Historic Restoration · Central New York
Preserving Central New York's
Built Heritage
Historic properties in CNY demand certification most contractors don't hold, techniques most painters were never taught, and a respect for the structure that comes from 75 years of working in these buildings.
Historic Work Requires Credentials Most Contractors Don't Hold
Any residential building in Central New York built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint. Federal law — the EPA's RRP Rule — requires that contractors working on those surfaces be certified in Lead-Safe Work Practices. It is not optional, and violations carry significant fines.
Gallagher Custom Finish is EPA RRP certified. Our crews are trained in lead-safe disturbance practices, containment, and disposal. When we work on a pre-1978 home or building, we do it correctly — for your protection and ours.
Federal Law
"Lead-safe practices are federal law, not optional. Before you hire anyone for pre-1978 restoration work, ask for their RRP certification. If they hesitate, that's your answer."
Period-Accurate Color Matching
Historic property owners and preservation boards often require documentation of period-correct color schemes. We research archived references, match to historical paint specifications, and can provide written color documentation for landmark compliance submissions.
Historic Restoration Scope of Work
- Pre-project lead paint testing and assessment
- EPA RRP-compliant containment setup for all disturbed areas
- Lead-safe paint disturbance, scraping, and removal
- Proper disposal in compliance with state and federal regulations
- Surface repair using period-appropriate techniques
- Linseed oil or penetrating primer on original wood substrates
- Preservation-grade topcoats — breathable and compatible with historic materials
- Period-accurate color matching from archived references
- Written documentation for landmark or preservation board review
Properties We Restore
- —Pre-war residential homes
- —Victorian and Craftsman properties
- —Historic churches and civic buildings
- —Registered landmark structures
- —Commercial buildings on historic registries
- —Estate properties and carriage houses
75 Years Working in CNY Historic Structures
EPA RRP Certified
Not every contractor carries this. We do. It means our crews are trained to work safely on pre-1978 properties and can document compliance for inspections, permits, and preservation boards.
We've Seen These Buildings
Three generations of Gallaghers have worked in CNY's Victorians, Craftsmans, brick colonials, and post-war cape cods. We know what the materials are, how they behave, and what they need.
Preservation Board Experience
We've worked on landmark properties requiring board approval. We understand the documentation, the color standards, and the level of care that gets a preservation project accepted on first submission.
We've shown up every day since 1950.
Over 5,000 projects. Not one abandoned. Our reputation is 75 years old. We're not going anywhere.
You'll know exactly who's on your job.
We don't use subcontractors. The crew you meet at the estimate is the crew that does the work.
We'll never be the cheapest quote.
Contractors who win on price cut corners — materials, prep, insurance. We itemize everything before we touch a wall.
We warranty our work. In writing.
We've been at this address for 75 years. If something isn't right, we come back and fix it. That's not a policy — it's how a family business survives three generations.
Working on a Historic Property?
Start with a walk-through assessment. We'll identify the scope, the lead risk, the preservation requirements, and give you a clear picture of what the work involves before any commitment.
Schedule a Free Assessment