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Nick Portnoy Builders is a Watertown design/build and general-contracting firm, and in an April 2025 post a design studio wrote that Nick Portnoy penned a magazine article about a house lift the two had worked on together. HomeAdvisor shows 5.0 from 27 ratings, and BBB lists an A+ grade and 15 years in business. The company says it works within about a 30-minute drive of its shop, on design-driven residential construction, fine carpentry, kitchen renovations and custom homes. Its written reviews date from 2010 to 2015, and they are detailed. In an August 2015 review, a customer described Nick's design ideas, a job that started on schedule and lasted the estimated time, and a crew that sealed off dust in an apartment; a sub-contractor picked out, cut and installed a quartzite counter, carrying it up four flights of stairs so it could go in as one large piece. In a February 2012 review, a customer who interviewed a few contractors picked Nick for his attention to detail, wrote that the budget and contract were clear and detailed, and said the final budget was what Nick said at the beginning; the crew worked within central Boston's parking and space restrictions. In a March 2011 review, a 7-unit condo had Nick's company start work in the summer of 2010 and continue with additional walls as funds allowed; the reviewer wrote that the Town Inspector wished more people in town used Portnoy Builders. A 2013 customer called him a very good carpenter. A 2022 post on a review site describes a home renovation completed on time, and permit listings name the company on a demolition and a whole house renovation.
“Builder Nick Portnoy penned an article on a project we worked on together – and we’re delighted to see it in print! This one was our second house lift, and presented all kinds of unique challenges, which Nick explains in the article.”
“I recently hired Nick Portnoy Builders for a home renovation project, and I am extremely pleased with the results. The team was professional, knowledgeable, and completed the project on time.”
“| SCORE 65 Demolish existing garagedemo on 11 21 16 Date: November 3, 2016 Value: $396 Contractor: Nick Portnoy Builders Llc Permit type: Demolition | Permit status: Issued | Permit id: D16-000046 | | | | | | ... | SCORE 65 Whole house renovation, which includes 2-story rear addition, 2 shed dormers, and the reconstructoin of the front porch. All new mechanical systems, windows/doors, insulation, interior finishes, and siding. Date: March 14, 2016 Value: $19,400 Contractor: Nick Portnoy Builders Llc Permit type: Building | Permit status: Issued | Expiration date: November 9, 2016 | Permit id:”
Our experience with Nick Portnoy was excellent. He had terrific design ideas right from the start. During the project, if a problem popped up (as they always do), he offered efficient and clear solutions. The work was started on schedule. The job lasted for the estimated amount of time. Nick and his crew did a great job protecting the good parts of our apartment and sealing off dust from others. Nick works with a group of sub-contractors who we found helpful and responsive. The quartzite counter has been a big hit. The sub-contractor picked out the stone for us, cut it nicely, and installed it very well. He even carried up four flights of stairs so it could be installed as one large piece rather than cut it to fit in the elevator.
He is excellent and he did a really beautiful job. He had a good price and the work was beautiful. He is a very good carpenter. The people that work for him are very responsible and respectful. They showed up every day and they were a pleasure to have around. He is very busy but we would hire him again.
I have nothing but great things to say about Nick and his team. After having interviewed a few contractors, I picked Nick because of the clear attention to detail he would bring to the job. He took copious notes and asked a lot of questions during the initial conversation. The budget and contract he drew up were clear and detailed. Nick completed things on time, and the budget was what Nick said it was going to be at the beginning. Nick responded to communications promptly, and whenever we hit the inevitable snag, Nick took the burden upon himself and left me stress-free. They were very comfortable working with the parking and space restrictions within central Boston, and they communicated respectfully with my neighbors. Last, but not least, the work they did was beautiful. I look forward to working with Nick and his team again.
Nick's company started the work for us in the summer of 2010 and continued to do additional walls as our 7-unit condo had funds for the work. He was affordable, professional, and our basement was never cleaner than after the crew cleaned up for the day. Our Town Inspector told me he wished more people in town used Portnoy Builders because of the quality of his work and the ease of working with Nick. He is trustworthy, fair in price, prompt, reliable - a gem of a company.
Fabulous job. Nick does exactly what he says he will do. His work is top notch and is done with care and expertise by him and his friendly, talented crew. Whenever something came up (as things always do) Nick and his guys were eager to make it right. My husband and I had several bad experiences with contractors over the years and Nick has convinced us that some contractors really ARE fantastic. This has been an absolutely fantastic experience and I will refer him to friends and family without hesitation.
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2 changes recorded — last scanned Sep 11, 2026.
Typical Greater Boston range for this kind of work, from regional averages — not a quote from Nick Portnoy Builders LLC. 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
Decks and porches5.0
Clients returning for 10 and 20 years5.0
Detailed craftsmanship5.0
Renovates century-old structures5.0
