Rumson provides its residents with easy access to lower Manhattan via New York Bay and historically attracted the likes of Wall Street executives. Given its easy access, its population has since grown and expanded outside of New York’s wealthy and elite. Its architectural scene has also developed into more than its classic grand estates and mansions to encompass wonderful cottages and bungalows. Its waterfront properties are recognized for their luxury and comfort, and popular home styles typically come in Victorians, Queen Annes, and lots of colonials. Homes here often include wraparound porches, allowing owners to take in the area’s scenic views.
Our editorial team worked on this excellent list of the ten best general contractors in the area. These are the companies behind some of Rumson’s most beautiful homes and spaces. We picked them based on their collective experiences and portfolios, as well as their various accolades.
Merrick Construction
524 Prospect Ave., Little Silver, NJ 07739
Merrick Construction specializes in every facet of the residential custom home building and remodeling and is highly respected for its excellent home additions, kitchens, and bathrooms. The firm has been in business since 1989 and is the brainchild of its founder Timothy Merrick Cross, a native of Middletown Township. He has since established a great team of professionals and experienced artisans for the firm. Together, they have secured a solid reputation for the company and primarily use a highly hands-on approach, that ensures that its clients’ visions and needs are met. It has its own in-house team of architects, tradesmen, even interior designers, who specialize in an extensive range of designs. The firm has become renowned for its high-end services and has worked on multiple primary residences, vacation homes, and large-scale remodels.
The project above is an exquisite example of the company’s expertise. This wonderful Spanish Colonial showcases great interiors and exteriors. The team worked on various custom wood finishes and smooth stone columns. It also opted for a great open floor plan that brings its spaces into harmony with one another.
2 River Group
16 W River Rd. Suite #3, Rumson, NJ 07760
Operating out of its office in Rumson, 2 River Group extends its services throughout the counties of Monmouth and Ocean. It takes great pride in being among one of the best and premier general contractors in the area and provides a complete and comprehensive line of services. Aside from its great interiors and exteriors, the firm is also noted for its great mold remediation and development work. 2 River is nationally certified as Indoor Air Quality Certified Professionals and has taken on numerous restorations. Some of its other great services include basement finishing, painting, foundation repair, hardscaping, and siding.
The firm’s work is best embodied in the photo above. This kitchen features large bathtub exposed beams coupled with clean paneled flooring. Our editorial team particularly loved the custom cabinetry as well as its personalized stove hood. The company also designed a small and quaint kitchen island complete with granite countertops.
Hemphill Associates
P.O. Box 6, Rumson, NJ 07760
Drawing inspiration from more than four decades of industry experience, Hemphill Associates extends its services throughout Rumson, Fair Haven, Little Silver, Sea Bright, Bayhead, and Spring Lake. It typically takes on four to five projects at a time to make sure that each of its homes and spaces receives the necessary amount of attention. In 2007, it had the privilege of being recognized as completing one of the most prestigious homes in Monmouth County. The firm is also known for its accurate plans and estimates, assuring clients that all of its projects are completed on time and within the agreed-upon budget. The firm is led by its namesake, Joe Hemphill. He is a native of Monmouth County and lives in Rumson, where he serves on the town council. Under his leadership, the firm has curated an excellent portfolio for itself. Its talent is best exemplified by the project showcased here: the firm made extensive use of wood elements and timeless traditional architecture.
The photo above best encapsulates the company’s great exteriors. This bathroom makes use of an infusion of both wood and granite. It also installed unique fixtures and designed a separate walk-in shower encased in glass. Our editorial team especially loved its custom finishes and isolated bathtub.
Magnolia Home Remodeling
1640 Vauxhall Rd., Union, NJ 07083
Magnolia specializes in every facet of the home remodeling process. It was founded by in-laws Chris Fontana and Vic Fiore. Both of them offer their clients decades of experience in the industry. They assist throughout the entire process, from start to finish. The firm is particularly well-known for its great financing because it tailors its upgrades to a client’s specific budget. That means no overspending throughout the entire remodeling process. The firm also maintains partnerships with various lenders like Wells Fargo, Greensky, and Viewtech, which lessens the hassle for homeowners in terms of making numerous trips to the bank. The Magnolia team will handle everything, including working out the financing. The firm extends its services in all counties in North Jersey, Central Jersey, and South Jersey.
The firm makes use of only the best materials and achieves that excellent sourcing via partnerships with various excellent brands like Medallion, Fabuwood, and Kohler. Its kitchens are well-respected for their affordable wood cabinetry, as well as their beautiful granite and quartz countertops, as you’ll note in the project featured here.
Alfano Renovations
1631 Hwy. 35, Ocean Twp., NJ 07712
Alfano Renovations takes on projects from both the residential and commercial markets. The firm is a family-owned and operated remodeling company that offers homeowners great turn-key solutions. Alfano uses only the best materials and is particularly respected for its kitchen, bathroom, and living room renovations. The company draws inspiration from over three decades of industry experience and is fully licensed, bonded, and insured. In addition to this, it takes great pride in its stellar clientele reviews. Alfano also often infuses various green building techniques into its homes, assuring homeowners of the high sustainability of its projects. The photo below best showcases one of the firm’s best bathrooms.
The firm’s team opted for various transitional finishes and great granite touches. It also worked on a separate walk-in shower and high ceilings. We also loved the touches of gray and blue, as well as its great fixtures.
Lead Dog Builders LLC
219 E Bergen Pl., Red Bank, NJ 07701
Lead Dog Builders specializes in construction management, custom home building, and renovations through the use of only the finest materials and innovative techniques. The firm has been servicing the area for more than two decades and has had the opportunity to work in some of New Jersey’s prime communities. The company is owned and operated by Michael Villane, who established the practice in 2009. He started Lead Dog as a small business from his dining room table; today the firm services Monmouth County and beyond. Under his leadership, Lead Dog uses smart technologies, which allows it to simplify the entire process. The firm projects can often be distinguished by exquisite cabinetry, millwork, fixtures, and exterior detailing. It also works on great heating, intercom systems, and other infrastructure elements.
The project above is an excellent example of the firm’s expertise. For this living room, the firm’s team had to work on a custom fireplace and a wonderful designed vaulted ceiling. The company also opted for trellised glass doors and various transitional elements, as well as a wood-paneled floor.
Remodel America
325 Route 35, N Red Bank, NJ 07701
Remodel America has secured a solid reputation for its outstanding interiors and exteriors. It is also known for its great roofing, siding, insulation, and windows. It is an award-winning company that utilizes a highly hands-on and smooth approach, which has resulted in timeless work. The company extends its services throughout Monmouth, Middlesex, and Northern Ocean Counties and has been in business since 2000. Its owner Ronald Tadross personally visits project sites before beginning anything to make sure that each of the firm’s spaces receives the benefit of his experience. The firm uniquely also provides homeowners 0% deferred financing for 18 months to qualified buyers. Its portfolio depicts a talent for a variety of architectural themes. The firm’s great trim work, custom cabinetry, and finishes are its signatures.
In the featured kitchen, the firm’s team opted for great tiled backsplashes. It also worked on a couple of exposed beams and custom cabinetry. We loved its breakfast bar and seamless connection to the home’s other rooms.
Patrick Golden Homes
27 Beach Rd., Monmouth Beach, NJ 07750
Regarded as one of the leading custom home builders in New Jersey, Patrick Golden Homes operates out of its office in Monmouth Beach. It has been servicing the area for the greater part of three decades and specializes in coastal home construction. The firm is quite unique in this regard because coastal design and construction come with the additional challenge of working around stricter building codes. Patrick Golden Homes has to take into account rough storms, flooding, and humid air. The firm’s portfolio depicts a generous range of new homes, large-scale renovations, and home additions. It is led by its namesake Patrick Golden, an experienced professional who is known to provide cost-effective solutions without compromising quality or aesthetics.
In the kitchen above, the firm’s team created an open kitchen that easily and seamlessly connects to some of the area’s various active rooms including its living and dining areas. It opted for the stained wood flooring which is further complemented with great granite countertops. Our team especially loved its custom island and cabinetry.
Petcon Homes
PO Box 735, Rumson, NJ 07760
Petcon Homes specializes in ground-up construction work and provides its clients with the best available resources. It is able to support in-house design through its experienced professionals and architects, allowing it to keep the entire process within the firm. Petcon couples that process with its great construction management work, which has produced excellent results. The firm has been in service since 1980 and extends its services through the Rumson metro area. The firm uses only the latest and most innovative techniques, assuring clients of the sustainability of its work. It also has an extensive background in terms of private real estate.
In the kitchen above, the firm’s talented team installed great chandeliers and unique fixtures. It also worked on various custom finishes and exquisite clean cabinetry. We loved the personalized island, the wood-paneled flooring, and the backsplashes.
National Home Improvements
3 Twin Lakes Dr., Colts Neck, NJ 07722
National Home Improvements has been in business for the greater part of two decades. It is a licensed general contractor that is best known for its stellar windows, roofing, siding, additions, bathroom, and kitchens. The company is family-owned and operated and assists its clients with every phase of the process. With a focus being in home remodeling, the firm is Lead Safety Certified and adheres to the highest standards. It also provides great financing options tailored to meet each customer’s needs. That includes a no down payment option or no interest financing. National Home Improvements is particularly noted for great modern and traditional designs, as well as its spaces’ functionality.
The excellent bathroom above depicts one of the firm’s best projects. It features great granite finishes and a leveled bathtub. A separate glass-encased shower can also be seen off to one side. We especially loved the wallpaper and custom trimming.
