Over the past 22 years of owning our rambling Cape Cod home, we’ve tackled countless home improvement projects, from routine maintenance to major renovations. Thanks to my builder father, I grew up learning how to handle just about any task, a skill set I’ve come to appreciate more with time. While I’ve completed many DIY home renovations myself, there have been instances where hiring a contractor was the best—or only—option. Whether it was a complex electrical upgrade, a structural repair, or a large-scale renovation, we’ve worked with a variety of professionals, each with their own level of expertise and reliability.
Finding the right home improvement contractors can be a challenge, and over the years, we’ve encountered the full spectrum—from exceptional craftsmen to those who left us questioning their skills. Some contractors delivered top-notch work, while others barely met expectations or, in a few cases, created bigger problems than they solved. In this section, we’ll share our experiences, highlighting the best local contractors, calling out the worst, and offering tips on how to hire a contractor for home renovations while avoiding costly mistakes.
