Carpenter in Hingham, MA

Rough Carpentry

Older Hingham homes were built with timber frames and full-dimension lumber, so new framing has to be tied in thoughtfully. We frame additions and dormers, install beams when walls are opened up, sister tired joists and replace rotted sills. For homes in a local historic district, exterior changes like additions may need approval from the Historic Districts Commission before a building permit is issued, so we plan for that step.

In newer neighborhoods and at the Hingham Shipyard, framing projects are more often finished basements, bonus rooms and open floor plans. New framing is tied into old carefully so floors and rooflines stay true.

• Home Framing & Additions
• Structural Remodeling & Modifications
• Roof & Ceiling Framing
• Sub-Flooring

Finish Carpentry

Hingham homes often have beautiful original trim, paneling and staircases. We match historic profiles, patch in trim where walls have changed, and install crown molding, wainscoting and paneled walls in rooms that need more character. Stair repairs are common in older homes: loose balusters, worn treads and newel posts that need re-anchoring.

Paneled libraries, built-up crown and wainscoted dining rooms are part of what gives Hingham homes their character, and we build new work with the same proportions. In newer homes, panel molding, coffered or plank ceilings and new stair railings add the craftsmanship buyers expect in town. Every joint is fitted tight.

• Interior Trim & Molding
• Doors & Window Casing
• Staircases & Railings

Cabinetry & Storage

Built-ins suit Hingham homes well: bookshelves around fireplaces, window seats like the one in our photos, mudroom lockers and bars. We also install kitchen and bath cabinets in remodels and build closet systems that make the most of the small closets common in older houses.

In historic houses, built-ins often have to work around original fireplaces, windows and uneven walls, so we scribe every piece to fit. In newer homes, mudroom lockers, butler's pantries and bars are popular. We finish built-ins to match the surrounding trim so they look original to the house. Shelving is sized for real books and displays.

• Kitchen & Bath Cabinetry
• Built-Ins & Bookshelves
• Closets & Storage

Exterior Carpentry

Cedar shingles and white trim are a classic Hingham look, and keeping them sound takes regular care. We install and replace cedar shingles, corner boards and trim, rebuild porches and entry steps, replace rotted soffits and fascia, and build decks, pergolas and outdoor showers. Coastal homes near Hingham Harbor and World's End get rot-resistant materials and corrosion-resistant fasteners.

For homes in a local historic district, exterior changes may need review first. We also rebuild porch floors and railings, repair fences and gates, and replace worn entry steps with new ones built on solid footings. Cedar can be left to weather naturally to the soft gray common along the South Shore, or finished to keep its warm color.

• Deck & Porch Framing
• Backyard Structures

Doors & Windows

We hang and adjust interior doors in older homes, install new entry and patio doors with proper flashing, and repair rotted window sills and jambs. In historic homes we scribe new doors to fit old openings and can repair original windows' surrounding trim rather than replacing everything.

Entry doors on Hingham colonials often have sidelights, transoms and detailed trim. When a door is replaced or repaired, we rebuild the surrounding trim to match and flash the opening properly so the new door stays dry. For homes in a historic district, we plan exterior door and window changes with the review process in mind.

Flooring

Many Hingham homes have wide-board or original hardwood floors. We install new solid and engineered hardwood, weave new boards into existing floors where walls have moved, level subfloors and match stair parts to new flooring.

In antique homes, new boards are selected and finished to blend with old ones. In newer Hingham homes, continuous hardwood through the first floor ties together open layouts. Engineered hardwood works well in finished basements near the harbor, where humidity can be higher. We finish every floor with matching stair parts and clean transitions. Transitions between old and new rooms are planned so floor heights line up without awkward lips.