# Cape Dreams Building & Design

**Trade:** General Contractor / Remodeling · **Address:** 44 Underpass Rd, Brewster, MA 02631, USA · **Phone:** (508) 255-1291 · **Website:** https://www.capedreamsbd.com/ · **Languages:** English

**Rating: 4.2/5** (high confidence) — from 24 reviews across 7 sources.
96% of sentiment-scored reviews read net-positive. Last 6 months: 0 reviews, 0 negative.

## The honest read

Two builders told the owner of a Cape cottage to tear it down and start over. Paul van Steensel looked at the same house and found a way to renovate it instead - the homeowner, writing in 2025, said he was the only one who would. That is the work Cape Dreams has built its name on since van Steensel started it in Brewster in 2004: additions, gut renovations and custom homes on Cape Cod, with vice president Allen Furman and project manager Jon Buck alongside him now.

Customers here write about their project manager by name. A 2025 review credits Pete Martinez with turning two small bedrooms of a 1960s ranch into a master suite and adding a first-floor washer and dryer; another, that March, with turning a one-story ranch into a two-story Nantucket cottage. Allen Furman ran a kitchen, mudroom and laundry renovation that a July 2025 client said came in within the promised budget and timeline, and in a 2024 review guided a timber-frame renovation through its complications. A December 2024 customer of Jon Buck's listed an enlarged master bedroom, bath and kitchen, plus an office, laundry closet, mudroom and new siding.

Google carries 4.9 stars from 37 ratings, and in a 2025 Cape Cod thread on Reddit a commenter put it plainly: "Cape Dreams out of Brewster is good." The habits people describe repeat - subcontractors and suppliers the company uses again and again, answers when questions come up mid-build, and, as a 2022 client noted, a crew that cleaned and organized the site every day.

The one bad word on the page is not from a client. In July 2025, someone living at the end of a street where Cape Dreams was renovating a house wrote that they could not speak to the quality of the work but found the company disrespectful to the neighborhood - a street with two summer rentals and two elderly residents.

Its Massachusetts home improvement contractor registration, #157603, is active on the state registry. The company's own site adds that Allen Furman holds a construction supervisor licence and that the firm has a LEED Accredited Professional on staff; both are the company's claims rather than registry-checked facts.

For a custom build, a large addition or a full renovation around Brewster and Orleans, this is a builder whose clients name the individual who ran their job. Ask which project manager you would get and how their schedule looks, and - if your neighbours are close - how they handle parking, deliveries and start times.

**Strengths:**
- Named project managers — clients credit Pete, Allen and Jon individually
- Budget and timeline — a 2025 kitchen job finished within both
- Renovation over teardown — saved a cottage two other builders wrote off
- Tidy sites — a 2022 client said crews cleaned and organized daily

**Concerns:**
- Neighborhood disruption — a July 2025 neighbor called the crew disrespectful
- Self-reported credentials — the site's supervisor licence and LEED claims are unverified

**Where sources disagree:**
- The company's own site says it was founded in 2004 and elsewhere that it has served Cape Cod since 2006.
- Houzz places the business in Orleans, while the registry, the website and BuildZoom place it in Brewster.

## Claims & citations

Every claim below is backed by real evidence rows — uncited claims are dropped in code before publication.

- The Massachusetts home improvement contractor registration #157603 is active on the state registry under Cape Dreams Building & Design, LLC _(confidence: high)_
  - [BuildZoom](https://www.buildzoom.com/contractor/cape-dreams-building-design-llc) — “Licence listed on BuildZoom: License #157603, Type Home Improvement Contractor, Status Active, State Massachusetts, Date Issued 12-05-2025”
  - [State License Registry](https://contractorhub.mass.gov/s/hic-contractor-search) — “MA hic license 157603 registry-verified active — registry holder of record: CAPE DREAMS BUILDING & DESIGN, LLC.”
- Google shows 4.9 stars from 37 ratings and Houzz 5.0 from two _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google](https://maps.google.com/?cid=6019123443910349754&g_mp=CiVnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLkdldFBsYWNlEAIYBCAA) — “Google: 4.9★ from 37 ratings”
  - [Houzz](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/cape-dreams-building-and-design-pfvwus-pf~848313830) — “Houzz: 5.0★ from 2 ratings”
- A 2025 reviewer said two other builders recommended tearing down their cottage and only Paul van Steensel found a way to renovate it _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2pKTVpFbERVRkp0UlZGck4yUlNhVE5ZVXpKUlJuYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x538838e1ad8093ba!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOjJMZElDUFJtRVFrN2RSaTNYUzJRRnc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ I believe my house renovation project was one of Cape Dreams earlier projects. Two other builders recommended that I tear down my cottage…”
- A 2025 review credits project manager Pete Martinez with converting two small bedrooms of a 1960s ranch into a master suite with a first-floor washer and dryer _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2pKclduZHVRV2hKTFhaU1NWOHlNa2QyUkhGTk9XYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x538838e1ad8093ba!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOjJrWnduQWhJLXZSSV8yMkd2RHFNOWc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ *****  We had the pleasure of working with Pete Martinez, as our Project Manager from Cape Dreams on a major renovation of our 1960’s ran…”
- A March 2025 review, posted on both Google and Houzz, describes Pete Martinez turning a one-story ranch into a two-story Nantucket cottage _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnTUNRMmRTNVZBEAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x538838e1ad8093ba!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgMCQ2dS5VA%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Five Stars for Pete Martinez, from Cape Dreams Building and Design, Brewster Massachusetts.  He recently completed a major renovation pro…”
  - [Houzz](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/cape-dreams-building-and-design-pfvwus-pf~848313830) — “5★ We are writing to express our utmost satisfaction with Pete Martinez, from Cape Dreams Building and Design, Brewster Massachusetts. He re…”
- A July 2025 client said a kitchen, mudroom and laundry renovation led by Allen Furman finished within the promised budget and timeline _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT21sWFJHUlpUbVF3WjBoR1R6YzBUV2xmUTBkM1VrRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x538838e1ad8093ba!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOmlXRGRZTmQwZ0hGTzc0TWlfQ0d3UkE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ We just complete a kitchen, mudroom and laundry room renovation with Cape Dreams. All the things you hope for when you hire a contractor …”
- A December 2024 customer described an enlarged master bedroom, bath and kitchen plus an office, laundry closet, mudroom and new siding under project manager Jon Buck _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUR2c1AtTlN3EAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x538838e1ad8093ba!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDvsP-NSw%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Cape Dreams renovated and enlarged our master bedroom, bath and kitchen, added an office, laundry room closet and mudroom and replaced ou…”
- A 2022 client said the crew fully cleaned and organized the site daily to limit disruption to the household _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNCNm9pUHRnRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x538838e1ad8093ba!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgICB6oiPtgE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Great design consulting up front, excellent attention to detail.  Conscientious about doing the work in a way that is less disruptive to …”
- A commenter in a 2025 Cape Cod Reddit thread recommended the company _(confidence: low)_
  - [reddit.com](https://www.reddit.com/r/CapeCod/comments/1kp2dpy/recommendations_for_residential_contractors/msuwciq/) — “r/CapeCod — Cape Dreams out of Brewster is good.”
- The company says Paul van Steensel founded it in 2004, growing from decks and window replacements to high-end custom homes, and that Allen Furman is vice president and Jon Buck a project manager _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Official Website](https://www.capedreamsbd.com) — “Company history (self-reported): Cape Dreams Building and Design, LLC was founded by Paul van Steensel in 2004, growing from decks and windo…”
  - [Official Website](https://www.capedreamsbd.com) — “Ownership (self-reported): Founded and led by president Paul van Steensel, with Allen S. Furman as vice president and Jon Buck as project ma…”
- A July 2025 reviewer who lives on a street where the company was renovating a house said they could not speak to the work but found the company disrespectful to the neighborhood _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2t0WGNXTlZkRzkzTm5WQ1JYQTJNMGRHTVRWVVgzYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x538838e1ad8093ba!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOktXcWNVdG93NnVCRXA2M0dGMTVUX3c%7C%7C?hl=en) — “1★ This company is renovating a house at the end of my street.  I cannot speak to the quality of their work, but they are very disrespectful…”
- The company's site states a construction supervisor licence for vice president Allen Furman and a LEED Accredited Professional affiliation, neither checked against a registry _(confidence: low)_
  - [Official Website](https://www.capedreamsbd.com) — “Stated certification/affiliation: LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP)”
  - [Official Website](https://www.capedreamsbd.com) — “Self-reported license/registration number (NOT verified against any registry): MA CSL license (stated for vice president Allen S. Furman)”
- BuildZoom lists eight permitted projects and Houzz five posted projects _(confidence: medium)_
  - [BuildZoom](https://www.buildzoom.com/contractor/cape-dreams-building-design-llc) — “BuildZoom's profile for Cape Dreams Building & Design, LLC of Brewster shows 8 permitted projects, a BuildZoom score of 101, a listed Massac…”
  - [Houzz](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/cape-dreams-building-and-design-pfvwus-pf~848313830) — “5 project(s) shown on Houzz”
- The work is custom homes, additions and high-end renovations on Cape Cod, from deck replacements to complete rebuilds _(confidence: high)_
  - [Official Website](https://www.capedreamsbd.com) — “A Cape Cod custom home builder in Brewster that does new luxury homes, additions and high-end residential renovations, from deck replacement…”
  - [Houzz](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/cape-dreams-building-and-design-pfvwus-pf~848313830) — “Services offered (Houzz): Custom Homes, Additons, Remodeling, Accessory Dwelling Units, Home Remodeling, Home Additions, Basement Remodeling”
- Specializes in General Contractor / Remodeling _(confidence: high)_
  - [Official Website](https://www.capedreamsbd.com) — “A Cape Cod custom home builder in Brewster that does new luxury homes, additions and high-end residential renovations, from deck replacement…”
  - [Houzz](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/cape-dreams-building-and-design-pfvwus-pf~848313830) — “Services offered (Houzz): Custom Homes, Additons, Remodeling, Accessory Dwelling Units, Home Remodeling, Home Additions, Basement Remodeling”
- Also offers Kitchen Remodel _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT21sWFJHUlpUbVF3WjBoR1R6YzBUV2xmUTBkM1VrRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x538838e1ad8093ba!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOmlXRGRZTmQwZ0hGTzc0TWlfQ0d3UkE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ We just complete a kitchen, mudroom and laundry room renovation with Cape Dreams. All the things you hope for when you hire a contractor …”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUR2c1AtTlN3EAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x538838e1ad8093ba!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDvsP-NSw%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Cape Dreams renovated and enlarged our master bedroom, bath and kitchen, added an office, laundry room closet and mudroom and replaced ou…”
- Also offers Bathroom Remodel _(confidence: low)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUR2c1AtTlN3EAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x538838e1ad8093ba!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDvsP-NSw%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Cape Dreams renovated and enlarged our master bedroom, bath and kitchen, added an office, laundry room closet and mudroom and replaced ou…”
- Also offers Windows / Siding / Gutters _(confidence: low)_
  - [Official Website](https://www.capedreamsbd.com) — “Company history (self-reported): Cape Dreams Building and Design, LLC was founded by Paul van Steensel in 2004, growing from decks and windo…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUR2c1AtTlN3EAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x538838e1ad8093ba!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDvsP-NSw%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Cape Dreams renovated and enlarged our master bedroom, bath and kitchen, added an office, laundry room closet and mudroom and replaced ou…”

## License

Status: **active** (#157603, hic) — verified against the official MA state registry on 2026-08-04, never self-reported.
Re-check at the official registry: https://contractorhub.mass.gov/s/hic-contractor-search

## Sources

- [Official Website](https://www.capedreamsbd.com): 22 yrs in business · Self-reported profile and service details
- [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Cape%20Dreams%20Building%20%26%20Design&query_place_id=ChIJJcEXVa5r-4kRupOAreE4iFM): Listed on this source
- [Houzz](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/cape-dreams-building-and-design-pfvwus-pf~848313830): 5.0★ from 2 ratings
- [Google](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Cape%20Dreams%20Building%20%26%20Design&query_place_id=ChIJJcEXVa5r-4kRupOAreE4iFM): 4.9★ from 37 ratings
- [Yelp](https://www.yelp.com/biz/cape-dreams-building-and-design-orleans): Listed on this source
- [Exa](https://capedreamsbd.com/): 0 web mentions across the open web (each linked to its source)
- [BuildZoom](https://www.buildzoom.com/contractor/cape-dreams-building-design-llc): Listed on this source

## Mentions

Unverified third-party mentions found on the open web — relay with attribution ("a Reddit commenter said…"), never as Tavlee's own finding.

- “Cape Dreams out of Brewster is good.” — u/_Face in r/CapeCod (2025-05-17) — https://www.reddit.com/r/CapeCod/comments/1kp2dpy/recommendations_for_residential_contractors/msuwciq/

## Recent reviews

- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Chatham Pickleball · 2025-08-19**: *****  We had the pleasure of working with Pete Martinez, as our Project Manager from Cape Dreams on a major renovation of our 1960’s ranch, and we couldn’t be happier! He transformed two small bedrooms into a beautiful master suite and added a convenient first-floor washer/dryer. Along the way, Pet…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Paul Roycraft · 2025-08-06**: Paul and the entire Cape Dreams crew demonstrated early and often their commitment to exceeding our expectations and ensuring our complete satisfaction in the construction of our home.  The diversity of their portfolio of successful projects demonstrates their flexibility and expertise in custom hom…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Mary Cornetta-Brown · 2025-07-25**: We just complete a kitchen, mudroom and laundry room renovation with Cape Dreams. All the things you hope for when you hire a contractor were present…high quality subs, efficient oversight, and finished within the promised budget and timeline. But Allen Furman, who lead our project has a few of the …
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Kathleen Galiney · 2025-07-22**: Working with Paul and the entire team at Cape Dreams was a terrific experience. From the initial meetings through all stages of construction and final delivery, he and his team were professional, engaged, and attentive to our objectives. They provided guidance and support when design decisions neede…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Dr. Steve Valle · 2025-07-22**: I believe my house renovation project was one of Cape Dreams earlier projects. Two other builders recommended that I tear down my cottage and build a new year round house. I did not have the resources to do that. I was stuck. Only Paul vanSteensel demonstrated the vision, flexibility, and creativity…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Susie Hartung · 2025-07-20**: We wanted to write this review of Paul Van Steensel and Cape Dreams team because they were awesome to work with.  Whenever we contacted Paul there was always an immediate response. His crew of workers were very polite ands so talented. Every aspect of building our home was high quality, we couldn’t …
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Michael Costa · 2025-07-18**: Paul’s quality build is exceptional. Attention to detail is on point. Very easy communication with all of his team.
- **1/5 · Google Reviews · Joanne Whelley · 2025-07-11**: This company is renovating a house at the end of my street.  I cannot speak to the quality of their work, but they are very disrespectful to the surrounding neighborhood. There are 4 additional houses on the street.  Two are summer rentals and two are elderly residents.  Cape Cod Dreams' truck conti…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Lori McKeon · 2025-05-10**: We had a great experience with Cape Dreams Building & Design in adding a room to our house in Orleans.
In planning our project, our architect highly recommended working with Pete Martinez and the Cape Dreams team.  Pete was very thoughtful and comprehensive in planning the project and noting the key…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Maureen Hillier · 2025-03-05**: Five Stars for Pete Martinez, from Cape Dreams Building and Design, Brewster Massachusetts.  He recently completed a major renovation project on our home. Pete transformed our one-story ranch into a stunning two-story Nantucket cottage, and the results have exceeded all of our expectations.

From da…

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Data freshness: last scanned 2026-08-04T16:50:46.198Z.
Cite as: Cape Dreams Building & Design — Tavlee (https://tavlee.com/contractor/cape-dreams-building-and-design-brewster)
Source: https://tavlee.com/contractor/cape-dreams-building-and-design-brewster