"We've been enjoying our splendid kitchen for almost a year now and even though I know you know how much I love this kitchen, I wanted to formally thank you.

I love this kitchen because of all the effort you put into planning our functional and yet very comfy addition.  I get compliments from everyone!! You took the time to design the new construction to perfectly match our 218-year-old home.  You held fast to our requests (fireplace, cubbies, bookshelves) and added recommendations (floor plan, window placement, stone work) that have very much imporved the overall result.

I love this kichen because of the people associated with it.  The team of Howell Design and Build was incredibly professional and very, very likable!  Thank you for being considerate of my family throughout the entire project.  All the people who were involved with this project were committed to a job well done.  You made sure of it!!

I love this kitchen because of the quality.  The timbers, the counter tops, the windows, the flooring are all very top-of-the-line!!  Thank you for your insight into doing it well the first time.  We have no regrets about any aspect of this job.  Take a bow!!

I love this kitchen because it has very much improved our daily routine!!  Wish I could say the same about my cooking!!

Thank you.  I look forward to many more projects together!!

~ Kitchen Addition/Remodel on Historic Home

"This is a long overdue letter of appreciation in regards to the remodel Howell Design & Build, Inc. completed on my home at the beginning of 2002.  During the 10 months from beginning to completion, your company and its employees and subcontractors were nothing but exceptional and professional as they worked through a project downsizing and a very picky client.  I especially want to note the comfort I took in Steve's interest in making sure all structural details were properly engineered for lasting reliability.  It was truly a pleasure and all of the follow-up subsequent to my final payment has been a welcome surprise.  I look forward to the opportunity to work with you and your team during my next remodel project."

~Patio, Portico, Pergola and Interior Finish Work

"For many years we knew exactly the type of 'porch' that we wanted to construct and we knew that what we were looking to do would not be considered your typical 'porch'.  I am amazed at the way you approached the design phase coming up with some unique construction methods to give us the look and feel we were looking for.

While the porch is great, the creation of my conservatory is the best part of the whole house.  This past spring was the first real opportunity we had to use it and we got some very good results with annuals that we raised and allowed us to get seeds started much earlier than normal.

As friends and neighbors have seen our 'porch', the WOW factor has been incredible!  The typical comment we routinely receive is that they have never seen anything like what we have created.

All of your team treated our home as if it were their own.  Never once did we feel uncomfortable about leaving the Howell team alone when we were not at home.

The best testimonial of customer satisfaction is, does the customer come back?  We can't wait to have you and your crew back to our home this fall to begin our kitchen renovation project."

~ Conservatory and Porch

"We are writing to let you know how satisfied we are with the addition that you designed and built for our house.  The lines of the 'new' house are proportioned just right - friends who have known us and our house for years continue to express amazement at the change, saying that the house looks like it was always the way it now is.  Some additions are glaringly obvious - this one melds in seamlessly.

Our overall experience with Howell Design and Build was very good, starting with your services during the design phase, and continuing throughout the construction phase of the project.  Your willingness to start with our design concept and help mold it into a buildable design set a good tone right from the start.  We appreciated the insight into the various materials and construction techniques available, as well as aesthetic comments.  Appropriate use of the necessary engineering services gave us a great deal of confidence that the new structure could be successfully added to our 40 year old house.

The quality of the finish work continues to delight us.  The new bathroom and master bedroom have a great deal of character, more than we had originally imagined.  The new office space is very comfortable, and the storage space that we were able to work in above the existing cathedral ceiling in the kitchen has worked out wonderfully.  One of the more striking, unique aspects of the house is the custom window that you suggested to replace the skylight that we had to remove from the kitchen.  The room now has more light throughout the day, and feels much more open than it did before.

We would welcome the opportunity to work with Howell Design and Build in the future if we have another renovation project."

 ~ Second Floor Addition

"In the Spring of 2001, we contacted your company and several other builders with a set of plans that would transform our five-over-four colonial into a unique custom home.  The plans, three years in the making, reflected our desire for relaxing with family and friends in an environment that brought the inside outdoors, as well as the outside in.  You impressed us with your knowledge, ideas, and candor.  We selected HDB to take on the project.

Excavation began just after Thanksgiving and work continued, without interruption, until August.  We never thought it would be so much fun.  The disruption of our daily routine was minimal.  There was always enough lead time to make decisions along the way.  Any obstacles, of which there were amazingly few, were addressed up front and presented with a thorough explanation of the pros and cons.

The halfway point of the project was fittingly marked by the porch-raising.  Your idea to turn it into a participatory event was excellent.  Our neighbors and friends enjoyed timberframing with the HDB team.

It has been nearly three months since your crew packed up their tools, made a final sweep, and said goodbye.  We now comfortably enjoy every inch of our 'new' house.  The renovation was successful beyond our expectations.  Hats off to you for your outstanding project management, quality control, and customer-centric attitude.  You listened.  You offered opinions.  You explained.  You followed up.  You kept our best interests in mind."

~First Floor Remodel/Addition

"We are eagerly awaiting porch season this year and being able to enjoy the beauty of our new porch, which feels like an integral extension of our house and garden.  When we came to you we knew we wanted to change our typical cement floored rectangle with screens.  It was your creative thinking that helped us envision what could happen in that space.  You listened carefully and began to describe options we hadn't imagined.

Our mundane porch renovation became an exciting project, with your enthusiasm and expertise leading us.  We very much appreciate your patient explanations and descriptions of the ways woods can complement each other and how we might use them.  It quickly became clear that you take a personal interest in each of your designs and projects, no matter the size and scope.  The design process was thorough and always attentive to our wants and needs.

Once the work on site began, it was wonderful to see that all of HDB's employees shared your interest in our project and truly took pride in their work.  We delighted in noting the thought given to details and the careful way the crew worked together, with obvious pleasure.  In our many years of homeownership, we have hired many people to work on home imporvement projects; your employees are the most pleasant and competent craftsmen we've worked with."

~Gazebo Three-Season Porch

Howell Design and Build worked with our architect to produce an eminently livable, useful, and beautiful addition to our existing house.  HDB had to adjust plans due to the rock formations and ledges found during construction.  The alterations increased the uniqueness and character of the existing plans.  We were and are very pleased with Steve's design ideas and implementation.

There were a number of construction challenges that the HDB crew handled with ease.  The site preparation was done well and all adjustments were made after consultations with the owners.  The project was considerable in scope and included working with an outside landscape company and a stonemason.  The coordination of the excavation, masonry and landscaping was very good.

The framing work was done efficiently and precisely.  Given the rooflines and angles, this was no ordinary job.  After over a year, the plaster has not cracked at the edges and corners, indicating a very solid foundation and frame structure.

Plastering and interior work in the addition is exquisite.  Steve Howell managed to contract the preeminent plasterer of the North Shore, and a true artist.  The walls and seams still amaze us, even after living with the work for over a year.  The interior woodwork and built-ins are furniture grade.

As for the other parts of the project (external work, electrical, painting, flooring, etc.) we are extremely pleased with the quality and craftsmanship.  We were impressed with the professionalism and attention to detail shown by the HDB crew and subcontractors.  They were always respectful of our time and space and very cognizant of our two small boys.  The crew effectively became part of the family for the 10 months, and truth be told, we were sad to see them finish the project (in part why we have them back for a second project, the renovation and expansion of our front porch.).

We are honored to give the Howell Design and Build construction group our highest recommendation after a fantastic job.  The joy of 'showing off' the HDB work has yet to subside.  Thanks, again."

~ Two Story Addition

"I am writing to tell you how satisfied we are with our renovation project.  Our second floor renovation project included the master bedroom, nursery and main hallway.  I have been involved in a dozen renovation projects and presently own 3 old houses.  I have worked with numerous contractors and consider ourselves to be a good judge of quality.  In our experience, Howell Design and Build is uniquely skilled at delivering customer satisfaction and results.

The following are attributes of your company.

• A never say "we cannot do that" attitude.  Our project was unique and complex.  You and your staff openly evaluated every request and suggestion we presented.  By working in partnership, this project exceeded our expectations.
• Planning:  Our project involved working with over 250 year old hand crafted beams.  Proper planning eliminated costly mistakes and do-overs.
• Professionalism:  The professional conduct of you and your staff significantly reduced the stress generally associated with building and renovation projects.
• Craftsmanship:  Perfection is the only word to describe the workmanship, skill and attention to detail of you and your staff.

  We would confidently recommend Howell Design and Build to any homeowner considering a renovation or building project.  Thank you for your efforts and a job well done.  We look forward to working with you in the future."

  ~ Upstairs Renovation of Historic Home