The merits of living in Newton, Massachusetts largely come from its educated populace, which is motivated by its love of culture and its great location near Boston’s plethora of resources. The title “the Garden City” is accurate for Newton, as this vast suburb is peppered with parks and reserves that are evenly distributed among each of Newton’s communities. Overall, living in Newton offers residents the chance to combine a city-worthy culture with strong schools, secure neighborhoods, and a simple commute into the nearby city.
The best design-build firms in Newton have been noted on this list. These featured companies were selected because they are able to meet the requirements of building custom homes for those who wish to move to Newton or do remodels for the locals who already reside there. Along with their extensive expertise in design-build, these firms also have each had many noteworthy projects and numerous publication features.
Feinmann, Inc.
27 Muzzey St. Lexington, MA 02421
Feinmann, Inc. is an award-winning design-build firm that has provided strong and reliable services since its founding in 1987. During the course of its 35-year existence, the firm has executed more than 1,800 projects for more than 650 clients. The company has won over 25 Contractor of the Year (CotY) awards from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and has been recognized as one of the 101 best companies to work for. Feinmann has also won ten PRISM awards from the Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Boston (BRAGB). Aside from awards, it is accredited and recognized by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), and Lexington Chamber of Commerce.
This whole unit Blue House refurbishment is one of Feinmann’s most recent award-winning initiatives. This fourth-story condo, which was once 1980s-themed, was given a radical contemporary makeover by Feinmann. It now features an open floor plan and views of the Charles River. In order to open up the room and bring in more views and natural light, the firm’s team dismantled part of the wall that overlooked the family room on the second level and installed a wired cable system. The company finished this area by removing the dated staircases that connected the first and second floors. This remodeling project won the 2022 PRO New England Gold Award for Entire House Condo.
Morse Constructions
240 Elm St. 2nd Floor, Somerville, MA 02144
Morse Constructions Inc. started out as a small cabinet business in 1976, but has since expanded into a full-service design-build renovation company serving clients all over the greater Boston area. The firm has received numerous awards from and is affiliated with organizations including NARI, NAHB, and the National Aging in Place Council (NAIPC). Several publications, including Architectural Digest, Better Homes & Gardens, and The Boston Globe have even featured its work. Morse Construction was also listed by Remodeling Magazine as one of the top 50 remodeling firms in the country.
One of Morse Construction’s notable projects is featured here. The clients, who desired a kitchen with a social setting that included family time with cooking and eating, were dissatisfied with their original kitchen, which was separated from the living space and did not embody the desired contemporary look. Morse Constructions was therefore hired to design and build the integrated kitchen and living space. The final design required the demolition of a whole load-bearing wall and corner, as well as the gutting and the reconstruction of the kitchen. It also required the demolition of the living room cabinetry and the installation of both a more contemporary fireplace and an entertainment space.
New England Design & Construction
103 Terrace St. Boston, MA 02120
With its complete staff of architects and skilled construction specialists, New England Design and Construction uses a dependable design-build method to complete each of its projects. The firm concentrates on substantial mid- to high-end residential remodeling projects, such as additions, whole home renovations, and total kitchen renovations. The works of New England Design and Construction have been highlighted in a number of publications, including Qualified Remodeler, Boston Voyager, and New England Home Magazine.
Founder of New England Design and Construction David Supple earned an architecture degree from Tufts University. He completed three years of training as an architect in California, which involved him planning, overseeing, and supervising renovations ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 square feet. In 2005, he started developing New England Design & Construction, which was officially established in 2006. Since then, he has swiftly developed the business. Under his leadership, the firm has won several accolades including the 2018 BRAGB Prism Silver Award for Best Kitchen in the $150,000-200,000 category, the 2017 NARI Gold Award for Residential Kitchen $100,000 – $150,000, and the 2015 CotY Award for Best Residential Bath $30,000 – 60,000.
RemodelWerks
621 Main St. Shrewsbury, MA 01545
RemodelWerks is an exclusive 3D design, custom building, and remodeling firm. It specializes in interior and exterior design as well as remodeling aspects of both residential and commercial projects. It also provides a five-year guarantee on its projects and trusted customer service. The firm was founded by Joseph Kupstas, who is an experienced serial entrepreneur with a demonstrated history of working in multiple industries, as well as a recipient of an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lead-Safe Certification.
Throughout its years in the industry, RemodelWerks has received numerous awards. These have included the 2019 Best in American Living Award for an Addition Under $250,000, the 2019 Chrysalis Regional Award for an Addition Under $250,000, and two 2018 NARI CotY Gold Awards—one for a commercial project and one for a residential kitchen $100,001-$200,000. RemodelWerks was also included in Remodeling Magazine’s 2019 Big 50 Class of America’s Top Remodelers list.
Gallagher Remodeling
10 Trapelo Rd. Suite 3, Belmont, MA 02478
Since 1986, full-service firm Gallagher Remodeling, Inc. has delivered its top-notch design and craftsmanship services on schedule and on budget. Roger Gallagher, the president of the firm, holds several notable certifications; he is certified as a NAHB Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS), a NARI Master Certified Remodeler (MCR), and a Green Certified Professional (GCP) in energy-efficient and sustainable design as well as construction. Gallagher also formerly served as president of the Eastern Massachusetts chapter of NARI, an organization that he and his team remain actively involved with. Under Gallagher’s leadership, the firm has won accolades including two 2021 PRISM awards, the 2020 BRAGB Prism gold award for Best Residential Remodel, and the 2018 NARI Member of the Year award.
This renovation of a partially finished attic is one of its noteworthy projects. This unfinished attic was converted by Gallagher Remodeling into a roomy master suite with a Modern Danish design. The project expanded the house by 450 square feet—which in this case meant a wholly finished third story. A gold award for Best Residential Interior was awarded to the firm for this remodel.
Byggmeister
667A Sawmill Brook Pkwy. Newton, MA 02459
For each of its projects, Byggmeister adheres to best practices to guarantee comfort and wholesome indoor air quality. The company has been using a design-build approach for more than 20 years, with the planning and execution teams collaborating to provide effective and durable renovations. With this approach, Byggmeister is able to take responsibility for each stage of a project, from the early design phase all the way through follow-up. The firm also takes meaningful part in organizations such as the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, the International Living Future Institute, and the Boston-based Carbon Leadership Forum.
Featured in this article is one of Byggmeister’s full house remodels. In order to create a more efficient kitchen with a casual eating area, Byggmeister linked the kitchen with the adjoining, previously existing family room. A short, straight staircase connecting the living room to the kitchen was relocated to the previous lower-level dining room and was decorated with a warm, light style. Additionally, the first-floor shower was removed by the Byggmeister team, making room for a dedicated laundry area. Byggmeister also constructed a balcony that looks down onto the new lower-level living area, which helped to create a spacious, pleasant route from the entry foyer to the kitchen.
C. Stumpo Development
373 Boylston St. Route 9, West Newton, MA 02459
Privately held custom house builder C. Stumpo Development has many projects that reflect its team members’ keen eyes for detail and their dedication to quality construction. Since 1989, C. Stumpo has established an award-winning legacy of new and remodeled homes, which recently earned the firm the 2022 Best of Newton Award for Best General Contractor. Throughout its establishment, the firm has also been featured in Home & Estates Magazine, Boston Herald, Private Air Magazine, and Boston Business Women.
The newly constructed Boston Curb mansion, which has a $7,500,000 asking price, is one of the firm’s noteworthy projects. The project was enough to make this home the town’s priciest new listing and the third priciest in the town overall. The recently constructed 75 Yarmouth includes six bedrooms, which are all on the second story, as well as more than 7,100 square feet of living space. The home also features a three-car garage, a heated pool with a lanai, eight bathrooms (six full), and a study with floor-to-ceiling paneling—a touch that gives the study space a scholarly aesthetic.
Rebel Builders
997 Chestnut St. #5, Newton Upper Falls, MA 02464
On every project, the team at Rebel Builders works closely with its clients to make their ideas a reality. As a Latina, woman-owned and managed design-build company, the firm takes its own distinct approach to house refurbishments and upgrades. Diana Pauro, the company’s founder, studied architecture before running an Argentine business that specialized in custom residences and commercial buildings. After arriving in the U.S., she initially worked as a designer, and later founded Rebel Builders in order to have control over the procedure, making improvements as needed in order to produce the greatest results for her clients.
This article features one of the firm’s notable projects. This project was designed for grandparents who desired a space that was both friendly for their grandchildren and also relaxing when they are alone. One way to accomplish this was by making way for a larger dining table and establishing a separate living room section, which the Rebel Builders team did by moving the original fireplace to the center of the room. The kids’ section, which features a sizable window seat and unique storage, was situated on the other end of the room. The built-ins and arches connected to the mudroom further help to give the house a classy, warm, and practical feel.
Attitash Builders
60 Arsenal St. Watertown, MA 02472
Attitash Builders offers comprehensive design-build services with a philosophy and methodology that enable it to offer top-notch client service. Nazar Vincent, the founder of Attitash, has completed a number of illustrious projects during the course of his eighteen-year career. He is a member of the Boston Society of Architects and American Institute of Architects, and also an alumnus of New Hampshire Technical Institute (NHTI) and Boston Architectural College. With Vincent’s leadership, he and the Attitash team offer a comprehensive experience that guides clients all the way from project conception to project completion.
Featured in this article is a custom home build that the firm completed for a client in Western Massachusetts. It was a 5,800-square-foot modern ranch-style residence with an open floor plan that features high-end amenities and designer finishes all throughout. It includes a deck, a granite patio, lovely landscaping, rift & quarter-sawn white oak floors, 10-foot ceilings, and unique stonework for the interiors. The personalized home also features a family room with a quartz fireplace and a window-lined breakfast area, as well as a lavish master bedroom with beautiful views, glass patio sliders, a walk-in closet, and a spa bath. Attitash also added three more baths and four more bedrooms to this home.
Hampden Design + Construction
72 Devonshire Rd. Waban, MA 02468
Newton-based general contractor Hampden Design + Construction is a bespoke home, restoration, and addition building company that David Cohen founded in 2003. Since its founding, Hampden Design + Construction has received numerous honors, such as the Boston Home Magazine’s 2020 Best of Boston Home award, the Boston Herald’s 2021 Readers’ Choice Award for Contractor/Builder, and GC Magazine’s Best General Contractors in Newton. Along with appearing on the acclaimed PBS program “This Old House,” its work has been highlighted in some of the area’s leading design journals.
Among Hampden Design + Construction’s notable projects is this custom new construction in Milton. The first floor occupies most of the living space, and almost this entire first level is visible from the kitchen. Behind the curved entry wall in the living area is a bespoke bar, and the layout of the first floor is completed with the master suite and one extra bedroom. Also, a third bedroom and study area were built with a walkout terrace on the second story in order to take full advantage of the land views.
