Verified record
Typical Greater Boston range for this kind of work, from regional averages — not a quote from NS Builders. 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
NS Builders is a Boston-based custom home and high-end renovation firm founded in 2014 by Nick Schiffer, a builder with a background in carpentry and construction management. Its Better Business Bureau profile lists an A+ grade over 11 years in business (not BBB accredited), and on Houzz it carries a 5.0 rating across 33 reviews along with a Best of Boston 2019 Rising Star award and several other industry badges. The reviews describe large, complicated jobs handled well: a full gut renovation of two combined condos with custom cabinetry from named makers Materia and Ken DeCost, a 1,500-square-foot three-floor condo gut renovation where, in the client's account, Nick himself answered the phone every time they called, and an architect-collaborated project in the Back Bay. A subcontractor on their HVAC crew, on a second new-construction project with NS, describes the way the company treats its subcontractors and site supervisors as the thing that impressed them most — clear communication and accommodating scheduling from day one. Several clients mention hiring NS Builders more than once, and both an interior designer and an architect who work with them repeatedly point to the same things: attention to detail, clean communication through the build, and a design-build process that stays collaborative rather than adversarial. NS Builders also comes up by name in Reddit design/build recommendation threads. This is a builder for a large-scale renovation or a custom home rather than a quick repair — the jobs described run whole-condo gut renovations and ground-up custom construction. Worth confirming current capacity and lead times given the scale of the projects reviewers describe.
“NS Builders, Cradock Builders and Vintage Builders are very active on their Instagrams if you’re looking to see their work!”
“NS Builders, Payne Boucher, Cutting Edge Homes, Adams Beasley, Structure Design and Build, Star Contracting, Columbia Contracting, Vintage Builders...”
I’m an architect and worked with Nick and NS on a pretty involved project in the back bay Boston. I can attest that NS is a top flight GC. Nick and his team is super engaged, excited and responsive. Quality is an absolute mission of theirs. I’m looking forward to working with them again and anyone looking for a top tier GC should give NS Builders a look.
Working with NS Builders has been an absolute dream! AGS HVAC is currently on our second new construction project with Nick and his incredible team, and we couldn’t be more impressed. The way they value their subcontractors is truly unmatched—this has been one of our best experiences in the industry. From day one, communication has been seamless. The site supervisors are rockstars—always accommodating, whether it’s providing exact locations for terminations or helping with register placement. They make the entire process so smooth and enjoyable! It’s rare to find a builder that’s not only highly skilled but also this committed to fostering collaboration across the board. Nick and his team bring a level of professionalism and fun that makes every project with them a win. If you’re looking for a builder who sets the bar high and creates a great experience, NS Builders is it!
NS Builders were fabulous to work with! We did a complete gut and remodel of two condos that we put together and we couldn't be happier with what was done, how it was done, and the timeliness of its completion! The cabinet makers within NS Builders (Materia, Ken DeCost and his team) were phenomenal!! All the cabinetry they did for us was beautiful, and all worked together and is just gorgeous. The billing system that NS used to keep us updated of what we're spending was a great help to us in terms of knowing and setting our expectations. Lastly, the sub contractors that were used were tremendous; they had the same mindset as NS employees which was wonderful!! All around, we truly believe in Nick's processes - he and the entire company are wonderful to work with and I would do it all over again with NS Builders! Here comes number 9!! I've added some photos so you can have a view into out new condo!
We were/are absolutely ecstatic with Nick's (NSB) renovation of our 3-floor 1500 sq.ft. condo gut renonation! We could not have been more pleased with the quality of design and construction, communication, and ongoing updates (timing, scope and additional costs). An additional very surprising, pleasing and unusual experience: every time we called NSB, Nick himself answered the phone. Does that ever happen? NSB was absolutely respectful of the draconian condo requirements in our building—our Facilities Manager was so completely astonished with NSB's maintaining the condo association's hallway/elevator/time requirements, so much so that he wanted NSB to do work in the common areas of the building. If a picture's "worth a thousand words" look at the before/after photos of just one feature of Nick's renovation. Thanks 1,000,0002 Roberta Radley and William Brinkley
NS Builders is top notch on both service and construction quality. I've hired them for two gut renovations and couldn't be happier with the outcome. They hire the best people, excel in design details, communicate clearly every step of the way, and deliver. Their sterling reputation is well-deserved.
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Established 4.1 rating
Sustainability focus5.0
Aging-in-place bathrooms4.9
Rescues stalled projects4.5
Fixed a prior contractor's ice-dam damage2.3