Verified record
Cal McCarthy Construction's website names Burlington, Waltham, Arlington, Belmont, Winchester, Lexington and Woburn as its service area. A 2026 customer said Cal and the team remodeled a basement, helped with floor refinishing and painting in the main living area, and finished ahead of schedule. A 2025 customer said Cal renovated the basement level of a split-entry ranch with a full bath, office and family room, coordinating subcontractors and inspectors to complete the job on schedule. A 2025 customer said Cal offered ideas and alternatives for a basement renovation within their budget, while subcontractors arrived on time and inspections followed promptly. A 2025 r/watertown commenter said they had worked with Cal McCarthy Construction to finish a basement a few years earlier and praised the subcontractors. A 2025 customer described an upstairs bathtub replacement that required removing walls and tile, along with leak repairs to the bathroom below and an adjacent laundry closet; the customer praised Cal's explanations and the price. A 2024 customer in Belmont said Cal handled permitting smoothly and made the house move-in ready after work that included bathroom remodeling, a basement bathroom, central AC and kitchen updates. A 2024 customer said Cal and team cut a new opening for a sliding door, built a landing with steps to the yard and matched detailed trim in a 97-year-old house. A 2022 customer said Cal's crew showed up every day and worked all day on a back-deck replacement, and that a front porch and side deck also turned out well. A 2022 customer said Cal and his team completed a large deck and juliet deck project for 10–15% less than others had quoted, spending extra time fixing details.
“I worked with Cal McCarthy Construction to finish my basement a few years ago. Solid GC with great and friendly subcontractors.”
Cal and the team did an amazing job remodeling our basement. He was also able to help us with a floor refinish and painting for our main living area. He was very professional, the work was done ahead of schedule, and he gave us great ideas. Thank you Cal!
We hired Cal to renovate the basement level of our split entry ranch. It had a full bath and office and family room that were outdated with paneling and carpet. His estimate was better than most and he was open to working on our tight schedule. He was able to coordinate with multiple subcontractors as well as all of the inspectors to stay on schedule and complete the job. Permit Dumpster Demolition Rough Electric Rough Plumbing Inspections Board and Plaster Flooring Tile Trim and Woodwork Finish Plumbing Finish Electric Painting Details Final Inspections Cal and his team did a fantastic job. He was always responsive to small changes and fixes that came up. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking to have their basement redone or for that matter any work you may need.
We chose Cal McCarthy Construction to undertake our basement renovation project after talking with him in person, and after having the opportunity to view a neighbor's finished project. Cal was extremely communicative, listened to what we wanted to accomplish, and offered many ideas and alternatives to make all the pieces come together within our budget. He and his assistant Matt were professional and personable, and their subs were as well. Scheduling was impressive, with subcontractors showing up on time and completing their work quickly, followed by inspections happening as soon they were done, with no surprises or issues. Cal personally took phone calls, texts, and e-mails, responding immediately to questions. We highly recommend Cal McCarthy Construction.
Cal McCarthy is a fantastic contractor. His work is impeccable, and he is a pleasure to work with. He is honest, provides reasonable estimates, does quality work, and does not upsell. The tradespeople he brings in are all excellent as well, skilled and professional. Cal communicated constantly during the project, keeping me up to date on the process and the scheduling. The bathroom repairs we needed were not planned and, thus, were not a home renovation project that I was excited about. Cal earned my trust and made a stressful situation much easier. We had to have an upstairs bathtub replaced. Because of being slid into a tight slot with the original construction, replacing the bathtub required removing walls and tile. It was a muti-stage project. Additionally, due to the leak repairs were needed to the bathroom below and the laundry closet adjacent. The work was done exceptionally well, with clear explanations throughout the project, and at a reasonable price. I recommend McCarthy construction wholeheartedly.
Here is my experience with Cal McCarthy Construction I was looking to put a second shower in my house The shower will be installed in the existing basement half-bathroom I called a couple contractors for quotes One came to our house and started to explain the process After several minutes of talking, I started asking questions. The person representing the company onsite did not have clear concise answers He seemed to be unsure of what needed to be done as far as plumbing, which is the MOST important part of the job. Cal McCarthy came to our house and explained everything in detail. Almost as if he already did the job! This was a big job including many different trades and processes to complete; Plumber’s Masons Tile Carpenters Electricians Plasterers Painter Permits Inspections Cal is a professional in his craft,in my opinion comes with years of experience Before during and after the project, all questions/Concerns including next day or weekly schedule was provided in a timely fashion. Cal and his team of contractors are Top-Notch We could not be happier with the finished project Thank You Cal McCarthy Construction!
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2 changes recorded — last scanned Nov 3, 2026.
Typical Greater Boston range for this kind of work, from regional averages — not a quote from Cal McCarthy Construction. 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
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Decks and porches5.0
Clients returning for 10 and 20 years5.0
Detailed craftsmanship5.0
Renovates century-old structures5.0
Large custom master-bedroom closet4.2
Clean job sites4.3
30 years in businessNot yet rated