Carpenter in Worcester, MA

Rough Carpentry

Worcester three-deckers are more than a century old in many cases, and their framing often shows it: bouncy floors, notched joists and walls that have been changed over the years. We sister joists, install beams, frame new layouts in unit renovations and repair rotted sills. Structural work needs a permit from the city, and we coordinate inspections as the work progresses.

In single-family neighborhoods on the west side, we also frame additions, dormers and finished basements for families who want more space without leaving the neighborhood they know. Older balloon-framed buildings also get fire blocking added where walls are opened, as the building code requires.

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

Finish Carpentry

We install crown molding, baseboards, wainscoting, panel molding and new door and window casing in Worcester homes, and match the original trim in older Victorians and three-deckers. Stair work is common in multi-family buildings: new treads, risers, balusters and handrails that make shared stairways safer and better looking.

In Worcester's Victorians, original staircases and woodwork are often worth saving, and we repair them with matching materials. In post-war homes, adding crown molding, picture-frame panels or a shiplap wall gives rooms character. Full-wall panel molding like the green wall in our photos is a popular update. Joints are coped and fitted tight.

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

Cabinetry & Storage

Unit renovations and kitchen remodels both start with cabinets. We install kitchen and bath cabinets, vanities and linen storage, and build built-in bookshelves, closets and pantry shelving. In older homes with uneven floors, careful leveling and scribing is what makes a new kitchen look right.

For landlords, durable cabinets and hardware that survive tenant turnover are a priority, and we install them to last. For homeowners, we build built-in bookshelves, media walls and mudroom benches. Kitchens in older three-decker units often need cabinets scribed carefully to walls that are far from square. Every cabinet is fastened into studs and adjusted.

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

Exterior Carpentry

Porches are a signature of Worcester's three-deckers, and they take a beating from weather. We rebuild porch framing, decking, stairs and railings, replace rotted trim, soffits and fascia, and build backyard decks and fences. Porches on multi-family buildings must meet building code for railings and structure, which we build to.

On steep Worcester lots, porch and stair framing has to account for grade changes and long spans. We build stairs with consistent rise and run, solid railings and framing that can carry snow loads, and we replace rotted posts and beams before they become a safety problem. Every rebuild is built to code.

• Deck & Porch Framing
• Backyard Structures

Doors & Windows

We hang interior doors, install entry and back doors with secure hardware and proper flashing, reframe openings and repair rotted sills and jambs. For landlords, durable doors and hardware that stand up to turnover are a priority, and we recommend options that last.

In three-deckers, shared entry doors and the doors to each unit get heavy use. We install solid doors with good locks and closers, repair rotted thresholds and frames, and adjust doors that bind as the building settles. For homeowners, we also install new patio doors when a back deck is rebuilt. Every door is adjusted before we leave.

Flooring

We install solid and engineered hardwood flooring, level and refasten old subfloors, and finish transitions and stair nosing. In three-decker units, getting the subfloor flat before new flooring is often the most important step.

In older homes, we can also match new hardwood to original floors in Victorians and colonials. Engineered hardwood is a practical choice for lower levels and units over concrete. We finish each job with matching stair nosing, thresholds and baseboard so the rooms look complete. In three-decker units, subfloors often have patches from past plumbing work, and we replace or reinforce those areas before new hardwood goes down so the finished floor stays flat and quiet.