Verified record
Typical Greater Boston range for this kind of work, from regional averages — not a quote from Modern Habitat. 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
Modern Habitat, a Lincoln, MA design-build firm run by Kip Schultz, is what a homeowner calls when a renovation needs both an architect's eye and a contractor who can actually deliver it. Reviews describe working directly with Kip to design additions and gut renovations without a separate architect — one recent account describes adding a great room, entryway, deck and second floor to a ranch house, with the addition made to feel seamless against the original structure. The pattern across a decade of reviews is consistency under real pressure. Twice, different customers describe hiring Modern Habitat after a previous contractor fell through and left them scrambling before Thanksgiving — one for a full lower-level gut-and-rebuild in 2015, another for a family room the same way in 2014 — and both describe Kip delivering on a tight promised timeline. A 2019 review of a major addition that more than doubled a house's size calls out responsiveness and budget discipline specifically; another repeat customer worked with the firm twice and calls it top-notch. A mid-century modern renovation involving structural wall rebuilding, ceiling repair, flooring, and electrical work draws similarly detailed praise. Every review on file, across Angi and Houzz, is five stars — eight reviews from 2014 through 2023, with no complaint appearing among them. Angi and Houzz both show perfect ratings, and HomeAdvisor's matching 5.0 listing is syndicated from the same Angi content rather than an independent third confirmation. The company's Massachusetts home improvement contractor license (#178899) is verified active on the state registry, and it holds an A+, BBB-accredited rating after 14 years in business. There isn't a documented downside here. For a substantial addition, a full renovation, or a design-build project where the contractor is shaping the plan as much as building it, the reviews here are unusually deep and consistent. The main thing worth confirming, as with any design-build firm, is current capacity and timeline — the reviews describe a company people wait for.
We added a great room, entryway, deck and second floor room to a ranch. Kip has a great design sensibility and we worked together without an architect to come up with a plan. We've been extraordinarily happy with the result; we love the house. The older section works seamlessly with the newer section. Kip pays attention to details. After the work was done, Modern Habitat has been responsive to whatever issues that arose. We are truly appreciative!
I could not be happier with the work done by Modern Habitat, and I gladly offer my strongest positive recommendation. Our project was a very substantial project (an addition which more than doubled the size of the house). Three things about Modern Habitat stand out: 1. They were willing to work within our budget constraints. Several contractors said the project could not be done for the budget. Modern Habitat made it work. They managed the subcontractors aggressively and were willing to put in the work to shop around for best pricing on materials. 2.They were incredibly responsive. I was a bit of a high-maintenance customer, wanting things very particular in keeping with an older home. Throughout the project Kip and his team could not have been more responsive and accessible. They returned calls, emails and texts basically 24 hours a day and worked with me as a real partner on lots of little details. 3.The quality of the work was spectacular. Kip and his team have a keen eye for design and detail, and they managed the subs to ensure the highest quality work. In the rare instance when something wasn’t up to their standards, they had the subs redo it until we were satisfied. Finally, it’s worth noting that while doing this major renovation/addition, we lived in our house for all but two months of the work. I truly appreciated Modern Habitat’s willingness to work with us to minimize the amount of time we were out of the house, and to make the process of working while we were living there clean and free of major disruptions. I am happy to recommend them, and would (and likely will) use them again.
I am delighted to provide and especially enthusiastic review on behalf of Modern Habitat. In my opinion Modern Habitat is a top notch company and anyone using their services should feel lucky to have their expertise and dedication involved. I worked with them twice on renovating my newly purchased home. Each time Modern Habitat renovated a separate level of the house. There are a number of reasons why Modern Habitat stands out: Individualized nature of work. Modern Habitat understood what I was trying to accomplish with the renovations. They also expertly knew the style of my house and were not only able make my vision of the house happen, but also totally exceeded my expectations! A+. High quality of work. The company performed a wide range of projects during renovations. That involved beautiful woodwork, flooring (including heated floors), plumbing, electric works, painting, redoing the walls and the ceiling, remodeling the stairs as well as installing a new window, the front door and a custom-made barn door. The quality of work was outstanding. When I have guests at the house, they take pictures of the woodwork. Budget sensitivity. The company produced a very reasonable budget and clearly put an effort to not exceed it, unless it was completely necessary due to construction, engineering needs, or requested additions to the contract . When necessary they explained the required changes and offered very reasonable alternatives. Very cooperative and reasonable. Dedication. It made a huge difference that the company was dedicated to doing an excellent job and putting their best work into the project. They put their heart in it and it shows. Coordination with other teams. Not only renovation involved seemingly seamless coordination among different teams (flooring, walls, painting, etc), but also Modern Habitat was very cooperative with external teams, such Home Theater installation. Smooth and responsive process. Modern Habitat was very responsive and always available to discuss the project, accommodate different deadlines, or make changes. The process is very pleasant and thoughtful. They gave me advice about a few issues with construction and decoration and I am very much grateful for that!
I could not be happier with the work done by Modern Habitat, and I gladly offer my strongest positive recommendation. Our project was a very substantial project (an addition which more than doubled the size of the house). Three things about Modern Habitat stand out: 1. They were willing to work within our budget constraints. Several contractors said the project could not be done for the budget. Modern Habitat made it work. They managed the subcontractors aggressively and were willing to put in the work to shop around for best pricing on materials. 2. They were incredibly responsive. I was a bit of a high-maintenance customer, wanting things very particular in keeping with an older home. Throughout the project, Kip and his team could not have been more responsive and accessible. They returned calls, emails, and texts basically 24 hours a day and worked with me as a real partner on lots of little details. 3. The quality of the work was spectacular Kip and his team have a keen eye for design and detail, and they managed the subs to ensure the highest quality work. In the rare instance when something was not up to their standards, they had the subs redo it until we were satisfied. Finally, it is worth noting that while doing this major renovation/addition, we lived in our house for all but two months of the work. I truly appreciated Modern Habitats willingness to work with us to minimize the amount of time we were out of the house and to make the process of working while we were living there clean and free of major disruptions. I am happy to recommend them, and would (and likely will) use them again.
We hired Kip and Modern Habitat in 2015 to gut and rebuild our lower level family and staircase. We were in a rush because the contractor we'd been waiting on for nearly a year didn't come through, and we had invited a houseful of people for Thanksgiving. Kip promised he'd have the space operational, if not fully finished, by Thanksgiving, and he delivered. Kip really listened to our goals for this project, and he offered some great ideas that we were able to incorporate. He was also very respectful of our budget and came up with a couple cost-saving solutions in some areas to allow us to splurge in others. The communication was absolutely first-rate, whether by text, phone, or email; and when Kip said someone would be there on a certain date to do a certain thing, they were there, and the work was done. The crew was respectful of our home, including two dogs and a telecommuter, and they left the workspace clean and safe at the end of each day. A few before/after photos are included with this review. We ended up selling the home the year after this work was done, and we are convinced that this remodel was a major selling point and resulted in an offer above asking price the day it went on the market. We have nothing but the highest regard for Kip and Modern Habitat, will call upon them first for future project, and feel very comfortable in highly recommending.
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1 change recorded — last scanned Sep 9, 2026.
Fast next-day response5.0
Shoring within 48 hours of a tree strike5.0
Renovates century-old structures5.0
40 years in businessNot yet rated