Questions & answers
The questions homeowners actually ask.
The questions greater Boston homeowners actually ask us, roughly in the order they ask them — from “is this a job for you?” through to “where do you work, and when could you start?”
Stage
Before you decide
What kind of work do you take on?
Kitchen and bathroom remodeling, basement finishing and conversions, decks and porches, home additions, whole-home renovations, commercial build-outs and fit-outs, and custom or small projects. As our own site puts it: not all projects are huge renovations, and no job is too small.
Is the consultation really free?
Yes. Chris comes out, walks the space with you and gives you an honest read on what the job involves, followed by a written estimate — at no charge and with no obligation.
Do you take on commercial work as well as houses?
We do. From 12,000 square foot restaurants to efficient offices, gyms and retail fit-outs, we bring the same accurate budgeting and transparency to commercial projects that we do to a kitchen.
Stage
Who does the work
Who will actually be running my project?
Chris Burke founded East Wood Builders and runs the work himself with the crew. Clients name him directly in their reviews — “Chris Burke and his team built a beautiful deck for my wife and I. Their attention to detail was amazing.”
How much experience do you have?
Chris describes himself as a detail-oriented contractor with 20+ years of hands-on experience. The figure is his own; what is independently visible is the work — a five-star record on Google and households who have hired us three and four times over.
Can you send me your registration and insurance paperwork?
Yes — ask and we will send you our current paperwork in writing before any contract is signed. We would much rather you check than take our word for it, and any contractor worth hiring in Massachusetts should be happy to hand it over.
Stage
How a project runs
Will you work with my architect or designer?
Yes, and we prefer to be involved early. We work closely with architects to help make your home's plans a reality — the earlier we are in the conversation, the cheaper the problems are to solve.
How do you handle the budget?
We provide accurate budgeting with an emphasis on transparency as your project progresses. Changes get priced and agreed as they come up, rather than appearing at the end.
What is it like living in the house while you work?
Manageable, and we work at it. As David Lopes wrote after a full kitchen and bathroom renovation: “The crew was professional, on-time, and kept the site clean.”
Stage
Areas & getting started
Which areas do you cover?
Our shop is at 48 Fletcher Street in Winchester and we serve the greater Boston area — Arlington, Medford, Woburn, Stoneham, Lexington, Melrose and Reading among them, and further out to Somerville, Cambridge, Burlington and Wakefield.
When are you contactable?
Monday to Saturday, 8:00am to 4:30pm; closed Sunday. Call (781) 454-7433 or email info@eastwoodbuilds.com and we will come back to you.
How far ahead do I need to book?
It depends entirely on the scope and the season — a small custom project can often be fitted in, a whole-home renovation needs planning. The fastest way to find out is to call and describe the job.
Still have a question?
Ask Chris directly — there's no charge for a conversation or a site visit.