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Typical Greater Boston range for this kind of work, from regional averages — not a quote from Fontenot Contracting Company. 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
Dave Fontenot's customers tend to hire him again. One Newton household had his crew back for a full kitchen remodel, a window replacement and an exterior renovation on their older house; another worked with him over eight years on a kitchen, two bathrooms, a basement drainage system of french drains and pumps, and a second-floor closet with a deck underneath. Fontenot Contracting is a design-build company in Newton, and its own site lists historic renovation, additions, remodels and repairs, kitchen and bathroom work, and cost consulting. The written accounts are long, specific and warm, and they are also old: the newest was posted in November 2016. Reviewers that year described renovations carried out in stages while the family went on living in the house, one of which replaced more than 75 drafty double-hung windows, and interior and exterior work on an 1865 Mansard and an 1887 Queen Anne Victorian. A Houzz reviewer in 2014, who said they had renovated two homes and built a third across 27 years, called Dave the most professional and skilled contractor they had worked with. In 2021 a commenter on r/boston said he renovated their parents' 1950 house and finished within a month of the original date despite several serious surprises, and came over personally whenever something needed attention afterwards. One thing to settle before you sign: the company's Massachusetts home improvement contractor registration, #145022, is recorded as expired in the state registry, so ask whether it has been renewed. The directories also disagree about how long the business has been going, with Porch saying it was founded in 2004 and the Better Business Bureau listing a start in January 2011 under a slightly different company name, and Houzz lists a Newton Historic Preservation Award among its credentials. This is a strong call for a phased renovation of an older Newton, Brookline or Wellesley home, particularly the kind of historic house that needs windows, additions and interior work handled by one team. Ask for the current registration status and for references from the last two or three years, since the written praise, detailed as it is, stops in 2016.
“Fontenot contracting. Great work and a great guy. He renovated my parents’ 1950 home and was done within a month of the originally planned time despite several serious surprises. The house looked amazing and Dave always came over personally if we had any ongoing issues, including once at like 6:30am when our basement randomly flooded due to very heavy rain — he had a sump pump in like same day if I recall correctly.”
Fontenot Contracting has completed three major projects on our house, which is an older house; a complete kitchen remodel, window replacement and exterior renovation. We have had excellent experiences all three times. Dave and his crew are professionals. The work is outstanding with a great deal of attention paid to details and finish carpentry. The projects have been completed on-time and on budget. I have no hesitation providing a very strong recommendation and plan to use Fontnot Contracting for future work.
We have worked with Dave and his team over the past 8 years on several projects. The major ones have been redoing our kitchen and 2 bathrooms, reworking the basement drainage system (french drains, pumps, etc.), and adding a master closet on the second level with a deck below it. In all this work Dave and his crew have been responsible, professional, and delivered the work on time and to the committed budget. I especially like the fact that Dave is open and direct, and when he makes a mistake, accepts and fixes it right away. He has been a pleasure to work with, and we trust him with any work we need done in our house.
Fontenot Contracting performed several large scale home renovation projects in stages over a few years, while we continued to live in the house. The first major project had several components. First, they replaced more than 75 old drafty double hung windows with beautiful and efficient Marvin windows. Then they reshingled, insulated, and painted the entire three-story house. New tile floors, beadboard, and molding were installed in a sun room and exterior porch. For ten years, we tried to have central air conditioning installed in our 1915 house. Dave took on the challenge and successfully completed the task. He was also instrumental in replacing our heating system, helping us switch from oil to a new efficient gas burner. Lastly, they created a completely new, beautiful kitchen with radiant heating. Fontenot Contracting helped guide us through each process, every step of the way. Each job was completed with an excellent eye for detail, and impeccable craftsmanship. We are extremely pleased with the final results.
We have done renovations on two different houses: an 1865 Mansard and an 1887 Queen Anne Victorian. The work has included interior & exterior work. Gutting a bathroom, adding a mudroom, remodeling rooms and adding doorways, among other work. The pricing provided for projects is more thorough and the details more clearly laid out than we have experienced with any other group. The work is top-notch, too. Very high-quality, gets done on time, and the team is careful to watch out for our kids, dog and guests coming and going. We couldn't be more pleased.
Dave Fontenot of Fontenot Contracting in Newton, MA is by far the most professional, intelligent and skilled contractor we have ever worked with, and over 27 years we have renovated 2 homes and built one. The quality of Dave's work and that of his crews and subcontractors is unsurpassed, but perhaps the most astonishing and appreciated service Dave provides is meticulous estimating, budgeting and billing. You will know exactly what you are paying for with substantial, highly detailed back-up documentation. Dave has a master's degree in Engineering and clearly understands the science behind renovation and construction. His friendly, calm demeanor makes him an absolute pleasure to work with.
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1 change recorded — last scanned Aug 5, 2026.
Energy retrofit expertise5.0
Named project managers4.8
Custom built-ins4.2
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