# OUR HOUSE design+build

**Trade:** General Contractor / Remodeling · **Address:** 59 High St, Reading, MA 01867, USA · **Phone:** (781) 888-1111 · **Website:** https://www.ourhousedesignbuild.com/ · **Languages:** English

**Rating: 4.4/5** (medium confidence) — from 7 reviews across 7 sources.
100% of sentiment-scored reviews read net-positive. Last 6 months: 0 reviews, 0 negative.

## The honest read

OUR HOUSE design+build is a Reading, Massachusetts design-build remodeler that's been in business since 1984 — its BBB file still carries the original name, Galaxy Contracting, from before the rebrand, and per its Houzz profile that's the same firm, not two different ones. Steven Kasper owns it, now an LLC with 8 employees, working kitchens, baths, additions and large-scale renovations through an in-house design team and showroom.

Reviewers keep coming back for more than one project: a late-2024 Google review lists a bathroom renovation, a retaining wall, a new basement foundation, new stairs, and a two-dormer attic addition all with the same company. On Reddit, a 2022 poster described "major surgery" on a pre-pandemic home — walls, floors, structural, plumbing, electrical, insulation and windows — with no problems four years later; a 2024 thread said "design is great, build quality is excellent" after they handled 80% of a house with no callbacks. Kitchen and whole-home projects show up too: a 2022 review described a full kitchen remodel with one point of contact from design through final inspections, and a 2022 review described a 4,000-square-foot new-home renovation built around a young family's needs, worked through supply-chain delays and unexpected water damage along the way.

The one real caveat, from that same 2024 Reddit thread: "they aren't cheap" — Houzz lists typical jobs running $25,000 to $300,000. A 2022 Somerville client, one of the firm's first in that town, also mentioned inspections weren't perfectly smooth on that early job, though it still finished close to the promised timeline. Its Massachusetts home improvement contractor license is active.

A good fit for homeowners planning a serious renovation — additions, whole-home remodels, multi-room projects — who want one team staying involved from design through construction, and who've budgeted for it.

**Strengths:**
- Repeat clients — hired again for bath, foundation, dormers, stairs
- Structural renovations — no callbacks years after major work
- Whole-home builds — worked through supply-chain and water-damage setbacks
- Design-through-construction — one point of contact for kitchen remodels

**Concerns:**
- Not cheap — a Reddit reviewer flagged pricing
- Early growing pains — one of their first Somerville jobs had rough inspections

## Claims & citations

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

- In business since 1984, originally named Galaxy Contracting _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/reading/profile/kitchen-remodel/our-house-design-build-0021-36750) — “A BBB business profile for Our House Design & Build at 59 High St, Reading MA, phone (781) 888-1111, showing an A+ BBB rating but NOT BBB ac…”
  - [Houzz](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/design-build-firms/our-house-design-build-pfvwus-pf~847340166) — “A Houzz profile for OUR HOUSE design+build of 59 High Street, Reading MA, rated 4.9 from 14 reviews, with 16 projects, 8 Houzz Awards and a …”
- Massachusetts home improvement contractor license verified active _(confidence: high)_
  - [State License Registry](https://contractorhub.mass.gov/s/hic-contractor-search) — “MA hic license 178716 verified active”
- Repeat clients hire them again for bath, foundation, stairs, dormers _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUMzM3J5RXJ3RRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xa833024ff85ef7d6!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIC33ryErwE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ We absolutely love working with Our House! If you like contractors that communicate well -- and listen well! -- you'll love them too. We'…”
- Major structural renovation with no callbacks years later _(confidence: medium)_
  - [reddit.com](https://www.reddit.com/r/Somerville/comments/yoz3fm/renovation_recommendations/ivhe93b/) — “r/Somerville — They did major surgery (walls, floors, structural, plumbing, electrical, insulation, windows) to our home pre-pandemic and in…”
- 80% whole-house renovation with no callbacks _(confidence: medium)_
  - [reddit.com](https://www.reddit.com/r/Somerville/comments/1eofi6u/kitchen_reno_experience_with_any_of_these/lhde477/) — “r/Somerville — Very simply: design is great, build quality is excellent, they did 80% of our house with basically no callbacks at all, but t…”
- Full kitchen remodel with one point of contact through inspections _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUQybS1mTC1RRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xa833024ff85ef7d6!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgID2m-fL-QE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Our House did a full kitchen remodel for us in 2021 and not only delivered a great final product that was exactly what we were looking fo…”
- 4,000 sqft renovation worked through supply-chain and water-damage setbacks _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURPdzRHdTF3RRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xa833024ff85ef7d6!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDOw4Gu1wE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Our House recently completely renovated our new home, including over 4000 SQFT. Steve, Amy and the team are fantastic, and brought our vi…”
- A Reddit reviewer noted the company is not cheap _(confidence: medium)_
  - [reddit.com](https://www.reddit.com/r/Somerville/comments/1eofi6u/kitchen_reno_experience_with_any_of_these/lhde477/) — “r/Somerville — Very simply: design is great, build quality is excellent, they did 80% of our house with basically no callbacks at all, but t…”
- An early Somerville client said inspections weren't perfectly smooth _(confidence: low)_
  - [reddit.com](https://www.reddit.com/r/Somerville/comments/yoz3fm/renovation_recommendations/ivhwdn8/) — “r/Somerville — It was in Somerville :).  We were one of their first Somerville clients so getting inspections wasn’t perfect but they did a …”
- Specializes in General Contractor / Remodeling _(confidence: high)_
  - [Official Website](https://www.ourhousedesignbuild.com) — “A Reading, Massachusetts design-build residential remodeling firm specializing in kitchens, baths, additions and large-scale renovations, wi…”
- Specializes in Kitchen Remodel _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNka0tHNVdBEAE!2m1!1s0x0:0xa833024ff85ef7d6!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgICdkKG5WA%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ We are so happy that we chose Our House for our Kitchen remodel. We love the way it came out. Working with the design staff was a pleasur…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUQybS1mTC1RRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xa833024ff85ef7d6!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgID2m-fL-QE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Our House did a full kitchen remodel for us in 2021 and not only delivered a great final product that was exactly what we were looking fo…”
- Specializes in Bathroom Remodel _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUMzM3J5RXJ3RRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xa833024ff85ef7d6!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIC33ryErwE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ We absolutely love working with Our House! If you like contractors that communicate well -- and listen well! -- you'll love them too. We'…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUMtN3JfeG1nRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xa833024ff85ef7d6!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIC-7r_xmgE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Our House did great quality work on our bathroom remodeling project. They took care of the design and did the work on the time agreed.”
- Also offers Windows / Siding / Gutters _(confidence: medium)_
  - [reddit.com](https://www.reddit.com/r/Somerville/comments/yoz3fm/renovation_recommendations/ivhz4zu/) — “r/Somerville — I’d guess they may be willing or they’ll tell you if they can’t do it. Their staff carpenters are amazing (and nice guys).  D…”

## License

Status: **active** (#178716, hic) — verified against the official MA state registry on 2026-06-29, never self-reported.

## Sources

- [Google](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=OUR%20HOUSE%20design%2Bbuild&query_place_id=ChIJ2WjZak1t44kR22_sFBdRoBs): 5.0★ from 8 ratings
- [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=OUR%20HOUSE%20design%2Bbuild&query_place_id=ChIJ2WjZak1t44kR22_sFBdRoBs): Listed on this source
- [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/reading/profile/kitchen-remodel/our-house-design-build-0021-36750): Listed on this source
- [Official Website](https://www.ourhousedesignbuild.com): Self-reported profile and service details
- [Houzz](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/design-build-firms/our-house-design-build-pfvwus-pf~847340166): Listed on this source
- [Exa](https://www.buildzoom.com/contractor/our-house-design-build-llc): 3 web mentions across the open web (each linked to its source)
- [BuildZoom](https://www.buildzoom.com/contractor/our-house-design-build-llc): Listed on this source

## Mentions

Unverified third-party mentions found on the open web — relay with attribution ("a Reddit commenter said…"), never as Tavlee's own finding.

- “We’ve been using Our House for a long time. Three huge jobs so far and another coming up.” — u/saxamaphonic in r/Somerville (2024-08-10) — https://www.reddit.com/r/Somerville/comments/1eofi6u/kitchen_reno_experience_with_any_of_these/lhicnvk/
- “Our House Design and Build - used them a few years back, kitchen is still gorgeous.  Have recommended them to friends, who recommended them to friends, who recommended them on… and now they seem to be…” — u/tstop22 in r/Somerville (2024-08-10) — https://www.reddit.com/r/Somerville/comments/1eofi6u/kitchen_reno_experience_with_any_of_these/lhde477/
- “I’d guess they may be willing or they’ll tell you if they can’t do it. Their staff carpenters are amazing (and nice guys).  Dennis did a great job on our windows, though they were nothing weird.  Far …” — u/tstop22 in r/Somerville (2022-11-08) — https://www.reddit.com/r/Somerville/comments/yoz3fm/renovation_recommendations/ivhz4zu/
- “It was in Somerville :).  We were one of their first Somerville clients so getting inspections wasn’t perfect but they did a good job of working through the system and got the whole job done very clos…” — u/tstop22 in r/Somerville (2022-11-08) — https://www.reddit.com/r/Somerville/comments/yoz3fm/renovation_recommendations/ivhwdn8/
- “I’m not sure it’s still meaningful 5 years later since prices have gone up so much but it was about $250k of work.  They do smaller jobs too; a friend had them do their front porch.” — u/tstop22 in r/Somerville (2022-11-08) — https://www.reddit.com/r/Somerville/comments/yoz3fm/renovation_recommendations/ivhnssg/
- “[Our House Design and Build](https://www.ourhousedesignbuild.com) - strongly recommended.  They did major surgery (walls, floors, structural, plumbing, electrical, insulation, windows) to our home pre…” — u/tstop22 in r/Somerville (2022-11-07) — https://www.reddit.com/r/Somerville/comments/yoz3fm/renovation_recommendations/ivhe93b/
- “Rachel, Drew and their entire company are tremendous. They've remodeled almost our entire house and barn room by room; our kitchen, master bedroom, master bath... Our House has made our home a peacefu…” — kitchen-companies.com (2019-08-12) — https://www.kitchen-companies.com/3499/our-house-llc-design-construction

## Recent reviews

- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Kimberly Durniak-Buchanan · 2026-01-10**: The entire Our House team is amazing,  I knew it was going to be a good fit from the initial consultation. Steve knows what he knows (and what he doesn't stating he'll get back to you - which he actually does),  knows he's got a strong team behind him (he's collected the best of best from years in t…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Jess Destramp · 2024-11-05**: We absolutely love working with Our House! If you like contractors that communicate well -- and listen well! -- you'll love them too. We've now hired them for several projects around our house: a bathroom renovation, a new retaining wall, a new basement foundation, a new set of stairs, and a huge at…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Larry Daurio · 2024-02-09**: We are so happy that we chose Our House for our Kitchen remodel. We love the way it came out. Working with the design staff was a pleasure, and the construction crew were excellent craftsmen and very professional. I highly recommend this company for home renovations and improvements.
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Alvin Ihsani · 2022-11-04**: Our House did great quality work on our bathroom remodeling project. They took care of the design and did the work on the time agreed.
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Ellen Schrantz · 2022-07-12**: Our House recently completely renovated our new home, including over 4000 SQFT. Steve, Amy and the team are fantastic, and brought our vision to life. The greatest part of working with them was the balance of achieving a high-end, gorgeous dream home that is SO functional and livable for a family wi…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Colin Quigley · 2022-05-25**: Our House did a full kitchen remodel for us in 2021 and not only delivered a great final product that was exactly what we were looking for, but were just great to work with all-around, from the design to the way they operated and made it as non-intrusive as possible while we were home.

Really knowl…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Joseph Dineen · 2021-12-15**: Our family had Steve, Mike and the rest of the Our House team replace a dated and ugly set of decks for us. They were able to completely transform the use of our outdoor space with two great looking decks and even a set of stairs into our yard. The final product is beyond our expectations. We were a…

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Data freshness: last scanned 2026-08-05T14:43:58.484Z.
Cite as: OUR HOUSE design+build — Tavlee (https://tavlee.com/contractor/our-house-design-build-reading)
Source: https://tavlee.com/contractor/our-house-design-build-reading