"We hired James, Dan, and their crew for a major deck renovation. The level of thoughtfulness and craftsmanship throughout the project was outstanding. This was not a simple refresh — it involved removing an existing hot tub, renovating a cabana, reworking the deck framing to convert it into a single-level deck, installing a new staircase, and adding a cable rail system. Every aspect of the project was approached with precision and care, and the finished product is without flaw.
They were easy to work with from start to finish, handling decisions and mid-project modifications thoughtfully and professionally. The whole crew was consistently approachable and friendly, and clearly took pride in their work. Daily cleanup was always done well, which we especially appreciated since we had a puppy at the time. Definitely recommended!"
"The team did a fantastic job on my full home renovation. From start to finish, they were professional, punctual, and very detail-oriented. The quality of the craftsmanship is top-notch, and they kept the site clean throughout the process. I?m extremely happy with the final result. Highly recommended"
"I hired Victor to build a new house to specification and it came out great. The finishes were high quality and working with him was a breeze. I appreciated how organized he was and how he kept the project on schedule. Would very much recommend him to others and use him again."
"Wood Trades did a wonderful job on my front deck and quality work. I love the way John picture framed the steps, nicely done. Must note the intangibles, Wood Trades communicated with me every step of the project. They respected our home and cleaned up each day."
"Lightship Development is the gold standard for renovations. Kim and Dave form an incredible team, combining clear communication, realistic expectations, and timely delivery. We tackled a major project in a very old home, and they completed it within the time frame they initially estimated—only a minor delay, which was due to factors on our end. Kim excels at organizing all the subcontractors and keeps us in the loop with multiple updates throughout the week. Dave is the expert on-site, handling all the details with precision and ensuring everything meets our satisfaction. I’ve recommended Lightship Development to others and will continue to do so because of their excellent work, lighthearted approach to complex and stressful projects, and straightforward business practices. There were no surprises—we finished on time, on budget, and couldn’t be happier with the results."
"It went great we had a woodpecker put a hole in the side of our house. Communication was great through out the process, work was done in a timely efficient manner. Exceeded our expectations would highly recommend."
"Great experience with Brooks Brothers. We needed to replace all interior doors in our home. Given this is an older house, all doors had to be custom cut. Bobby was professional, courteous and friendly. He made sure we were happy with every step during the process. Iâ  m very happy with the completed job and it was done within the estimated time. I would have no hesitation in using their service again."
"Will Arana was great to work with with a bunch of home improvements including repairing and painting a ceiling, replacing a dozen drop ceiling panels, replacing a garbage disposal, repairing a handrail and replacing a door handle. All don at reasonable labor rates with me buying my own materials. Will was ver professional and a pleasure to work with. I would recommend him to anyone."
"Very professional. Great value. Timely estimate and work completion. I would highly recommend if you need any repair/construction needs. I will be hiring again."
Yes, barn doors can be too heavy, although the limitation is usually imposed by the mounting hardware you buy and not your home’s framing, unless you’re building an unusually wide door. To keep the weight down, you can opt for 1-by material rather than 2-by material, and choose a softwood like pine rather than a hardwood like maple or oak. Check the weight limits on your mounting hardware, and always attach your door track to studs rather than to drywall anchors.
Rather than using a common two-by-four piece of wood for a rafter, you probably will use two-by-six, two-by-eight, two-by-ten, or even two-by-twelve boards. Wider lumber is typically a better choice in a larger building as it provides more sturdiness. Some installers may use wider lumber for rafters near the edges of the roof, where the greatest stress occurs, and save money with narrower lumber toward the middle.
Whether you buy a prefabricated shed or build one depends on why you need it and where you stay. For instance, if a simple garden shed is what you’re after, it’ll be less expensive to buy one already built. But if you want a shed with windows, plumbing, and electric work, a custom-built unit might be more suited to your needs.
Any type of construction that damages a tree’s roots via soil compaction can be dangerous, and is one of the primary causes of mature tree death in residential areas. Simply putting lots of weight on the ground around the tree, like construction supplies, trailers, and equipment, can kill roots near the surface. Of course, installing new foundations, patios, or utility lines can cut through nearby tree roots. Accidentally striking a tree with equipment or supplies is rarely a problem, but can cause damage of its own, too.
Average barndominiums last between 50 and 150 years depending on the materials they are made from, how well they are maintained, and the environment they are built in. Barndominiums are very durable and have a much longer lifespan than traditional wood homes. With proper care and maintenance, well-built barndominium homes can last generations.
The Rehoboth, MA homeowners’ guide to barndominium building
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
If home is where the barn is, a barndominium may be the dream house you’ve been looking for. Here are all the details you need to know about barndominium costs.
A barndominium offers lots of advantages, including durability and versatility. But is building a barndominium the right choice for you? Let’s find out.
