Charlie Allen Renovations

Charlie Allen Renovations has been remodeling and restoring older homes around Cambridge since 1978 — the kind of design-build firm that blends period charm with modern amenities rather than gutting a house down to studs and starting over. Its Massachusetts home improvement contractor license is active, and it's been a BBB Accredited Business since 2019 with an A+ rating. What stands out here is the credential list rather than a stack of reviews: the company holds five separate NARI and NAHB professional certifications — Certified Remodeler, Certified Lead Carpenter, Certified Green Remodeler, Certified Lead Remodeler, and Certified Aging in Place Specialist — the kind of trade-association credentials that require testing and ongoing education, not just a listing fee. In a 2010 Harvard Magazine feature, the founder is described as having won preservation awards from historical commissions alongside remodeling awards from shelter magazines and the construction industry. Written customer reviews are scarce on the platforms this profile draws from — Houzz shows a 5.0 rating across 9 reviews and Google shows 5 stars from 2 ratings, but neither surfaces review text here. For a period-home renovation in Cambridge or Greater Boston where getting the historic details right matters, the certification and award record here is deeper than most — worth a call, especially for older homes.