Trusted Contractors and Service People
I provide referrals to contractors and other service people as a “value-added” service and part of my overall commitment to following through on every transaction with my clients. And just as you might when referring such a service to one of your friends or colleagues, it pwould have an implicit understanding that, while you might have had a good experience with the service, it might not necessarily work out so well for your friend. So my referrals come with just such a caveat, a disclaimer that I have faith in my referrals but I can not take responsibility for how things proceed after making the initial introduction.
So with my caveats out of the way, here you go:

GENERAL CONTRACTORS

Rick Wells
Wells Development

(781) 727-5560
Rick Wells is an articulate and intelligent guy who transitioned into general contracting from his development business. He was mainly working on his own projects when his reputation started to grow via word-of-mouth referrals based on the quality of his property development work. Wells Development Company renovated the kitchen in my current home and I have started to refer to clients recently. I have gotten great feedback from clients who have hired Wells for work. I have seen many projects he has done: a large addition to a house; another house he pretty much rebuilt (added 2 floors to an existing cape-style owned by an architect); and one of his own development projects where he turned an old Victorian into higher-end townhouses near Spy Pond. Rick also would have recommendations for architects and designers.

Steve Kalman
Eastern Construction

(781) 233-5333
(781) 938-5229
Third generation running the business; has expanded the business to numerous crews under his employ; sub-contracts out plumbing and electrical; very congenial, conscientious, and thorough. The company has done a lot of work for my family over a dozen years and 2 houses.
With all contractors, I would not leave significant design choices to them. If you need to have substantial changes made, you might want to consider an architect as well. And—this may seem obvious—make sure the communication keeps flowing through all changes and additions to the original plan and/or materials. Make sure that they keep you informed of any price increases as the job progresses as to minimize surprises.

RENOVATION CONSULTANT

Bruce Irving
Bruce Irving Renovation Consultant
Massachusetts
www.bruceirving.biz
(617)719-2196

Producer of the long-running PBS show This Old House for 17 years, Bruce has learned how a home renovation project should run. His role is not as an architect, general contractor, or builder, but rather, he often acts as the liaison between all of the above. Bruce offers a variety of services, best explained on his web site, but including preliminary assessment of a potential home for purchase; team building for a project; and project guidance.I have known Bruce for a number of years and we worked together on a project for This Old House.

PLUMBERS
Richard Domings
Lexington
(781) 862-0735

Kirkland and Shaw
Lexington
(781) 862-1097
http://www.kirklandandshaw.com/

John’s Sewer and Pipe
(781) 935-1714
http://www.johnsewer.com/

PAINTERS

Complete Painting
Chris Murphy
(781) 863-2242

ELECTRICIANS

Frank O'Reilly
(781) 862-1071

PEST INSPECTION AND TREATMENT

Cambridge Chemical
(781) 862-2585
www.cambridgechemical.com

Ultrafast Pest Control Incorporated
Waltham
(781) 894-7700

MOVING COMPANIES

Road Warrior
(617) 782-5400
RoadWarriormove@aol.com

CLEAN-OUT, JUNK REMOVAL, AND PROFESSIONAL CLEANING

Clean Pro
Peter Weber
(978) 771-4566

Servpro
(781) 861-0500

Servpro is excellent for heavy duty cleaning, restoration, dehumidifying, smoke damage, etc. They are disaster restoration specialists.

Capone Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
(781) 646-7847