Cogs Construction and Design Inc.
Local business · 11 Lebanon St, Melrose, MA 02176, USA
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Verified record
Highlights
- Owner accountability — John Cognata is named personally in review after review
- Victorian work — 2017 and 2020 clients cite half-house and porch rebuilds
- Cost transparency — a 2018 client cited openness about process and costs
- Coordinated subs — 2021 and 2022 clients praised well-managed subcontractors
- Clean sites — a 2018 reviewer said crews left things cleaner than found
- Single platform — nearly all written accounts sit on one Houzz page
- Hidden bodies — 12 of the 39 Houzz review bodies are readable
- Stale website — footer reads 2020 and the newest project shown is 2016
- One employee — BBB lists a single-employee corporation working through subcontractors
Read a dozen of the 39 reviews on Cogs Construction's Houzz page and the same man is in all of them: John Cognata, who runs the Melrose company himself and, by his clients' accounts, is the one who picks up the phone. He launched it in 2012, and BBB lists a corporation with a single employee — the crew is long-standing subcontractors, and reviewers name them too, Josh and Trey. The work is old-house work. In a November 2017 review a client described COGS rebuilding half a Victorian the previous autumn — kitchen, half bath, mudroom, master bedroom, master bath and laundry — and said visitors still marvel at it. A August 2020 reviewer had the front porch of their Victorian rebuilt from the ground up. In August 2017 another had three bathrooms renovated in one run and credited John with solving problems as they surfaced. What repeats beyond the finish is the process. A December 2022 client who gutted a kitchen and master bath called him organized and available through last-minute changes. An October 2018 reviewer wrote that he was open about process and costs from the start, that the crew worked around the household's pets, and that they left things cleaner than they found them. In 2017 an interior designer and an architect, on their third home renovation, hired him for their condominium. Two things to weigh. Nearly the whole written history sits on one Houzz page, where 12 of the 39 review bodies are readable; the newest of those, from October 2025, is a commercial client describing the relocation of her Fitness Together studio rather than a home project. And the company's own site has gone quiet — its footer still reads 2020 and the newest project it shows is from autumn 2016 — so ask what he has finished lately and how far out he is booked. On licensing, the company prints two numbers itself: construction supervisor CS-106226 and home improvement contractor registration 171784. BBB separately records that 171784 with an expiration of 4/24/2028. Worth confirming both at the state registry when the quote arrives. If you own a Victorian in Melrose, Medford, Arlington or the towns around them and want one person accountable from estimate through punch list, this is the shape of outfit that fits. Ask who is on his subcontractor bench right now — that bench is a large part of what these reviews are praising.
Read the comments
Most recent comments
- 5.0Oct 2, 2025
A little over a year ago, I made the decision to relocate my business. I didn't know what to expect, but I was referred to John and his company, COGS Construction—and I am so thankful that I was! From the very beginning, John walked me through every detail and step of the process. He was extremely responsive, answered all of my questions, and truly helped put me at ease. Our new location just opened last week, and it is absolutely beautiful! Our clients can't stop raving about the design and layout. Every aspect of the project was completed with care and a clear intention for long-term quality. I feel so lucky to have met John, and he will be a part of my network for a lifetime. I highly recommend COGS Construction to anyone looking to add lasting value and beauty to their space.
— Melanie Flynn - Fitness TogetherView on Houzz ↗ - 5.0Dec 6, 2022
John and his team did a wonderful job on our renovation. We gutted and remodeled our kitchen and master bath. We loved working with him, Josh and Trey. John was always available when I needed him, was organized and responsive to my updates and last minute changes. His subs were efficient, did great work and always nice and respectful. We had a number of delays on cabinets (not related to John or his team) and they were so patient & understanding with the delays. The project was completed on budget and we couldn't have been happier with the work and finished product.
— M LView on Houzz ↗ - 5.0Sep 24, 2021
I don't know where to start, Cogs Construction was truly wonderful to work with. I wanted my bathroom remodeled; with John and his team my bathroom became more than what I could have imagined. I spent many a pleasant hour talking to John about what I was looking for in a bathroom besides showering, these conversations lead to Cogs Construction creating the serene sanctuary I desired. I was working from home throughout the renovation, so I had the opportunity to see the work being done and speak with everyone who came to my home to work. With Cogs Construction you do not get a general handyman - you get a General Contractor who sweats EVERY DETAIL so you don't have to. The sub-contractors he works with are all perfectionists, and masters of their craft. As a bonus, they are dog lovers, too - my two rambunctious dogs looked forward to greeting everyone every day! The communication was terrific, I never had to wonder what was happening or when it was going to happen. Everything happened on time and on budget. The contract is clear, well-written and spells out exactly what is going to happen. There were no surprises with the scope of work. I will miss the near daily visits for the bathroom renovation ,but have already talked to them about a future project. For any work I need/want done, Cogs Construction will be my first, and only call. They are true collaborators to make your dreams come true.
— Michelle GatelyView on Houzz ↗ - 5.0Mar 22, 2021
We had a fantastic experience with Cogs Construction. We completed a kitchen and bathroom remodel and it was an extremely smooth process. The whole team was responsive, organized and did great work. The subcontractors were well coordinated and everyone that came into our home was very considerate to our family as we lived through a renovation. We are extremely happy with the outcome and the effort Cogs put into our project to get us across the finish line!
— H4HU-402680604View on Houzz ↗ - 5.0Aug 14, 2020
John and his crew completely rebuilt the front porch on our Victorian from the ground up, and we couldn't be happier. The attention to every last detail was beyond compare, and we have not stopped reciecing compliments since it was finished. And, as always, John goes above and beyond to make sure everything is perfect. We have used Cogs Construction for a complete kitchen remodel a couple of years ago, which we love, and plan to use Cogs for all of our home improvement needs in the future. I could not speak more highly of John and his team.
— Tim CView on Houzz ↗
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Update history
Added 13 new comments, established rating 4.1
- behind the score: Stale website — 2020 copyright and newest project described is 2016
What does a bathroom remodel cost in Greater Boston?
Typical Greater Boston range for this kind of work, from regional averages — not a quote from Cogs Construction and Design Inc.. Use it to sanity-check bids, then get the real number in writing.
Upgrades beyond the standard like-for-like swap included in the base scope.
Estimated range
$27,500 – $45,000
Typical bathroom remodel around $36,300