Frequently Asked Questions

Company and service area

  • 99 Finish Carpentry provides finish carpentry, kitchen and bathroom remodeling, basement finishing, built-ins, trim, doors, windows, stairs, decks, framing, drywall, siding, and general home renovations.

  • We serve homeowners throughout Greater Boston, including West Roxbury, Brighton, Newton, Needham, Dedham, Wellesley, Weston, Chestnut Hill, Jamaica Plain, Westwood, and surrounding Massachusetts communities.

  • Yes. 99 Finish Carpentry is a licensed and fully insured Massachusetts contractor. We do have active CSL and HIC license.

  • We specialize in finish carpentry and detail-focused renovations, including kitchens, bathrooms, basements, built-ins, stairs, doors, trim packages, and structural carpentry.

  • Yes. We have experience renovating older Greater Boston homes where uneven framing, nonstandard dimensions, plaster walls, and previous modifications require custom solutions.

  • Yes. Many of our projects are completed while the homeowner remains in the property. We plan the work to reduce dust, protect finished areas, and minimize disruption.

  • Yes. We can work directly with homeowners or collaborate with architects, interior designers, engineers, and other construction professionals.

  • Your project is directly managed by 99 Finish Carpentry, giving you a clear point of contact for scheduling, decisions, updates, and quality control.

  • We combine general contracting capabilities with hands-on finish carpentry experience. This allows us to manage the complete renovation while maintaining close attention to details, alignment, proportions, and final appearance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Estimates and project planning

  • You can call us, submit the contact form, or use our online scheduling form to request an available estimate appointment.

  • Yes. Our website allows you to select an available appointment time and provide basic information about your project.

  • Include the property address, type of project, approximate dimensions, desired timeline, photos, plans, and a brief description of the work you want completed.

  • We inspect the existing conditions, discuss your goals, take measurements, identify potential challenges, and collect the information required to define the project scope.

  • Photos can help us provide initial guidance, but most remodeling projects require an on-site visit before we can prepare an accurate proposal.

  • Yes. Our proposals describe the planned scope of work and the labor, materials, allowances, or exclusions applicable to the project.

  • The timeframe depends on the size and complexity of the project. Smaller carpentry estimates are generally faster than proposals involving multiple trades, structural work, or architectural plans.

  • Yes. We can review architectural drawings, engineering plans, specifications, cabinet layouts, and finish schedules when preparing the project scope.

  • Yes. We can help organize your ideas, evaluate the existing space, and determine whether the project requires architectural or engineering documents.

  • Yes. When practical, we can organize a renovation into defined phases based on priorities, budget, access, and construction sequence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pricing and payments

  • The cost depends on the project size, existing conditions, materials, labor, permits, and number of trades involved. An on-site evaluation is the best way to establish a realistic price.

  • Proposals may include different materials, preparation, disposal, permits, supervision, protection, subcontractors, and finish quality. Comparing the complete scope is more accurate than comparing only the final price.

  • Yes. Depending on the agreement, we can provide both labor and materials or install specific finish materials selected and purchased by the homeowner.

  • Yes, when agreed upon before the project begins. Owner-supplied materials must be correct, complete, undamaged, and available when required by the schedule.

  • Work outside the original scope is documented as a change order describing the added or revised work and its effect on price or schedule.

  • Payment requirements depend on the project size, material orders, and construction schedule. The proposal provides the applicable deposit and payment schedule.

  • The proposal identifies whether permit fees and permit-related services are included, listed separately, or excluded from the original price.

  • Yes. Water damage, rot, outdated wiring, improper framing, plumbing problems, asbestos, or other concealed conditions may only become visible after demolition.

  • Many projects can be quoted with a defined price when the scope and existing conditions are sufficiently clear. Allowances or change orders may apply when selections or concealed conditions remain unknown.

  • Define the scope early, select materials before construction, avoid unnecessary changes, maintain realistic allowances, and reserve part of the budget for concealed conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Construction process

  • The schedule depends on the scope, permits, inspections, material availability, subcontractors, and existing conditions. We establish a projected schedule after reviewing the complete project.

  • Yes. When included in the scope, we can prepare permit documentation, coordinate required professionals, submit the application, and schedule inspections.

  • Projects involving structural changes, electrical work, plumbing, HVAC, additions, decks, or changes in occupancy commonly require permits. Requirements depend on the municipality and scope.

  • Yes. For complete renovations, we can coordinate properly licensed electricians, plumbers, HVAC contractors, and other specialized trades.

  • We use floor protection, dust barriers, controlled work areas, debris removal, and job-site organization based on the type and location of the work.

  • We provide updates about completed work, upcoming steps, inspections, selections, scheduling changes, and decisions needed from the homeowner.

  • Common delays include permit approvals, inspection availability, change orders, concealed damage, custom material lead times, weather, and late homeowner selections.

  • Cabinets, tile, plumbing fixtures, flooring, doors, hardware, and other long-lead items should be selected before they are required on the job.

  • Yes. Debris removal can be included in the project scope through job-site cleanup, contractor bags, a dumpster, or another appropriate disposal method.

  • Yes. At the end of the project, we review the completed work and identify any remaining adjustments or agreed-upon punch-list items.

Frequently Asked Questions

Remodeling and carpentry services

  • Yes. We provide kitchen remodeling services including demolition, framing, cabinetry, islands, trim, flooring, drywall, and coordination of plumbing, electrical, countertops, and painting.

  • Yes. We handle bathroom renovations involving demolition, framing, waterproofing coordination, tile, vanities, trim, doors, flooring, and licensed plumbing and electrical work.

  • Yes. We can transform unfinished basements into family rooms, offices, gyms, bathrooms, bedrooms, storage areas, or other permitted living spaces.

  • Yes. We design and install built-ins, entertainment units, bookcases, benches, mudroom storage, fireplace surrounds, and other custom carpentry features.

  • Yes. We install interior doors, window and door casing, baseboards, crown molding, wall paneling, chair rail, and complete interior trim packages.

  • Yes. We work on stair treads, risers, handrails, guardrails, posts, balusters, trim, and other stair components, subject to existing conditions and code requirements.

  • Yes. We perform walls, openings, headers, beams, floor framing, roof framing, and other structural carpentry based on approved plans or engineering when required.

  • Yes. We provide deck framing, decking, stairs, railings, repairs, replacement components, and complete deck construction when included in the project scope.

  • Yes. We can evaluate and repair damaged framing, drywall, trim, flooring, doors, and other affected components before completing the final finishes.

  • We are a strong fit for homeowners looking for direct communication, organized project management, detailed carpentry, and a contractor capable of coordinating both individual improvements and complete renovations.