"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."
"Justin and his team did an amazing job converting our attic into a master suite and playroom space. Justin kept me informed with all the details during the project and the result was beyond our expectations. The detailed woodwork he added made our upstairs space flow Beautifully with our main floor. Justin Is very trustworthy, fair and honest and made us all feel very comfortable around him."
"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."
A simple A-frame chicken coop can take as little as three hours to build, but a more substantial all-in-one coop to house a large flock can take four or five days to build. Consult a local handyperson or custom coop builder for a time estimate based on the specific details of your project.
The difference between a pole barn and a stick-built barn is in the construction. Large poles in the ground provide support for pole barns. For stick-built barns, 2-by-4 or 2-by-6 lumber (known as sticks) create a frame around load-bearing beams. Stick-built construction is far more popular for residential homes. Pole barns are more cost-effective because they require fewer materials and less labor.
You can use a variety of wood to build a barn door, but the most common options include 1-by boards and 2-by boards for the backing and the decorative boards on the front of the door. Softwoods like pine will save you some money and should hold up well, while hardwoods like maple and oak will stand up to more wear and tear. You could also build the backer out of plywood to minimize the cuts you need to make. Whatever you decide on, make sure the width of the wood is compatible with the mounting brackets you buy.
Building a barndominium means converting a barn into a house. Barndominiums are becoming popular as spacious and stylish alternatives to typical housing structures. Old barns that become houses traditionally consist of wooden construction. However, newer structures, such as pole barns, often contain metal exteriors and roofs. Converting a metal outbuilding into a house presents an excellent opportunity to create a barndominium from metal.
Depending on your needs, you may find a storebought pole barn is a much less expensive option than a custom-built one. You can find pole barn kits from big box retailers starting at $11,000, but you will be limited when it comes to size and add-on features. As long as you have the necessary skills, you can save on labor costs by doing it yourself; but there are a lot of different skill sets you would need, and mistakes during the building process can lead to excessive repair bills later.
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.
