# Cherkas Home Improvement

**Trade:** General Contractor / Remodeling · **Address:** 831 Beacon St #208, Newton Centre, MA 02459, USA · **Phone:** (617) 599-7728 · **Website:** https://www.cherkashomeimprovement.com/ · **Languages:** English

**Rating: 4.4/5** (medium confidence) — from 11 reviews across 5 sources. A 0–5 star rating built from what customers and the public say (every review and mention weighted by where it was posted, how old, how detailed and how credible it is, shrunk toward a 3.5★ baseline when evidence is thin) plus what the record shows (Reddit recommendations or warnings, a registry-verified licence, how recently they were reviewed, customer work photos, BBB grade, negative news, a revoked licence). Positive record counts only as far as the reviews have earned it; penalties count in full. Confidence describes how much weighted evidence stands behind the number, never the number itself: low when fewer than about five normal reviews' worth of weight (or mentions only) support it, medium up to about twenty, high beyond that across at least two sources. An operator flag for a suspicious review pattern caps a rating at 3.5★ and marks it low.
100% of sentiment-scored reviews read net-positive. Last 6 months: 1 reviews, 0 negative.

## The honest read

Cherkas Home Improvement, run out of Newton Centre by Phil Cherkas, is built for the job that needs several different trades to show up in the right order — a leaky roof discovered mid-repair, a tub surround that turns into a painter-carpenter-plumber-tile-installer relay. The company's own site calls it Greater Boston's handyman service since 1999, and the reviews back that up: doors, windows, siding, decks, and small repairs across the Newton/MetroWest area.

Its 11 Google reviews from 2023 through mid-2026 run entirely five stars, and several describe repeat, years-long relationships rather than one-off jobs. One reviewer, a builder/remodeler, has hired the company for small projects on several occasions; another has worked with Phil "on and off for a few years." The specifics repeat a theme: a 2025 review described Phil coordinating a painter, carpenter, plumber and tile installer to replace a failing 1950s tub surround in a pre-1900 house, then finding a roofer on short notice when the crew discovered a leak into the bathroom ceiling mid-job. A 2024 review described a window-cord-and-weight repair in a 100-year-old house and annual roof vine-trimming that mattered to a homeowner's insurer. A 2023 review described Phil stepping in to fix a botched Andersen window installation rather than let the homeowner call the original installer back.

Cherkas holds a BBB A+ rating (BBB notes the company is not formally accredited, and separately lists a Massachusetts building-regulations license number). Its Massachusetts home improvement contractor registration is active and verified.

For a homeowner with a repair that spans a few trades — not a full gut renovation — the record here points to someone who manages the subcontractors himself rather than leaving that coordination to the homeowner.

**Strengths:**
- Multi-trade coordination — juggled painter, carpenter, plumber and tile installer on one job
- Fixes others' mistakes — redid a botched Andersen window installation
- Repeat clients — a builder/remodeler hires them repeatedly for small projects
- Active HIC licence — Massachusetts registration verified current

## Claims & citations

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

- Coordinated a painter, carpenter, plumber and tile installer on one tub-surround repair, then sourced a roofer on short notice for a discovered leak. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNfZ2Y3d1NREAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x40eb3a2ef3f637d3!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIC_gf7wSQ%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Highly recommended! For what started out as a "simple" replacement of a failing 1950s tiled tub surround in our pre-1900 small house, Phi…”
- Repeat, multi-year relationships, including a builder/remodeler who hires the company repeatedly for small projects. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNEc1p2N013EAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x40eb3a2ef3f637d3!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgICDsZv7Mw%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Cherkas Home Improvement always sends excellent tradesmen and women. You can try to get cheaper labor but as they say in Spanish, "lo bar…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNEdnZyTERREAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x40eb3a2ef3f637d3!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgICDvvrLDQ%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Professional, skilled and reliable come to mind with the service we have received from Cherkas Home Improvement.  We're a builder/remodel…”
- Fixed a botched door/window installation from another company rather than leaving the homeowner to redo it. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURaN1lycTlnRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x40eb3a2ef3f637d3!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDZ7Yrq9gE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Phil is an Honest guy!!
Immediate response.
He was transparent with all good/bad news for my project.

Phil is going above and beyond on …”
- Massachusetts home improvement contractor registration is verified active (HIC #220367). _(confidence: high)_
  - [State License Registry](https://contractorhub.mass.gov/s/hic-contractor-search) — “MA hic license 220367 verified active”
- BBB rates the company A+ but lists it as not a BBB-accredited business. _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/newton/profile/home-improvement/cherkas-home-improvement-0021-542656) — “BBB profile shows Cherkas Home Improvement (Newton, MA) holds an A+ BBB rating but is NOT a BBB-accredited business, has been in business 23…”
- Small home repairs and handyman work. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Official Website](https://www.cherkashomeimprovement.com) — “A Newton Centre, MA handyman/home-improvement company offering small home repairs, carpentry, painting, cabinetry, flooring, and window serv…”
- Door and window repair and installation. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnTURBdFlqZ0F3EAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x40eb3a2ef3f637d3!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgMDAtYjgAw%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ I needed a new door with a key pad installed at my office. The building is older, so Cherkas Home Improvement had to reframe it before in…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURaN1lycTlnRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x40eb3a2ef3f637d3!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDZ7Yrq9gE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Phil is an Honest guy!!
Immediate response.
He was transparent with all good/bad news for my project.

Phil is going above and beyond on …”
- Deck board and carpentry repair. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNEM3VmUG1nRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x40eb3a2ef3f637d3!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgICD3ufPmgE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Jay is a top notch nice guy and excellent carpenter. Steve Cherkas was a pleasure to deal with. Replaced boards on our deck, repaired wat…”
- Specializes in Handyman _(confidence: high)_
  - [Official Website](https://www.cherkashomeimprovement.com) — “A Newton Centre, MA handyman/home-improvement company offering small home repairs, carpentry, painting, cabinetry, flooring, and window serv…”
  - [Official Website](https://www.cherkashomeimprovement.com) — “Company history (self-reported): Site states it has been serving as Greater Boston's leading professional handyman service since 1999.”
- Also offers General Contractor / Remodeling _(confidence: medium)_
  - [State License Registry](https://contractorhub.mass.gov/s/hic-contractor-search) — “MA hic license 220367 verified active”
- Also offers Windows / Siding / Gutters _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2t0b1kxcG9aM0JJWm1OR1VqaDNVMWRHZGt3eFZYYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x40eb3a2ef3f637d3!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOktoY1poZ3BIZmNGUjh3U1dGdkwxVXc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Cherkas Home Improvement did an excellent job replacing red cedar shingles on my house. The finished product is exactly what I wanted. I …”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNEc1p2N013EAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x40eb3a2ef3f637d3!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgICDsZv7Mw%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Cherkas Home Improvement always sends excellent tradesmen and women. You can try to get cheaper labor but as they say in Spanish, "lo bar…”
- Also offers Carpentry _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNfZ2Y3d1NREAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x40eb3a2ef3f637d3!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIC_gf7wSQ%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Highly recommended! For what started out as a "simple" replacement of a failing 1950s tiled tub surround in our pre-1900 small house, Phi…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNEM3VmUG1nRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x40eb3a2ef3f637d3!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgICD3ufPmgE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Jay is a top notch nice guy and excellent carpenter. Steve Cherkas was a pleasure to deal with. Replaced boards on our deck, repaired wat…”

## License

Status: **active** (#220367, hic) — verified against the official MA state registry on 2026-07-04, never self-reported.
Re-check at the official registry: https://contractorhub.mass.gov/s/hic-contractor-search

## Sources

- [Google](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Cherkas%20Home%20Improvement&query_place_id=ChIJiStDU3iC44kR0zf28y4660A): 5.0★ from 22 ratings
- [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Cherkas%20Home%20Improvement&query_place_id=ChIJiStDU3iC44kR0zf28y4660A): Listed on this source
- [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/newton/profile/home-improvement/cherkas-home-improvement-0021-542656): Listed on this source
- [Official Website](https://www.cherkashomeimprovement.com): 27 yrs in business · Self-reported profile and service details
- [Exa](https://www.checkbook.org/ma/newton-centre/home-contractors/cherkas-home-improvement/fc471): 7 web mentions across the open web (each linked to its source)
- [Exa](https://www.cherkashomeimprovement.com/brookline-ma-home-improvement): 0 web mentions across the open web (each linked to its source)

## Recent reviews

- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Craig Sorensen · 2026-04-23**: I reached out to Cherkas Home Improvement after getting a great review of them from my neighbors, and I’m glad I did. They responded quickly and came out to evaluate the project, making the whole process easy from the start. We were able to schedule the work at a time that worked well for us, which …
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · PD Bedrosian · 2025-07-20**: Cherkas Home Improvement did an excellent job replacing red cedar shingles on my house. The finished product is exactly what I wanted. I highly recommend them and will use them on future projects.
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Lois Clayson · 2025-06-17**: We have worked with Phil on off for a few years. We just moved and had an enormous amount of work needed done in our new home. Weeks worth of replacement and renovation. We contacted Phil! EVERYTHING is perfect as was everyone Phil sent. This is an amazing company. He and his crew are so professiona…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · John Mulvaney · 2025-02-10**: I needed a new door with a key pad installed at my office. The building is older, so Cherkas Home Improvement had to reframe it before installing the door. The finished product looks great and I couldn't be happier with the way things turned out, would highly recommend!
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Alice Ingerson · 2025-01-16**: Highly recommended! For what started out as a "simple" replacement of a failing 1950s tiled tub surround in our pre-1900 small house, Phil juggled multiple visits by the painter, carpenter, plumber, and tile installer and also found us a quickly available roofer when his crew discovered a potential …
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Beth Wellington · 2024-03-29**: Cherkas Home Improvement always sends excellent tradesmen and women. You can try to get cheaper labor but as they say in Spanish, "lo barato sale caro"-- cheap work ends up costing you.
Phil has a wonderful reliable team--he even found someone to replace my old window cords and weights in my 100 yea…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Evelyn B. · 2024-03-28**: We have had a large amount of work done to improve our home during the past 5 years, all expertly done by Cherkas Home Improvement!  All of the work was done by an excellent team , under the direction of Phil Cherkas.
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Tripp Woodland · 2024-03-28**: Professional, skilled and reliable come to mind with the service we have received from Cherkas Home Improvement.  We're a builder/remodeler and have hired them on several occasions to help us with small projects.
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Mimi Pantuhova · 2024-03-28**: Jay is a top notch nice guy and excellent carpenter. Steve Cherkas was a pleasure to deal with. Replaced boards on our deck, repaired water damaged wall. All great work.
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Anthony Munchak · 2023-12-11**: Cherkas Home Improvement has been a great help to us whenever we needed someone to take care of a special project.  On time.  Reasonable prices.  We feel like we are in good hands with Phil and his team.  We highly recommend!

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Data freshness: last scanned 2026-07-04T23:08:16.396Z.
Cite as: Cherkas Home Improvement — Tavlee (https://tavlee.com/contractor/cherkas-home-improvement-newton-centre)
Source: https://tavlee.com/contractor/cherkas-home-improvement-newton-centre