Zelek Design

Zelek Design is a Swampscott, Massachusetts design-build firm founded by architect Rafal Zelek, who combines architecture and general contracting for custom homes, additions, renovations, and historic preservation work for residential and commercial clients. Rafal grew up around the trade, working in his father's general contractor and masonry business before training as an architect at Boston Architecture College, and he still runs the company today, managing projects from design through construction with a crew of subcontractors that includes carpenters, plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians. Clients who have hired Zelek Design consistently point to that dual architect-and-builder role as the standout. A 2023 review described Rafal as "professional, attentive, very responsive, and easy to work with" as both the architect and general contractor on a home addition and renovation. Another reviewer noted that having one person hold both roles keeps a project on schedule and within budget — a 2017 HomeAdvisor review made a similar point about his punctuality, attention to detail, and problem-solving. A 2025 review of a custom-built home called him "a steady and reliable partner" through a complex design and planning process, and a 2022 review praised a porch build finished "professionally and beautifully," with everything promised in the contract delivered. Design work has also extended to historic properties, per a dated 2017 review describing consultation and design work on historic-site renovations. The company is listed as holding an active Massachusetts Home Improvement Contractor license and a BuildZoom-verified Construction Supervisor license, lists a LEED affiliation, and has 7 permitted projects on record with BuildZoom dating back to 2013. Every review on file — across Google and HomeAdvisor — is 5 stars, and HomeAdvisor lists free estimates as part of doing business, though not emergency service or written warranties. One thing worth asking about directly: the company's BuildZoom profile displays an "Alert - Unpaid Debt" badge at the top of the page with no explanation attached. It isn't clear what it refers to, and nothing else in the record elaborates on it, so it's worth a direct question before booking. It's also worth noting the review record, while uniformly positive, is modest in volume — six reviews spanning 2017 to 2025 — so a prospective client is relying on a small but consistent sample rather than a large one.