Verified record
Typical Greater Boston range for this kind of work, from regional averages — not a quote from BRJ Builders. Use it to sanity-check bids, then get the real number in writing.
Estimated range
$23,000 – $35,000
Typical remodeling project around $29,000
A homeowner budgeted $22,000 to gut and remodel a bathroom and the job came in at $44,000, because once the walls were open BRJ Builders found the foundation under it rotted. That 2024 Houzz review is still five stars — the writer said every step was explained — and it is a fair introduction to what this Greenfield company gets hired for: old houses with something wrong beneath the finish work. The company is owned by Benjamin R. John, whose Massachusetts construction supervisor licence is active on the state registry, registered d/b/a BRJ Builders; the firm's home improvement contractor registration is active as well. Its site describes a veteran-owned remodeling outfit working out of Greenfield and Bernardston across Franklin and Hampshire counties and into southern Vermont — kitchens, baths, additions, decks and porches, garages, finish carpentry and new construction — and says jobs run through Buildertrend so clients can follow progress and payments. On Google the average is 5 stars from 29 ratings, with 5.0 averages on Houzz, Angi and HomeAdvisor, and the written accounts run from 2020 into mid-2025. Structure keeps coming up. A July 2025 customer had an entire crumbling foundation wall replaced as part of a renovation that also covered a bathroom and an unused interior space. A 2023 reviewer had a century-old bulkhead rebuilt from scratch, deteriorated sections of foundation repaired and drainage added. A 2024 reviewer listed rotted decking, porch joists to replace and a column spongy at its base. The bigger jobs are whole-house. In a 2022 review, someone who had just bought a fixer-upper signed a contract in early July and had exterior eaves and trim repairs, a rebuilt bulkhead, a new front door and a complete kitchen remodel essentially done by the end of October. A 2024 customer hired the company for a near-gut renovation of a Vermont cabin after a catastrophic water leak, and a 2020 reviewer described a single-family house converted to a two-family with an old garage turned into a kitchen and living room. When a 2024 customer asked about a skylight for a second-floor office, what got built was a shed dormer running from the roof ridge down past the four-foot knee wall. Ben and a project manager named Josh appear in reviews from 2021 through 2023. The thing to settle before signing is how discovered conditions are priced — the bathroom that doubled is the clearest case, and on a house old enough to need this kind of work it is the first conversation to have. Scheduling is the second: a 2023 customer wrote that their bulkhead was fitted in between bigger projects, and in January 2025 the Greenfield Recorder reported that the Selectboard had given initial approval for BRJ to develop apartments, and possibly retail space, at the former Four Leaf Clover site on South Street. For an old house in Franklin County or southern Vermont that needs more than a surface refresh — a bathroom taken down to the joists, a porch rebuilt, a kitchen and the framing behind it — this is a sensible call. Pin down the allowance and change-order terms before demolition starts, and get your start and finish dates in writing.
“The Selectboard has given its initial blessings to Greenfield construction company BRJ Builders to develop apartments and potentially retail space at 19 South St., the former site of the Four Leaf Clover Restaurant.”
“The property was sold to Pinnacle Mountain LLC, owned by Benjamin John of BRJ Builders, in October for $150,000.”
“Working at BRJ Builders was a frustrating experience even though I was only there for a s”
My Partner and I had Ben and his team help us do a large scale renovation on our house that included a bathroom renovation, interior remodeling of a space in our house we didn't use and most importantly the replacing of an entire wall of our foundation that was crumbling apart. Their whole team was very easy to work with and showed care and attention to detail that is hard to find these days in construction. Our project manager Daniel was an absolute delight and was great about communicating unexpected things on the project. The only downside of the whole project was now the rooms they didn't work in look a little shabby. We can't recommend BRJ builders enough.
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.
When Ben of BRJ Builders told me he didn’t do skylights, my need for light, air, and a view from my 2nd floor office led me to the best decision I ever made about home remodeling: a shed dormer from roof ridge to below the 4-foot knee wall. BRJ’s design gave me three sizable windows, 32” off the floor so that my desk fits directly below the sill. Were it not for Ben’s listening skills, I probably would be standing to see tree tops and sky. His design included a darling 20” pent roof over the porch directly below dormer overhang. My cabin-y home became a modern-day wonder. In the end, it looked like that dormer had been there forever. This is an intelligent, efficient team—and neat!
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Certified attributes are verified against the public registry. Others are the business's own statement.
1 change recorded — last scanned Aug 9, 2026.
Decks and porches5.0
Clients returning for 10 and 20 years5.0
Detailed craftsmanship5.0
Renovates century-old structures5.0