BRJ Builders

We were very pleased with the Gazebo project completed by BRJ Builders Team. They were hard working, detail focused and genuinely good craftsmen to work with. Their Project manager was a good communicator and managed our expectations with grace and good humor. We would not hesitate in giving a high recommendation to anyone considering a project with them. An all around good experience.

There's an old saying about competent carpentry; 'Measure twice, cut once.' The care with which BRJ Builders executes a project is galaxies beyond that. It is obvious that Ben John, owner of BRJ, is sincerely interested in saving money for his customers while providing first-class work. For example, I thought maybe power-washing the asphalt shingles of the roof would be a good idea. Ben advised not to do that, as it could shorten the life of the shingles. Hundreds of dollars saved right there - plus putting off by years the need to spend big bucks on a new roof! I was thinking of buying a new screen door, but Ben said it is in good shape - now, with a little attention, it looks/works like new. Another couple hundred saved! In establishing a plan for repairs and painting of the house, Ben's expertise is obvious. He clearly explained the sequence of stages for the work - easy to understand the plan. Planning the project was easy and pleasant - and a joint venture in decision-making, as Ben really listens to his customers. The contract for work was extremely detailed and well-organized - every expense accounted for. Pricing quite reasonable, given the sky-high cost of materials and the time needed to provide outstanding results. The project managers (thanks Josh and Daniel!), crew and subcontractors' knowledge, skill and dedication is second to none. Seeing them work together in grounded, focused, caring way gave me a great sense of calm - of being in very good hands. No hurrying - they all labored over details as though it were their own home on which they were working. Clean-up - fabulous - no worries about stepping on a splinter or screw. All really good, intelligent, nice people easy to have here for days on end! One of the carpenters, Chris Hill, singlehandedly and with great precision, replaced tongue-in-groove siding that had deteriorated due to dry rot - making it all like new. He frequently checked in with me with questions on anything that might require a choice or decision on my part. He did a masterful job re-positioning a door - which entailed cutting into some concrete and rebar. Ben made every effort to stay on schedule. He and his project managers admirably completed work in a time-frame that worked well for me. BRJ Builders subcontractor, Eli Painting went above and beyond to provide superior paints and stains that will last decades - not just a few years. He also made sure I was happy with color choices. When a problem arose in wood accepting the stain - Eli came up with a superior solution that looked better than anticipated! Eli's men took extreme care in thorough prep work. The application of the paint and stain was done with great patience and accuracy. Eli's men were even extra careful when they had to put a ladder among my prized lilies in a flower bed. As with Ben's carpentry crew - really good men who were a pleasure to have here. I would give BRJ Builders 10 stars if I could!

I had my bathroom gutted and remodeled, original quote was 22,000, job came in at 44, 000, because they found all the foundation was rotted, They were great, explained every step of the way. They had many problems personally while on the job, foreman was in an accident, one worker was diagnosed with cancer, but they didn't stop my job. The job was suppose to last 2-3 weeks, it lasted almost 3 months. We became family they said. I did have a small hick up with communication, but Ben called and we were able to settle it. Highly recommend.

Well, I thought I wanted a skylight, but I’m so glad I went full Monty with a shed dormer that extended from roof ridge to below the existent knee wall with three Pella windows to accent the three screened bays of the open porch below. The cherry on top was the darling 20” pent roof over the porch directly below and parallel to the dormer overhang. BRJ Builders matched IKO architectural roofing tiles and rounded eaves that turned my cabin-y home to a modern-day wonder. In the end, it looked like that dormer had been there forever. This team was neat, efficient, intelligent, and I got charged less than the original estimate detailed in the contract! Ben (the ‘B’ in the BRJ) listens to a homeowner’s needs and follows through flawlessly. Thank you, BRJ Builders. And thank you, Ben, for your honesty. —Lauren V under the dormer

My wife and I hired BRJ Builders to perform a near gut renovation on our VT cabin after it suffered a catastrophic water leak. After a terrible experience during a previous renovation, we were wary of going through the whole process again. My wife and I are delighted to report that Ben John exceeded even our highest hopes. From the beginning, his communication was prompt, clear, and organized. He was upfront and honest when there were a couple inevitable delays in procuring material and finding qualified subcontractors. It was clear that Ben John held all his subcontractors to exacting standards, as they were all reliable and did excellent work. What stood out most about Ben John was his attention to detail, an early sign of which is that he always spelled my wife’s name correctly in communications. (My wife’s name does not follow the typical spelling; there are members of my family who still don’t get it right, and our previous contractor got it consistently wrong. As such, it’s become a kind of litmus test for attention to detail.) Everywhere in his work there is evidence of this trait. Things that could be easily square cut were carefully mitered; not one tiny strip of masking tape seemed to have eluded him. Where he found preexisting work that was not up to his standards, he corrected it. It clearly bothered him when something wasn’t quite right, however subtle, and he was quick to propose inventive solutions. In one brilliant flourish, he plugged some holes in our wood plank floors with pennies before applying polyurethane. He knew we would love this personal touch, and that’s the other thing we appreciated about Ben John - he got to know our preferences and end goals, and helped us get there by making thoughtful suggestions based on his years of experience. My wife and I originally wanted to stain our floors a dark shade; Ben explained that he thought a simple polyethylene treatment would add light and warmth. We ultimately went with Ben’s suggestion and are delighted with the result. During the renovation, my wife and I were often preoccupied with a family emergency and could only make sporadic site vists. Ben John understood that we were less hands-on clients, and he respected our time by not bothering us with minutia, relying on his own excellent design discretion. The punch list was endless in our previous renovation. With Ben John, it came down to barely anything. We’re so glad we went with BRJ Builders and we look forward to hiring him again for future projects!

We had a bathroom that needed a complete gut (right down to and including the joists and supports) and total rebuild/remodel due to water damage from a back-up and slow leak. It was a tough and dirty job, but the BRJ crew handled it with aplomb. Once work began it proceeded quickly and smoothly, finishing in about two working weeks, which was amazing considering the amount of work that needed to be done on this project. Ben and Neil and the rest of the crew were totally professional and a joy to work with, going above and beyond, even tackling some adjacent concerns while still coming in on time and under budget(!). The final product speaks for itself: rock solid, looking great (like a whole new room, really), and a pleasure to use now. Highly recommended!

BRJ recently finished renovating our kitchen as well as removing a vinyl sunroom and replacing it with a stickbuilt structure. We cannot say enough good things about the entire project start to finish. Our kitchen is now a dream come true, both functional and beautiful. Our sunroom is better than we could have imagined. First and foremost, the crew and sub-contractors at BRJ Builders were not only highly skilled but also incredibly kind and respectful. It was evident that they genuinely cared about the work they were doing and ensuring that we were satisfied every step of the way. I'm a teacher and therefore, was often home before their work for the day was complete. Every single person who came to work treated my home as if it were their own and me with the utmost respect. We loved getting to know the crew and while I'm happy to have a complete project, I'll admit we missed them when they left. Additionally, I was consistently impressed by how tidy the crew left our house each day. Despite the inevitable chaos that comes with a construction project, they took great care to clean up after themselves, leaving our space organized and livable. It made a significant difference in maintaining our peace of mind throughout the renovation process. My dog and children were still able to play and live and I didn't spend my time worried. Most importantly, the finished project exceeded all of our expectations. The attention to detail and craftsmanship demonstrated by BRJ Builders was truly remarkable. Every aspect of the renovation was meticulously executed, resulting in a beautifully finished space that we are proud to call our own. I have essentially become a walking salesman for BRJ, happily handing out Ben's contact information to anyone who might have a project in mind. Overall, I cannot recommend BRJ Builders highly enough. Their kind crew, commitment to craftsmanship, and top-notch planning make them a standout choice for any construction project. If you're looking for a team that will exceed your expectations and leave you with a stunning finished product, look no further.