Providence has a vibrant business climate and a diverse economy that makes it an attractive prospect for entrepreneurs. Those who want to run successful businesses in the city will want to work with the best commercial contractors in Providence, Rhode Island. Doing so ensures that they have the right space for their business.
We have listed the best in Providence after reviewing the expertise, awards, and reviews of a number of firms working in the area.
Shawmut Design and Construction
3 Davol Square, Suite A275, Providence, RI 02903
Shawmut Design and Construction believes in professionalism, proactivity, and promises kept. The firm is a 100% employee-owned, $1.5 billion construction management firm with over 30 successfully completed projects in and around Providence. With offices in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami, the firm is one of the most sought-after commercial contractors in the United States.
The company provides access to a team of construction professionals with a vested interest in the success of your project. It specializes in construction management and historic preservation. It has delivered projects for a variety of sectors, including corporate interiors, retail, hospitality, and sports venues.
The firm’s robust portfolio includes the Rhode Island School of Design. The campus has over 60 buildings and is situated on 23 acres. The school was founded in 1877 and enrolls over 1,700 undergraduate students.
Shawmut Design and Construction won the 2021 BuiltWorlds Maverick Awards and the 2020 Business Women Award. It also landed a coveted spot in Forbes America’s Best Midsize Employers in 2019. The company was established in 1982.
Chief Operating Officer Reza Amirkhalili has over 33 years of industry experience, having worked as a laborer on various construction sites in London. Reza is OSHA 10-Hour Certified and a board member at Nourish. He studied mechanical engineering at Swansea University and finance at George Washington University.
Pariseault Builders
25 Sharpe Drive, Cranston, RI 02920
No matter the size or value of a project, Pariseault Builders brings a do-whatever-it-takes mentality to the job. That attitude enables the company to take on a wide range of projects. It has successfully delivered projects for various sectors, including corporate interiors, commercial developments, higher education, and healthcare.
Based in Cranston, the company serves clients throughout Rhode Island and has completed about 15 projects in Providence. It is a self-performing general contractor with a team of skilled employees. From the field to the front office, the company’s employees are ready to assist clients each step of the way. The firm also maintains relationships with top suppliers and vendors to ensure project quality.
Its projects include the District Restaurant Renovation in Providence. The new design incorporates brick interior finishes, natural wood ceilings, and a solid bar countertop. The result is a warm and inviting dining atmosphere.
Pariseault Builders received the 2009 Excellence Award for Senior Housing from the National Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition. Its projects have been featured in Cranston Herald, Block Island Times, and The Providence Journal. Raymond and Bud Pariseault established the company in 1946. President Brian Casey leads a team of construction professionals at the company. Brian attended Fairfield University.
Ahlborg Construction Company
355 Centerville Road, Warwick, RI 02886
Ahlborg Construction Company is synonymous with excellence in construction. Its leaders have about a billion dollars worth of combined construction experience. The company handles projects of all kinds. It provides general contracting services for clients in the commercial and education sectors. The company completed $500,000 to $40 million worth of construction projects in 2019 alone.
ACC specializes in design-build, fast track, and construction management services. It has completed over 20 projects in the providence area. These projects include a 58,000-square-foot, two-story steel-framed brick-faced building. The project site is located along Mineral Springs Avenue, just across from North Providence High School. The project had a total contract value of $22 million.
ACC has been featured in The Providence Journal and The Who’s Who Magazine. President Eric Ahlborg has more than 30 years of experience in the construction industry. He previously worked as a laborer and carpenter on commercial projects with O. Ahlborg & Sons, his family’s construction firm. Eric founded ACC in 2008.
Site Specific
141 Gano Street, Providence, RI 02906
Site Specific creates beautiful, functional spaces in collaboration with clients, architects, and engineers. As an open-shop general contracting company, Site Specific is a non-union contractor. It provides access to a team of talented construction professionals who deliver projects on time and within budget. It specializes in construction management, merging design, and construction in the process.
The firm’s robust portfolio includes commercial developments, campuses, and healthcare facilities. The company has completed around 30 projects in Providence. These projects include 75 Fountain Street, a 165,000-square-foot office building. The company renovated the lobby and built out several floors for multiple tenants. It carried out work while the office building was occupied, maintaining safety and productivity while causing zero disruptions.
Site Specific has been featured in Newport Daily News, New England Real Estate Journal, and The Providence. The company was established in 2004. Founding Partner Peter Crump studied painting and sculpture at the Parsons School of Design; Partner Matt Dempsey earned his engineering degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Bowerman Construction
1 Richmond Square, Suite 220E, Providence, RI 02906
Bowerman Construction is known for quality results and exceptional performance. Founded in 1914, the company has been serving clients in Providence, East Greenwich, Smithfield, and Cranston for over a century. It specializes in general contracting, having successfully completed about 30 in the Providence area alone.
Its projects include Ellie’s Bakery, for which the company renovated over 3,500-square-feet of restaurant space. Bowerman built a full restaurant kitchen as well as a commissary and baking area in the basement. The company also retrofitted the space with new electrical, plumbing, electrical, and fire protection systems.
Principal Gregory Post joined the company in 2013. He has over 24 years of experience in sales and client management. Greg supports design, estimating, project management, and client engagement.
Principal Leo Hudon joined Bowerman in 2014. He delivered numerous design-build projects for different markets. Leo’s areas of expertise include planning, developing, coordinating, and supervising design and construction. His skills include cost estimating, scheduling, and project execution and planning.
J2 Construct
55 John Clarke Road, Middletown, RI 02842
J2Construct (J2) is a rapidly growing company that has been handling projects with contract values of over $18 million. In just the short time since its establishment in 2018, J2 has been competing with larger firms in Providence, Southeastern Massachusetts and much of southern New England.
J2 continues to expand their presence in the area, actively working on projects at Brown University, Roger Williams University and Fatima, Miriam, and Rhode Island Hospitals. They are also working on several high-end residential properties in Providence’s East Side Blackstone neighborhood.
J2 has completed over 15 projects in Providence, including the architectural firm Union Studio’s new corporate office, a multi-phase renovation project at Brown University and the mixed-use live/work townhome complex in the Olneyville neighborhood.
Led by Owner and President Jeffrey Lipshires, the company takes a hands-on approach to general contracting by providing innovative project planning, construction management and design-build contracting services to luxury residential and commercial clients. The company specializes in conceptual planning, estimating and value engineering. They also handle subcontractor bidding and selection with the goal of delivering exceptional results through careful coordination with the design and engineering teams.
The company values and supports local philanthropic organizations and charities. In 2021, J2 was the keynote sponsor for the Newport Mental Health’s Annual Gala. In 2021, J2 was awarded first place in “Fastest Growing and Innovative Companies” by Providence Business News for its strong revenue growth of 1,567.5% in its first 2 and ½ years of operation. The company is often featured in What’s Up Newport and Newport Neighbors Magazine.
H.V. Collins Company
99 Gano Street, Providence, RI 02906
H.V. Collins takes pride in its consistent project delivery. The company strives to be a reliable and trustworthy partner for clients across New England. As a leading general contracting firm, it provides high-touch, client-focused design-build, construction, and construction management services.
The company caters to clients’ varied needs across different markets. It has delivered projects for the commercial, hospitality, education, and healthcare sectors. The company has also completed over $100 million worth of design-build construction projects for the federal government.
Its portfolio includes the Rhode Island College Gaige Hall. The 64,655-square-foot building is part of the multi-phased academic building renovation. The Gaige Hall features 15 classrooms, a computer lab, a multipurpose room, an auditorium, and a student lounge area. The upgrades of the academic building aimed to reorganize all departments and classrooms, create additional student lounges, modernize amenities, and update the building to match the current fire safety and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance standards.
President Harry Collins and Vice President Patrick Collins lead a team of talented construction professionals at H.V. Collins. The company was established in 1924.
