Best known for its rich history and one of the best places to live on the East Coast, Boston offers its residents a small-town feel and all the benefits of urban living. Homes range from timeless Cape Cod-inspired themes to modern spaces. This list showcases ten of Cambridge’s best general contractors, the firms behind some of the community’s most impressive homes. These companies were chosen for their stellar portfolios, their rich backgrounds, and countless industry awards. We also looked specifically for companies that specialized in remodeling bathrooms.
S+H Construction
45 Brighton Street, Belmont, MA 02478
S+H Construction provides its clients with a full array of general contracting work and has had the opportunity to work in some of Boston’s most sought-after communities. The firm makes use of the latest cutting-edge technology, and it can take on any project regardless of size or scale. The firm’s work has been featured in publications like Boston Magazine. It has also been the recipient of countless accolades. Some of these include distinctions from the Gold PRISM Awards. Featured below is one of the firm’s best bathroom projects.
Located in the heart of Cambridge, this home was first built in 1895 and features the classic English Half Stick style. As such, the firm was tasked with working on its massive renovation. All of the home’s windows were rehabbed and several modern but wood-trimmed storm windows were added. The company also worked on its new insulation as well as redoing the electrical and mechanical systems.
Divine Design + Build
2 Battery Wharf, Boston, MA 02109
Formerly known as Divine Kitchens, Divine Design + Build has a strong reputation for its premier process and its expertise in kitchens, baths, additions, and whole house remodeling. The firm is made up of a talented team of in-house architects, designers, and professional builders. At the firm’s helm is its principal and leader, Mariette Barsoum. Under her supervision, the firm has become known for its impressive interior design and a robust range of construction services.
Featured here is one of the firm’s most impressive bathroom projects. The firm’s team put in a great floor plan and incorporated various custom fixtures and touches. It also designed and installed a separate walk-in shower encased in glass and a large personalized vanity.
Sea-Dar Construction
580 Harrison Avenue, Suite #4W, Boston, MA 02118
From luxury urban residences to exquisite custom homes, Sea-Dar offers new construction, conversion, and renovation services. For nearly three decades, the firm has been collaborating with some of the area’s best architects and subcontractors. The consistent result has been breathtaking projects. In addition to its custom residences, the firm takes on multifamily and commercial work and it has seen its work decorated with multiple awards for those efforts. The firm has been distinguished with the Best in American Living Award from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) along with the Best Single Family Residence accolade from PRISM. Sea-Dar Construction’s portfolio showcases a wide range of modern and contemporary homes as well as traditional, European-themed spaces. A piece emblematic of its best is below. This project won the firm an Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) New England Chapter and was published in the pages of the Architectural Record.
This bathroom project is an excellent example of the firm’s talent and expertise. The firm’s team opted for stellar and elegant granite walls and coupled them with gold fixtures and touches. Our editorial team was also impressed by its high ceilings and the floating vanity.
Feinmann
27 Muzzey Street, Lexington, MA 02421
Feinmann is an award-winning design-build firm that specializes in home additions, kitchen and bathroom remodeling, and whole house renovations. The company has over three decades of experience in the industry, and it was recently awarded a National and Regional CotY Award for Residential Kitchens from NARI. The firm has also graced the pages of several publications, including Boston Home, Design New England, and Perspective Magazine. Feinmann’s portfolio has two predominant themes: colonial and contemporary. Classic yet sleek, these designs allow each room to be filled with natural light. The firm’s free-flowing and airy themes are often completed with chic cabinetry and hardwood floors.
The Feinmann team worked on this home’s three bathrooms. The project included the home’s second-floor bath, a three-quarter bathroom, and a powder room. The firm’s team opted for clean and minimalist finishes and expanded the vanity wall to accommodate an expansive double sink, and then accented it all with a warm mosaic backsplash.
F.H. Perry Builder
5 Cedar Street, Suite #160, Hopkinton, MA 01748
Now led by its second generation of builders, F.H. Perry Builder was founded by Finley H. Perry back in 1977. A former government employee, Perry sought out a line of work that could reward his effort. This desire led him to the home building industry where he worked collaboratively with his daughter Allison, who now runs the company. The company specializes in restoration, particularly in adding a modern touch to historic homes. The firm’s work has been featured in The Boston Globe, Modern Luxury Magazine, and Professional Remodeler Magazine. The firm was also named Builder of the Year by the Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Boston in 2017, and it won Remodeler of the Year in 2015.
For the featured home, the firm’s team was tasked with having to upgrade the existing kitchen and updating all of its bathrooms. The F.H. Perry team opted for incorporating many contemporary and streamlined finishes. Our editorial team loved the straight lines and wood-panelling.
New England Design & Construction
103 Terrace Street, Boston, MA 02120
As its name suggests, New England Design & Construction specializes in both design and construction. The firm is a leading expert in the design-build process and extends its services throughout Boston. At the firm’s helm is its principal and CEO, David Supple. He is a graduate of Tufts University and holds a degree in architecture. He first gained experience working in California and working on extensive renovations before finally establishing the firm in 2005. He makes sure that each of the firm’s projects receives the benefit of his experience. Depicted below is one of the firm’s most impressive pieces of work.
This photo was taken from one of the company’s many whole-home remodels. Located in the heart of Cambridge, this project features an excellent contemporary design that has then been completed with wood finishes, floating shelves, and a custom vanity. The firm’s team also designed uniquely-patterned backlit backsplashes as well as a separate walk-in shower.
Charlie Allen Renovations
91 River Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
Charlie Allen Renovations draws inspiration from over four decades of industry experience and is a leading expert in both remodeling and restoring homes. The firm extends its services throughout Cambridge and Boston and it has won many awards for its work, including 15 Cambridge and Somerville Preservation Awards. The firm’s work has also been featured in publications like Boston Magazine and Remodeling Magazine.
The featured project is one out of the three bathrooms the company worked on for a family living in Cambridge. The homeowners had highly specific requests and designs for each of the three bathrooms, which the firm was able to meet. For all three spaces, the firm’s team had to remove their existing bathtubs and install walk-in showers instead.
Morse Constructions
57 Central Street, Somerville, MA 02143
Established in 1976, Morse Constructions originated as a small cabinetry company. It has since expanded and grown to become a full-service renovation firm. The company is a local leading expert in the design-build process, which allows it to keep everything in-house. The process lessens the challenge for homeowners—they don’t have to look for additional subcontractors or professionals. The firm’s work has been featured in countless publications, including This Old House, Architectural Digest, and Better Homes and Gardens.
Featured is one of the firm’s best projects. Located in Cambridge, this bathroom was completed in 2020. The firm’s team was asked to create an all-new laundry and bathroom.
The Remodeling Company
100 Cummings Center, Beverly, MA 01915
The Remodeling Company works out of its office in Beverly and is respected for its premium renovation solutions. The firm extends its services throughout Greater Boston. Some of its best work can be found in the neighborhoods of Newton, Wellesley, Weston, Brookline, and Cambridge. The company is composed of a talented team of project managers, supervisors, estimators, and experienced carpenters. It also maintains strong relationships with some of the area’s best aarchitects, designers, and subcontractors.
The company is best known for its excellent processes. Its services encompass high-end residential designs, electrical work, plastering, painting, flooring, and tiling. Its bathrooms, in particular, are noteworthy for being spa-like and elegant.
Sleeping Dog Properties
1745 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02118
With nearly three decades of industry experience, Sleeping Dog Properties specializes in design-build process and is also highly respected for its general contracting and real estate development work. Its impressive portfolio includes a great range of high-end custom residential, boutique commercial, and hospitality spaces. The firm extends its services throughout Boston and is the product of the vision of its founder, Chris Rapczynski. He makes sure that each of the firm’s projects receives the benefit of his experience.
Depicted below is one of the firm’s best projects. Located at the Boston Intercontinental, this project is a 4,000-square-foot residence with an excellent contemporary design framed by strong millwork. The bathroom, in particular, has a sophisticated, modern feel thanks to its textured backsplashes, wood-paneled flooring, and personalized walk-in shower. The large vanity and overhead lights provide a beautiful finishing touch.
