Built in 1880, the Country Cape began as a modest dwelling on an expansive estate, gradually expanding with the needs of its inhabitants. The crew visits the new owners and their architect, receiving a comprehensive tour of the property, bo…

Before the main demolition commences, usable appliances, building materials, and radiators are carefully removed from the house. Meanwhile, an arborist tends to the property's mature Hemlock trees, applying protective sprays against damagin…

The existing foundation is adapted to accommodate the new basement, requiring an opening for a doorway and a careful connection to the older structure. On the main floor, the workers install a beam to allow for the removal of a portion of t…

The foundation has been waterproofed. Mauro and the homeowners are currently considering exterior paint palettes. Tom and the designer are reviewing options for the newel posts. Meanwhile, Kevin is consulting with an architectural historian…

Kevin assisted Tom in leveling the old house to accommodate the new addition. Afterward, he met with Mark to examine stone veneer options. Charlie was tasked with raising the rafters in the back dormer to provide increased headroom. Later, …

Kevin, Tom, and Charlie assembled a five-layered Flitch beam. Jenn observed a tree service securing a cable to a venerable Hemlock for stability, followed by pruning of an overgrown Crabapple. Meanwhile, Tom and Charlie prepared the groundw…

Kevin and Mark carefully carved a slot into the chimney to accommodate flashing, ensuring a watertight seal. The homeowners received an impromptu lesson in tiling. Meanwhile, the Silva team seamlessly transitioned from the old flooring to t…

Tom and Charlie worked to remove a window and its frame, preparing for the installation of new double-hung windows. A non-profit organization is transforming a former school into affordable housing for veterans. The project includes the add…

At the construction site, progress is marked by the rising walls of the addition. Tom recounts the history of framing hammers and nail guns, tracing their development over time. Richard and his team carefully dismantle the old boiler. Meanw…

Kevin journeyed to Pennsylvania for a meeting with the renowned craftsman, Paul Grothouse. Meanwhile, Charlie conceived a plan to enhance the thermal break in the front dormers of the original house. Elsewhere, Jenn and landscape designer M…

Kevin and Tommy worked together to install a skylight. Richard discussed the intricacies of ductwork. The homeowner’s mother offered a treasured family craft, specific to the house. Kevin took a tour of a range factory in Pennsylvania, a co…

Richard explains the value of radiant floor heating for a garage, guiding the viewer through the installation alongside plumber Abe Bilo. Afterward, Richard and Mark discuss the upcoming concrete pour. Mark details the process as his crew b…

Kevin discussed the Dracut School Project and made a visit to Alison Hardy at her shop, where they spoke about her work restoring the windows of the historic building. Meanwhile, Richard encountered Abe Bilo and his crew as they worked to d…

The composite decking was fitted with the simplicity of a clip system. Environmentally sound foam insulation was sprayed within the basement. We addressed HVAC zoning to accommodate the home’s intricate floor plan. A battery backup system w…

With just one week remaining, the house hums with a flurry of activity. Electrical fixtures are in place, alongside the new kitchen counters and shelving. Paintbrushes dance across walls throughout the rooms, and the expansive bathroom is r…

Following a challenging period marked by inclement weather and supply chain disruptions, the Concord Country Cape is now ready for its new owners. They tour their newly renovated home, a bright and contemporary space, accompanied by Richard…

Nestled within the sprawling metropolis of Boston, the small town of West Roxbury, Massachusetts, is the setting for our latest undertaking: an 1890s Victorian house, once a private residence, now adapted for multiple families, and now retu…

Work progresses steadily. The ground floor is now open to the light, windows fitted, and the outdated rosin paper underlayment has been superseded by a modern, technologically advanced house wrap. Outdoors, the grounds are being landscaped…

The elms in the neighborhood are vulnerable to Dutch Elm Disease, though the tree we acquired from the local nursery appears immune. Meanwhile, work progresses at the house: new window trim has been fitted, and fiberboard siding is now in p…

At the house, we spent time getting acquainted with the contractor as the ipe wood was fitted to the porch ceiling. Outside, a brick patio took shape. Inside, a dual-fuel HVAC system was installed, with new ductwork routed throughout. Meanw…

Granite stairs and a brick walkway now grace the front porch. A new door replaces the old one at the back of the house, providing a fresh seal against the elements. The homeowners are currently selecting a finish for the flooring throughout…

Exterior work on the house nears completion. Upstairs bathrooms now feature a soaking tub and radiant floor heating. The homeowners are currently selecting interior lighting fixtures. The homeowner and his son have begun installing drywall …

A new trend in home improvement features aluminum gutters designed to resemble wood, offering a familiar aesthetic with modern durability. The renovation also includes decorative trim around the newly installed back door, and repairs to the…

Fresh kitchen cabinets and a new range hood now grace the home. The homeowner’s daughter explores bohemian chic design with an interior decorator. The complexities of installing large-format tiles within a limited area are considered. A dam…

The new kitchen boasts a quartz countertop and discreetly integrated receptacles, while the dining room features original crown molding carefully replicated. Now, the interior doors await hanging. With hardware installed, the meticulous wor…

The West Roxbury project is complete. A Victorian single-family home has been transformed into a two-family dwelling and then carefully restored to its original form, now boasting a contemporary aesthetic and a more thoughtfully designed li…

A new undertaking has begun in Saratoga Springs, New York, and the team first seeks to understand the city’s past. They are introduced to Evan and Whitney, the new owners, as well as Evan’s mother, Susan. The house itself has been a fixture…

With careful budgeting, the homeowners undertake the demolition and groundwork for their backyard themselves. The architect outlines his design for the renovation, while a local docent recounts the history of Saratoga Springs' mineral sprin…

The electrical system of the 1864 house, ranging from bare wiring to BX cable, requires attention. However, a preliminary examination of the foundation reveals unwelcome surprises. Demolition has exposed issues necessitating alterations to …

Hidden gardens and grand mansions are hallmarks of Saratoga. The historic, 170-year-old basement is slated for expansion, incorporating insulated concrete forms, a fresh slab foundation, and a concrete bulkhead staircase; however, the prese…

The original foundation requires repointing. A steel beam is being installed within the newly excavated basement. Current trends in plumbing fixtures are being considered. A truss system has been determined as the optimal solution for the t…

A brick veneer gives the new chimney a weathered appearance; kitchen cabinets are chosen; the house's exterior is cleaned in preparation for painting; and a hot air balloon ride is taken.

The project involved a comprehensive renovation: first, the removal of the existing floor; then, the careful preservation of the original porch structure; followed by a thorough consideration of various tile choices; and finally, the instal…

Concealed within the coffered ceilings, drainpipes quietly manage water runoff from the screened porch. A diffusion vent is installed, and a single staircase links the first and third floors. And a neighborhood skate rink, built by residen…

The home's electrical service has been upgraded. Cold-weather inverter heat pumps now provide heating and cooling throughout the house. An original window sash has been converted into an awning window. A vocational student is undertaking a …

Fresh water and sewer lines have been installed. The house now meets current building codes, including the addition of fire sprinklers. A new slate hearth graces the interior. Original chalkboards from the 1890s have been restored and reins…

Students at the Dracut Centre School's vocational program constructed a table for the facility. The project house incorporates an alternative to traditional wide plank hardwood flooring. An automatic, low-impact irrigation system was instal…

The landing at the entrance to the walk-in pantry presented a challenge to cabinet installation. The builder devised a tailored solution. Meanwhile, the homeowners procured paint supplies and learned the proper techniques for preparing and …

The renovation of the 1864 Dutch Colonial, a house that has witnessed generations, is complete. Originally a single-family dwelling, it was later expanded and adapted into a three-family home. Now, it stands as a two-family residence with a…