Platt Builders

After a bumpy start with our project due to some challenges with a subcontractor, Platt has been very responsive to our concerns. Their own work (framing/building) has been good and exactly as we expected. I will write a full review of the entire project once it is finished.

Platt Builders has done two projects for us over the past five years. We replaced siding, trim and windows. The process they went through from estimation to completion was predictable, thorough and professional. We have had other contractors do work in our home before. Never again. Platt’s attention to detail and craftsmanship is incredible. They walked us through the process and answered any questions we had. The project manager checked in with us on a regular basis to be sure we knew what to expect next. We couldn’t be happier with their work and plan to call on them again in the future.

As many homeowners have unfortunately experienced, a poor selection of a general contractor will likely result in an outcome that falls short of expectations. This is particularly true when it comes to a complete kitchen renovation with all of the complexity associated with it. As we close in on the completion of our complete kitchen redo, I was motivated to share my thoughts with the team from Platt as well as Sage Conti, a very talented designer out of Concord, Massachusetts. If you are considering a major home project and are in the hunt for a 5 star General Contractor, I would like to share my email with you. Good afternoon team Platt and “team” Conti. As we make our way on the ferry back to our “exile” on Martha’s Vineyard, Elaine and I want to send along our appreciation for the extraordinary kitchen that is unfolding before our eyes as we make our periodic trips back and forth. The workmanship, precision and artistry (a big shout out to Steve and Diana) is remarkable and the on the ground execution by Joe (Elaine & I want to adopt him) and Jody’s keeping the trains running on time, is such a pleasure to see great execution. Sage, your wonderful taste and eye for detail makes it a joy to work with you. I know we have a ways to go and more excitement to come but we didn’t want to miss the opportunity to share our thoughts with all of you. Please share with all the unsung heroes back at the shop who are making the magic happen.

We completed our 4th project with Platt Builders this Fall. We have enjoyed the professionalism from Platt Builders - their employees and their subs are responsive, friendly and knowledgable. We redesigned our master bathroom, added a closet and linen cabinets. The process for the master bathroom and closet was fantastic. When we started our master bathroom project we knew we wanted natural wood and Steve was so helpful guiding our selection of color and cabinet style. We choose teak and could not be more THRILLED with the result- the wood grain matching is impeccable- the bathroom now feels like a Scandinavian spa. Platt Builders also suggested an efficient way to re-work my closet so I feel like I have more space. We have also been fortunate to have Platt Builders replace our siding and windows, but what started it all was our kitchen renovation and porch addition 5 years ago. This company is our go-to contractor.

We hired Platt to complete a major home remodel - they built a staircase, replaced all doors, flooring, exterior siding work, and a roof. The experience was one of the worst we have had with a contractor, and this is our third home and third major renovation. From the start of the project we had concerns. The project manager made clear to us that he was unhappy at Platt and it showed. He was often late and failed to respond in a timely way. We later learned that he was applying to other jobs and left Platt right after our job was complete. The workers sent by Platt to our home seemed unskilled. Nearly ever part of the work had to be redone - both minor (floors with large gaps, poor carpentry, painting issues), and major (roofing, water issues). We found significant safety issues with some of the work completed. Platt installed a metal cap on our clay lined chimney resulting in significant water leakage and potential carbon monoxide blockage and mold. When we raised this issue with Platt, instead of fixing it, they hired a law firm. It seems they have a pattern of failing to fix issues and instead using lawyers instead. Eventually they paid for some repairs to the chimney but only after we started to take legal action. We still have ongoing disputes with Platt about water leaking in another room, which we believe is due to how they applied the roofing materials, and poorly painted balusters. Instead of working with us, Platt again hired a law firm.

I spent ~10 yrs of my 20 yrs experience in the field working with the team of Halsey and company. The combination of professionalism, highly skilled craftsmen, and outstanding teamwork atmosphere creates the best opportunity for success of a high end remodel that money can buy. The skills I have today were harbored and honed within the structure of the company and although I have been away since the beginning of this decade, I would still consider them all family.

We live in one of the oldest properties in MA -The Noyes Parris House, 1669. We first hired Platt builders in 2002 not long after we bought this house to convert the barn into a getaway area/guest house and to turn our attic into living space. We were thrilled with the results and hope they can actually also be posted on this great website. The remodelling of our kitchen as seen in the pictures here was an amazing success. In fact, our kitchen won a design award in a major magazine. We knew we wanted a farmhouse-style kitchen but we were a little unsure of how to "get there". They were able to see and construct major and ingenious remodelling changes and maintain a good flow with the rest of this historic home. Their ability to exploit space for design and functionality is incredible. I wish the before photos were posted too. Platt Builders and his amazing team of workers/contractors worked with us very patiently and responded very creatively to some changes/wishes we wanted to make in the middle of construction. They were a pleasure to work with everyday they were here with us. We could not recommend Platt Builders more highly -for design, quality-work and products and experience. Tessa Cooper

We embarked upon this major renovation in January of 2014. Though it involved exposing a large section of our home to the element, Platt did a fantastic job of minimizing the disruption to our daily lives. The team was professional, courteous and communicative. Everything from the custom cabinets to the millwork is beautiful. The follow up to minor issues has been done without argument. They simply stand by their work and the results speak for themselves.

Platt Builders took my description of our family's needs and my inexpert but considered analysis of how the space would be used--and what aesthetic note I wanted to strike--and worked with me, as before, to whip up as if by magic exactly the elegant yet casual summer kitchen I required. I'm particularly pleased that Platt personnel respect the design instincts of their clients, augmenting, revising, proposing, but never negating or pooh-poohing an aspiration. That kind of collaboration is almost like that between a lyricist and a composer in the creation of a song that will really sing: Platt Builders' spaces sing.

We have worked with Platt Builders three times and have been thrilled with the results. The quality of the work and details has been outstanding. Our projects were completed on time and on budget - which is no small feat for a custom home. We also found that their project managers provide an amazing level of customer service. We would strongly recommend Platt builders.

My master suite renovation was the third major renovation that Platt Builders has done for me and I could not be more pleased with the quality of their work. In addition to solving some core issues my house had regarding water and mold, they created the most comfortable and gorgeous oasis for me and my family to enjoy. They came in on time and on budget and were great to work with, throughout this and all my projects. I highly recommend Platt Builders!

We hired Platt Builders to build a new home for us. The experience was a good one. We wanted to build as "green" as possible and ended up with a LEED Silver house. We also used an outside business called Building Science Corporation which helped us figure out the research/science/data behind exactly how to build as efficiently as possible. Our house is very comfortable and warm in the winter. In the summer, we feel fine about running the air conditioning since it is powered by our solar panels. During the summer months, we regularly receive electricity bills from our town that are negative numbers, such as -$3.47. Since our house is very well insulated, it is also extremely quiet. We are rarely bothered by the noise of traffic, sirens, etc. During construction, we mostly worked with the job manager and head carpenter. Both were friendly and good communicators. The job manager was always clear about any changes in cost to the project. As we went along, sometimes we wanted to upgrade this or that - such as countertop materials. He would give us a document outlining what our new choice would cost, so that we could think it over. The team in the Platt office, such as the people who handle billing, were always friendly and kind. If you are considering building a house from the ground up, and you have no prior experience, I would strongly recommend that you work with a designer who can help you with the hundreds, if not thousands, of choices you will need to make. Platt had a fabulous designer at the time we did our project, but now she is self-employed. They probably have someone new in that role, but I'm not sure. We would hire Platt again, if we were to do another project.