Verified record
Typical Greater Boston range for this kind of work, from regional averages — not a quote from David C Rugato. Use it to sanity-check bids, then get the real number in writing.
Estimated range
$23,000 – $35,000
Typical remodeling project around $29,000
David C Rugato, doing business as DCR Building & Remodeling, is a Lynnfield general contractor serving 33 North Shore and Greater Boston towns — and its written record is dominated by detailed, damning complaints about additions. A review from June 2026 describes a bedroom-and-bath addition that ended in arbitration and an alleged bankruptcy after the company kept the customer's money. That pattern isn't isolated. In a 2017 review, a client who found the company through their architect described a newly installed roof that leaked and a footing poured two feet deep instead of the standard four, and said the company wasn't paying its subcontractors. Two reviews from 2014 tell similar stories: one describes an addition built against the architect's plans, with dangerous structural mistakes the company wouldn't fix and a leak at the tie-in that was never repaired; the other describes chipped fixtures the company refused to take responsibility for and subcontractors left unpaid. Not every account is negative — in a 2023 review, a customer described a kitchen and bathroom renovation that went smoothly, with help picking finishes and fixtures at the company's showroom. BuildZoom scores the company 65, in the 1st percentile among the Massachusetts contractors it rates, and shows a 1.0-star average from three ratings; Houzz shows 3.0 stars from two. BuildZoom states its Massachusetts construction supervisor license, CS-071021, was verified active as of July 2026 — that's the directory's own check, not an independent registry confirmation. Given how consistent and specific the complaints are — money disputes, unfinished or unsafe additions, unpaid subcontractors — get a contract with clear milestones and payment terms in writing, and talk to recent references directly, before signing anything with this company.
Simple bedroom and bath addition. Screwed up the job, kept our money, lost in arbitration, now declaring bankruptcy. Lost a lot of money.
Dave and the crew came out and renovated a bathroom and kitchen. Everything went smoothly from start to finish. Dave was very helpful in helping me to pick out my finishes, appliances and bathroom fixtures. I was impressed with DCR's new office and samples room, I found it very helpful to hold something in my hand and see the colors in person vs on a computer. I would definitely recommend Dave and his crew to help others thinking about renovations.
David C Rugato we for from our AIA, apparently he was doing his wife a favor. Run Fast from him. He is not a qualified contractor, I can believe he is even licensed. He "robs Peter to pay Paul", his wife should be ashamed of herself as she knows this is happening. He basically steals your money. We hired him to do a large job, all his subs were new because he cannot keep any business relationships because he does not pay them. Issue are vast - leaking roof which was brand new that he himself installed, footing only 2 feet deep instead of the standard 4 feet, he lies all the time, he hires his friends who are unlicensed that my town threw him off my site. He really should be put in jail as the continues to lie and cheat people and steal their money. I can only hope what goes around comes around. Stay far away
Run, do not walk from this guy We had him do a very large job for us, he was terrible. Chipped both our new tub and sink and refused to take responsibility, he hired in experienced subcontractors, then did not pay them. He was very difficult to work with. His own workers shared they never got repeat business. He cut corners whenever he could. I wouldn't hire him to walk my dog
David C Rugato did an addition, did not build according to the architects plan. Buildt structures that were dangerous to the client. Would not fix the dangerous mistakes that were made. Did not communicate with the client. Did not finish the job. Leaks where the addition was tied in. Unethical.
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1 change recorded — last scanned Aug 2, 2026.
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Detailed craftsmanship5.0