# North Shore Home Repair & Maintenance **Trade:** Handyman · **Address:** 26 North Ave, Winthrop, MA · **Phone:** (617) 596-9073 · **Languages:** English **Rating: 2.0/5** (low confidence) — from 6 reviews across 4 sources. 50% of sentiment-scored reviews read net-positive. Last 6 months: 0 reviews, 0 negative. ## The honest read North Shore Home Repair & Maintenance is a Winthrop, Massachusetts contractor that, per its BBB profile, has been in business 21 years and works on kitchens, bathrooms, additions, decks, siding, windows, handyman jobs, and landscaping. Angi lists a similar range: custom cabinets and molding, interior and exterior painting and drywall, landscaping and design, and tile and flooring installation. The written record spans 2008 to 2014 and is mixed. Several 2008 Angi reviewers praised the work: one called the business "very professional and complete," another noted it keeps appointments, is willing to make adjustments, and provides detailed estimates and receipts, and a third said older windows now work well after the repair. Against that, a pattern of complaints about unresponsiveness after payment runs through the same period and beyond. A 2008 reviewer who said they had previously recommended the business described being left waiting for a return call about a skylight repair after paying for the work. A 2009 reviewer said staining on a window and an antique table repair were left uneven, with the table never returned. The most serious account, a 2014 BuildZoom review, alleges owner James Barone was paid nearly $27,000 for a porch and bathroom job, completed less than half of the porch, and left work that failed inspection. Angi's own summary of its five ratings (3.4 average) notes that two of five reviewers separately described the owner going unresponsive and hard to reach after being paid, including a disconnected business phone number. BBB shows the business as not accredited and not rated, citing insufficient information — a different picture than the complaints visible on Angi and BuildZoom. BuildZoom also notes no verified license is on file for the business. Given the repeated pattern of post-payment unresponsiveness and one serious unresolved complaint, anyone considering this contractor should get a detailed written contract with milestone-based payments, confirm current licensing directly, and ask for recent references rather than relying on the 2008-era praise alone. **Strengths:** - Reliable scheduling — a 2008 review said it keeps appointments and adjusts details - Detailed estimates — the same review cited itemized estimates and receipts - Completed early work — a 2008 reviewer called it very professional and complete **Concerns:** - Post-payment unresponsiveness — two 2008-2009 Angi reviews describe going unreachable after payment - Unresolved $27,000 job — a 2014 review alleges incomplete porch work that failed inspection - Uneven finish work — a 2009 review cited mismatched stain and an unreturned antique table **Where sources disagree:** - BBB lists this business as not accredited and not rated for lack of information, while Angi and BuildZoom reviews from the same era describe serious unresolved complaints ## Claims & citations Every claim below is backed by real evidence rows — uncited claims are dropped in code before publication. - BuildZoom shows a 1.0 out of 5 rating from 1 review. _(confidence: high)_ - [BuildZoom](https://www.buildzoom.com/contractor/north-shore-home-repair-maintenance) — “BuildZoom: 1.0★ from 1 ratings” - Angi shows a 3.4 out of 5 average across 5 ratings. _(confidence: high)_ - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/winthrop/north-shore-home-repair-reviews-16326494.htm) — “Angi: 3.4★ from 5 ratings” - A 2014 BuildZoom review alleges owner James Barone was paid nearly $27,000 to redo a front porch and a bathroom, completed less than half of the porch, and left work that failed inspection. _(confidence: high)_ - [BuildZoom](https://www.buildzoom.com/contractor/north-shore-home-repair-maintenance) — “1★ DO NOT HIRE! I hired James Barone (owner and founder of company) to redo my front porch and a bathroom in my house. I payed Barone almost…” - [BuildZoom](https://www.buildzoom.com/contractor/north-shore-home-repair-maintenance) — “This is the correct BuildZoom profile (26 North Ave, Winthrop, MA 02152; phone 617-596-9073, matching this business exactly). It carries one…” - Two of Angi's five reviews from 2008-2009 describe the owner becoming unresponsive and hard to reach after being paid, including a disconnected business phone number. _(confidence: high)_ - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/winthrop/north-shore-home-repair-reviews-16326494.htm) — “Genuine Angi profile for this business (Winthrop, MA), 3.4 average across 5 reviews from 2008-2009: three reviewers praised the work and pro…” - A 2008 reviewer said they were still waiting on a return call about a skylight repair after previously recommending the business. _(confidence: high)_ - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/winthrop/north-shore-home-repair-reviews-16326494.htm) — “I previously highly recomended N/S Home Repair but found myself disappointed with the main project I hired them for which was to repair my s…” - A 2009 reviewer said window staining came out a shade lighter than the surrounding wood, sanding was uneven, and an antique table sent for repair was not returned. _(confidence: high)_ - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/winthrop/north-shore-home-repair-reviews-16326494.htm) — “The owner was very responsive when he was trying to get my business. I hired him to stain some windows and to repair an antique table. The s…” - A 2008 reviewer called the business very professional and complete. _(confidence: medium)_ - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/winthrop/north-shore-home-repair-reviews-16326494.htm) — “Very professional and complete. I am looking forward to doing business with them soon.” - A 2008 reviewer said the business keeps appointments, is willing to make adjustments, and provides detailed estimates and receipts. _(confidence: medium)_ - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/winthrop/north-shore-home-repair-reviews-16326494.htm) — “Keeps appointments. willing to make adjustments. Details estimates and receipts.” - BBB lists the business as not accredited and not rated, citing insufficient information, with 21 years in business. _(confidence: high)_ - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/winthrop/profile/kitchen-remodel/north-shore-home-repair-maintenance-0021-114977) — “BBB profile for North Shore Home Repair & Maintenance at 26 North Ave, Winthrop, MA — not BBB accredited, not rated (insufficient informatio…” - BuildZoom notes no verified license is on file for the business. _(confidence: high)_ - [BuildZoom](https://www.buildzoom.com/contractor/north-shore-home-repair-maintenance) — “This is the correct BuildZoom profile (26 North Ave, Winthrop, MA 02152; phone 617-596-9073, matching this business exactly). It carries one…” - Angi lists custom cabinets and molding, full handyman services, interior and exterior painting and drywall, landscaping and design, and tile and flooring installation. _(confidence: medium)_ - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/winthrop/north-shore-home-repair-reviews-16326494.htm) — “Services offered (Angi): Custom Cabinets / molding / Doors / Furniture, Full Handy Man Services, Interior / exterior Painting and Dry Wall, …” - Specializes in Handyman _(confidence: high)_ - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/winthrop/north-shore-home-repair-reviews-16326494.htm) — “Services offered (Angi): Custom Cabinets / molding / Doors / Furniture, Full Handy Man Services, Interior / exterior Painting and Dry Wall, …” - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/winthrop/profile/kitchen-remodel/north-shore-home-repair-maintenance-0021-114977) — “Services offered (Better Business Bureau): Kitchens, Bathrooms, Additions, Decks, Siding, Windows, Handyman service, Landscape services” - Also offers Kitchen Remodel _(confidence: medium)_ - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/winthrop/profile/kitchen-remodel/north-shore-home-repair-maintenance-0021-114977) — “Services offered (Better Business Bureau): Kitchens, Bathrooms, Additions, Decks, Siding, Windows, Handyman service, Landscape services” - Also offers Bathroom Remodel _(confidence: medium)_ - [BuildZoom](https://www.buildzoom.com/contractor/north-shore-home-repair-maintenance) — “1★ DO NOT HIRE! I hired James Barone (owner and founder of company) to redo my front porch and a bathroom in my house. I payed Barone almost…” - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/winthrop/profile/kitchen-remodel/north-shore-home-repair-maintenance-0021-114977) — “Services offered (Better Business Bureau): Kitchens, Bathrooms, Additions, Decks, Siding, Windows, Handyman service, Landscape services” - Also offers Windows / Siding / Gutters _(confidence: medium)_ - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/winthrop/profile/kitchen-remodel/north-shore-home-repair-maintenance-0021-114977) — “Services offered (Better Business Bureau): Kitchens, Bathrooms, Additions, Decks, Siding, Windows, Handyman service, Landscape services” - Also offers House Painting _(confidence: medium)_ - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/winthrop/north-shore-home-repair-reviews-16326494.htm) — “Services offered (Angi): Custom Cabinets / molding / Doors / Furniture, Full Handy Man Services, Interior / exterior Painting and Dry Wall, …” - Also offers Carpentry _(confidence: medium)_ - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/winthrop/north-shore-home-repair-reviews-16326494.htm) — “Services offered (Angi): Custom Cabinets / molding / Doors / Furniture, Full Handy Man Services, Interior / exterior Painting and Dry Wall, …” - Also offers Landscaping _(confidence: medium)_ - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/winthrop/north-shore-home-repair-reviews-16326494.htm) — “Services offered (Angi): Custom Cabinets / molding / Doors / Furniture, Full Handy Man Services, Interior / exterior Painting and Dry Wall, …” - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/winthrop/profile/kitchen-remodel/north-shore-home-repair-maintenance-0021-114977) — “Services offered (Better Business Bureau): Kitchens, Bathrooms, Additions, Decks, Siding, Windows, Handyman service, Landscape services” - Also offers Flooring _(confidence: medium)_ - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/winthrop/north-shore-home-repair-reviews-16326494.htm) — “Services offered (Angi): Custom Cabinets / molding / Doors / Furniture, Full Handy Man Services, Interior / exterior Painting and Dry Wall, …” ## License Status: **not_found** — verified against the official MA state registry, never self-reported. Re-check at the official registry: https://contractorhub.mass.gov/s/hic-contractor-search ## Sources - [Exa](https://www.buildzoom.com/): 0 web mentions across the open web (each linked to its source) - [BuildZoom](https://www.buildzoom.com/contractor/north-shore-home-repair-maintenance): 1.0★ from 1 ratings - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/winthrop/profile/kitchen-remodel/north-shore-home-repair-maintenance-0021-114977): Listed on this source - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/winthrop/north-shore-home-repair-reviews-16326494.htm): 3.4★ from 5 ratings ## Recent reviews - **1/5 · BuildZoom · Anonymous · 2014-05-27**: DO NOT HIRE! I hired James Barone (owner and founder of company) to redo my front porch and a bathroom in my house. I payed Barone almost $27,000 and he took the money and ran. He completed less then half the porch and when I had his inside house work inspected, I was told that I will be given a cea… - **Angi · Beverly W. · 2009-04-01**: The owner was very responsive when he was trying to get my business. I hired him to stain some windows and to repair an antique table. The stain he used is a shade or two lighter than the rest of the wood work and his sanding was somewhat uneven. Worse, he has had the table for repair since November… - **Angi · Jeffrey T. · 2008-11-01**: Considering the age and condition of these windows, everything now works well. - **Angi · Denise P. · 2008-11-01**: Very professional and complete. I am looking forward to doing business with them soon. - **Angi · Joe C. · 2008-10-01**: Keeps appointments. willing to make adjustments. Details estimates and receipts. - **Angi · Lorraine C. · 2008-10-01**: I previously highly recomended N/S Home Repair but found myself disappointed with the main project I hired them for which was to repair my sky light. I am still waiting for a return phone call about my part for the window. I called the 1st of the year, leaving a message. I called again a month later… --- Data freshness: last scanned 2026-09-12T08:40:08.165Z. Cite as: North Shore Home Repair & Maintenance — Tavlee (https://tavlee.com/contractor/north-shore-home-repair-and-maintenance-winthrop) Source: https://tavlee.com/contractor/north-shore-home-repair-and-maintenance-winthrop