# John R Elander and Son, Inc.

**Trade:** General Contractor / Remodeling · **Phone:** (617) 834-8410 · **Website:** https://www.elanderandson.com/ · **Languages:** English

**Rating: 4.0/5** (low confidence) — from 5 reviews across 7 sources.
80% of sentiment-scored reviews read net-positive. Last 6 months: 1 reviews, 0 negative.

## The honest read

John R. Elander & Son has been doing renovation and addition work west of Boston since 1920, when Swedish immigrant John R. Elander Sr. started the business; the company says it's now run by his grandson, John R. Elander III — known in reviews simply as Rob — the third generation to carry on the family name. The company describes itself as family-owned, working out of the Waltham/Lexington area and covering Waltham, Newton, Lexington, Weston, Arlington and Belmont.

The written record runs deep but thin — five reviews on file stretching from 2015 to 2026, most describing full-scope projects rather than small fixes. In a 2015 review, a homeowner chose the company over six other bids for a full attic renovation that needed everything from framing to plumbing to skylights; a 2018 account describes Rob building a ground-up addition, a four-season porch, and a bathroom redesign, and pricing the work fairly. Its most recent review, from August 2026, describes a renovation covering both the interior and exterior of a house — rebuilt garage fascia and soffits, new garage doors, a repainted garage, and new doors.

Not every account is glowing. In a 2016 review, a customer said Rob showed up for a plans walkthrough without having reviewed them in advance, then recommended ripping open every outside wall in the rooms under renovation — worth asking about directly before a big-scope job. A 2019 review tells the opposite story: a homeowner with a leaking pipe and mold behind a bathroom wall said Rob called back within an hour and got the water damage handled.

The paper trail backs up the longevity. BBB gives the company an A+ grade (though it isn't a BBB Accredited Business), and lists it as 72 years in business — a figure that likely marks the 1954 incorporation of "John R Elander & Son, Inc." rather than the elder Elander's 1920 start. Angi separately shows a 4.9-star rating across 16 ratings, and lists an active Massachusetts trade license (CS-078185, through April 2028); BuildZoom shows an active home-improvement-contractor registration (#109112) alongside two older, inactive license records. The company also states it's EPA RRP-certified for lead-safe renovation work, which matters on any pre-1978 home.

This is a fit for a homeowner planning a real renovation — an addition, a dormer, a gutted attic or porch — rather than a same-day repair call; the reviews on file are almost all whole-project accounts. Given the one dated complaint about an unprepared estimate, it's worth confirming upfront that plans have actually been reviewed before the walkthrough.

**Strengths:**
- Full renovations — ground-up additions, porches, and attic remodels named by reviewers
- Fast emergency response — called back within an hour of a leak per a 2019 review
- A+ BBB grade — 72 years on file, no accreditation sought

**Concerns:**
- Estimating process — a 2016 review describes an unreviewed plan set and a call to open every outside wall

**Where sources disagree:**
- The company's site states it was founded in 1920 (90 years in business), while BBB records show the business started in 1954 (72 years) — likely marking the incorporation of "John R Elander & Son, Inc." rather than the elder Elander's original start.
- BBB and Angi list the office at 27 Galen St, Waltham, MA, while the company's own site gives 304 Concord Ave, Lexington, MA as its address — both towns are within its stated service area.

## Claims & citations

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

- The company's own history traces to 1920, when John R. Elander Sr., an immigrant from Sweden, started the business; his son and grandson carried it forward, with John R. Elander III (Rob) the current, third-generation owner. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Official Website](https://www.elanderandson.com) — “Ownership (self-reported): Owned and operated by John R. Elander III, the third generation of the Elander family to run the business.”
  - [Official Website](https://www.elanderandson.com) — “Company history (self-reported): Founded in 1920 by John R. Elander Sr., an immigrant from Sweden; his son John R. Elander II carried on the…”
- Family-owned, according to the company's own site. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Official Website](https://www.elanderandson.com) — “Stated ownership (self-reported): Family-owned”
- Reviewers describe full-scope work by name: a ground-up addition, a four-season porch, and a complete attic renovation. _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/waltham/john-r-elander-and-son-inc-reviews-2018422.htm) — “We hired John R Elander & Son to perform an attic renovation for our house. The work was performed by Rob Elander (John's son). The attic wa…”
  - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/waltham/john-r-elander-and-son-inc-reviews-2018422.htm) — “Rob has done just about everything for me, from building and helping to design a "ground-up" 1,000 sq-ft addition, to custom building a four…”
- In a 2019 review, a homeowner said Rob called back within an hour of a plumbing emergency and handled the resulting mold and water damage. _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/waltham/john-r-elander-and-son-inc-reviews-2018422.htm) — “In short, Rob was phenomenal. We had a pipe that was leaking for quite a while, and black mold and severe water damage in a wall between our…”
- In a 2016 review, a customer said Rob had not reviewed the plans before a walkthrough and recommended ripping open every outside wall in the rooms being worked on. _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/waltham/john-r-elander-and-son-inc-reviews-2018422.htm) — “We sent Rob the plans in advance, and he visited the home to complete a walkthrough. He had not reviewed the plans prior to his visit, nor d…”
- Angi shows a 4.9-star rating from 16 ratings (94% five-star), and BBB gives the company an A+ grade. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/waltham/john-r-elander-and-son-inc-reviews-2018422.htm) — “Angi star distribution: 94% 5★ · 6% 4★ (of 16 ratings)”
  - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/waltham/john-r-elander-and-son-inc-reviews-2018422.htm) — “Angi: 4.9★ from 16 ratings”
  - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/waltham/profile/construction-services/john-r-elander-son-inc-0021-27375) — “BBB profile for John R Elander & Son, Inc. at 27 Galen St, Waltham, MA shows an A+ rating, 72 years in business, and notes the business is n…”
- BuildZoom lists a Massachusetts home improvement contractor registration (#109112) as active for the company, alongside an older HIC number and a construction supervisor license both shown inactive; Angi separately lists an active MA trade license (CS-078185) through April 2028. _(confidence: medium)_
  - [BuildZoom](https://www.buildzoom.com/contractor/john-robert-construction-inc) — “Licence listed on BuildZoom: License #109147 - Inactive - Massachusetts - Home Improvement Contractor”
  - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/waltham/john-r-elander-and-son-inc-reviews-2018422.htm) — “Licence listed on Angi: MA Trade License CS-078185 (expires 04/10/2028)”
  - [BuildZoom](https://www.buildzoom.com/contractor/john-robert-construction-inc) — “Licence listed on BuildZoom: License #109112 - Active - Massachusetts - Home Improvement Contractor”
  - [BuildZoom](https://www.buildzoom.com/contractor/john-robert-construction-inc) — “Licence listed on BuildZoom: License #CS-017613 - Inactive - Massachusetts - Building Licenses, Construction Supervisor”
- EPA RRP-certified with the federal government and the state of Massachusetts, per the company's own site. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Official Website](https://www.elanderandson.com) — “Stated certification/affiliation: EPA RRP-Certified with the Federal Government and the State of Massachusetts NAT-30784-1”
- Angi lists the company as a dormer specialist among its remodeling categories. _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/waltham/john-r-elander-and-son-inc-reviews-2018422.htm) — “Services offered (Angi): Bathroom & kitchens, carpenters & builders, dormer specialist, decks, remodeling, room additions, windows & doors”
- Specializes in General Contractor / Remodeling _(confidence: high)_
  - [HomeAdvisor](https://www.homeadvisor.com/rated.JohnRElanderandSon.11123280.html) — “Services offered (HomeAdvisor): Remodels”
  - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/waltham/john-r-elander-and-son-inc-reviews-2018422.htm) — “Rob, his crew, and his subs did a fantastic job on our renovation project and we highly recommend him. We had a variety of work done on the …”
  - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/waltham/john-r-elander-and-son-inc-reviews-2018422.htm) — “We hired John R Elander & Son to perform an attic renovation for our house. The work was performed by Rob Elander (John's son). The attic wa…”
  - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/waltham/john-r-elander-and-son-inc-reviews-2018422.htm) — “Rob has done just about everything for me, from building and helping to design a "ground-up" 1,000 sq-ft addition, to custom building a four…”
  - [Houzz](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/elander-and-son-pfvwus-pf~1386638318) — “Services offered (Houzz): General Contracting”
  - [Official Website](https://www.elanderandson.com) — “John R. Elander & Son is a third-generation, family-run general contractor based in Lexington, MA, offering residential remodeling, room add…”
- Also offers Bathroom Remodel _(confidence: low)_
  - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/waltham/john-r-elander-and-son-inc-reviews-2018422.htm) — “Services offered (Angi): Bathroom & kitchens, carpenters & builders, dormer specialist, decks, remodeling, room additions, windows & doors”
  - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/waltham/john-r-elander-and-son-inc-reviews-2018422.htm) — “We hired John R Elander & Son to perform an attic renovation for our house. The work was performed by Rob Elander (John's son). The attic wa…”
  - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/waltham/john-r-elander-and-son-inc-reviews-2018422.htm) — “Rob has done just about everything for me, from building and helping to design a "ground-up" 1,000 sq-ft addition, to custom building a four…”
- Also offers Kitchen Remodel _(confidence: low)_
  - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/waltham/john-r-elander-and-son-inc-reviews-2018422.htm) — “Services offered (Angi): Bathroom & kitchens, carpenters & builders, dormer specialist, decks, remodeling, room additions, windows & doors”
- Also offers Windows / Siding / Gutters _(confidence: low)_
  - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/waltham/john-r-elander-and-son-inc-reviews-2018422.htm) — “Rob, his crew, and his subs did a fantastic job on our renovation project and we highly recommend him. We had a variety of work done on the …”
  - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/waltham/john-r-elander-and-son-inc-reviews-2018422.htm) — “Services offered (Angi): Bathroom & kitchens, carpenters & builders, dormer specialist, decks, remodeling, room additions, windows & doors”
- Also offers Carpentry _(confidence: low)_
  - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/waltham/john-r-elander-and-son-inc-reviews-2018422.htm) — “Services offered (Angi): Bathroom & kitchens, carpenters & builders, dormer specialist, decks, remodeling, room additions, windows & doors”
- Also offers House Painting _(confidence: low)_
  - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/waltham/john-r-elander-and-son-inc-reviews-2018422.htm) — “Rob, his crew, and his subs did a fantastic job on our renovation project and we highly recommend him. We had a variety of work done on the …”

## Ownership

- Identifies as family-owned — the business's own statement, not independently verified.

## License

No license record has been checked yet for this contractor.

## Sources

- [Exa](https://local.yahoo.com/info-234841673-john-r-elander-and-son-inc-lexington/): 0 web mentions across the open web (each linked to its source)
- [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/waltham/john-r-elander-and-son-inc-reviews-2018422.htm): 4.9★ from 16 ratings
- [Houzz](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/general-contractors/elander-and-son-pfvwus-pf~1386638318): Listed on this source
- [HomeAdvisor](https://www.homeadvisor.com/rated.JohnRElanderandSon.11123280.html): Listed on this source
- [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/waltham/profile/construction-services/john-r-elander-son-inc-0021-27375): Listed on this source
- [BuildZoom](https://www.buildzoom.com/contractor/john-robert-construction-inc): Listed on this source
- [Official Website](https://www.elanderandson.com): 90 yrs in business · Self-reported profile and service details

## Recent reviews

- **Angi · Gary G. · 2026-08-01**: Rob, his crew, and his subs did a fantastic job on our renovation project and we highly recommend him. We had a variety of work done on the interior and exterior of our house: rebuilding garage fascia and soffits, new garage doors, repainting the garage, new doors, new house and garage gutters, inte…
- **Angi · Michael S. · 2019-02-01**: In short, Rob was phenomenal. We had a pipe that was leaking for quite a while, and black mold and severe water damage in a wall between our bathroom/kitchen had resulted. The water damage also affected the basement ceiling. Yuck! Rob called me back within an hour of my original message to schedule …
- **Angi · Jeff B. · 2018-03-01**: Rob has done just about everything for me, from building and helping to design a "ground-up" 1,000 sq-ft addition, to custom building a four-season porch, and redesigning a small bathroom, down to simple "fix-it" jobs. I can always rely on Rob to price the job fairly and honestly, have a sharp eye f…
- **Angi · Don D. · 2016-09-01**: We sent Rob the plans in advance, and he visited the home to complete a walkthrough. He had not reviewed the plans prior to his visit, nor did he have a copy of them with him. He told us we needed to rip open every outside wall in every room that was being worked on in order to replace the insulatio…
- **Angi · Dennis K. · 2015-03-01**: We hired John R Elander & Son to perform an attic renovation for our house. The work was performed by Rob Elander (John's son). The attic was completely unfinished and needed everything - floors, walls, HVAC, plumbing, bathroom, skylights etc. We got 7 estimates prior to choosing Rob. Rob's price wa…

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Data freshness: last scanned 2026-09-08T08:13:00.502Z.
Cite as: John R Elander and Son, Inc. — Tavlee (https://tavlee.com/contractor/john-r-elander-and-son-inc-42341)
Source: https://tavlee.com/contractor/john-r-elander-and-son-inc-42341