Custom Home Builders in Boston: Expert Design, Lasting Craftsmanship

What sets S+H apart from other Boston builders

With over four decades of experience, S+H has built a reputation that clients trust for expertise, transparency, and quality, demonstrated by:

• A team with deep local knowledge and extensive experience navigating municipal regulations and historic commission requirements.
• Consistent craftsmanship and a reliable, skilled workforce on every project.
• Cost-plus open-book pricing with detailed bi-weekly invoicing that gives clients full visibility and control over their investment.
• Repeated recognition for excellence, including 15 Best of Boston wins, including the first residential Best of Boston award in 2007, and more recently, the 2024 and 2025 Best of Boston Home and Best of Boston for High-End Remodeling. Additionally, S+H has been recognized several times by Modern Luxury magazine for its "Best of" awards and multiple PRISM Awards.

How S+H guides you through the building process

S+H assigns a dedicated project manager from your first consultation. This single point of contact coordinates permitting, architect collaboration, trade scheduling, and communication. Our refined process reduces stress and eliminates confusion.

Beginning your journey: S+H's pre-construction partnership

Your project manager learns your vision, lifestyle needs, budget, and timeline. We evaluate your site upfront and establish municipal relationships, streamlining permitting and ensuring designs are buildable and within budget.

What to expect in your first S+H consultation

Initial meetings focus on understanding how you live and what matters most. We explain our process, outline timelines, and answer questions. You'll leave with clarity and confidence in the partnership.

Building with confidence: S+H's construction approach

Once permits are secured, S+H's team begins with careful site preparation and systematic quality control. Your project manager provides regular updates and coordinates all trades. We maintain OSHA-compliant safety standards and conduct quality checkpoints before proceeding.

Expertly handling changes and surprises

S+H views unexpected situations as problem-solving opportunities. We communicate implications clearly, present solutions, and work with you to keep the project on track.

S+H's commitment to quality and safety

Every project follows rigorous safety protocols. Our low warranty rate demonstrates our commitment to getting it right the first time.

S+H's comprehensive services: Everything under one roof

S+H's 37-person team eliminates the complexity of coordinating multiple contractors. We handle everything from site preparation through final landscaping — renovation, restoration, new construction, and ongoing maintenance.

Core building services S+H provides

S+H delivers high-quality home renovations, custom homes, and restorations that align with your vision. We ensure your home’s beauty and durability from the ground up. Whether transforming an existing space or building new, we collaborate seamlessly. 

Custom homes

Building a luxury custom home is an exciting journey for our clients, and we're passionate about designing and constructing beautiful, one-of-a-kind homes that reflect each client's vision. S+H collaborates with Greater Boston's leading architects to create energy-efficient residences tailored to how you live.

Home renovations, additions & historic restoration

We specialize in full-scale renovations, multi-room remodels, home additions, and historic restorations that enhance beauty, functionality, and long-term value. From revitalizing Colonial and Victorian homes to updating Mid-Century residences, our team thrives on the challenges that make each project unique. Owner Sarah Lawson received a Preservation Award from the Cambridge Historical Commission for this work.

For kitchen and bathroom projects, we specialize in build-only services, managing every phase of construction from demolition through installation and finishing. Working seamlessly with your architect, designer, or existing plans, we ensure that each detail is executed with precision, care, and the high standards that define S+H Construction.

S+H's specialty services

Our proven basement waterproofing method has kept basements dry for years using a proprietary crystalline treatment that seals masonry from the inside, with no exterior excavation required. Beyond protection, we also deliver high-end basement renovations that transform underutilized square footage into functional, beautifully finished living space.

The Small Works + Home Management Division (launched 2025) is dedicated to delivering exceptional S+H quality on smaller-scale projects: window replacements, repairs, renovations, and mechanical upgrades.

Integrated sitework and landscaping

Our landscaping and hardscaping services create durable, beautifully built outdoor environments — from plantings, patios, and stone walls to driveways, drainage, and full site preparation. In-house sitework capabilities (grading, drainage, foundations, stonework) ensure outdoor spaces complement your home's architecture from the start, preventing drainage or grading problems. 

Whether part of a larger construction project or a stand-alone upgrade, we combine premium materials, expert coordination, and integrated solutions to ensure every outdoor space is both functional and enduring.

Understanding S+H's open-book pricing advantage

S+H's cost-plus open-book pricing shows exactly where your money goes. Detailed bi-weekly invoices break down materials, labor, and subcontractor costs, plus our clearly stated fee.

This transparency enables confident decision-making. Want to upgrade a countertop? You see the cost in real time. Unlike fixed-bid models, S+H's approach accommodates evolving visions while maintaining budget clarity.

How S+H builds for New England's climate

S+H's 46 years in Massachusetts have taught us what works for harsh winters, humid summers, and dramatic temperature swings. We integrate proven building methods designed specifically for New England:

• Super-insulated building envelopes for year-round comfort
• Efficient heat pump systems for heating and cooling
• Precise moisture management to prevent damage
• Solar integration options for energy independence

S+H helps clients access Mass Save programs and Belmont Municipal Light Department incentives. When working with historic properties, we balance energy improvements with preservation requirements.

S+H's collaborative approach with architects and designers

S+H maintains long-standing partnerships with the area's top architects and designers, including but not limited to: Gregory Lombardi Design, LDa Architecture & Interiors, ZeroEnergy Design, and Ruhl Walker Architects. These collaborations create unified teams where communication flows smoothly.

S+H contributes constructability insights, material recommendations, and cost-effective solutions without compromising quality.

S+H's historic preservation expertise

Many local neighborhoods fall under historic district protections. S+H has specialized in this work since 1978. Our 42 years in Cambridge — working extensively with the Cambridge Historical Commission — plus experience in Belmont, Newton, and Boston proper provide deep expertise.

S+H preserves Colonial, Victorian, and mid-century homes' authentic character while upgrading foundations, systems, and energy efficiency. We navigate historic commission requirements efficiently. From hand-carved millwork to carefully updated foundations, S+H celebrates these homes' history while ensuring they reach their full potential.

What S+H clients can expect: communication, quality, and support

After 46 years and hundreds of projects, S+H knows what matters most: feeling informed, confident, and supported.

Dedicated project managers act as your single point of contact, coordinating every detail and ensuring your input shapes each decision. From your first consultation through the final walkthrough, S+H focuses on reducing stress, building trust, and delivering craftsmanship you'll enjoy daily. 

Built on trust. Finished to perfection.

Ready to start your custom home journey?

S+H Construction brings nearly five decades of expertise to your custom home project. Under Sarah Lawson's leadership and Ed Sullivan's guidance, our 37-person team guides you through every step.

Contact S+H Construction at (617) 876-8286 or visit shconstruction.com to schedule your free consultation. Explore our portfolio and listen to the award-winning Builder's Notebook Podcast.

Frequently asked questions:

1)  What makes S+H Construction different from other custom home builders?

S+H brings 46 years of experience, a skilled 37-person team, and hands-on owner involvement. Transparent cost-plus pricing and industry recognition, including the first residential Best of Boston award in 2007, set us apart.

2)  Does S+H work with my architect or recommend design partners?

We collaborate with your architect and partner with leading firms including but not limited to:  LDa Architecture, ZeroEnergy Design, and Ruhl Walker Architects. If you haven’t chosen an architect, we can recommend suitable partners.

3)  How does S+H's cost-plus open-book pricing work?

S+H provides bi-weekly invoices showing materials, labor, subcontractors, and our fee. No hidden markups or inflated contingencies, just transparency and flexibility as your project evolves.

4)  Can S+H restore historic homes and work with historic commissions?

Yes. We specialize in Colonial, Victorian, and mid-century restoration, working with Historic District Commissions in Cambridge, Belmont, and Newton to preserve authentic details while modernizing systems.

5)  Where does S+H Construction build?

We build throughout Greater Boston, including Cambridge, Belmont, and Boston proper. Local expertise ensures smooth permitting and compliance with municipal requirements.

6)  How does S+H ensure energy efficiency?

S+H integrates super-insulated envelopes, triple-pane windows, heat pumps, and solar options. We also help clients access Mass Save and municipal incentives while balancing efficiency with design and historic requirements.

7)  How involved will I be in my project with S+H?

Clients are involved throughout. Your project manager provides updates, milestone meetings, and bi-weekly financial reporting to keep you informed and in control.

8)  What should I prepare for my consultation with S+H?

Bring your vision — photos, sketches, lifestyle goals — as well as budget and timeline considerations. The consultation focuses on understanding your needs and how S+H can make your project a reality.

9)  How does S+H's Dry Basement Solution work in historic homes?

S+H's proprietary crystalline waterproofing treatment seals masonry from inside — no exterior excavation required. 

Applied to basement walls, it penetrates and creates a permanent moisture barrier that has proven effective for over a decade in homes dating back 150+ years. This approach protects foundations while converting damp basements into functional living spaces without disrupting landscaping or exterior structures.

10)  What's the typical timeline for a historic home renovation with S+H?

Timeline depends on scope and Historic Commission requirements. 

A kitchen or bathroom renovation typically takes 3 to 4 months, while a whole-house renovation runs 6 to 12 months. Add 30 to 60 days for Historic Commission approvals in Cambridge, Belmont, or Newton. 

S+H's thorough planning and experienced team keep projects on schedule once construction begins, and we account for historic-specific considerations upfront to prevent delays.

Conclusion

Choosing the right custom home builder is crucial. S+H Construction combines decades of expertise, award-winning craftsmanship, and transparent cost-plus open-book pricing to guide you through every step.

Ready to begin? Contact S+H Construction at (617) 876-8286 or visit shconstruction.com to schedule your consultation.