# Coastal Life Companies

**Trade:** Carpentry · **Address:** 8 Quaker Meetinghouse Rd, Forestdale, MA 02644 · **Phone:** (774) 313-0166 · **Website:** https://coastallifecompanies.com/contact-us/ · **Languages:** English

**Rating: 3.0/5** (low confidence) — from 4 reviews across 4 sources.

## The honest read

Coastal Life Construction operates from Forestdale and identifies Ben Thomas as its owner and founder. Its website presents the company as a construction business, while BBB describes Coastal Life Companies Inc. as a corporation offering landscaping, construction, and property management; BBB reports nine years in business and names Benjamin W. Thomas as president. The Massachusetts license registry lists an active HIC license 191594 for Coastal Life Companies Inc.

In reviews from 2023, homeowners praised a cedar-shingle project and a new deck and doors, citing responsiveness, communication, and the quality of Ben Thomas and his crew’s work. A separate 2023 reviewer who had worked with the company on many projects called the team professional and recommended it for Cape Cod building projects. These are older reviews rather than recent accounts, and the Google profile shows four ratings with a 4-star average.

The record also contains a serious 2022 complaint: a homeowner said a project remained unfinished more than a year after contract signing and that an Attorney General’s Office involvement prompted some work while issues remained. Anyone considering a project should ask for a detailed scope, schedule, completion milestones, references for comparable work, and how unfinished-work disputes are handled.

The company may fit homeowners seeking Cape Cod construction or remodeling, including exterior carpentry such as cedar-shingle work and decks. Confirm the exact scope, current availability, license details, insurance, and whether landscaping or property management are part of the engagement before booking.

**Strengths:**
- Cedar-shingle work — 2023 homeowner praised completed house work
- Deck and doors — 2023 homeowner praised the finished project
- Communication — reviewer cited responsiveness and delay updates
- Crew quality — multiple 2023 reviews praised workmanship

**Concerns:**
- Project completion — 2022 complaint reported work unfinished after one year
- Contract expectations — complaint described promises not realized
- Current track record — available reviews date from 2022 and 2023

**Where sources disagree:**
- BBB lists landscaping, construction, and property management, while the website presents Coastal Life Construction as a construction business.
- The website self-reports MA CSL PIC, while the registry evidence verifies active HIC 191594; the website label is not treated as a verified credential.

## Claims & citations

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

- Coastal Life Construction identifies Ben Thomas as owner and founder. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Official Website](https://coastallifecompanies.com) — “Coastal Life Construction is a Forestdale, Massachusetts construction business operated by owner/founder Ben Thomas.”
  - [Official Website](https://coastallifecompanies.com) — “Ownership (self-reported): Owner/founder Ben Thomas”
- BBB describes the corporation as offering landscaping, construction, and property management and reports nine years in business. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/forestdale/profile/building-and-construction/coastal-life-companies-inc-0021-474707) — “Services offered (Better Business Bureau): landscaping, construction, property management”
  - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/forestdale/profile/building-and-construction/coastal-life-companies-inc-0021-474707) — “BBB lists Coastal Life Companies Inc. as a non-accredited Forestdale corporation offering landscaping, construction, and property management…”
- The Massachusetts registry lists active HIC 191594 for Coastal Life Companies Inc. _(confidence: high)_
  - [State License Registry](https://contractorhub.mass.gov/s/hic-contractor-search) — “MA hic license 191594 registry-verified active — registry holder of record: Coastal Life Companies Inc.”
- 2023 homeowners praised cedar-shingle work, a deck and doors, communication, and crew quality. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNwMWRmbFJREAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x73a1b4ec05b6176a!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgICp1dflRQ%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Ben at Coastal Life did a wonderful job on cedar shingle job on our house in Sagamore Beach. He was very responsive, communicated well, a…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURSXy1pcThnRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x73a1b4ec05b6176a!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDR_-iq8gE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ We just completed a job with Ben and his skilled crew. This was our first time doing a major home project and as you can imagine, we were…”
- A 2023 reviewer recommended the team for Cape Cod building projects after working with it on many projects. _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNoeEtmUFB3EAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x73a1b4ec05b6176a!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIChxKfPPw%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ I have worked with Ben and Coastal Life Companies throughout the years on many projects.  They are extremely professional, and their work…”
- A 2022 reviewer reported an unfinished project more than a year after signing and Attorney General involvement. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURXX2FxU0pnEAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x73a1b4ec05b6176a!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDW_aqSJg%7C%7C?hl=en) — “1★ More than one year after signing the contract for work the job remains unfinished. Promises allways made, never realized. I had to get th…”
- Four Google reviews include three positive accounts and one serious complaint; Google reports a 4-star average. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Coastal%20Life%20Companies&query_place_id=ChIJ__8Gp0bM5IkRahe2Bey0oXM) — “Google: 4★ from 4 ratings”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNwMWRmbFJREAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x73a1b4ec05b6176a!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgICp1dflRQ%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Ben at Coastal Life did a wonderful job on cedar shingle job on our house in Sagamore Beach. He was very responsive, communicated well, a…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURSXy1pcThnRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x73a1b4ec05b6176a!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDR_-iq8gE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ We just completed a job with Ben and his skilled crew. This was our first time doing a major home project and as you can imagine, we were…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNoeEtmUFB3EAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x73a1b4ec05b6176a!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIChxKfPPw%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ I have worked with Ben and Coastal Life Companies throughout the years on many projects.  They are extremely professional, and their work…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURXX2FxU0pnEAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x73a1b4ec05b6176a!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDW_aqSJg%7C%7C?hl=en) — “1★ More than one year after signing the contract for work the job remains unfinished. Promises allways made, never realized. I had to get th…”
- Specializes in Carpentry _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNwMWRmbFJREAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x73a1b4ec05b6176a!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgICp1dflRQ%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Ben at Coastal Life did a wonderful job on cedar shingle job on our house in Sagamore Beach. He was very responsive, communicated well, a…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURSXy1pcThnRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x73a1b4ec05b6176a!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDR_-iq8gE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ We just completed a job with Ben and his skilled crew. This was our first time doing a major home project and as you can imagine, we were…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNoeEtmUFB3EAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x73a1b4ec05b6176a!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIChxKfPPw%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ I have worked with Ben and Coastal Life Companies throughout the years on many projects.  They are extremely professional, and their work…”
- Specializes in General Contractor / Remodeling _(confidence: high)_
  - [Official Website](https://coastallifecompanies.com) — “Coastal Life Construction is a Forestdale, Massachusetts construction business operated by owner/founder Ben Thomas.”
  - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/forestdale/profile/building-and-construction/coastal-life-companies-inc-0021-474707) — “Services offered (Better Business Bureau): landscaping, construction, property management”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURSXy1pcThnRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x73a1b4ec05b6176a!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDR_-iq8gE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ We just completed a job with Ben and his skilled crew. This was our first time doing a major home project and as you can imagine, we were…”
- Also offers Landscaping _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/forestdale/profile/building-and-construction/coastal-life-companies-inc-0021-474707) — “Services offered (Better Business Bureau): landscaping, construction, property management”

## License

Status: **active** (#191594, hic) — verified against the official MA state registry on 2026-08-24, 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=Coastal%20Life%20Companies&query_place_id=ChIJ__8Gp0bM5IkRahe2Bey0oXM): 4.0★ from 4 ratings
- [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Coastal%20Life%20Companies&query_place_id=ChIJ__8Gp0bM5IkRahe2Bey0oXM): Listed on this source
- [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/forestdale/profile/building-and-construction/coastal-life-companies-inc-0021-474707): Listed on this source
- [Official Website](https://coastallifecompanies.com): Self-reported profile and service details

## Recent reviews

- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Leslie N · 2023-08-07**: Ben at Coastal Life did a wonderful job on cedar shingle job on our house in Sagamore Beach. He was very responsive, communicated well, and when there was a short delay he let us know. He and his crew did a great job and I won't hesitate to use his services again.
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Kevin Phelan · 2023-05-07**: We just completed a job with Ben and his skilled crew. This was our first time doing a major home project and as you can imagine, we were nervous in the beginning because of these horror stories you hear about renos gone wrong. Lucky for us - we ended up going with Coastal Life Companies and had an …
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Heather miller · 2023-02-05**: I have worked with Ben and Coastal Life Companies throughout the years on many projects.  They are extremely professional, and their work is of great quality. I highly recommend Ben and his team for all of your Cape Cod building projects!
- **1/5 · Google Reviews · Whitney Foster · 2022-04-01**: More than one year after signing the contract for work the job remains unfinished. Promises allways made, never realized. I had to get the attorney generals office involved which spurred some work, but more still waiting. Be warned.

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Data freshness: last scanned 2026-08-24T12:30:38.388Z.
Cite as: Coastal Life Companies — Tavlee (https://tavlee.com/contractor/coastal-life-companies-forestdale)
Source: https://tavlee.com/contractor/coastal-life-companies-forestdale