# Scott Harris Custom Carpentry & General Contractor

**Trade:** Carpentry · **Languages:** English

**Rating: 1.8/5** (medium confidence) — from 24 reviews across 2 sources.
67% of sentiment-scored reviews read net-positive. Last 6 months: 0 reviews, 0 negative.

## The honest read

Scott Harris Custom Carpentry & General Contractor is a Needham-based carpenter whose written record splits sharply in two: skilled, well-reviewed craftsmanship on one side, and a recurring pattern of abandoned or incomplete jobs on the other — both real, both documented, running from 2011 through 2015.

The positive side of the ledger is specific and detailed. A Realtor who says she's worked with many contractors on her own and clients' properties, in a 2013 review, called Scott's work "TOP for professionalism, reasonable pricing, finishing on time and quality," describing a custom porch-height solution that blended seamlessly with existing trim. Other 2012–2013 reviews describe demolishing a large rotted deck down to the old concrete footings and rebuilding it through a blizzard, reinforcing a barn's structure while diagnosing a tricky ice-damming roof configuration, and building stairs redesigned on the spot per a customer's request — reviewers repeatedly mention punctuality, clear communication, and a clean site at the end of each day.

Set against that is a cluster of serious, specific complaints spanning several different years and customers. A 2014 review describes a home inspector finding the work defective — Gorilla Glue used in place of a proper bonding agent, which ruined the gutters — and says it cost over $15,000 to redo. Another 2014 review describes a job abandoned mid-way, a permit that was never secured, work built out of code, and a refund that was never issued. A 2012 review describes paying a deposit toward a 2009 roof replacement that never started, followed by excuses, a story about family trouble in Florida, and then no contact at all — and says other customers lost deposits the same way. A 2011 review describes a porch job still unfinished nine months in, with out-of-code railings and a roofline the homeowner says began to dip after the work started; a separate 2012 review describes a crew that stopped showing up after being paid for half a job and never returned, despite an attorney's formal demand letter that went unanswered.

These aren't vague one-off complaints — several different customers, in different years, describe the same basic shape: a deposit or partial payment, incomplete or defective work, then silence. Given that pattern, anyone considering a larger project should ask hard questions about payment schedules, get a permit and completion timeline in writing, and check recent references rather than relying on the older glowing reviews alone.

**Strengths:**
- Skilled carpentry — reviewers cite well-built decks, stairs, and structural repairs
- Attentive on the job — punctual, communicative, and left sites clean (2012-2013)

**Concerns:**
- Abandoned jobs — deposits taken, then incomplete work and lost contact
- Code and permit issues — work described as out of code, no permit secured
- Costly defects — a 2014 review cites $15,000 to redo botched work
- Ignored legal notice — a 2011 attorney demand letter went unanswered

## Claims & citations

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

- Multiple reviews from 2009-2014 describe Scott Harris taking a deposit or partial payment, doing incomplete or defective work, and then losing contact — including one in which the crew stopped showing up after being paid for half a job and did not return despite repeated calls and emails. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/needham/scott-harris-custom-carpentry-and-general-contractor-reviews-2798673.htm) — “1★ This is a contractor horror story on all levels.
The job was never completed by the contractor. The contractor engaged in deceptive pract…”
  - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/needham/scott-harris-custom-carpentry-and-general-contractor-reviews-2798673.htm) — “2★ They didn't show up the first day that they were scheduled to begin work. Then, they worked for a few days and disappeared for a while to…”
  - [HomeAdvisor](https://www.homeadvisor.com/rated.scottharriscustomcarpentrygeneralcontractor.156524673.html) — “1★ Scott Harris cannot be trusted.

In 2009 we paid him a deposit on a contract to replace the roof at our house. He did not show up to do t…”
- A 2012 review describes an attorney's Chapter 93A consumer-protection demand letter, dated November 14, 2011, that Scott Harris did not respond to. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/needham/scott-harris-custom-carpentry-and-general-contractor-reviews-2798673.htm) — “2★ They didn't show up the first day that they were scheduled to begin work. Then, they worked for a few days and disappeared for a while to…”
- A 2014 review describes a home inspector finding defective work, including Gorilla Glue used in place of a proper bonding agent that clogged the gutters, which cost over $15,000 to redo. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/needham/scott-harris-custom-carpentry-and-general-contractor-reviews-2798673.htm) — “1★ Another contractor noticed problems with the work, which prompted me to call an inspector. I stopped the job when the home inspector advi…”
- Another 2014 review describes a job that was never completed, a permit that was never secured, and work built out of code that multiple other contractors refused to take over. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/needham/scott-harris-custom-carpentry-and-general-contractor-reviews-2798673.htm) — “1★ This is a contractor horror story on all levels.
The job was never completed by the contractor. The contractor engaged in deceptive pract…”
- A 2011 review describes a porch job still unfinished nine months after it began, with railings that didn't meet code and a porch roof the homeowner says began to dip after the work started. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/needham/scott-harris-custom-carpentry-and-general-contractor-reviews-2798673.htm) — “2★ Still waiting for the final inspection to be completed and the work began 9 months ago. In addition to the porch work, Scott agreed to fi…”
- Several detailed reviews from 2012-2013 describe well-built decks, stairs, and structural carpentry repairs, including reconstructing a rotted deck and reinforcing a barn's structure. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/needham/scott-harris-custom-carpentry-and-general-contractor-reviews-2798673.htm) — “5★ Scott's work was outstanding. We've dealt with a lot of contractors. Scott's carpentry is exceptional and his analysis of the underlying …”
  - [HomeAdvisor](https://www.homeadvisor.com/rated.scottharriscustomcarpentrygeneralcontractor.156524673.html) — “5★ Scott and his crew demolished a rotted portion of our old deck and built a beautiful new mahogany deck. Our deck plan was somewhat unique…”
  - [HomeAdvisor](https://www.homeadvisor.com/rated.scottharriscustomcarpentrygeneralcontractor.156524673.html) — “5★ Couldn't have gone better. Scott was punctual, extremely polite and accomodating. He brought a second man with him to help. He picked up …”
- Reviewers frequently cite punctuality, clear communication, and thorough site cleanup. _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/needham/scott-harris-custom-carpentry-and-general-contractor-reviews-2798673.htm) — “5★ Scott was wonderful, very quick to respond to any questions etc. Very professional, 3 day job, everything was clean and neat after each t…”
  - [HomeAdvisor](https://www.homeadvisor.com/rated.scottharriscustomcarpentrygeneralcontractor.156524673.html) — “5★ From start to finish our experience with Scott was great. He was always on time from the very first visit to give us an estimate. He star…”
- Several independent reviews from different years (2009, 2011, 2012, 2014) describe the same pattern — a deposit or partial payment taken, then incomplete or defective work, then no response, including one ignored legal demand letter — a business-practice pattern the per-comment scoring can't see as a whole, which is why this read sits at the low end of, and below, the arithmetic's band. _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/needham/scott-harris-custom-carpentry-and-general-contractor-reviews-2798673.htm) — “1★ This is a contractor horror story on all levels.
The job was never completed by the contractor. The contractor engaged in deceptive pract…”
  - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/needham/scott-harris-custom-carpentry-and-general-contractor-reviews-2798673.htm) — “2★ They didn't show up the first day that they were scheduled to begin work. Then, they worked for a few days and disappeared for a while to…”
  - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/needham/scott-harris-custom-carpentry-and-general-contractor-reviews-2798673.htm) — “2★ Still waiting for the final inspection to be completed and the work began 9 months ago. In addition to the porch work, Scott agreed to fi…”
  - [HomeAdvisor](https://www.homeadvisor.com/rated.scottharriscustomcarpentrygeneralcontractor.156524673.html) — “1★ Scott Harris cannot be trusted.

In 2009 we paid him a deposit on a contract to replace the roof at our house. He did not show up to do t…”
- Specializes in Carpentry _(confidence: high)_
  - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/needham/scott-harris-custom-carpentry-and-general-contractor-reviews-2798673.htm) — “5★ Scott's work was outstanding. We've dealt with a lot of contractors. Scott's carpentry is exceptional and his analysis of the underlying …”
  - [HomeAdvisor](https://www.homeadvisor.com/rated.scottharriscustomcarpentrygeneralcontractor.156524673.html) — “5★ Scott and his crew demolished a rotted portion of our old deck and built a beautiful new mahogany deck. Our deck plan was somewhat unique…”
  - [HomeAdvisor](https://www.homeadvisor.com/rated.scottharriscustomcarpentrygeneralcontractor.156524673.html) — “5★ Couldn't have gone better. Scott was punctual, extremely polite and accomodating. He brought a second man with him to help. He picked up …”
- Also offers General Contractor / Remodeling _(confidence: medium)_
  - [HomeAdvisor](https://www.homeadvisor.com/rated.scottharriscustomcarpentrygeneralcontractor.156524673.html) — “Services offered (HomeAdvisor): Thermostat - Install or Replace, Thermostat - Repair or Reprogram, Acoustic Ceiling Tiles - Install, Complet…”
  - [HomeAdvisor](https://www.homeadvisor.com/rated.scottharriscustomcarpentrygeneralcontractor.156524673.html) — “HomeAdvisor profile for Scott Harris Custom Carpentry & General Contractor in Needham, MA — the same 4.2/31-review record Angi publishes (sy…”
- Also offers Windows / Siding / Gutters _(confidence: medium)_
  - [HomeAdvisor](https://www.homeadvisor.com/rated.scottharriscustomcarpentrygeneralcontractor.156524673.html) — “Services offered (HomeAdvisor): Thermostat - Install or Replace, Thermostat - Repair or Reprogram, Acoustic Ceiling Tiles - Install, Complet…”
- Also offers Roofing _(confidence: low)_
  - [HomeAdvisor](https://www.homeadvisor.com/rated.scottharriscustomcarpentrygeneralcontractor.156524673.html) — “1★ Scott Harris cannot be trusted.

In 2009 we paid him a deposit on a contract to replace the roof at our house. He did not show up to do t…”
- Also offers HVAC / Heating & Cooling _(confidence: low)_
  - [HomeAdvisor](https://www.homeadvisor.com/rated.scottharriscustomcarpentrygeneralcontractor.156524673.html) — “Services offered (HomeAdvisor): Thermostat - Install or Replace, Thermostat - Repair or Reprogram, Acoustic Ceiling Tiles - Install, Complet…”

## License

No license record has been checked yet for this contractor.

## Sources

- [HomeAdvisor](https://www.homeadvisor.com/rated.scottharriscustomcarpentrygeneralcontractor.156524673.html): 4.2★ from 31 ratings
- [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/needham/scott-harris-custom-carpentry-and-general-contractor-reviews-2798673.htm): Listed on this source

## Recent reviews

- **5/5 · Angi · Brent W. · 2015-11-01**: home repair work
- **1/5 · HomeAdvisor · Paul W. · 2014-04-01**: Another contractor noticed problems with the work, which prompted me to call an inspector. I stopped the job when the home inspector advised the work being done was defective and would need to be removed. For example, Gorilla Glue was used instead of a proper bonding agent. This oozed out and dammed…
- **1/5 · HomeAdvisor · Roy S. · 2014-02-01**: This is a contractor horror story on all levels.
The job was never completed by the contractor. The contractor engaged in deceptive practices and deceived me about securing a permit. Not only did he abandon the job, he refused to refund the money.
Thinking perhaps I could get another contractor to p…
- **3/5 · HomeAdvisor · Kyle F. · 2013-07-01**: The work was messy.
- **5/5 · Angi · Brian M. · 2013-07-01**: Scott and his crew demolished a rotted portion of our old deck and built a beautiful new mahogany deck. Our deck plan was somewhat unique but Scott's carpenters handled it with aplomb and professionalism.
- **5/5 · Angi · ANDREA B. · 2013-06-01**: I am a Realtor and have used many contractors in past projects on my properties and for my client's properties. Found Scott at the TOP for Professionalism, Reasonable pricing, Finishing on time and most of all QUALITY. Our Insurance required higher porches on our 3 Family and we were left with a ver…
- **5/5 · Angi · Marilyn B. · 2013-05-01**: good
- **5/5 · HomeAdvisor · Lewis H. · 2013-05-01**: Couldn't have gone better. Scott was punctual, extremely polite and accomodating. He brought a second man with him to help. He picked up the lumber necessary to complete the project, something that he was not required to do but volunteered to do nonetheless. The stairs he built are well-constructed …
- **5/5 · HomeAdvisor · Dawn C. · 2013-05-01**: Scott was wonderful, very quick to respond to any questions etc. Very professional, 3 day job, everything was clean and neat after each time he left. Let us know when he was leaving and returning. Great communication!!
- **5/5 · HomeAdvisor · Roy B. · 2013-04-01**: Scott Harris gave a fair estimate and price. Scott was very cooperative
in discussing the job at hand and offered suggesstions, giving thought
to the big picture. He (and his son assistant) were very helpful in
moving furniture that could not normally be moved out of a small
basement room. We would …

---

Data freshness: last scanned 2026-08-03T06:05:52.996Z.
Cite as: Scott Harris Custom Carpentry & General Contractor — Tavlee (https://tavlee.com/contractor/scott-harris-custom-carpentry-and-general-contractor)
Source: https://tavlee.com/contractor/scott-harris-custom-carpentry-and-general-contractor