scored reviews read net-positive. Last 6 months: 16 reviews, 0 negative.

## The honest read

Big Dog Painting is a Stoneham crew whose specialty announces itself across hundreds of reviews: dated, wood-tone kitchen cabinets repainted or refinished into what customers repeatedly call a "brand new kitchen." That throughline sits inside a bigger operation — carpentry (custom cabinetry, replicated molding, rebuilt porches), full interior and exterior repaints, and jobs for condo associations and small businesses. Its Massachusetts home improvement contractor registration (#196727) is active.

Google shows a 4.9★ average from 230 ratings, and the written record runs deep — 206 reviews dating back to 2021, with 16 more in just the last six months, none negative. Historic homes are a recurring theme: a 2025 review describes restoring an 1840s home's front porch and full exterior while preserving its original character, and another from the same year details painting a 140-year-old home's kitchen and two-story hallway. Carpentry threads through many jobs — a carpenter named Tim shows up repeatedly building custom cabinetry, matching molding, and fabricating an access door; other reviews describe replicated window sills and rebuilt trim. The company has also worked institutional jobs, including a 2026 low-VOC repaint of an art museum gallery timed around an exhibition.

Two accounts stand out. A November 2025 reviewer said the company cancelled a scheduled estimate specifically because the customer wouldn't take down a negative review about slow response time — worth asking about directly, since it speaks to how the company handles criticism, not just one job. A second reviewer called a 2018 interior job 'one of the best we've had with a painting crew,' then described a markedly worse 2020 exterior repaint that the company subcontracted to a different crew — a reminder that quality here isn't guaranteed to be uniform across every job, especially where work gets subbed out. A 2026 Reddit recommendation echoed a milder version of the same theme: praised the paint job itself but said scheduling was stressful, with no firm start date given at signing.

For a kitchen cabinet refresh, a historic-home repaint, or carpentry alongside painting, the volume and consistency of detailed praise here is hard to match locally — just get a firm start date in writing, and ask how the company handles subcontracted crews if the job is a large exterior repaint.

**Strengths:**
- Cabinet refinishing — a recurring specialty, described as looking brand new
- Carpentry integration — molding, custom cabinets and repairs alongside painting
- Historic homes — repeat praise restoring 1840s and century-old properties
- Licensed and active — verified Massachusetts HIC registration

**Concerns:**
- Review pressure — one customer says an estimate was pulled over a negative review
- Subcontracted variance — a repeat customer reported inconsistent quality on a subbed job
- Scheduling uncertainty — no firm start date given at signing, per one account

## Claims & citations

Every claim below is backed by real evidence rows — uncited claims are dropped in code before publication.

- Massachusetts home improvement contractor registration (license #196727) is registry-verified active. _(confidence: high)_
  - [State License Registry](https://contractorhub.mass.gov/s/hic-contractor-search) — “MA hic license 196727 verified active”
- Google rates the company 4.9★ from 230 ratings. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google](https://maps.google.com/?cid=17807038488239983387&g_mp=CiVnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLkdldFBsYWNlEAIYBCAA) — “Google: 4.9★ from 230 ratings”
- Kitchen cabinet painting and refinishing is a major recurring specialty, described across dozens of reviews as looking brand new. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2tScE4xOXVWR2RVUjI1aFVrSm9VV3h5TmxoelZuYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xf71f4f28c940cb1b!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOkRpN19uVGdUR25hUkJoUWxyNlhzVnc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Exceptional painting service. We had our kitchen cabinets painted white to refresh our natural wood look and the final product exceeded a…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2t0c1VWWk1VSFJMUW13NFEyNXROV0ZIWDNaSU5sRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xf71f4f28c940cb1b!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOktsUVZMUHRLQmw4Q25tNWFHX3ZINlE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ We just wanted to express our thanks for a job well done. Cali was meticulous and easy to work with. The many steps of the cabinet refaci…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2pOV1dUVkhNWEZMVldjMWVGUk5NVEphUkdoQmNtYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xf71f4f28c940cb1b!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOjNWWTVHMXFLVWc1eFRNMTJaRGhBcmc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ I’m absolutely thrilled with the results of my kitchen cabinet painting! The quality of the work is outstanding — every surface is perfec…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2tnd1YyZG5NVEZqVEY4eFJYUnFWMWx4YlRrd1dWRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xf71f4f28c940cb1b!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOkgwV2dnMTFjTF8xRXRqV1lxbTkwWVE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Big Dog Painting completed my kitchen cabinet painting in five days. Jake and Leo did an excellent job refinishing the cabinets, fixing b…”
- In-house carpentry integrates with painting jobs: molding replication, custom cabinetry, an access door, and porch rebuilding. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2sxdlJHazFkRGM1U0VsamRYWTJkazFFUVUxVGFtYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xf71f4f28c940cb1b!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOk1vRGk1dDc5SEljdXY2dk1EQU1Tamc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Just had part one of wall repair by Big Dog Painting Co. Their carpenter Tim did an amazing job building an access door. He was efficient…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT25kbWVXRk1aVU5RYzB4aVRFcGFYMUJ0WDBwSmRuYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xf71f4f28c940cb1b!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOndmeWFMZUNQc0xiTEpaX1BtX0pJdnc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Big Dog painting, what a great team.
The owner came out to give us the estimate, we signed the paperwork and the project was underway. Ti…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2twblIzRm1OV2RCTTNScmFtaEROVEJ6VWtGTVYzYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xf71f4f28c940cb1b!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOkpnR3FmNWdBM3RramhDNTBzUkFMV3c%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ We've had big dog painting in twice now to do separate rooms of our house! Both times they were fast, responsive and showed outstanding c…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT25WSmQyaDRkR2xaUkhSR2FVVXRlV3h4V1hwRFIyYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xf71f4f28c940cb1b!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOnVJd2h4dGlZRHRGaUUteWxxWXpDR2c%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ We couldn’t be happier with Big Dog Painting! From start to finish, they exceeded our expectations, restoring our 1840s historic home wit…”
- Historic and older-home work is a recurring throughline, including an 1840s home restoration and a 140-year-old home. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT25WSmQyaDRkR2xaUkhSR2FVVXRlV3h4V1hwRFIyYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xf71f4f28c940cb1b!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOnVJd2h4dGlZRHRGaUUteWxxWXpDR2c%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ We couldn’t be happier with Big Dog Painting! From start to finish, they exceeded our expectations, restoring our 1840s historic home wit…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2xaWGFVb3RWR1p3TUdwTFMxaEtkREpzWkd0VWNFRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xf71f4f28c940cb1b!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOlZXaUotVGZwMGpLS1hKdDJsZGtUcEE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ I recently had my kitchen and 2 story hallway painted by the Big Dog team and I am beyond thrilled! I live in a 140 year old home so ever…”
- Commercial and institutional clients cite responsive, accommodating service, including a low-VOC repaint for an art museum gallery. _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2w5dVFXZE9ZVlJtZG5vd1RESkpUa1V0TUZKeFRHYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xf71f4f28c940cb1b!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOl9uQWdOYVRmdnowTDJJTkUtMFJxTGc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ We worked with Big Dog Painting for a special project at work. We found everyone very thoughtful in working with us to plan and staff the…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT21oTFoyTTRTbE5wZFZWWVRIRTVRMjFVZVcxVVVtYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xf71f4f28c940cb1b!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOmhLZ2M4SlNpdVVYTHE5Q21UeW1UUmc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ I am so happy I chose Big Dog Painting for a recent project at my place of work. I work at an art museum and we needed a gallery painted …”
- A 2025 reviewer said the company cancelled a scheduled estimate after the customer declined to remove a negative review about slow response time. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT21sRFpWWlRWRnBKUVVwMk1WcFJiVFpFZFRGRGFHYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xf71f4f28c940cb1b!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOmlDZVZTVFpJQUp2MVpRbTZEdTFDaGc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “1★ They cancelled the estimate they gave us because we were unresponsive to their request to remove a negative review we gave them, which on…”
- A repeat customer described a strong 2018 interior job followed by a markedly worse 2020 exterior job that was subcontracted to a different crew. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2xKS09XZHVNR1pXWnpoeVNUUkZUVkozUVhoQ05YYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xf71f4f28c940cb1b!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOlJKOWduMGZWZzhySTRFTVJ3QXhCNXc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “2★ Big Dog painted our interior in 2018, and that experience was excellent, one of the best we’ve had with a painting crew. Because of that,…”
- A Reddit commenter recommending the company for painting quality also described scheduling as stressful, with no firm start date given at signing. _(confidence: medium)_
  - [reddit.com](https://www.reddit.com/r/boston/comments/1r5jh0d/personal_recommendations_for_general_contractors/ouri6bk/) — “r/boston — Big Dog Painting. Did a great job at the painting itself, but scheduling was stressful, as they just fit you in whenever their cu…”
- Read held a little below the anchor: a 2025 review describes the company cancelling a customer's estimate specifically because the customer refused to remove a negative review — a review-suppression practice the per-comment sentiment score doesn't capture beyond that single account's own negativity. _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT21sRFpWWlRWRnBKUVVwMk1WcFJiVFpFZFRGRGFHYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xf71f4f28c940cb1b!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOmlDZVZTVFpJQUp2MVpRbTZEdTFDaGc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “1★ They cancelled the estimate they gave us because we were unresponsive to their request to remove a negative review we gave them, which on…”
- Specializes in House Painting _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google](https://maps.google.com/?cid=17807038488239983387&g_mp=CiVnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLkdldFBsYWNlEAIYBCAA) — “Google: 4.9★ from 230 ratings”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2xoYVlWcEVVR3RFYkdWamJHRjNVWFY0TjNsaE9VRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xf71f4f28c940cb1b!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOlhaYVpEUGtEbGVjbGF3UXV4N3lhOUE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Outstanding experience. All phases of the work was excellent, from the initial quote to the last details of the work. Great coordination …”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT210RkxWcElhVXRvZUhwcmNVVk5VRVUyT0ZJMFIzYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xf71f4f28c940cb1b!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOmtFLVpIaUtoeHprcUVNUEU2OFI0R3c%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Big Dog did an excellent job painting two floors of our early 1900s home. Their painting scope included sanding and repairing damaged tri…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT25WSmQyaDRkR2xaUkhSR2FVVXRlV3h4V1hwRFIyYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xf71f4f28c940cb1b!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOnVJd2h4dGlZRHRGaUUteWxxWXpDR2c%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ We couldn’t be happier with Big Dog Painting! From start to finish, they exceeded our expectations, restoring our 1840s historic home wit…”
- Also offers Carpentry _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2sxdlJHazFkRGM1U0VsamRYWTJkazFFUVUxVGFtYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xf71f4f28c940cb1b!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOk1vRGk1dDc5SEljdXY2dk1EQU1Tamc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Just had part one of wall repair by Big Dog Painting Co. Their carpenter Tim did an amazing job building an access door. He was efficient…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT25kbWVXRk1aVU5RYzB4aVRFcGFYMUJ0WDBwSmRuYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xf71f4f28c940cb1b!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOndmeWFMZUNQc0xiTEpaX1BtX0pJdnc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Big Dog painting, what a great team.
The owner came out to give us the estimate, we signed the paperwork and the project was underway. Ti…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2twblIzRm1OV2RCTTNScmFtaEROVEJ6VWtGTVYzYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xf71f4f28c940cb1b!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOkpnR3FmNWdBM3RramhDNTBzUkFMV3c%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ We've had big dog painting in twice now to do separate rooms of our house! Both times they were fast, responsive and showed outstanding c…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT25WSmQyaDRkR2xaUkhSR2FVVXRlV3h4V1hwRFIyYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xf71f4f28c940cb1b!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOnVJd2h4dGlZRHRGaUUteWxxWXpDR2c%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ We couldn’t be happier with Big Dog Painting! From start to finish, they exceeded our expectations, restoring our 1840s historic home wit…”

## License

Status: **active** (#196727, hic) — verified against the official MA state registry on 2026-07-06, never self-reported.
Re-check at the official registry: https://contractorhub.mass.gov/s/hic-contractor-search

## Sources

- [Google](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Big%20Dog%20Painting&query_place_id=ChIJ314oIltU4okRG8tAyShPH_c): 4.9★ from 229 ratings
- [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Big%20Dog%20Painting&query_place_id=ChIJ314oIltU4okRG8tAyShPH_c): Listed on this source
- [Yelp](https://www.yelp.com/biz/big-dog-painting-woburn): Listed on this source
- [Official Website](https://bigdogpainting.com): Self-reported profile and service details
- [Houzz](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/painters/big-dog-painting-pfvwus-pf~1829006621): Listed on this source
- [Exa](https://bigdogpainting.com/house-painter-middleton): 0 web mentions across the open web (each linked to its source)

## Mentions

Unverified third-party mentions found on the open web — relay with attribution ("a Reddit commenter said…"), never as Tavlee's own finding.

- “* Big Dog Painting. Did a great job at the painting itself, but scheduling was stressful, as they just fit you in whenever their current jobs are finished instead of giving you an exact date when you …” — u/meowinginthevoid in r/boston (2026-06-30) — https://www.reddit.com/r/boston/comments/1r5jh0d/personal_recommendations_for_general_contractors/ouri6bk/

## Recent reviews

- **5/5 · Google Reviews · John Shirley · 2026-06-16**: Exceptional painting service. We had our kitchen cabinets painted white to refresh our natural wood look and the final product exceeded all of our expectations.
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · bARBARA Karlin · 2026-06-15**: Outstanding experience. All phases of the work was excellent, from the initial quote to the last details of the work. Great coordination between the office staff, the painting crew and us. Very cognizant of the client's needs. These painters are recommended without reservation.
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Ann Flores · 2026-06-09**: Just had part one of wall repair by Big Dog Painting Co. Their carpenter Tim did an amazing job building an access door. He was efficient respectful and an incredible finished door and matched molding with our room.
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Prasad Patil · 2026-05-21**: We had our interior downstairs and upstairs landing painted by Big Dog and are very happy with the results. Graeme did a walkthrough of our house and gave us a clear explanation of their services. The paint crew was then thorough and efficient and completed the job on time. We found Big Dog easy to …
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Richard Krawec · 2026-05-14**: Amazing job
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Gary Mantha · 2026-05-12**: Two big projects- one internal and one external- in under 6 months and could not be happier. Absolute professional, thoughtful and courteous throughout the whole experience. Super company.
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Michael DeMarco · 2026-05-08**: Amazing crew, communication, attention to detail, and beautiful finished product.
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Christina B. · 2026-05-07**: Big Dog did an excellent job painting two floors of our early 1900s home. Their painting scope included sanding and repairing damaged trim, crown molding, and window sills and dry skimming the walls to smooth them out. We were thrilled with the high quality work, strong communication, timely deliver…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Paul Gagne · 2026-04-28**: Very happy with the wall repair and painting job by Big Dog. Very clear up front and delivered what they said they would. Workmen polite and very good at their job.
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Melissa McKay · 2026-04-23**: The whole team was great to work with! Terrific experience and our kitchen cabinet resurfacing came out beautifully - everything looks amazing and brand new. Would hire them again in a heartbeat

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Data freshness: last scanned 2026-07-06T11:16:33.821Z.
Cite as: Big Dog Painting — Tavlee (https://tavlee.com/contractor/big-dog-painting-stoneham)
Source: https://tavlee.com/contractor/big-dog-painting-stoneham